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A child transforms a North Carolina neighborhood

If you pass by four-year-old Roman Butzlaff's house in Concord, N.C., he will surely greet you with a wave and a "hey." But what began as a friendly gesture became a bond that drew together his neighborhood. Steve Hartman reports on the "family" that Roman built one wave at a time.

Published July 12, 2026, 1:32 PM
Updated July 12, 2026, 1:53 PM1.5K
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A child transforms a North Carolina neighborhood

If you pass by four-year-old Roman Butzlaff's house in Concord, N.C., he will surely greet you with a wave and a "hey." But what began as a friendly gesture became a bond that drew together his neighborhood. Steve Hartman reports on the "family" that Roman built one wave at a time.

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