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In 1981, Juice Newton scored a career-defining hit that quietly slipped past two music icons to become her biggest hit.

"Queen of Hearts" was an infectious, country-pop song that hit all the right notes with listeners, who catapulted the song to No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The song blended pop sensibility with a touch of country twang and just enough mainstream energy to appeal to a wide range of listeners.

According to American Songwriter, the tune was written by Hank DeVito, a pedal steel guitar player for Emmylou Harris’ band. Reportedly, Harris passed on the song.

Then, "Queen of Hearts" was given to Dave Edmunds to record. Edmunds, who would have a hit with "I Hear You Knockin'" in 1970, put his own spin on the tune, releasing it in the UK in 1979, where it charted just shy of the Top 10. However, the song never became a hit in the United States.

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That was good news for Newton, who released her version two years after Edmunds, in 1981. The song would go on to become a blockbuster hit for the artist, falling short of the No. 1 spot held strong by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie's ballad "Endless Love."

Newton included the song on her LP Juice. The album would send three songs into the Top 10, including "Queen of Hearts," "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) and "Angel of The Morning."

RELATED: Forgotten 1980 Country Pop Hit Made Vince Gill Famous Before Anyone Knew His Name

In a 2011 interview with Review Magazine, the singer discussed her collaboration with Richard Landis, producer of her breakthrough hits and her Juice LP. She credited Landis with helping turn the project into the career-defining moment that followed.

"I believe that hooking up with Richard Landis, who produced those first big hits on the Juice LP was my lucky break. I actually think that the timing was just so lucky as we were both available at the same time, that doesn’t always happen."

RELATED: 1981 Signature Country Hit Had a Title Fans Totally Misunderstood for Years

She continued, "We sort of interviewed each other and did a few demos to see if we really liked the way we worked together in the studio. I consider that excellent timing."

Newton concluded, "I try to pick songs that I really like that speak to me. If I didn’t write them, I chose them because they speak to me as an interpreter."

"And I think that’s the key. If you pick or write those types of songs, it just translates into your energy level and your commitment, and if you really love performing, then it works its way to the surface."

Juice Newton retired from touring in 2021. She lives in San Diego, California.

MORE: 1980 Heartbreak Country Ballad Became an Unforgettable No. 1 Hit

Stem cell therapy is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest wellness obsessions, with celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Chris Hemsworth, Tony Robbins, and more publicly sharing their experiences with regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Adeel Khan.

For Kylie, the treatment came after years of struggling with chronic pain following the birth of her son, Aire.

“Nothing I tried seemed to help,” Kylie shared on Instagram, revealing she underwent stem cell therapy after giving birth, which left her with bad chronic back pain for almost three years. “I’m honestly so grateful for the opportunity and resources. Everybody’s body is different, but this has been a huge step in my healing.”

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She also encouraged followers to proceed carefully before pursuing similar treatment.

“Definitely do your research... talk to your doctor and medical professionals, but I just wanted to share in case this helps anyone,” she added.

Kylie says she was inspired to visit Dr. Khan after her sister, Kim, and Khloe Kardashian publicly documented their own stem cell treatments with Dr. Khan in recent months.

Kim revealed she sought treatment for a torn shoulder and “chronic back pain,” later saying the “results were immediate.”

“I can’t recommend this treatment enough,” Kim shared on Instagram. “It’s transformed my life when I thought my body was breaking down.”

Khloe also said the treatment helped with “recovery, inflammation and overall wellness” tied to her intense workout routine.

“My dream is that one day treatments like this will be accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere,” Khloe wrote on Instagram. “I know what a privilege this treatment is and I feel so incredibly blessed we were able to receive it and with such great care.”

The growing celebrity interest in stem cell therapy has extended beyond the Kardashian-Jenner family. Actor Chris Hemsworth recently appeared alongside Dr. Khan on social media, while motivational speaker Tony Robbins has also publicly endorsed regenerative medicine treatments through the doctor’s clinic.

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“Really enjoyed meeting Dr. Adeel Khan,” Chris said via an Instagram post shared on Dr. Khan’s platform. “His work with MUSE cells — an incredible type of regenerative stem cell, is unique. The fact that he directly collaborates with Professor Mari Dezawa, who pioneered these cells, made me feel confident that I was in the hands of someone at the very forefront of regenerative medicine.” 

As more celebrities openly discuss chronic pain, recovery, longevity, and anti-aging treatments, stem cell therapy has increasingly moved from niche medical circles into mainstream celebrity wellness culture.

Dr. Khan’s clinic, Eterna Health, has locations in Florida, Dubai, Mexico, and Canada.  

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Gwyneth Paltrow has always had a knack for making the everyday look lovely, and a recent cooking video she posted on Instagram is proof. While she whipped up some homemade congee with mushrooms, greens, and poached eggs, what really caught our eye was her adorable plaid two-piece pajama set. 

