It wasn’t all bad
■■ A retired British teacher has been named the oldest man in the world at the age of 111. Bob Weighton took the title when its previous holder died last month in Japan. The secret to his longevity, Weighton said, has been “to avoid dying.” Born in northern England in 1908, Weighton taught English in Taiwan and decoded Japanese military communications during World War II. A few years ago, he asked to stop receiving birthday cards from Queen Elizabeth II—the monarch sends cards to all British centenarians—because he didn’t want “a huge collection” in his apartment.
■■ A University of Akron student has made good on the promise he made to his sister five years ago—by bringing a llama to her wedding. During a 2015 road trip, then 16-yearold Mendl Weinstock grew irked by Riva’s constant chatter about her dream wedding. To tease her, Mendl pledged he’d only attend the ceremony— whenever that would be—if he could bring a llama. Thinking it was a joke, Riva gave her OK. But when Riva got engaged last October, Mendl was determined to honor his vow. He hired a llama for the big day for $400 and even had a custom tuxedo made for the beast. “It was worth it just to see [Riva’s] reaction,” said Mendl.
■■ When architect Brian Bononi was sent to measure up a bankrupt portrait studio for a leasing agent, he was horrified to discover undelivered photos stacked on the floor, ready to be thrown out. Knowing the portraits meant a lot to the people in them, Bononi put them in his minivan. The next day, he began calling the phone numbers that were listed on some of the portraits and posting messages online about his find. At least 63 people have since been reunited with their photos. Lisa O’Connor, who got back portraits of her two granddaughters, said Bononi’s kindness “is an example of how we all should be.”