Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, The Good News Network.
– credit Enjoy Port Townsend
Dock Worker Brings Stranded Ferry Passengers Home: ‘You’re all staying at my house tonight.’
When vacationers were trapped in a historic Washington town after ferries were canceled due to weather concerns, they feared they might have to sleep on the streets.
That’s when ferry terminal worker William Patterson invited all ten of them to stay at his house for the night.
It was in the early evening that 79-year-old Kip Goodwin and his wife from Hawaii had finished calling every hotel and Airbnb in the Olympic Peninsula’s Port Townsend—they were all fully booked for the summer holiday season.
Neither had they luck at the YMCA or Red Cross—even the campgrounds were unavailable. Fearfully looking at each other amid the sound of howling wind, Patterson interrupted their worrying to tell them they would all be staying with him and his wife, Arianna.
Nestled among the pines on the Admiralty Inlet, Port Townsend is serviced by the United States’ largest ferry network, but the Port Townsend-to-Coupeville route, which Goodwin and the others were hoping to take after a day trip to Port Townsend and Whidbey Island, was canceled after winds picked up. The ferries had to remain tied to their moorings.
All three round trips were canceled, starting at 6:45 pm and on to 9:00 pm.
Arianna Patterson joked with the Seattle Times that her husband always threatened he’d bring a “straggler” home one day. William called and asked if they could make space for the Goodwins.
“I said, ‘We have enough space for two, no big deal,’” Arianna said. “Then he called back and said, ‘We have eight or nine other people.’ I said, oh.”
Like the Goodwins, most of the passengers were over 60 years of age, so the Pattersons were just happy they could get the visitors out of the weather. At the home, there was space on the couch and an extra bed, but pretty quickly, people were on the floor, borrowing blankets that their hosts had from their time welcoming foster kids.
Early the next morning, William went out to the cafe he runs along with his work at the ferry terminal to make pastries and coffee for them all.
It was unbelievable,” said Fred Dente, 79, who lives in Langley and was visiting with his wife and their two friends from Hawaii. “It was the way humans should treat humans. In this day and age, it was exceptional.”
That morning was crisp and clear, and at 7:00 am, the ferries set sail.
The good news here is someone cared about the welfare of others. Today’s JohnKu asks a question about this situation. I hope you have a wonderful Weekend.
A Question by John W. Howell © 2023
Someone in trouble,
Do you help or turn away? . . .
Only you know which.
Fiction Favorites 
Very cool. Reminds me of a play I saw called ‘Come From Away’. Was about a town in Canada taking in all these people who were stranded due to 9/11 plane groundings.
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A fabulous play it was!
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😁
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That was a great story.
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What a beautiful soul. I do like to think I would have done the same….
Happy Friday!
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I Think we all would like to think we’d do the same. Happy Friday.
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Oh, I know some who would never!!
Thank you!
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That’s a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
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It is. 😊
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I knew if I kept reading here eventually you would tell a ferry story with a happy ending ! Great story John.
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The key is to keep reading. Thanks, John
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Indeed !
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The man was right, the act was exceptional!
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So true. Thanks, GP.
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I love stories like this! Thanks for sharing, John.
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I do too, Jill. Always good to hear about folks helping folks. 😊
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I couldn’t agree more – the way humans should treat humans. Have a great weekend, John!
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You as well, Teri.
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Good news, indeed, to hear of someone caring enough for strangers to help them in a time of need. Thanks for sharing, John. 🙂
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It is always a good story to share. Thanks, Tim.
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Fred Dente said it best, “It’s the way humans should treat humans.” Great story and JohnKu.
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It is. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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I love this story! Thanks, John. You made my day. ❤️
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Thank you for letting me know that, Gwen. Knowing that tends to make my day.
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I love this story, John. More people should be this way. Thanks for sharing. (The writer in me is now envisioning a story.) LOL
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You go for it. It would make a nice one. Thanks, Joan.
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That’s a great story!
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Thank you, Deborah. I think so too. 😁
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A most heartwarming experience! ❤
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It is Annette. Thanks.
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Nice story, and I really like your JohnKu. It clearly lays out the options!
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Thanks, Debbie. I did intend that to be the case. 😁
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This made me smile 🙂 I like to hope when the chance comes to me I’ll be there.
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I know that is the case. Thanks, Denise.
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Generosity and empathy are exemplified by this man and his wife. We need more of this!
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We do. Thanks, Noelle.