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The matching button-up top and relaxed shorts radiates cozy-chic vibes, and the flowy, lightweight design is perfect for warm nights or lazy mornings. Inspired by her look, we searched Amazon and found three plaid pajama sets that deliver the same effortless style without the celebrity price tag. Starting at just $20, shop these sets now to give your loungewear collection a touch of Gwyneth Paltrow's effortless style.

Verdusa Plaid Pajama Loungewear Set, From $25 (was $28) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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First up is the Verdusa Plaid Pajama Loungewear Set. This set features a lightweight, flowy fabric ideal for spring and summer. The short-sleeve button-down top and matching shorts mirror Gwyneth’s easygoing look, while the classic plaid pattern keeps things timeless. With sizes ranging from extra small to extra large and a slew of adorable color options like navy blue, burgundy, and baby pink, you can find your perfect fit and shade.

"They are soft and fit perfectly," one shopper stated, adding that they're “super cute" and "lightweight."

Samring Short-Sleeve Button-Down Pajama Set, From $21 (was $31) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Next, take a look at the Samring Short-Sleeve Button Down Nightwear Shorts Set. Perfect for Mother's Day and lazy mornings, this set offers a traditional notched collar, button-up design, and soft, breathable fabric. Reviewers love how comfortable it feels, and the addition of pockets is always a bonus. It is available in a variety of plaid colors and sizes, making it a versatile pick for lounging, sleeping, or even your own kitchen adventures.

"So comfortable and cute!" one shopper stated. "The short-sleeve button-down top and matching shorts are perfect for warm nights. The fabric is soft and breathable, making them incredibly comfortable to sleep in."

Blooming Jelly Plaid Pajama Shorts Set, From $20 (was $30) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

For a slightly different silhouette, there’s the Blooming Jelly Plaid Pajama Shorts Set, which includes a short-sleeve button-front top and relaxed shorts with an elastic waistband. The tailored cut adds a touch of polish while still keeping comfort front and center. This set comes in several plaid and checked patterns, so you can pick the one that best matches your style.

Related: Walmart's Bestselling $20 Weekender Bag Is Great for Spring Travel and Comes in 11 'Pretty' Hues

No matter which option you choose, these pajamas are made for more than just bedtime. Imagine sipping your morning coffee, reading a book, or even hosting a laid-back brunch at home, all while channeling Gwyneth’s relaxed yet put-together energy. The lightweight shorts and breezy, short-sleeve pajama tops also make these pajama sets particularly ideal for the warm months.

"This two-piece lounge set is the perfect summer option!" a shopper wrote in a reviews for the Blooming Jelly set. "It’s lightweight and breathable while still offering full coverage. It’s cute enough to lounge in, not just for sleep."

Shop More Deals

• Automet Soft Ribbed Knit Blouse, $8 (was $20) at Amazon
• Wiholl Short-Sleeve Chevron Trimmed Sweater Top, $13 (was $19) at Amazon
• Sampeel Short-Sleeve Round Neck Knit Top, $13 (was $20) at Amazon

Prices for these Amazon finds start at just $20, so you can snag the look for less and still feel like a Hollywood lifestyle guru. If you're ready to give your loungewear drawer a glow-up, you'll want to check out these plaid pajama sets on Amazon. They’re cute, comfy, and according to Gwyneth Paltrow, totally Instagram-worthy.

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According to the Yale School of Public Health, experts are challenging the notion that aging leads to decline. Studies have found that nearly half of adults aged 65 and older showed measurable improvements in cognitive and physical function over time, largely due to their positive outlook on aging.

Those who perceive the passage of time as an opportunity to gain more wisdom, grace, and self-respect can thrive and discover new meaning in their lives. Further, expert numerologists and astrologers note which four birth dates are most likely to become more authentic in their self-expression with age, no longer apologizing for their true, innermost selves. Read on for cosmic insight.

Which Birth Dates Become More Authentic (and Stop Apologizing) With Age?

Check for your birth date. Disregard birth months.

Born on the 8th - Trusting Your Timing

People born on the 8th are most likely to transform self-doubt into empowerment over time. Their early life journey is often filled with restrictions, instilling in them a strong work ethic. However, they also carry unconscious fears of losing everything or feeling unworthy of progress. Ruled by the planet of karmic maturity, Saturn, their inner critic tends to become less intense. They begin to walk with more authority, gaining wisdom and self-trust along the way. During their youth, they may be shy, but as they grow older, they become less affected by outside opinions. As late bloomers, they have found that all they needed was self-trust to make things happen.

