Wholesome News Hour: Reunited families, saving flowers, and medicinal plant life among coal mines

Good news is still news! Dogwood’s wholesome news hour is a quick refresh from the day’s hard news, celebrating some of the positive things happening throughout Virginia. Today, we’re highlighting three pieces of good news directly from the commonwealth.

Virginia family reunited after 20 years

A Peruvian family immigrated to Virginia 20 years ago. The family’s patriarch, Juan Bernal, hadn’t seen his mother since he left the country.

Juan’s 10-year-old daughter, Mia Bernal, devised a plan to reunite her family on her brother’s birthday.

Mia’s grandmother, Josefina Mamita, flew to the US without Juan knowing—and so the surprise was set in motion. It wasn’t until the night of the birthday celebration that Mia’s plan came to fruition.

With the whole family in on the surprise, they hid the grandmother until Mia’s brother made a wish for her arrival when he blew out his cake candles.

After his wish, Mamita emerged and embraced her son after 20 long years apart.

A video replays the emotional reunion, and it’s sure to bring you to tears. You can watch it here—just be sure to grab the tissues.

Duo saves abandoned flower arrangements for good

After much disappointment over seeing flower waste from funerals and weddings, two Virginia ladies—Laura and Rebecca—decided to take action. 

The Harrisonburg duo launched a non-profit organization to help recycle flower bouquets and give them a new purpose. The nonprofit eventually became Friendly City Florals, a company that delivers recycled flowers to homes, hospitals, and other events.

Are you hosting a wedding, or funeral and don’t want your beautiful arrangements to go to waste? Donate your flowers to Friendly City Florasl; they’ll give your bouquets a new purpose as long as they bloom. 

Plants with a purpose

Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains are known for their scenic views and tourism destinations, but at one time, the region largely focused on coal production.

The mines in the area were mostly abandoned as the country moved on to different energy sources. 

The families that once lived near the mines began their settlements back in colonial times and brought with them many medicinal plants from the era (in fact, Appalachia produces many of the country’s medicinal plants). 

Many in the region, including the United Plant Savers, are working to ensure these native and medicinal plants are enjoyed for generations to come through conservation efforts. 

Shannon Bell, a professor from Virginia Tech, said, “These plants have long been integral to many Appalachians’ livelihoods and traditions.”

Thanks to Bell’s increased interest in the region’s plants, she and other professors are doing their part to make sure the natural ecosystem thrives.