Unsung Heroes: Janet Willoner, Tree Giver of North Yorkshire

In a quiet corner of North Yorkshire, one woman has turned her garden into a forest of hope.

Credit: Janet Willoner

Janet Willoner, a passionate gardener and environmentalist, has grown and donated more than 4,000 trees—yes, four thousand—from her own backyard. Without fanfare or funding, she’s spent years nurturing saplings that now thrive in parks, schoolyards, and community spaces across the region.

Her efforts recently earned her the Green Award from BBC Radio York, but Janet’s story goes far beyond accolades. It’s about the power of one person to make a lasting impact—root by root, tree by tree.

A Garden That Gives Back

What began as a personal love for gardening blossomed into a mission to restore nature. Janet carefully propagated native species, tended them through every season, and gave them away to anyone who needed them. Her trees now stand as living testaments to generosity and resilience.

In a time when climate anxiety can feel overwhelming, Janet’s work reminds us that change doesn’t always come from big institutions—it often starts in our own backyards.

Why It Matters

Reforestation is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change, support biodiversity, and improve air quality. By creating a local supply of trees, Janet has helped reduce the carbon footprint of sourcing and transporting plants, while strengthening community ties.

Her grassroots approach is a model for regenerative action—quiet, consistent, and deeply rooted in care.

A Legacy in Leaves

Janet’s story is a beautiful reminder that you don’t need a title or a budget to be a hero. You just need heart, patience, and a willingness to give.

So here’s to Janet Willoner—the Tree Giver of North Yorkshire—whose garden has grown more than greenery. It’s grown hope.

Read her story in her own words at Yorkshire Rewilding Network 

Read about more good people:

Promoter of Peace 

Women leaves $4 million to help homeless

Awarded for services to the environment

World Laughter Day: The Healing Sound Within

 

World Laughter Day logo

On the first Sunday each May the world pauses—in laughter.

World Laughter Day, founded in 1998 by Dr. Madan Kataria, is more than a celebration. It’s a movement. A global invitation to rediscover the joy that lives within us, waiting to be released. With over 6,000 Laughter Clubs worldwide, this day reminds us that laughter is not just a reaction—it’s a practice, a medicine, and a bridge between hearts.

“It has been scientifically proven that laughter is both preventive and therapeutic.” — Dr. Madan Kataria

Laughter as Connection

Laughter is a universal language. It doesn’t require translation, credentials, or permission. It rises from the body like breath, and in that moment—whether shared with a friend, a stranger, we are connected.

World Laughter Day aims to foster global friendship through laughter, reminding us that joy is a common thread in the human experience. It’s a gentle rebellion against isolation, fear, and division. When we laugh together, we dissolve the barriers that separate us.

The Science of Joy

Laughter isn’t just emotional—it’s physiological. Studies show that laughter:

• Boosts immunity and lowers stress hormones

• Improves cardiovascular health and blood circulation

• Releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals

• Enhances mood, energy, and resilience

• Strengthens social bonds and empathy

Laughter Yoga, the practice pioneered by Dr. Kataria, combines intentional laughter with deep breathing. Even simulated laughter—when practiced regularly—can lead to genuine joy and improved well-being. It’s proof that the body doesn’t wait for a reason to heal. It just needs permission.

Within Yourself: The Laughing Heart

At All Things Good  we believe that healing begins inside. Laughter is one of the most accessible tools we have. It doesn’t erase pain, but it softens it. It doesn’t deny struggle, but it reminds us that joy can coexist with grief.

So this World Laughter Day, consider:

• Joining a local or online Laughter Yoga session

• Watching something that makes you laugh without guilt or restraint

• Creating a laughter ritual—morning giggles, silly dances, playful affirmations

• Sharing a moment of joy with someone who needs it

Let your laughter be a balm. Let it be a bridge. Let it be a reminder that all things good—especially joy—begin within yourself.