Born on the 14th - Finding Your Voice

Mercury, the planet of communication and self-expression, governs this birth date. People born on the 14th tend to have mentally agile and active minds. As a result, they benefit from thinking quickly on their feet but can also struggle with patterns of overthinking. In their youth, they may hesitate to express their true thoughts. However, as they mature, they discover their voice, embrace true self-expression, and gain a clearer understanding of their own sharp thoughts. They begin to articulate what they mean and mean what they say, refusing to let outsiders dictate what they should believe.

FUN: The 4 Birth Dates Who Shop Until They Drop

Born on the 20th - Trusting Your Intuition

Those born on the 20th are ruled by the Moon, which symbolizes our inner world and emotional nuances. People with this birth date often have heightened intuition, making them quite sensitive to others and their environment. In their younger years, they may be timid and prioritize predictability for emotional safety. However, as they grow older, they begin to feel more secure within themselves. Time is the greatest healer, and as they improve their emotional regulation skills, they stop shrinking themselves and fearing visibility, allowing them to embrace who they truly are.

RELATE?: Your Dream Home Aesthetic, Based on Your Birth Month

Born on the 28th - Stepping Into Your Identity

The Sun, the luminary of core identity and ego, rules this birthday. During their earlier journey, individuals often dim themselves to fit in, as others make them feel "too much" when they are being their fiery selves. They may begin to seek validation or ego boosts from others. However, as they age, it becomes clear to them that finding authenticity is far more important than being liked. Their unapologetic presence allows them to shine brightly and take up the space that has always been rightfully theirs.

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When Guns N' Roses released Appetite for Destruction in 1987, the album didn’t arrive with instant blockbuster success. But over time, the gritty hard rock record transformed into one of the defining albums of its era—and now it’s receiving a major new honor decades later.

In April 2026, Barnes & Noble selected Appetite for Destruction as its Album of the Month, spotlighting the record alongside other featured monthly picks. In an Instagram post, the retailer called attention to the album while encouraging fans to revisit the classic release.

The recognition adds another accolade to an album that has already spent decades near the top of “greatest ever” conversations. Rolling Stone ranked Appetite for Destruction at No. 62 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, writing that it "hit the metal scene like an asteroid."

The publication praised the record for bringing “the grit and fury of Seventies rock back to a mainstream hard-rock scene that was starved for something real,” while highlighting the chemistry between vocalist Axl Rose, guitarist Slash and the rest of the band. Rolling Stone also pointed to songs like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City” as proof that Guns N’ Roses “left all other Eighties metal bands in the dust.”

Released on July 21, 1987, Appetite for Destruction initially struggled to gain traction. It wasn’t until MTV began airing the video for “Welcome to the Jungle” and radio embraced songs like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Paradise City” that the album exploded into the mainstream.

The record eventually climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to become the best-selling debut album in U.S. history. More than 30 million copies have been sold worldwide, and the album remains one of the defining rock releases of the 1980s.

Over the years, Appetite for Destruction has continued to appear on countless “greatest albums” lists while influencing generations of hard rock bands. Nearly four decades after its release, the album’s latest recognition suggests its reputation is still very much alive—and still loud enough to shake the walls.

In the early 1970s, the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)” was everywhere. Written by Bill Backer, Billy Davis, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway, the song was originally created for a Coca-Cola commercial jingle, and was first performed by the New Seekers for the 1971 ad.

But amid the ad campaign’s success, an alternate version of the song by the Hillside Singers was quickly released as a single, hitting No. 13 on the Billboard charts and making the studio-assembled group a one-hit wonder, according to Songfacts. The New Seekers promptly followed up with a full-length recording of the song and hit No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in early 1972. The song reached No. 1 on the UK singles chart.

“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” was a song about universal peace and harmony. The famous Coca-Cola ad, titled "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke," was meant to inspire "unity and happiness," per the Coca-Cola website. The company noted that more than 50 years later, the song and the campaign have “a lasting connection with the public.” “The commercial has consistently been voted one of the best of all time, and the sheet music continues to sell today,” the beverage company shared.

The  famous song went straight to radio—as a commercial

British songwriter Roger Greenaway opened up about the process of creating the song in an interview with Billboard. He revealed that the song was originally titled “True Love and Apple Pie." But co-writer Bill Davis didn’t think the lyrics were suitable for the Coke campaign.

Per the Coca-Cola website, Davis reportedly said, "Well, if I could do something for everybody in the world, it would not be to buy them a Coke. …I'd buy everyone a home first and share with them in peace and love.”

Greenaway revealed that the song was then rewritten as “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” in about six hours.

“After we finished the recording sessions, the commercial went straight to radio — not to TV,” Greenaway recalled to Billboard, noting that the radio ad didn’t get a lot of attention at first. “It wasn’t until a man called Harvey Gabor, who worked in the TV commercial area at McCann, had the idea of filming a group of young men and women of different nationalities and backgrounds standing on a hill with a bottle of Coke in their hand and used ‘Teach the World’ as the anthem that the song took off.”

