Hundreds of people named “Ryan” got together in New York this weekend for an event called Rytoberfest.  They didn’t break the record for most people with the same name gathered in one spot, but they did raise a bunch for charity.  The Ryan Callahan Foundation supports families of pediatric cancer patients………………… Just a reminder, you don’t have to be a father to be a “father figure.”  OH woman Shacole Fox got married last month, and her landlord walked her down the aisle.  She never knew her dad, and didn’t think it would matter, but she suddenly felt sad about it as her wedding day got closer.  She says having someone with her who she looks up to made it feel like an emotional wound had been healed. 

New Yorker Asher Rosenfeld began the Audibles with Asher program during the pandemic, when he was just 12, hosting weekly individual reading sessions over Zoom for kids and young adults with special needs. He wanted to give them a routine and something to look forward to during a difficult time. Asher is now 17 and he’s still seeing the same folks every week on Zoom to read books and further their friendships. Asher reads to each participant, then he donates and ships the books, as well. Asher said  “Over time, I’ve realized it’s not actually about the books, it’s about the connection that happens while we’re reading and hanging out. That’s the part that’s stuck and the part that matters most to me.”