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I like to think that most would help in a pinch but so often I am proven wrong. Those people proved to be the best of us.
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Thay are the best. I’m sensing a waning of the helping attitude. These stories help that. Thanks, Pam
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Excellent story. If I’m going to get stranded, that’s the place to do it. Great question, John. I’d like to think that I would. I did help my new neighbor by keeping an eye on her house for two months until she finally moved from Chicago. But that was easy. 10 people Steve your house? They’d be welcome if they didn’t mind dog hair…
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Dog hair here as well. 😁 I think you would help ifit came to that.
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👍
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What a great story, John! I’d like to think I’d be like Patterson and hope that no one was allergic to cats 😉
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Ha ha ha. The allergic ones can stay in the garage. Thaks, Marie. I know you would help.
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Good idea! My husband finally cleared the garage of a lot of stuff (can’t even remember what the stuff was). We have a lot more room now … lol.
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Garage stuff is hard to remember otherwise it would be house stuff.
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lol …
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😊
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What a lovely story, John. Love the humanity in it. There are times when I wonder if this is now the exception but the optimist in me thinks it’s only a matter of exposure by media rather than less caring on the part of people. I hope. 🤞🏼
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Thank you, Monika. Lets hope it is a media coverage issue.
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What a great kindness, John. Port Townsend is a wonderful little town, but I can understand how space was at a premium. It’s a small place. What a wonderful outcome no one will forget.
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Yes it is a great outcome. Thanks, Diana
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I LOVE this one, John! It brought a tear today, but an even bigger smile. Thank you!
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I’m glad you got a smile. Thanks for letting me know.
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I’m thinking of maybe re-blogging this for my Wednesday ‘good people’ post if you don’t mind?
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You are welcome to, Jill. Thank you for doing that. 😊
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Hurray for the Pattersons’ compassion! Thank you for sharing the good news!!
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It is always a pleasure when the news is good. 😁
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🙂
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😊
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The way humans should treat humans indeed.
Another great story Boss. Thank you for sharing.
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Always a pleasure. Thanks, Marc.
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I love your JohnKu, and I love the story that inspired it. What an amazing story that shares of “good Samaritans” in our present age. Fabulous post, John. Thank you for sharing something so uplifting!
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Thank you so much, Mae. I’m gald you liked the story and John Ku
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What a great guy! I never tire of reading stories about people showing kindness to one another.
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Me either, Pete. Thanks.
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Caring for a stranger is most poetic. Wonderful, John.
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It is the best, Audrey. 😊
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There is nothing like the kindness of strangers.
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I agree, Darlene.
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A wonderful happening, for sure. On top of it all, the Pattersons fostered children.
To them goes the glory!
Wonderful JohnKu. I like it when you put the questions to us.
OX OX OX OX
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Thank you Resa, I’m glad you like the question. I hope you also like the answer.
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I like the answer, in certain situations, like the one here!
I have put people up for a night or 2, on occasion.
Thing is; it got me thinking about the multitude of homeless in Toronto.
I think I told you, but one of them (sleeping on my step & blocking my door) threatened to kill me about 10 days ago.
Honestly, no invitation for a bed here.
Been having odd discussions with others about what to do.
I know it’s a larger problem than a 1 or 2 night stay in an emergency situation, but they are sleeping in the streets. It is still an emergency.
I give food and $ when I can, but it seems inadequate.
Anyway, I had tofu and peanut butter for dinner, and it’s clouding my mind. Must be brain food!
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Anyone who says they will kill you is one to avoid. Be careful with the rush to charity.
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Yes, any rush to judgement is not sound.
So, we got a metal door on the back where the fire escape is. It was just for emergency exiting, but now I can come in that way, if need be.
The hood I live in was always a bit…. seedy, but since Covid, the homeless population has exploded here.
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Gotta wonder why COVID had an effect on the homeless. ❤️🔥😷X 😷X 😷X 😷X
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Yes.
Well, during the first lock down, homeless shelters were either closed, or limited in the number they could healthily take in.
Many took to the parks to live in, and soon tent cities sprung up. The city sent out health workers to do tests, and put in portable toilets.
Then, many lost work due to the lock downs. Those living on the edge financially, began pitching tents in parks, parkettes, vacant lots, grassy areas and on.
Tent life became popular, and accepted by some residents/home owners.
My hood had one major tent city (which still exists) and several tent towns (all shut down now)
Then inflation set in. That combined with high rents in Toronto created more homeless.