RELATED: 1976 No. 1 Hit Song Was So Good, a TV Show Was Renamed Before It Was Released

A massive hit

In an essay for Songwriting magazine, Greenaway said everything changed after the TV commercial aired with the singers on the hill.

“The commercial went on air, and within a week of it being on television throughout America, the main office of The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta had received in excess of 10,000 letters from the public, asking where they might find copies of the music. So they knew they had something special,” he said.

“Billy Davis took [the New Seekers] into the studios one afternoon, to produce the single that went to the top of the charts,” the songwriter added. “Within two nights of it being on television here [in the UK], we were selling 150,000 records a day. It went to No. 1 at Christmas, and it sold a million copies in less than 10 days!”

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Taylor Swift has spent her career turning real-life moments into music. So when it comes to her upcoming wedding, the first dance with Travis Kelce might not come from a playlist at all.

“As a wedding DJ, the first dance is always the moment where the couple shares their love story,” says Dominic Fournier, co-founder of The Wedding Duo. “My honest prediction is that Taylor wouldn’t just choose a song. She would probably write one specifically for that moment.”

It's an idea that feels entirely on-brand.

“Artists like Taylor tend to mark big chapters of their lives with music, and a wedding would be the ultimate chapter,” Fournier adds. “I could absolutely see her debuting a brand new track during their first dance. Something stripped down, romantic and very storytelling-driven. Probably piano or acoustic guitar, lyrics about timing, fate and how their worlds unexpectedly collided. It would feel intimate, almost like the room is getting a private performance.”

For a couple whose relationship has unfolded so publicly, that kind of grand gesture makes perfect sense.

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What Taylor Swift Might Walk Down the Aisle To

Before the first dance or the party even begins, the most emotional moment may come when Swift walks down the aisle. For some fans, that moment calls for something soft and cinematic.

“Walking down the aisle: ‘Wildest Dreams’ (Taylor Swift cover by Duomo) from the Bridgerton soundtrack,” says longtime Swiftie and author Lindsey Smith, pointing to the orchestral version as a natural fit for a ceremony.

Others imagine something more classic from her catalog.

“Enchanted” is another popular pick, says longtime Swift fan Kristin McClement. Its sweeping, romantic tone and lyrics feel "Taylor-made" for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Whether she chooses something instrumental, nostalgic or pulled directly from her own music, the tone is likely to feel intimate and reflective—a quiet pause before the rest of the celebration unfolds.

Related: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship Inspires an Unexpected New Team

The First Dance Debate: What Will Taylor and Travis Pick? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce embrace after the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC Championship in 2025.

Photo by Jamie Squire on Getty Images

If Swift pulls from her existing catalog, fans have plenty of opinions about which song would fit the moment.

“You Are in Love,” says Smith. “It’s no surprise that Travis is a 1989 stan and I think the song ‘You Are in Love’ from the 1989 album sets the perfect scene of being in love (true love) and has the perfect cadence for a first dance song.”

For others, the answer leans quieter.

“Sweet Nothing,” suggests McClement, pointing to the song’s intimacy and message of choosing each other amid everything else.

Walker Thomas—a recently self-proclaimed Swiftie—sees it as something even more emotional. He imagines a moment that feels less like a performance and more like a reflection of their relationship, something soft, romantic and a little bit cinematic.

Not everyone is convinced she’ll go that route, though.

“‘Lover’ is one of the most popular first dance songs right now, but I don’t expect Taylor to dance to her own music,” says Zoe Burke, wedding expert and head of brand at Bridebook.

Instead, Burke imagines something more timeless. "I think she’d go for a classic, inspired by ’90s rom-coms,” she says. “Something like Etta James’ ‘At Last’ or ‘L.O.V.E.’ by Nat King Cole would work beautifully.”

That mix of possibilities—something deeply personal, something from her own catalog or something entirely classic—is part of what makes the moment so hard to predict.

The Taylor Swift Lyrics That Already Tell Their Story

Part of the reason Swift’s music works so well for weddings is that so many of her songs already feel like chapters of a love story.

“Taylor has told us from the very beginning what she wants: a whimsical love story,” Smith says.

And for fans, certain lyrics stand out as especially fitting. “'Cause you can hear it in the silence / You can feel it on the way home / You can see it with the lights out / You are in love, true love,” Smith says, quoting from “You Are in Love.”

For McClement, it’s a softer ballad such as "Sweet Nothing" that she expects to be played. “They said the end is coming. Everyone is up to something. I find myself running home to your sweet nothings… All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing.”

It’s that balance—between big, sweeping emotion and something more intimate—that makes her catalog feel so tied to real-life milestones.

How the Reception Playlist Might Evolve

Beyond the first dance, the music will likely evolve throughout the evening.

