From stories of gentling wild mustangs with The Project Equestrian, scooter riding dogs in Essex to record-breaking fundraisers for Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, 2023 was a year of many positives in the midst of some tough challenges with the flooding in the North Country. Even celebrity boosts from Luis Guzman on Jeopardy and eyebrows raised for a Rod Stewart look-alike in Vergennes, we had quite an eye-popping year. Scroll through some of our favorite stories in Backyard Burlington’s Positive News or check out these fun video favs from our friends over at WPTZ:

Video Highlights of 2023 courtesy of WPTZ HERE

If you’re stumped on what to do this New Year’s Eve, there are LOADS of events going on both sides of the lake! From Karaoke fun at Park Place in Essex Junction, Vermont to Fulton’s Folly at Whiteface Lodge – take a peek at these listing to find something to ring in 2024!

Vermont – click HERE

New York – click HERE

ELIZABETHTOWN, NY – (Courtesy of the Press Republican)

Thirteen years ago, John Konowitz got a few high school coaches together and started the Judy’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Basketball Tournament.

His purpose was to give thanks to the many players and parents who would help watch over his wife — then starting to wander as she struggled with the disease — as he was coaching individual or team clinics on the court.

“Our goal is always to keep the money local and to benefit our youth,” Chris Korowitz said. “ Last year we were able to award scholarships of $500 each to 25 participating senior players, as well as donate $3,000 to the Third Age Alzheimer’s Day Care Center.

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BURLINGTON, Vt. — Courtesy of WPTZ

First responders and organizations from across Vermont took on the role of Santa’s Helpers on Thursday afternoon at the 13th annual Operation Fire Cuffs.

Around 45 organizations took part in the event, donating and collecting gifts throughout the year, that were brought to the University of Vermont Medical Center. Volunteers said on Friday, families of children spending their holidays in the hospital will pick out presents for their kids.

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Courtesy of WPTZ – PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —

In the spirit of holiday cheer, the Christmas Bureau in Plattsburgh is working tirelessly to ensure that children in Clinton County wake up to presents under the tree this festive season.

Volunteers at the Christmas Bureau have embraced the role of Santa’s helpers, meticulously crafting lists and checking them twice to bring joy to families in need.

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In their 25th year of the “It’s Kool to Send a Kid to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta” fundraiser, KOOL 105 Morning Host John Brooks and Afternoon Host Mark Knight teamed up once again to help make a record-breaking fundraising effort of $211,365.69. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is Vermont and New York’s camp for kids with cancer. Each year, the radio station and volunteers raise enough funds to send as many kids to camp as possible.

This year, EVERYONE who needs camp can go, thanks to the generosity of the KOOL 105 listeners, volunteers and the crew at the radio station. There’s still time to donate to this worthy cause HERE:

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After the devastating flooding Vermont farmers faced this past summer, St. Albans farmers have banded together for a celebratory Tractor Parade thatwinds through St. Albans this Friday night. Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, Anson Tebbetts said “Farmers of Franklin County and beyond are doing this to thank the community for supporting them all the years that they’ve been there,” Over 60 farmers will participate with lighted tractors, trucks and more to celebrate.

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Since 2015, founder Troy Austin has been rounding up new, unwrapped toys to insure no child goes without a present during the holidays. This Saturday starting at 4 pm, the Albert D. Lawton school in Essex Junction will host trucks and vehicles ablaze in holiday lights, cookies and of course, Santa to accept donations of unwrapped new toys until 6:30 pm.

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Construction on the walk-bike bridge known as the East-West Crossing in South Burlington is expected to start at the end of 2024, city leaders say, with a target opening two years later.

The $14.5 million project, which would see a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians stretch over Interstate 89, has been in development for years now and aims to address one of the riskiest tracts of road in the state. Read more courtesy of Leah Golding, Community News Service:

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Jackson Lewis Rodriguez, a 13-year-old from Rouses Point, New York, was granted his wish in December 2022 to practice with the Anaheim Ducks, a professional hockey team in the National Hockey League. By sharing his story, Jackson was able to pay it forward by helping Make-a-Wish grant more wishes.

The Make-A-Wish chapter in Northern New York will continue accepting donations at the Champlain Centre until Saturday, Dec. 23. Read more courtesy of WPTZ:

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