More info about World Laughter Day

More information on laughing and smiling:

Laughter and chronic illness

What's in a Smile?

The Happiness Institute

and more at GNN SMILE

My favourite Richard Branson Quotes

Sir Richard Branson

I've just finished reading Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur by Richard Branson, well re- reading it actually and to tell the truth I actually listened to it in my car off an audio book, which is my new favourite thing to do when driving - listen to audio books. 

Branson’s fearless approach to life and business never fails to spark inspiration. His words are bold, authentic, and often just the push you need to think bigger or move forward

I always find Sir Richard Branson inspiring and thought you might enjoy some of his words of wisdom. Do you have a favourite?

“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions – in a way that serves the world and you.”

“You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.”  

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to.”

“Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again.”

“Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.” in Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life and Business

“The brave may not live forever – But the cautious do not live at all” in Like a Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School

“I can honestly say that I have never gone into any business purely to make money. If that is the sole motive then I believe you are better off not doing it. A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” in Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way

"A business is simply an idea to make other people’s lives better."

"My family brought me up to always look for the best in other people. I love people. Love spending time with people. I love learning from people."

"Entrepreneurship is a great leveler, The wonderful thing is that money is not the sole currency when it comes to starting a business; drive, determination, passion and hard work are all free and more valuable than a pot of cash."

Whether you're launching a business, navigating a career shift, or just trying to live with more intention, Richard Branson’s quotes offer grounded wisdom with a dash of rebellious spirit. They remind us to lead with passion, embrace failure, treat people well, and never be afraid to take a leap. I hope these words have sparked something in you as they have in me. And if you’ve got a favourite Branson quote I didn’t include, I’d love to hear it.

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The elementary school teacher who helped the new U.S. poet laureate

Lelya Sampson in her Mount Hope home.

This San Diego teacher helped Juan Felipe Herrera find his voice.

Juan Felipe Herrera, who is the new U.S. poet laureate, often talks about a defining moment 57 years ago, when he was a third-grader at Lowell Elementary School in Barrio Logan.   

Howard Lipin/Twitter: @hlipin

The Teacher Who Sparked a Poet: A Barrio Logan Story

Sometimes, all it takes is one voice to unlock another.

Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Latino U.S. Poet Laureate, often speaks of a defining moment that shaped his life—not on a grand stage, but in a humble third-grade classroom at Lowell Elementary School in San Diego’s Barrio Logan. It was 57 years ago, and Herrera was just a quiet boy with a head full of thoughts and a heart full of rhythm. Then a teacher saw something in him—and helped him find his voice.

A Seed Planted in Barrio Logan

Barrio Logan is a neighborhood rich in Chicano culture, murals, and music. But in the 1950s, it was also a place where many children of migrant workers struggled to find their footing in a system that didn’t always see them. Herrera’s parents were farm laborers, and his early life was marked by movement, uncertainty, and silence.

That changed when a teacher at Lowell Elementary encouraged him to speak up, write, and share. She didn’t just teach—she listened. And that act of listening gave Herrera permission to imagine, to express, and eventually, to soar.

“She said, ‘Juan, you have a voice. Use it.’ That was the beginning.” —Juan Felipe Herrera

From Classroom to Congress

Herrera went on to become a celebrated poet, performer, and educator. His work blends English, Spanish, and Indigenous rhythms, capturing the spirit of borderlands and the beauty of bicultural life. In 2015, he was appointed U.S. Poet Laureate, becoming the first Latino to hold the title.

His poems speak of migration, identity, and joy. But they also carry the echo of that teacher’s encouragement—a reminder that greatness often begins with a whisper.

Why This Matters

In a world that often overlooks quiet children, Herrera’s story is a call to action. Teachers, mentors, and community members have the power to shape futures—not with grand gestures, but with simple affirmations.

“Who helped you find your voice? And who might be waiting for you to help them find theirs?”

