Heartwarming Good News Stories In Essex County: Year In Review – Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The world can be a scary place. But it’s also filled with humor, inspiration and beauty. Let’s focus on that second part.

Take a look back at some of 2021’s most uplifting stories in Essex County below.

Adopted For The Holidays: Watch New Jersey Families Cry With Joy

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“As soon as that gavel raps, as soon as the judge announces it – it’s the best feeling in the world … it just breaks your soul.”

Take A Photo Tour Of This Amazing ‘Fairy Trail’ In New Jersey

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A beloved New Jersey nature preserve is home to a village of miniature “fairy houses.” Get ready to have your faith in humanity restored.

Montclair Native Scores Triple Oscar Victory For ‘Nomadland’

Jessica Bruder, who attended Montclair Kimberly Academy, wrote the celebrated book that became an Academy Award-winning movie.

Ambitious Bloomfield Teen Accepted To 7 Ivy League Colleges

A senior at Bloomfield High School got into some of the most prestigious universities in the nation. But in his family, that’s nothing new.

Music Keeps Maplewood Man With Autism Connected To Beloved Priest

When his NJ church went virtual, concerts kept them together. Ben’s mother says, “It is amazing to see the smile spread across Ben’s face.”

Short Hills Woman Is ‘First Female Amputee’ Fire Academy Grad

“I’m the first female amputee in the world to graduate from a fire academy,” New Jersey athlete and speaker Amanda Sullivan announced.

Newark Transforms Empty Storage Containers Into Homeless Shelters

The unique rooms at Newark Hope Village will give COVID-friendly shelter to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Montclair Cops Save Breastfeeding Baby After He Chokes

A group of Montclair police officers helped to rescue a 6-day-old infant. Read a thank-you message from his “eternally grateful” parents.

NJ Teen’s Successful Beauty Salon Inspires Pride In East Orange

Maylani Brown, 18, says she picked East Orange to launch her business in because it’s a “reflection of herself.”

Cherry Blossom Season Brightens Up Essex County (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

The annual blooming of the cherry blossoms has been a breath of fresh air for many Essex County residents after a long, stressful winter.

Dr. Oz Helps Cops Save NJ Man’s Life At Newark Airport

A Port Authority officer saw a man fall to the floor. He started CPR. And then television’s “Dr. Oz” came along. Here’s what happened next.

‘World’s Largest Indoor Vertical Farm’ Keeps Growing In Essex County

COVID-19 can’t stop the green. Catch up with this cutting-edge “indoor farm” in New Jersey’s most populated city

North Jersey Man Uses Stimulus Check To Go Back To College

A cybersecurity buff from New Jersey is using his COVID stimulus check to return to school after a quarter-century out of the classroom.

Bloomfield Actor Lands ‘Big Break’ On Show With Kevin Bacon

Kevin Interdonato is officially one degree away from Kevin Bacon. But he’s also hoping for some screen time with another co-star: his wife.

Newark Teen Earns Prestigious Award, Gets Praise From NY Giant

A New Jersey teen has excelled on the football field and in the classroom despite his mother’s death, surgery and other adversities: Video

Ex-Belleville BOE Member Returns $2K He Found At Bank Drive-Thru

Why return a huge fistful of hundred-dollar bills? It was a simple choice, Michael Sheldon said: it’s what his parents would tell him to do.

This Essex County City Is Turning An Old School Into A Huge Homeless Shelter

Once it was a school. But soon, it will be a shelter that serves one of the largest populations of homeless residents in New Jersey.

Essex County HS Football Player Inspires Her City With Gridiron Glory

With single carry of the pigskin, Jessica Felix scored a huge touchdown for aspiring female football players across New Jersey.

Essex County Resident’s ‘Traveling Diary’ Unites Women Amid Pandemic

A “traveling diary” that started in North Jersey has since blossomed into an international collaboration between more than 100 women.

Newark Nonprofit Is Creating A Positive Pipeline Of Sisterhood

Even the coronavirus pandemic can’t stop Allison James-Frison from helping girls to “live, love and laugh” in the Brick City.

Essex County College Student Inspires ‘Tears Of Joy’ From His Mom

Khalid Branch has overcome a series of obstacles as a special needs student. He hopes to become a gym teacher.

Professor Who Grew Up In Livingston Competes On ‘Jeopardy’

Livingston High class of ’91 graduate Hester Blum competed on Jeopardy! She said a local teacher influenced her career.

Belleville Sisters Keep Up ‘Wave Of Positivity’ With Food Drive

A pair of siblings in Belleville continue their efforts to boost their township. This time, it’s with a “contactless food drive.”

NJ Woman Opens Groundbreaking Café For Deaf Community In Essex County

Deaf’s Delight Café is the first of its kind in New Jersey. But the path to success didn’t come without a struggle, its owner says.

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