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Restaurant’s Regular Customer Trades Valuable Painting for Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Most people have or make a grilled cheese to achieve a full stomach. They don’t expect that a melted cheese combination with pan-fried toast will turn into a small fortune. However, that was the case for one couple who focused on making and providing as many grilled cheese sandwiches as possible in a business day.

However, the perfect grilled cheese sandwich didn’t happen yesterday or last week. Instead, the recipe that made Irene Demas a name on a map started some 50 years ago in London, a major city in Ontario Province. At the time, Irene and her husband had just been married. Tony Demas was trying to find a break in real estate, but it was Irene who saw a different path in food. The two talked and decided on a location that was going to give them a start as a restaurant. They named their first eatery The Villa.

However, neither of them had worked in food, much less commercial kitchen food preparation, even as a short order cook. So, Tony started off the venture, but within a few hours he asked Irene to step in and cover the kitchen. So, Irene started off with what she knew best, how to make grilled cheese sandwiches. It worked out well since that was the only thing that Irene knew how to make anyways, aside from boiling some water in a pot.

Of course, grilled cheese snacks weren’t the only menu, and Irene did end up investing time in a culinary school to understand more about what to offer as well as how to make it well. In doing so, Irene developed a reputation for her cooking, and even got profiled on a local TV show. However, the grilled cheese sandwiches continued to be Irene and Tony’s standby signature meal, which the locals kept coming back for more. That, in turn, helped bring in the cash that kept the business going.

Interestingly, one of their regular customers was a pair named John and Audrey Kinnear. And, amazingly, they were quite interested in trading John’s artwork for lunch. In the 1990s, Irene and Tony had no idea who they were really talking to at the time. The Kinnears were simply local patrons and friends. Bartering seemed reasonable given the fact that Demas’ liked John Kinnear’s art and the Kinnears definitely liked Irene’s sandwiches.

Over time, Irene and Tony ended up serving the Kinnears on a regular basis, providing daily meals even for John in between his painting stints. In return, the Demas’ started picking up a few pieces here and there. One particular painting John gave them in trade for grilled cheese sandwiches covered a $25 tab and it was personal as well. John had painted his interpretation of The Villa, both as a payment and gift to the Demas’.

Much of John Kinnear’s work was in watercolors, soft and delicate but also eye-catching. Many of the images covered the local countryside or animals common to the area on farms or recognizable wildlife. As it turned out, however, John Kinnear’s work became far more popular over the years. And, for Irene and Tony Demas, the paintings that John provided them as food payment ended up being worth more than the meals provided, a lot more.

When all was said and done, the paintings that Irene and Tony collected from the Kinnears ended up years later being worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the fine art world. Consider it dividends on a very delicious grilled cheese sandwich serving.

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Volunteers and Camels Team Up to Restore Mojave Desert’s Joshua Trees

Kevin Wells

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The Mojave Desert, with its vast, arid landscape, is home to the iconic Joshua tree. These unique trees have a fascinating history, once coexisting with Giant Ground Sloths during the ice age and now relying on rodents for their slow dispersal. However, a devastating wildfire in 2020 burned a significant portion of the desert, including many Joshua trees, posing a challenge for their restoration.

“Joshua trees seeds don’t spread very quickly,” explained Debra Hughson, deputy superintendent at the Mojave National Preserve. “They don’t move very fast or they don’t move very far with just small mammals around.” Despite these challenges, scientists were determined to help the Joshua trees recover, especially in areas like Cima Dome, where their survival could be crucial in the face of climate change.

To accelerate the recovery process, Hughson and her colleagues decided to plant Joshua tree seedlings in a more spaced-out pattern in the Dome’s burn scar. This approach aimed to distribute seed sources and promote the recovery of the entire area. However, the rugged terrain made it difficult for volunteers to reach the designated planting spots, requiring hours of hiking.

To address this challenge, the team came up with a unique solution — using camels to transport the seedlings and water into the wilderness. “Prehistoric camels were in the Mojave Desert, and the camels came through in 1857,” explained one of the volunteers, highlighting the historical connection between camels and the region. The camels, led by Herbie, Sully, and Chico, have been instrumental in carrying out these restoration efforts since 2021.

