A Kindhearted Christmas

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Good morning, everyone.

It is time to Wake Up Upstate.

- I'm Scott Morris. - And I'm Amari Harris.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?

Honestly? I can't.

But our man on the street, Cory Thomas, can,

because he's been out in the county

and he's found a holiday story that is sure to warm our hearts.

Well, good morning from Porter's Cafe.

Now, just over six months ago,

a kitchen fire shut the cafe down,

and Marco, the owner, didn't have the funds

to make the needed repairs.

Well, that is until

an anonymous fan of the cafe

started a Save Porter's fundraiser online.

Nobody knows who did it, but the effort went viral,

the locals pitched in, and before you know it,

the cafe had a new kitchen.

Now just over two weeks until Christmas

and they are celebrating their grand reopening today.

That just warms your heart.

What a beautiful story of neighbors helping neighbors

during the holiday season. I love that.

And I hear their famous Christmas sugar cookies

are to die for.

You know what, Cory, I'm gonna make you a deal.

I will de-ice your parking spot for a week if you bring me back

a dozen of those cookies, what do you say?

You've got a deal, Scott!

- Yes! - Those must be some cookies.

I would have de-iced his spot for a month, by the way.

I'm telling you. Cory, a deal's a deal.

You bring back those cookies.

- Good show. - You too.

One more day and I am out of here.

Where is it you're headed this year?

- Bali? - Bali?

That was three years ago. I'm going to Belize.

Ten days.

Sun, surf, and scuba. It's gonna be amazing.

You can never get out of here fast enough.

What do you got against Christmas, anyway?

Nothing. I love Christmas.

Christmas is great if you've got people to spend it with.

All my friends are visiting family

and my relatives live so far away,

I just decided a few years ago

that I'm way better off traveling the world

at Christmastime, thank you,

instead of sitting at home, watching the snow fall.

Ah, the life of a bachelor, full of fun and freedom.

Yeah.

Something like that.

["WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" THEME]

Hey, guys!

Beautiful day.

Hi.

- Good morning! - Good morning, boss.

Fresh cup of joe for ya.

What would I do without you, Colleen?

Hard to believe it's already the holidays again.

I know.

Any big plans this time around?

Uh, well Kylie and I will trim the tree,

then make sugar cookies

and maybe a little Christmas caroling,

then the winter carnival.

Just like every year.

Exactly. Why fix it if it isn't broken?

If you say so.

But, I do remember a time when you and Matt were always

coming up with fun new things to do at Christmas.

Sorry. I didn't mean to...

No, it's fine.

To be honest with you, Christmas was always Matt's thing.

Since he's been gone I've tried to keep up the tradition,

but it's just not the same.

Every year I think, this year will be easier.

It never is.

I'm sure Kylie taking off for Europe next week isn't helping.

Yeah, I am gonna miss her, but I am so happy for her and David.

I mean, what could be more romantic

than a Christmas honeymoon in Paris?

Newlyweds.

Well, you're handling her leaving better than I could.

Yeah. I couldn't have made it

through the last five years without Kylie.

She's more than a niece,

she's... she's like a sister to me.

So, we'll just celebrate a little early, before they go.

See, this Christmas is already shaping up to be different.

You could try to meet someone?

Uh, no. I'm good.

The only man I'm going to be

spending time with this Christmas is Mayor MacLean.

Sounds like the winter carnival

is gonna be different this year, too.

That's what I'm afraid of.

I'm meeting with him later.

Hopefully he'll still be open to a few ideas.

If anyone can convince him, it's you.

I understand if you don't have the budget

for a Santa's village this year,

but can we at least put a tree in front of town hall?

Christmas in Cooperville just isn't the same without it.

It's tradition.

Well, you know the town took a big hit

when the plant shut down.

Our budget is stretched so thin,

we can barely afford a scaled-down version

of the winter carnival.

It's been a tough year all around.

Yes, I know.

All the more reason for some holiday cheer.

Okay, if you've got any other ideas

that won't break the bank, I'm all ears.

Actually, I do have one.

The other night I was on a walk,

on that path from Main Street to the park's gazebo

and I was thinking,

wouldn't it be so beautiful if we lined both sides,

and even over the top, with holiday lights.

Welcome lights. I love it.

Wait, that sounds too expensive.

Why don't we just save that idea for next year?

Mr. Mayor. Randy, a walk of lights would increase

foot traffic to all of our Main Street businesses.

Would make our town more of a destination for holiday shopping

and that would be great for all the businesses.

I'm not saying no just yet. Go on.

Well, I'm sure the town has plenty of lights

packed away in storage.

Let's put them to use.

And I was thinking we could hire Sean Cain,

I'm sure he could use the work.

Yeah.

Yeah. He and his wife had a pretty rough go of it this year.

Okay, I'm sold.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Now, if we could just put a big beautiful tree, right out front.

Don't push your luck, Jamie.

There you are!

I can come back if I'm interrupting.

It's okay.

I guess you're looking for these?

Yeah.

And to congratulate you on the great work

that you've been doing.

I mean, the message boards are lighting up.

People love the upbeat positive feel-good stuff

you've been doing.

- Great work. - I'm glad.

Ah, yes.

What's going on?

Cory's family surprised him and Vera with tickets

on a Caribbean cruise with the whole family for the holidays.

That's amazing. Why are you so bummed?

Because I can't go.

There's no one to cover for me.

No, there's gotta be some-

What about meteorologist Molly?

I asked, she can't.

Anyway, I've been doing these feel good local stories

around Christmas for years.

Our viewers love them and they're counting on me.

They're practically a holiday tradition for our show.

I'll stay put.

Hopefully I can FaceTime the grandkids from the islands.

Hey... what if I cover for you?

Very funny, Scott.

Nah, I'm being serious.

Really, I've been in the studio for so long.

Look, it would be good for me to get out there in the field

and do some reporting again.

But what about your trip?

Belize will always be there.

Cory, this could be a trip that you guys never forget.

You really deserve this.

Are you serious?

Yeah.

Scott. Wow, thank you.

I can't wait to tell Vera.

- You got it. - Yeah.

That was very sweet, Scott.

You sure you can handle it?

You're forgetting I started in the field, Amari.

It'll be fun. It'll be fine.

I'll fill in for Cory, co-host with you.

Works for me.

Looks like you'll be here for Christmas after all.

Hm. Looks like it.

Remember this one?