“I think it will be a story arc of all of these vibes,” McClement says. That means softer, more romantic tracks during the ceremony and dinner, followed by something higher-energy once the party starts.

“Shake It Off” is an obvious contender for getting people on the dance floor, Smith says, while songs like “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” have become wedding staples for a reason.

Burke agrees the playlist will likely balance romance with crowd-pleasers.

“For the party playlist, we can expect a mix of whimsical, romantic songs, and big crowd-pleasers designed to fill the dance floor,” she says.

And knowing Kelce’s personality, that high-energy side may play an even bigger role.

Travis Kelce's big personality will most definitely be seen on the dance floor at the reception!

Photo by Kansas City Star on Getty Images

How Travis Kelce Could Shape the Party

While Swift’s music will likely anchor the emotional moments, Kelce’s presence could shift the tone once the reception is in full swing.

Smith points out that Kelce has already shown his appreciation for Swift’s catalog, noting he's a “1989" stan.

But beyond that, fans expect a playlist that leans into bigger, more playful energy as the night goes on.

Burke notes that the couple are fans of The Darkness, hinting that the playlist could include a few unexpected throwbacks alongside more traditional wedding hits.

The result is likely a mix that feels balanced—part romance, part full-on celebration.

Related: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Actual Dating Timeline Revealed by Exclusive Source

Could Ed Sheeran or Other Stars Perform at the Wedding? Taylor Swift and Carole King in 2021

Photo by Kevin Mazur on Getty Images

Of course, when the bride is one of the biggest musicians in the world, the playlist isn’t the only thing people are thinking about.

There’s also the possibility that the music doesn’t just come from a DJ.

Swift has built close relationships with a number of artists over the years, from longtime collaborator Ed Sheeran to producer Jack Antonoffand The National’s Aaron Dessner, all of whom have played key roles in shaping her sound. She's also reportedly close with Stevie Nicks, Carole King and Lana Del Rey.

If any of them were in the room, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine a more spontaneous moment unfolding, whether that’s a stripped-back performance, a surprise duet or even an acoustic set that feels more like a private concert than a wedding reception.

There’s precedent for it, too. Celebrity weddings have increasingly blurred the line between performance and celebration, with close friends stepping in for moments that feel personal rather than staged.

And for an artist like Swift, whose relationships are so closely tied to her music, that kind of magic feels almost inevitable.

Related: Taylor Swift’s Famous Friend Hints at Wedding Date Leaving Fans Scratching Their Heads

The Last Song Might Say It All

If the first dance sets the tone, the final song is what people leave with. For some fans, that moment belongs to “Karma.”

“Karma,” Smith says, noting that it feels like a fitting nod to how Swift’s Eras Tour ended—the same tour that played a role in the early days of their relationship.

Others point to “Long Live,” a song that captures the feeling of holding onto a moment you don’t want to end.

Either way, the final track is likely to feel less like a performance and more like a shared moment.

Could Taylor Drop a Surprise Song at the Wedding?

Of course, there’s always the possibility that none of these predictions are right. Fans have speculated everything from a surprise duet to a completely new song debuting mid-reception.

“I think Swifties would lose their minds if Taylor either created a special song just for her wedding day, or if she and Travis did a fun duet on the dance floor,” Smith says.

“People would go absolutely wild if she dropped a surprise album or changed lyrics to fit the moment,” Thomas says. “She’s known for Easter eggs, so it would make sense for her to do something unexpected like that.”

It’s a different kind of possibility, but for an artist who has built her career on surprise reveals and hidden meaning, it wouldn’t be entirely out of character.

Best Taylor Swift Songs for Your Own Wedding

Whether or not we ever find out the final playlist for Travis and Taylor's upcoming wedding, her catalog has become a go-to source for couples planning their own. With more than two decades of love songs spanning country, pop and Folklore-era introspection, there's something for every part of the day—from the walk down the aisle to the last song of the night.

Here are some of the best Taylor Swift songs to consider for your own wedding and the specific moments they're made for.

• Walking Down the Aisle: "Lover" or the Duomo orchestral cover of "Wildest Dreams"
• The First Dance: "You Are in Love"
• An Emotional Ballad: "Sweet Nothing"
• Romantic Throwback: "Enchanted"
• Father-Daughter Dance: "The Best Day"
• Getting the Party Started: "Shake It Off"
• The Crowd-Pleaser Singalong: "Love Story"
• Last Dance of the Night: "Long Live"
• A Surprise Pick: "Paper Rings"

Related: Next Up:

What started as a nostalgic social media trend—the "grandmacore" aesthetic now boasts over 251 million views on TikTok—has evolved into a significant cultural movement. Travelers are increasingly choosing to trade digital algorithms for human connection, redefining how a younger generation engages with global culture. This shift has birthed a new travel behavior: "Grandma Tourism."

