Good News Sunday: Naperville family decks their house out for the holidays in a tribute to Taylor Swift

This is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the more upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

What do you get when you combine your love for holiday decorating with your enthusiasm for all things Taylor Swift?

A "Merry Swiftmas," of course.

The Scott family in Naperville transformed their front lawn at 1228 Atlas Lane into a miniature Swiftland, showcasing all 10 eras and even giving Travis Kelce a shoutout from the roof.

"You don't normally think of a musical artist as a Christmas decoration," said Patrick Beedles, who traveled from Aurora with his two daughters and son to check out the Scott family home. "But Taylor embodies so many different things ... when you think about her messaging around joy, peace and love, it definitely relates back to a Christmas message to me.

"It's unusual for Christmas, but it works," he added. "It works really well."

For the full story, click here.

Algonquin librarian wins $50,000 on 'Jeopardy!'

After being in three episodes of "Jeopardy!" in 2021, Jen Jazwinski was shocked to have gotten a call from the show earlier this year asking for her to return.

"I was at work when they called, and I didn't pick up because I didn't know the number," Jazwinski, an Algonquin Area Public Library youth services librarian, said. "Then I had to lock myself in a closet and call them back."

A couple of weeks later, Jazwinski was off to Los Angeles to compete in the "Wildcard Champions" competition.

Jazwinski had an impressive run during the competition, winning two rounds and finishing second in the finals, which aired on Nov. 28. For her effort, she took home $50,000. The winner of the finals goes on to compete in the "Tournament of Champions."

For the full story, click here.

Hoffman Estates toy drive exceeds goal in half the time

Facing a daunting one-week time frame to collect 2,000 toys for Hoffman Estates children in need, organizers felt great relief this week when that goal was exceeded in only four days.

"It's just awesome," said Joane McLeod, the wife of Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod. "People are wonderful and generous beyond belief."

The quickly assembled toy drive for an upcoming invitation-only Gift Market was announced on Thanksgiving with a deadline of Dec. 1 - exactly a week after Black Friday.

The effort is a partnership between Hoffman Estates village officials and Harvest Community Church. It seeks to assist financially struggling families who have been identified by social workers, with many of the children attending a local school without an active parent-teacher organization.

More than 1,500 were delivered early in the week by Realtor and Hoffman Estates Park District Commissioner Linda Dressler.

"She's one of the do-gooders," McLeod said. "It was just a Christmas miracle."

"I believe in doing what you can for the community," Dressler said. "It's fun! I get to feel like Santa Claus."

For the full story, click here.

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