Simsbury mother founds nonprofit after losing son to overdose

Good News Notes: “Mother’s Day is just a few hours away and while many will spend the day celebrating their moms and other motherly figures. One local mom is making a change by channeling her grief into a nonprofit geared to helping those struggling with substance abuse after losing her eldest son. Lisa Gray is…

Police rescue man from water at Saugatuck Shores Beach in Westport

Good News Notes: “Police say they pulled a man from the waters of Saugatuck Shores Beach early Tuesday morning. Just before 6 a.m., police responded to the Saugatuck Shores Beach on a report of a missing older adult, Lt. David Wolf said. Several officers began searching the area and soon found the missing man, partially…

Kit Harington reveals depression and alcohol struggles

Good News Notes: “Former Game of Thrones star Kit Harington is opening up about some of the darker moments over the past few years, including his addiction struggles. In an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, Harington confessed that “things that have happened to me since Thrones ended, and that were happening during Thrones, were of a pretty traumatic nature and they did…

Price Rite kicks off pilot of Flashfood food waste reduction app

Good News Notes: “Wakefern Food Corp.’s Price Rite Marketplace has begun testing the Flashfood food waste reduction app in western New York. The free app from Toronto-based Flashfood gives shoppers access to exclusive deals on products — including meat, produce, seafood, dairy, deli and bakery — that are nearing their best-by date. In turn, the significantly reduced…

‘Living shorelines’ becoming more common in CT for erosion control

Good News Notes: “Visitors to East Shore Park in New Haven aren’t easily able to stroll along the beach there. It’s not closed; it’s being physically cut off from the rest of the park by erosion. Getting to the beach requires getting down a steep slope, and there’s a good chance of slipping on the loose sand…

Mindfulness Sessions To Help Non-Profit Workers, First Responders

Good News Notes: “Community Mindfulness Project (CMP) will offer weekly “Mini Mindfulness Burnout Busters” for non-profit workers and first responders free of charge every Wednesday at 9 a.m. The program began June 23. According to a news release, the short, 15 minute sessions provide mindfulness and meditation opportunities to specifically to help combat mental and…

3-year-old piano prodigy set to perform at Carnegie Hall

Good News Notes: “This pint-size piano prodigy is truly note-worthy. A 3-year-old piano whiz became the youngest person ever to win a prestigious international music competition — earning her a performance spot at Carnegie Hall, her dad told The Post. Little Brigitte Xie, of Ridgefield, Conn., first started taking lessons to pass the time during the…

Innovations in water accessibility

Good News Notes: “Growing up in coastal Connecticut, Flora Klise’s childhood was shaped by water. She spent summers taking sailing lessons and working at a local marina. But it wasn’t until she stood next to a well in rural Tanzania that she realized she wanted to pursue a career in water innovation. The summer before…

Couple gets married in hospital so bride’s dying father can attend

Good News Notes: “Michael Krystek and Sara Estela exchanged their wedding vows next to Sara’s father’s bedside, days before he died of cancer. After experiencing breathing problems Christmas Day, Juan Estela was admitted to Middlesex Hospital. Tests revealed he had terminal cancer, and his wish to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding…

Two boys donate money from Christmas invention to animal shelters

Good News Notes: “Like most 12-year-olds, Ayaan and Mickey Naqvi love their family Christmas traditions, like making cookies and wrapping gifts. But most of all, they love decorating the Christmas tree with their family’s heirloom ornaments. One day, as the Connecticut-based brothers were hanging their decorations, one of their favorite ornaments slipped off a branch…