According to a new report from GetYourGuide, the leading global marketplace for travel experiences, "Grandma Tourism" describes a growing preference for experiences led by older local guides who share traditional skills, cultural heritage and personal narratives. The data signals a clear move away from passive sightseeing toward active participation.

Tradition Over Trends: The Data

The shift is already visible in booking behavior. On GetYourGuide, bookings for workshops and classes grew by more than 250% between 2023 and 2025, growing six times faster than traditional attraction tickets. Furthermore, the report finds that:

• 69% of travelers prefer learning from older local guides over younger guides.
• 76% of travelers would book a “grandma-inspired” experience.
• 94% of travelers want to experience a “grandma” mindset—focused on calm and connection—when they travel.

“Travel isn’t just turning up and ticking boxes anymore, it’s about learning something meaningful about a place from the people who know it best," says Johannes Reck, Co-Founder of GetYourGuide. "As our lives become increasingly digitalised, travellers are seeking moments to slow down, reconnect and engage with culture passed down through generations in a more human way."

Nonna Rosella: The Art of the Shared Moment (Rome, Italy)

GetYourGuide

In a home just outside the bustling streets of Rome, 68-year-old Rosella—known to her guests as Nonna Rosella—hosts pasta-making classes that are about much more than flour and eggs.

“I teach people how to make real Italian pasta," says Rosella. "People come to my tour because they want to make something with their hands from scratch, but also to spend time with an Italian grandma and hear my stories.”

For Rosella, hosting is a way to bridge the gap between her quiet city life and her roots in the Roman countryside. “I come from a very small village in the Roman countryside," she explains. "When I got married, I moved to Rome and used to spend a lot of time at home alone. I’ve always missed my village and now I meet people from all over the world and share what I learned growing up in my village.”

The connection often becomes deeply personal. “Guests can be shy at first. But when they leave, they’re so open and warm! They hug me and want to spend more time with me," Rosella shares. "If I accepted all the invitations I get from people all over the world, I’d never stay in Italy anymore! This is what matters in the end, the relationships we create.”

Ultimately, her goal is for guests to take the spirit of the kitchen home with them. “I don’t just want to teach the new generations how to make pasta, but also remind them how important it is to share moments together and surround themselves with people they love. I want them to use these pasta-making skills to spend time with their loved ones.”

Catherine: Unmasking the "Fantasy" of Paris (Paris, France)

GetYourGuide

In the shadow of the Basilique Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, 63-year-old Catherine teaches the delicate art of macarons at L’Atelier de Mamies. For Catherine, a former HR professional, the atelier is a place for "un-curated" authenticity.

“I’m retired, so I teach because I want to," Catherine says. "Before, I worked in HR, managing a team of 20 people! Now, I work just a few days a week. It’s about connecting with the people, sharing my love of pastry and showing the France of French people, not a fantasy.”

The GetYourGuide report notes that 84% of travelers in the French market would book a grandma experience, the highest across all markets surveyed. Catherine sees this desire for connection daily. “The atelier is in a really beautiful part of Paris near Basilique Sacré-Coeur, and there’s always a wow moment when people arrive. But I also think they choose it because it’s not intimidating," she notes. "Macarons seem a little technical, but anyone can learn if they keep trying.”

She finds particular joy in teaching the youngest travelers. “I love teaching children and we welcome kids as young as three or four. Because the recipes are simple enough, the little ones are so happy to make cookies just like their parents can. The parents always say the kids never would have eaten macarons from a patisserie!”

Catherine’s mission is to provide a souvenir that isn't found in a gift shop. “I wanted to give people a wonderful memory of Paris. Not something bought, but a skill, a little piece of Parisian tradition they could take home with them from their vacation. My guests leave feeling confident they can recreate a French recipe at home. Paris is the most beautiful city in the world and we Parisians don’t even realise it because we're too busy complaining.”

Isidora & Puri: Love Language on a Spanish Farm (Málaga, Spain)

GetYourGuide

In rural Málaga, 83-year-old Isidora and her sister-in-law, Puri, host a farm-to-table experience that serves as a masterclass in "slow living."

“Food is my love language," Isidora says. "My whole life was about raising four kids and preparing delicious meals for them. Making everything from scratch and creating something tasty from basic, available products.”

For Isidora, the experience is a way to travel the world from her own kitchen. “I worked for a short period of time, but my life experience was really about taking care of my family at home. Now, we love meeting new people and exchanging stories and recipes. It is always nice to hear about each country's customs. With our age, it is more difficult to travel abroad, so the abroad comes to us!”

The appeal, she believes, lies in the honesty of the encounter. “Perhaps because it’s honest. We don’t sell them a tour, we share our real life: the beauty of rural Málaga, freshly pressed olive oil from the farm, citrus trees, and food. Sharing simple and meaningful moments.”