“Our goal is to protect natural systems and natural ecosystems — all the plants, all the animals, but then some animals and some plants wind up being just a little bit more ‘charismatic’ than other ones,” said Hughson, emphasizing the importance of charismatic species like the Joshua tree in garnering support for conservation efforts.

Through the dedication of volunteers and the help of these remarkable camels, the Mojave Desert’s Joshua trees are slowly making a comeback, offering hope for their future in this challenging environment.

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Apes’ Playful Teasing Behavior Mirrors Human Playfulness

Kelly Taylor

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Did you know that apes like to tease and prank each other, just like humans do? Researchers have found that chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans engage in playful teasing behavior, such as poking, tickling, body slamming, hair pulling, and waving objects in front of faces. This behavior is usually one-sided, with one ape trying to get a reaction from another.

In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, researchers analyzed 75 hours of video footage of apes at the San Diego Zoo in California and the Leipzig Zoo in Germany. The apes studied were between the ages of 3 and 5. The researchers observed 284 instances of teasing behavior, with 129 meeting the criteria for playful and provocative behavior. They identified 18 different teasing behaviors.

Professor Erica Cartmill of UCLA, who led the study, said that teasers often waved or swung body parts or objects in front of the other ape, hit or poked them, stared closely at their face, disrupted their movements, pulled their hair, or performed other behaviors that were hard to ignore.

The researchers believe that playful teasing and joking may have evolved in human ancestors around 13 million years ago. This behavior has implications for the study of emotion, humor, and pretense, and the researchers hope that their study will inspire further research into playful teasing in other species to better understand its evolution.

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Ancient Rainforest Rising: How 100,000 Trees Will Breathe Life Back into Devon

Kevin Wells

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Imagine stepping into a world shrouded in mist, where towering trees, draped in green moss, reach towards the sun. Sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor, alive with ferns, wildflowers, and scurrying creatures. This isn’t a scene from a fantasy novel; it’s the magic of a temperate rainforest, and soon, a piece of this ancient wonder will be reborn in Devon, UK.

Temperate rainforests aren’t like their tropical cousins. Found along the west coasts of continents in cooler climates, they’re like emerald jewels nestled between the ocean and rolling hills. They’re a treasure trove of biodiversity, bursting with unique plants and animals that have adapted to life in a world of constant drizzle and mild temperatures.

In the UK, these rainforests have a character all their own. Picture gnarled oaks and majestic ash trees, their branches intertwined like leafy arms. Underneath, carpets of mosses and ferns cushion the damp earth, while sunlight dances on the shimmering leaves of holly, hazel, and rowan. The air is alive with the buzz of insects, the flitting wings of butterflies, and the calls of birds like the evocative song thrush and the shy woodcock.

But these precious ecosystems are under threat. Centuries of land use have shrunk their footprints, leaving only scattered fragments of their former glory. Now, in a project to reclaim this lost magic, the National Trust is embarking on a grand mission: planting 100,000 trees across Devon.

From the rolling hills of Exmoor to the windswept cliffs of Woolacombe and Hartland, these saplings will breathe life back into the land. They’ll create new pockets of rainforest, stitch together existing fragments, and weave a vibrant tapestry of green across the landscape.

And it’s not just about beauty. These trees are nature’s silent heroes. They act as carbon sinks, trapping the harmful gas carbon dioxide in their leaves and wood, helping to combat climate change. They filter air and water, creating a haven for wildlife and providing a natural shield against soil erosion.

For the people of Devon, this project is a chance to reconnect with their natural heritage. It’s about creating spaces for quiet contemplation, for family adventures, and for rediscovering the magic of the ancient rainforests.

So, the next time you find yourself in Devon, keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of this green revival. As the saplings rise towards the sun, they whisper a promise of a richer, wilder future, where nature reclaims its throne and the spirit of the ancient rainforest once again fills the air.