At All Things Good, we celebrate stories like these—moments of kindness, courage, and connection. Juan Felipe Herrera’s journey reminds us that goodness isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s a gentle nudge in a classroom that echoes for a lifetime.

Here’s a quote from Juan Felipe Herrera’s poem Let Me Tell You What a Poem Brings that beautifully captures his spirit:

“A poem is a way to tell the world who you are, what you dream, and how you survive.”

Read about more good people:

Promoter of Peace 

Women leaves $4 million to help homeless

Awarded for services to the environment

Australian woman leaves $4 million mansion to help homeless children

This lovely lady Lily Fardell of Newcastle, Australia, has left a personal legacy which will raise an estimated $4 million for homeless children.

"She couldn't have children of her own," her nephew, Michael Ellis said.
"But she loved children and left almost everything she had to a charity which supported them."

🌟 Her Life & Legacy

• Age at passing: 96 years old

• Residence: Pacific House, a grand Victorian home overlooking King Edward Park in the prestigious suburb of The Hill

• Profession: Former teacher, known for her elegance, kindness, and community spirit

• Nickname: Locals dubbed her "Fair Lady of The Hill" for her grace and charitable nature

🌟 The Bequest

• Total value: Estimated at $4 million AUD

• Beneficiary: St Vincent de Paul Society, specifically to support services for homeless children

• Estate details:

  • Her home sold for approximately $2.34 million

  • Her share portfolio and antique collection made up the remainder

  • The house was filled with Victorian antiques, artworks, and rare collectibles, all auctioned for charity

🌟 A Life of Quiet Generosity

• Lily was known for hosting tea parties on her verandah, especially during Christmas carols across the road

• Though she never had children of her own, she adored them and dedicated her estate to helping those in need

• Her nephew, Michael Ellis, cared for her in her final years and helped carry out her wishes

🌟Historical Home

• Pacific House was built in 1871 and had only two owners before Lily and her husband Noel purchased it in 1958

• The home’s original features and furnishings were preserved, making it a treasure trove of history

Lily’s story is a powerful reminder that legacy isn’t just about wealth—it’s about impact, intention, and heart.

 

Read more at The Sydney Morning Herald

Read about more good people:

Promoter of Peace 

Awarded for services to the environment

Tree Giver

Quotes by famous women

Celebrating the Wisdom of Women 

Throughout history, women have inspired, challenged, and uplifted the world with their words. Whether through wit, courage, compassion, or creativity, their voices have echoed across generations, leaving behind timeless wisdom that continues to resonate today. This collection of quotes brings together powerful reflections from iconic women—thinkers, artists, leaders, and trailblazers—whose insights remind us of the strength, beauty, and brilliance of the female spirit.

Let these quotes spark your imagination, stir your heart, and perhaps even shift your perspective. Because when women speak, the world listens—and grows.

 

We love these fabulous and famous women and what they had to tell us. If you enjoy these quotes you might also enjoy our page of quotes by famous women which you can find at GNN Good News Network.

12 creative little libraries from around the world.

Our cities are full of large libraries that are amazing and free, but here we have chosen to share the little tiny libraries that are springing up everywhere. These libraries can be created by anyone, anywhere and each one has a story to tell about the love of books, the love of sharing, and a sense of community.

Hundreds of little libraries have been created but not all of them have been photographed and shared. That’s why we set out to find as many little libraries as we could. We love how they add uniqueness to the areas of the cities and suburbs where they are found. We really enjoy the creativity that has gone into making these libraries and have included what we feel are the most creative from around the world.

We hope you enjoy this list of the most creative little libraries from around the world.

We would love to add more. Did we miss any from your neighborhood? Feel free to submit pictures at our Facebook or Twitter feeds to be added here or let us know in the comments below.

Tree stump library



Robot library Monica Thompson

Tardis in Kenmore Washington, USA. Jennifer Brozek

Wizard of Oz Tornado library Pomeroy Street MASSACHUSETTS, USA

Space age library

 

Winchester, Texas USA. 'We decided to build a library that reflected our small community.
A chicken coop theme fit us perfectly!' - Margaret Atkins.