Isidora hopes her guests leave with a renewed appreciation for the elderly and the "analogue" life. “I hope they take away respect for older people, their cooking methods and their food. The world is changing to make everything more convenient, but there is real beauty in preparing a meal from scratch, spending time with loved ones and using ingredients that matter."

She leaves her guests with a piece of wisdom that echoes the findings of the GetYourGuide report: “Money comes and goes, even for the richest, but real happiness comes from family and the people you surround yourself with. When you are old, that’s all that matters: the people who want to spend time with you. Our advice is to create memories together, don't just buy another object.”

The "Why" Behind the Trend

Why are we so obsessed with learning from elders now? The GetYourGuide report suggests a direct link to digital fatigue. Consumers are taking up "analogue" hobbies to:

• Feel calm (67%)
• Get time away from their phones (53%)
• Learn a tangible skill (51%)
• Reduce anxiety (48%)

Whether it's mastering the fold of a musubi in Tokyo or playing a high-stakes card game with a 94-year-old in Istanbul, "Grandma Tourism" offers a structural shift in how we spend our time—moving from seeing a place to truly belonging to it, if only for an afternoon.

Related: The Rise of the ‘Solo Social’ Trip: 5 Best Getaways for Travelers Who Want to Go Alone—But Not Stay Alone

Sam's Club is elevating the breakfast game with a new item that's bound to make mornings so much better.

If your mornings have been feeling a little rushed or repetitive lately, the warehouse giant may have just delivered the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy breakfast again

The new Member’s Mark Cinnamon Chip Iced Scones have been recently spotted in various locations in the bakery aisle.

Whether you're rushing out the door or settling in for a slow weekend morning, these scones are making a strong case for skipping the coffee shop line.

Scones have been a morning go-to for centuries, rooted in British and Scottish culinary tradition, with the first scone believed to originate in Scotland in the early 1500s. Simple, quick, and filling, they're a natural fit when you want to start the day with something hearty.

Sam's Club has now made it even easier, as you can reach for a box and throw it right into your cart.

Members are buzzing over the recent find, which is quickly becoming a sweet breakfast staple. They're easy enough to grab when you're in a hurry, but they are also the ideal addition to a glorious morning spread, especially on Mother's Day, complementing bagels, bacon and fruit.

Paired with a cup of coffee or tea, they hit that sweet spot between indulgent and effortless that mornings desperately need.

The soft, buttery scones clock in at just under $6 for an 8-count, which is a value that's just as impressive as the taste.

Even Sam's Club agrees, revealing that they are the perfect choice to "start your day the sweet way."

Each bite promises a "warm cinnamon flavor," topped with a "drizzle of sweet icing."

"Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime treat," the post suggested, as many the Instagram account Sam's Club Lovers even called them "a must."

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However, opinions from shoppers were definitely mixed.

While some said their kids liked them, others felt they were a little "too chewy" with an "underdone" taste.

If you find yourself intrigued or tend to enjoy a morning scone, give them a try and see what you think for yourself.

When you see them in the bakery section, just sitting there and calling your name, they're almost impossible to resist.

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There are over 1,200 songs in Spotify's Billion's Club, but one fan-favorite track was the fastest to ever do it.

According to new data released by Spotify as part of its 20th anniversary, the song fastest song to ever reach one billion streams was the Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars duet, "Die With a Smile."

The retro-inspired single was released in August 2024, and by November of that year it had already amassed one billion streams. It only took 96 days for it to reach a milestone that most songs never achieve, never mind doing so in a matter of months.

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"Die With a Smile," a long-awaited collaboration between the two music superstars, is a nostalgic, soulful ballad reminiscent of 1970s soft rock. Its bittersweet lyrics about holding on to love as the world ends — along with the smooth yet powerful vocals harmonies from Mars and Gaga —made the song an instant hit with listeners.

The song spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it even won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2025 ceremony. (It was also nominated for Song of the Year, though that award ultimately went to Kendrick Lamar for his smash hit "Not Like Us.")

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But while Mars and Gaga's duet may be the fastest song in Spotify history to reach one billion streams, it certainly wasn't the first. That title belongs to Drake, Wizkid and Kyla for the 2016 chart-topper "One Dance," which hit the milestone just over sixth months after its release.

Meanwhile, other songs have taken years, or even decades, to amass one billion streams, such as the Goo Goo Dolls' beloved 1998 track "Iris," which surpassed the milestone in 2022, 24 years after its initial release.

Related: 1979 Classic-Rock Party Anthem Made a Major Comeback 40 Years Later Thanks to a Blockbuster Film

Written in a burst of inspiration in just 30 minutes, this nostalgic yacht rock classic became an unexpected favorite of a former Beatles member.

