Welcome to the second edition of the David Begnaud newsletter! It’s been so wonderful to read all the feedback over the past week. Truly heartwarming. We’ve made a few changes to the layout this week, so would love to know what you think!
This week… a man who became a landmark, a boy who saved his father’s life, and a traffic stop that ended in a hug.
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Courtesy: Linda Luthye - Perry, Oklahoma
“This is the story of a dear friend who was once a stranger who came to our town and stayed because he felt it was the Friendliest town in America, and he gave back that feeling through his own friendly attitude…”
“Mr. Perry”
Every small town has a landmark. In Perry, Oklahoma, it isn’t a place — it’s a person.
His name is Alfred “Al” Wise. And every day, he sits outside the Chamber of Commerce, raising a hand to every passing car, every child on a bike, every stranger on the sidewalk.
If you wave, he waves back. If you honk, he grins and shoots two thumbs in the air.
That’s all. That’s everything.
Al isn’t from Perry. He grew up in Michigan.
Twelve years ago, on a hunting trip with his brother, he stumbled across the town. It was small. It was cheerful. It felt right.
So when he got home, he told his wife, “I’m moving to Perry. You can come with me, or stay here. But I’m going.”
She came for a while. Then she left. But Al stayed. Because Perry wasn’t just a place he liked, it was home.
The town adopted him right back.
Courtesy: Linda Luthye
Courtesy: Linda Luthye
What started as one man’s wave turned into a ritual. Families pile in the car and circle downtown just to see him. Kids roll down their windows, waiting for the double thumbs up. Dogs tug at their leashes for the treats he keeps in his pocket.
He isn’t just the man on the bench anymore — he’s “Mr. Perry.”
And last September, the town made it official.
At the annual Cherokee Strip Celebration parade, Al rode down Main Street as Honorary Marshal. This time, it was the town he loved that was waving back.
A special thank-you to Linda Luthye of the Perry Chamber of Commerce for sharing this story with us. Do you have a story that lifts hearts and brings people together? We’d love to hear it. Click the link below to share yours.
From You…
Reactions to our stories from last week
“Once again, Mr. Begnaud, you have me in tears. You find the stories we all need to hear right now. The politics of these folks don’t matter, our shared humanity does. I am in awe of them. Thank you again! 👏❤️”
“Gosh, I always love your stories and they always seem to be perfectly timed, just when most feel that all the good is gone… and then this… ❤️🙌”
Send us your feedback for a chance to be featured here. All you have to do is reply to this email or click the button below. We can’t wait to hear from you!
My Favorite Stories Of The Week
☀️ I loved covering this on Instagram. It started with a traffic stop and ended with a hug and a shoulder to cry on.
Courtesy: Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office
Courtesy: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
☀️ I was so touched by this story of a 9-year-old boy saving his dad’s life by giving him a new immune system. Read about this incredible story here!
Click to watch
A Photographer Looks Within
Brandon Stanton never intended to be a photographer, much less the eye behind the iconic Humans of New York project. But after flunking out of college, battling a drug addiction, and losing a finance job in Chicago, Stanton moved to the Big Apple with an ambitious goal: photograph 10,000 residents, hear their stories, and see how he could help. With his camera and an open heart, Stanton has gone to impact thousands of lives… and change his own.
Next Monday: the love story that turned a family’s backyard ballfield into a field of dreams for kids everywhere.
What I’m Enjoying
🚶➡️ What moved me: Former American Airlines CEO Tom Horton is walking 500 miles to find a cure for FOXG1 syndrome, which affects children worldwide.
📺 What I just watched: Charlie Sheen peels back his layers in the revealing documentary, aka Charlie Sheen on Netflix.
📱 What blew my mind: The true-crime documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish has more twists and turns than you could ever imagine.
Made with love by David Begnaud and the team.
Stories that set your soul on fire.
