Feel-Good News Stories: June 17, 2022

Now that it’s the weekend — and Sunday is Father’s Day — we all have plenty to celebrate. Before you get into the festivities, take a moment to browse some happy news and start things off with a smile. Here’s a roundup of three feel-good stories for June 17, 2022 to help you feel grateful all weekend long.

1. 83-Year-Old Yachtsman Sets Record for Oldest Person to Sail Across Pacific Ocean Solo

Living an active lifestyle is a goal for many adults – no matter their age. For 83-year-old Kenichi Horie, sailing is a beloved pastime. In fact, he made history earlier this month by becoming the world’s oldest solo yachtsman to sail non-stop across the Pacific Ocean.

Horie’s voyage began in San Francisco on March 27 aboard his 2,182 pound, 19-foot-long sailboat called the Suntory Mermaid III. The voyage took more than two months and was challenging at times.

Despite this, he tells CNN that he kept in touch with his family every day via a satellite phone. “If I didn’t call at least once a day they’d worry,” he recalls.

Horie’s months-long voyage was officially completed on June 4 after he arrived in the waters near the Kii Peninsula of Japan. “Don’t let your dreams just stay as dreams. Have a goal and work towards achieving this and a beautiful life awaits,” he advises.

2. Five-year-old Becomes the Youngest Female to Publish a Book

Ever wanted to write a book? Well, Bella J. Dark’s story might inspire you to try. The five-year-old was just named the world’s youngest female to publish a book by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Lost Cat by Bella J. Dark was published in January and tells the story of a cat named Snowy who gets lost one night. Since its release by children’s publisher Ginger Fyre Press, the book has sold over 1,000 copies — making it eligible for the Guinness World Records title.

Dark’s mother, Chelsie Syme, says her daughter’s love for writing short stories began at age three, so writing a book seemed like a natural next step. “I was happy for her and I just love getting involved and giving attention and praise to everything she does,” Syme says.

3. Woman Achieves Her Lifelong Dream of Petting a Penguin

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Life’s all about experiencing new things that we can check off of our bucket list. A 104-year-old woman named Bertha Komor recently fulfilled her lifelong goal of petting and holding a penguin.

This surprise was planned by Komor’s daughter and granddaughter (Karen Rivkin) with help of her caregivers, Mystic Aquarium, and the Twilight Wish Connecticut. “I am just so excited for her and just so happy that she was able to have this wish come true and to just have been in our life for as long as she has,” Rivkin tells WFSB 3.

Komor’s friends watched as she excitedly interacted with a penguin named Mr. Red Green. “I didn’t expect this, it’s wonderful,” she says. “Best part was petting him and seeing him close up.”