This is just the beginning. With more planting planned in the coming years, the future of Devon’s rainforests is looking brighter than ever. Let’s hope that this story inspires other communities to follow suit and work towards restoring and protecting these irreplaceable treasures of our planet.

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Unearthing the Secrets of the Amazon: A Lost Ancient City Revealed

Kelly Taylor

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In the heart of the Amazon, hidden beneath lush greenery, archaeologists have uncovered a monumental discovery: an ancient city in the Upano area of eastern Ecuador. This discovery is not just a chapter in history but a rewriting of what we knew about ancient civilizations in the Amazon.

The city, believed to be about 2,500 years old, challenges our understanding of Amazonian history. Before this, many thought of the Amazon as a place of small, scattered groups. But this city, with its complex network of roads, canals, houses, and plazas, tells a different story.

What’s striking is the city’s sophisticated design. “The road network is incredibly advanced, connecting everything with right angles, which is a remarkable feat,” explains co-author Antoine Dorison. This kind of urban planning suggests a highly organized society, far from the primitive image often associated with ancient Amazonian cultures.

Lying near a volcano, the city benefited from rich soils, aiding in agriculture, which was likely the backbone of their economy. The Kilamope and Upano people probably grew maize and sweet potatoes and brewed chicha, a sweet beer. But this proximity to a volcano might also have led to their downfall.

“This discovery forces us to rethink our Eurocentric view of civilization,” says Prof Stephen Rostain, who led the research. It’s a reminder that great societies flourished outside the well-known realms of Europe and Asia. “We’re looking at a civilization as significant as the Maya, but with its unique architectural and cultural traits,” adds José Iriarte, a professor of archaeology.

Estimates suggest that tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people lived here. This vast urban center was thriving for up to 1,000 years, a testament to the capabilities of the ancient Amazonians.

Prof Rostain recalls being discouraged from researching ancient Amazonian civilizations. “But I’m stubborn,” he says with a smile. “And now, this discovery justifies that persistence.”

This lost city in the Amazon is more than a historical curiosity; it’s a beacon illuminating the rich and complex tapestry of human civilization. It challenges our perceptions and underscores the importance of looking beyond established narratives to understand our diverse and intricate past.

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Small Acts, Big Smiles: A Heartwarming Tale of Kindness at the Local Marketplace

Kelly Taylor

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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, small acts of kindness can illuminate our days, bringing joy and warmth to those in unexpected ways. Recently, at a local marketplace, a simple and thoughtful gesture created ripples of happiness among the elder community. An elderly couple, facing a small predicament with their order, experienced the magic of kindness when a stranger stepped in to make their day brighter.

The story began when an elderly couple, looking forward to a relaxing moment at the local marketplace, found themselves a little short on change. Craving a comforting cup of medium coffee, they only had enough coins for a small one. The prospect of enjoying their desired treat seemed out of reach until a kind soul in line behind them noticed their dilemma.

Without hesitation, the person in line behind the elderly couple decided to turn their day around. Instead of just getting a small coffee, this generous individual pitched in to cover the cost of two medium coffees, along with some delightful donuts and savory sausage rolls. The elderly couple, initially facing a small hurdle, were now greeted with an unexpected display of kindness that brightened their entire experience.

Acts of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to create profound impacts. In this instance, a simple gesture not only provided the elderly couple with their desired treats but also showcased the beauty of human connection. It serves as a reminder that our actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can make a significant difference in the lives of others.

While many seniors lead independent lives, it’s important to recognize that they, too, sometimes face challenges that may go unnoticed. In this instance, the elderly couple may have hesitated to ask for assistance due to pride or a desire not to inconvenience others. The story highlights the importance of being attuned to the needs of our elders, offering help when necessary, and fostering a sense of community that transcends age.

As we celebrate this heartening tale, let it inspire us to be more attuned to the needs of our elderly community members. Simple acts, such as offering assistance with a door, helping with groceries, or even just sharing a friendly conversation, can go a long way in brightening their days. By extending our kindness, we contribute to creating a supportive and compassionate community where everyone, regardless of age, feels valued and cared for.

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