Created by Stereotank, a public installation project providing New Yorkers
with a spontaneous opportunity to read a book.

Tree trunk library in Jackson Street Seattle, USA

Library in a phone booth

Public Bookshelf created in a bus stop in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Book house in Maleny, Queensland, Australia.

 

Houston, Texas USA. A boat-shaped Library at the church for Clear Lake Community.
Diane Jones.

 

If after seeing these cute and worthwhile structures you may feel inspired to build your own out of an old cupboard or some other creative design in your head. There are people who can help you with the considerations that you may yet have not thought apart like "how do I keep my little library protected from the rain? " or "how wide should the shelves be to house most books?"

Little Free Libraries & Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build is highly recommended, as the book you need, by The Little Free Library organization. Yes, there is an organization! They are a nonprofit organization based in Hudson, Wisconsin, USA. Little Free Library (LFL) is an award-winning nonprofit organization at the center of a global literacy movement. Find out more about it here.

This book is produced in cooperation with Little Free Library, and is a builder's complete source of inspiration and how-to knowledge. Illustrated throughout with colorful step-by-step photography and a gallery of tiny structures for further inspiration, Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds covers every step: planning and design, tools and building techniques, best materials, and 12 complete plans for structures of varying size and aesthetics. In addition, author and professional carpenter Phil Schmidt includes information on proper installation of small structures and common repairs and maintenance for down the road. You can check it out or purchase it here. 

Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds book cover

If you liked this article you may also like History of the Little Free Library which includes the benefits of running a little library.

History of the Little Free Library

IMAGE: Little Free Library

 

In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book and bring back another book to share. It's a  neighbourhood book exchange. It’s a place where neighbours share their favourite books.

In 2009, Tod Bol decided to build a model schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved to read. He built it from recycled materials, filled it with books and placed it in his front garden in Wisconsin, USA with a sign that read ‘Little Free Library.’


Tod Bol's 1st little library

He made more little houses and gave them to family and friends and the idea for a global network of Little Free Libraries was born.

The most often quoted benefits of Little Free Libraries

• People meet more neighbours and passers-by than they have in years.
• They often spend time getting to know people as well as books.
• They value the free-wheeling exchange of books, especially because they are often surprised by the variety and quality of the collections.
• They like giving as much as –or perhaps even more than—taking books.
•  Little Free Libraries are likely to have a positive influence on community quality of life and social capital.
• Small, local business owners report that Little Free Libraries help them attract and keep customers.
• Children, youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds can share in the give and take. People of widely diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds participate in this grassroots effort.

You can find out more about the Little Free Library here .

This is linked up at Read With Me

Awarded for services to the environment

Alison Teese was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to conservation and the environment at the 2015 Australia Day Awards. The OAM list provides national and formal recognition for Australians who have made a significant difference to their communities.

Alison Teese is a farmer who has been recognised for setting up a philanthropic trust to preserve the nation’s native eucalypt trees. She was raised on a dairy farm in Gippsland, Victoria, in Australia, and her early life shaped her passion for the land and natural science. Her work involves a range of projects that extends from creating bird habitats to conserving native trees.

In 1989, Alison became one of the founding members of the Moolort Landcare Group and still remains an active member today, as she continues to raise awareness of the environment including climate change and land management.

 

Landcare Australia Limited is the leading not-for-profit organisation responsible for raising awareness and funding for the Landcare movement.

 

SOURCE: Landcare's facebook page

 

Reviving vital traditional knowledge

Slava Cheltuev

Slava Cheltuev, is a Telengit community leader and shaman from the Russian Altai Mountain's high altitude Kosh Agach district. 

Whilst traversing Altai's sacred lands, he reflects on our 21st century world and stresses the importance of reviving vital traditional knowledge - age-old wisdom that instruct the respectful and harmonious relationship between local environment and human behaviour.