Although predominantly mentally ill and addict types, working poor families (many single mothers with children) became and are still becoming displaced.
The latter are better at taking advantage of city programs like shelters and food banks.
I can’t even begin to describe the “crackdown” on tent communities once the pandemic eased.
It involved masses of social workers, medical professionals, programs to help, volunteers, job recruiters and on and on until we get to police removal.
Many are resistant to help. They want to be left alone, and live in the city where they can beg and it’s an awful problem.
What gets me is that Toronto is in the Top Ten cities in the world to live in.
Where does that leave the world?
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Goodness. Where does that leave the world indeed. The voters here got the issue of the homeless on the ballot and the city council was mandated to help them by building shelter and permanent homes. The city of course has been dragging it;s feet and I’m sure will get sued soon. 🌎X 🌍X 🌏X 🌐X
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Yeah, they want to build “affordable housing” for the homeless here. Dragging feet is putting it mildly.
For the homeless who work, want to work, are not severely mentally ill or addicts; affordable housing works.
There is a large section of homeless who can’t work, don’t want to work, don’t want part of any government offering (except for free needles and methadone) … they won’t even go to shelters in winter. They sleep on subway grates in the middle of roads, and sidewalks. Social workers are out there trying to get them into shelters, to not much avail.
2 street art trips ago, I had to walk by a free needles place. I didn’t know it was there. It was daytime on a major street.
There were at least 35 junkies all hitting up. They weren’t a threat to me, as they were all placated with their drug.
Still, they were filthy, stinky, … dregs of society… in their own world and if it had been night when the drugs were wearing off, possibly dangerous.
As 1 angry person said to me – I’m sick of paying for these people. They don’t want affordable, they want free with no strings and free drugs.
I’ll spare you the rest of what is a very harsh pov and what should be done.
It’s a problem with no 1 size fits all solution.
Still, affordable housing is a great start for those who will benefit themselves and society.
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Well the mandate even went so far as to supply so many free beds a night.The public is sick and tired of the so called hands off approach. The public wants these people off the streets and out of camps.The city government is full of privileged liberals who think being homeless is a right. Their thought process is cruel to the homeless and blind to the wishes of the people.🌎X 🌍X 🌏X 🌐X
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Being homeless is a right?
Wow, never heard that before.
This is the free beds shelter near me.
Residents want IT GONE!
https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/levy-liberty-village-respite-shelter-leaves-residents-feeling-defenseless
You now the acronym “nimby”?
Not In My Back Yard
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People don’t want to have anything to do with facilities. Here in Austin hotels are being bought for the free beds. Neighborhoods don’t work.
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Agree!
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⍥⌫
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Well, this is unique!
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It’s the only unusual depiction of OX I could find.
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Ah ha! I need to look into this!
I’ll be back, with a herd!
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Bring a broom too.
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very powerful
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Yes it is. Thanks, Geoff.
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The kindness of strangers. Sounds like the play based on our Canadian Newfoundland who took in the planes on 9/11. 🙂
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That was an amazing event, Debby.
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It surely was. 🙂
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The best helping others story for sure.
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🙂
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I’m SO late, John, but very, very glad I finally had a chance to stop by. What a wonderful post! So great to read something good for a change about the way people treat each other. Thank you for sharing, and here’s to seeing more and more stories like these in the news. They make us smile and give us hope! 😊❤️
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Sadly these stories have to be hunted down. ‘If it bleeds it leads’ is the journalism of the day. Thanks, Marcia.
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So true, John, but thankfully we have folks like you to help us enjoy the good stories. I appreciate your hunting them down, and they always bring a smile to my face, even when I’m having a less than stellar day. VERY appreciated! 😊😊😊
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So nice to hear, Marcia. 😁
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Reblogged this on Filosofa's Word and commented:
Every Wednesday I write a ‘good people’ post about people who are doing good things for people and the planet. Some are small, like the 5-year-old who took responsibility for recycling in his neighborhood, and some are big, like Mama Rosie who took an entire village of children under her wing, or Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen who travel all over the world, most recently to Ukraine, to provide meals for people in need. This week, I’m going to send you over to blogging friend John Howell and let him tell you about a good people he came across recently! Thank you, John … I turn the floor over to you now …
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Thanks for sharing my post, Jill
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My pleasure, John … it warmed my heart and figured it deserved to be shared!
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😊
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Heroes! ❤️
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indeed.
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