3. Denny’s Hits Grand Slam With Syrup-Covered Shoes To celebrate National Syrup Day on December 17, Denny’s introduced Sticky Kicks, limited-edition sneakers featuring several clear panels full of real Denny’s syrup. The high-top shoe was created in collaboration with footwear designer Mache, who used syrup-colored patent leather with yellow and red accents to match the diner chain’s logo. And what better way to create a syrup color than with the real deal? Denny’s rewards members were given first access to the $195 shoes. The rest went like hotcakes. “Sticky Kicks are impractical, unnecessary and completely over the top,” says Ellie Doty, senior vice president and chief brand officer at Denny’s. “At Denny’s, syrup isn’t just something we serve. It’s part of who we are.” If you moved like molasses but still want a pair, they’re popping up on eBay and other resale sites. But expect to pay upwards of $1,600 to fulfill all your syrup filled dreams – unless you’re a woman. The shoes only come in men’s sizes 8-13. The patriarchy has extended even to the syrup-infused sneaker sphere, apparently. 4. Drunk Raccoon Sparks 6-Figure Fundraising Campaign Everyone knows Thanksgiving Eve is considered the biggest drinking night of the year, but one furry friend over-indulged and went viral. The incident happened at a liquor store in Ashland, Virginia, two days after Thanksgiving. Employees arrived to find ransacked shelves, broken bottles and a raccoon stretched out on the bathroom floor. “He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything,” said Samantha Martin, a local animal control officer. She later said the masked bandit destroyed 14 bottles of alcohol, including rum, scotch, whiskey, vodka, moonshine and eggnog. Obviously, a photo was snapped. That photo spread throughout social media, becoming national news. A “trashed panda” even made an appearance on a Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter responded with an ingenious fundraising idea: “Trashed Panda” merchandise. The collection includes T-shirts, hoodies, stickers and tumblers, all featuring the intoxicated raccoon next to a spilled bottle. The merch is so popular that sales reached $170,000 in just the first three days an more than d soon topped $250,000. Proceeds from the campaign directly support the shelter. Photo credit: Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter Photo credit: Dennys.com PPAI • MARCH 2026 • 73 Buzzworthy | Community
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