Cheltuev emphasizes that nature is not a resource—it’s a relative. In Altai cosmology, every mountain, spring, and animal has a spirit, or eezi, deserving of reverence. His call to revive traditional practices isn’t nostalgic—it’s urgent. 

Find out more from the man himself in the video below.

 

Kosh-Agachsky District is one of the most fascinating and remote regions in Russia’s Altai Republic. Here’s a closer look at what makes it so unique:

Geographic & Cultural Overview

• Location: Southeastern Altai Republic, bordering Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan.

• Elevation: Around 1,750 meters (5,741 feet) above sea level—making it one of the highest inhabited areas in Siberia.

• Landscape: A dramatic mix of alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and vast steppe. It’s part of the Chuya Steppe, a cold desert-like plateau surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

• Climate: Harsh and dry, with extreme temperature swings. Summers are short and cool; winters are long and bitterly cold.

Nature & Wilderness

• Biodiversity: Home to rare species like snow leopards, argali sheep, and golden eagles.

• Sacred Sites: The Altai Mountains are considered sacred by indigenous Telengit people. Many peaks, rivers, and valleys are believed to have spirits (eezi).

• Tavan Bogd Range: Near the district, this range includes Belukha Mountain—the highest peak in Siberia—and stunning glaciers like Potanin.

People & Traditions

• Population: Roughly 18,000 people, mostly rural. Ethnic composition includes:

  • Kazakhs – 53%

  • Altaians (including Telengits) – 40%

  • Russians – 3%

• Telengit Culture: Deeply spiritual, with shamanic traditions and a worldview rooted in harmony with nature. Slava Cheltuev is one of the most prominent voices from this community.

• Nomadic Heritage: Many families still practice seasonal herding of yaks, sheep, and horses.

Challenges

• Environmental Threats: Climate change is altering traditional grazing patterns and water availability.

• Development Pressure: Mining and tourism pose risks to sacred lands and fragile ecosystems.

• Cultural Preservation: Younger generations are increasingly disconnected from traditional knowledge, prompting leaders like Cheltuev to advocate for revival.

Read about more good people:

Promoter of Peace 

Women leaves $4 million to help homeless

Awarded for services to the environment

Inspirational health story of someone with MS

 Janet Golownia is passionate about unlocking the body’s ability to heal itself through a variety of yoga tools and nutrition.  She has learned from healing her own health issues of hypothyroidism, depression and multiple sclerosis that healing takes place not only on the physical level but also the energetic and emotional levels.  

Due to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis very early in life Janet became a life-long seeker and student of health and wellness. 

She has spent the last 30 years in study and experiential learning about the body to heal herself and many other friends and family members.  During much of this time she was also working very successfully in the corporate IT business world, never dreaming that all her years of study would lead her to becoming a yoga therapist, teacher and health coach.  

A sudden life circumstance caused her to re-evaluate her life and she set out to pursue her passion of helping others to heal their bodies through yoga and nutrition.  After practicing yoga for 10 years she opened PurBalance Yoga Therapy LLC in June of 2013.  Since that time she has been seeing clients in her home studio, teaching yoga classes at area studios and, also doing various workshops on Corrective Yoga for Healthy Joints, as well as, Yoga Nidra and Marma Point Massage to help people achieve deep relaxation.  

Her goal is to educate health care providers on what yoga therapy is and also on how it can complement conventional treatments.  

She enjoys helping people identify habitual unconscious ways of sitting, standing, etc. that may be causing them chronic shoulder, neck and low back pain.  

She states, “Awareness is the first step.    I do an initial assessment of their standing and moving posture.  From there I can create a customized yoga routine that will address alignment issues, tight muscles and weak muscles.  People are amazed at the difference small subtle conscious changes can make.  I want people to move through life enjoying their bodies and moving without pain well into their 80’s and 90’s.”  

Janet is a certified yoga therapist and teacher with more than 500 hours of training, as well as, a certified health coach. As a Yoga Therapist and Certified Health coach she will develop a personalized plan of healing for each client based upon their goals. Some of the many benefits experienced by her clients are relief of chronic pain, greater core strength, increased flexibility and range of motion, greater body awareness and mental clarity.

Read an article by Janet on How yoga can relieve MS symptoms

 

Janet Golownia RYT, PYT, Certified Health Coach

janetgolow@gmail.com   414.254.7889

Promoter of Peace

Peace Pilgrim, in 1953, Toledo, Ohio, USA.

" In order for the world to become peaceful, people must become more peaceful." Peace Pilgrim.

At age 44, Mildred became Peace Pilgrim 
She put on a top on which she had sown her new name and set out to walk across America. She wore blue clothing because it was considered the international colour of peace at the time.
It was 1953 and Peace Pilgrim walked from California to New York, and from border to border, sharing the message of peace. Peace Pilgrim walked and spoke continuously across every state of America, and in Mexico and Canada from 1953 to 1981, when she died.

She was born in New Jersey, USA and given the name Mildred Lisette Norman.  She was married for 13 years to Stanley Ryder.
Her life was then changed by a mystical experience. In her book, she explains this "spiritual awakening" and the meditation practice that inspired her to start her walking journey for peace.
She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."

Read more about Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words

“This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” Peace Pilgrim.

Get more news about peace at GNN.

Hallie helps the environment

Hallie Turner is an eleven-year-old climate activist.  She has attended marches in Washington, D.C. and writes about climate change and what we can do about it.

For Hallie, it is not just about the Youth March that she led it is a continual and big picture view of taking action for the environment.





LINKS: iMatter
One of Hallies's letters

One child's passion for nature

When Maritza was 10 years old she launched an organization for environmental education called HUNAB through which she now trains young people in conservation awareness.

"If children are just told to plant a tree, they do not learn what a tree is, how it grew from a seed, how to care for it. The action has no meaning if we do not create values. But, if people learn, from childhood, to be part of the solution and to love nature and their communities, when they grow up they will be true leaders. That is what our world requires, true leaders who feel a responsibility for the environment," she says.

 

 

 

Maritza Morales Casanova now has a  Bachelor of Science degree and has trained in social planning, conservation strategy, leadership and freshwater aquaculture – all to aid her environmental work. She believes everyone is capable of bringing about change and employs children and teenagers to run HUNAB with her and they are building a park in the Yucatán where children can learn sustainability and then educate others about it.

In 2012 Maritza was given a Young Laureates Rolex Award for Enterprise.  Thanks to funds from Rolex, five open-air classrooms are being built at Ceiba Pentandra in the Yucatan, Mexico. The first visitors to the park, which opened unofficially several months ago, were 70 children from HUNAB’s workshops from three different communities.

When the park is fully operational there will be daily, educational visits for schools and the public – along with summer camps and weekend courses with peer educators – allowing 11,000 students to participate.

I think the moral of the story is to encourage your children's passions for they can grow into something amazing.

DID YOU KNOW you are reading the blog of GNN Good News Network?
Why not visit for more good, positive news about the environment, health or childhood?

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The Optimist's Creed

Promise Yourself
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

An excerpt from The Optimist Creed written by Christian D. Larson who is credited as being a founder in the New Thought movement. (1874 – 1962) Larson was a prolific writer of  books on positive thinking. Many of his books remain in print today, nearly 100 years after they were first published.

The Ideal Made Real; or Applied Metaphysics for Beginners: Originally Published  in 1912

On the Heights (1908)

The Pathway of Roses

Nothing Succeeds Like Success

Perfect Health

What Right Thinking Will Do

The Great Within (1908)

Your Forces and How to Use Them

Brains and How to Get Them

How to remain well (1912)

The Mastery Of Self And The Mastery Of Fate

How to Stay Young