The Little River Band had a hit with "Reminiscing" in 1978. The song recalled music and memories of the past, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts.

"Reminiscing" was reportedly a favorite of John Lennon. The Beatles member was said to have loved the song and asked for it to be played on repeat.

In her book Loving John, May Pang, Lennon's companion during his separation from wife Yoko Ono, wrote that they would lie together in bed and listen to the song. Far Out quoted Pang, who claimed, "Oddly, with all the fantastic music he wrote, ‘our song’ was ‘Reminiscing’ by the Little River Band.”

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Graeham Goble wrote the song. He and bandmates Glenn Shorrock, Beeb Birtles, David Briggs, George McArdle, and Derek Pellicci helped shape its signature harmony-rich sound.

RELATED: 1978 Timeless Friendship-Themed Yacht Rock Collaboration Still Sounds Fresh 48 Years Later

Goble told Goldmine Magazine in 2021, that he penned the song “on April 9, 1977. We had just done the Australian television show Countdown on that day."

He continued, "While we were sitting backstage, we were just playing our guitars and our lead guitarist, David, showed me this chord shape, a jazz-sounding C9 chord. Afterwards, when I went home later that afternoon, I got my guitar out again, and I just put my hands on that C9 chord shape, and within half an hour, I had written the whole of ‘Reminiscing.’"

RELATED: 1978 ‘Terminally Cool’ Classic Named the Greatest Yacht Rock Song of All Time

Goble's lyrics for "Reminiscing" were inspired by looking back on the music and movies he loved as a child. “When I was growing up, the fantasy world I inhabited was the fantasy world of the black-and-white movies from the 1940s and 1950s, such as the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies and even the earlier movies of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. And of course, all the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein. And the big-band era, too, like the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and the jazz guys like Count Basie. That was what I loved."

The song's wistful lyrics struck a chord with listeners. Although it was written in the late 70s, the era Goble referenced was only 40 years prior, making it relatable for fans who recalled hearing that type of music in their childhood.

The Little River Band is still active and touring, with numerous dates scheduled throughout 2026 to celebrate their 51st year together.

MORE: 1979 Yacht Rock Gem Just Named One of the Decade’s Best Songs

Camp Rock 3 is coming! More than 17 years after the original Disney Channel Original Movie premiered, the story continues this summer with Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas all returning to camp.

The JoBros executive produced the third installment alongside Camp Rock co-star and longtime friend Demi Lovato. Directed by Veronica Rodriguez, the film picks up 15 years after Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and introduces a brand-new class of campers. Lovato spoke about her EP role on the Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast. "We are making way for the new generation to shine their light as bright as they are," she said. "And it's just really exciting to see a new generation step into the footsteps of us."

Camp Rock debuted in 2008 and was followed by Camp Rock 2 in 2010, with both films ranking among the most-watched DCOMs of all time.

"Camp Rock is an important part of the Disney Channel Original Movie legacy, with unforgettable music, energetic storytelling, and characters that live in the hearts of fans to this day," Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television, said in a press release announcing the project. "Bringing it back with Kevin, Joe, Nick and Demi is such a full-circle moment, and we can't wait to reintroduce this world to a new generation."

Filming on Camp Rock 3 took place in Vancouver, Canada and wrapped in November 2025. Read on to discover everything we know about Camp Rock 3—including the full cast, Lovato's role, release date and more.

View this post on Instagram 'Camp Rock 3' release date: When is it coming out?

Camp Rock 3 is set to premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel in summer 2026, though Disney has not yet announced a specific release date. Production wrapped on November 1, 2025—after just seven weeks of filming in Vancouver, Canada.

"No one wants to mess up the new Camp Rock," Rodriguez told Entertainment Weekly of her approach. "I'm trying to do Camp Rock+, like I want to give Camp Rock, but even more."

Who is in the 'Camp Rock 3' cast?

Camp Rock 3 is bringing back fan favorites alongside a brand-new generation of campers.

Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas are reprising their roles as members of Connect 3—Shane Gray, Nate Gray and Jason Gray, respectively. Wizards of Waverly Place actress Maria Canals-Barrera is also back as Mitchie's mom, Connie Torres. According to Rodriguez, Connie has "a bigger role" in the third installment. Joy Ride and Good Trouble alum Sherry Cola is also joining the franchise as Lark.

Camp Rock 3 is also introducing a new generation of Camp Rockers we're pleased to introduce you to!

1. Liamani Segura as "bold and determined" Sage Liamani Segura

Cindy Romero

2. Malachi Barton as Fletch, the camp's "bad boy" Malachi Barton

Felicia Barton

3. Lumi Pollack as cello prodigy Rosie Lumi Pollack

Matt Kallish

4. Hudson Stone as Desi, Sage's "easygoing" brother Hudson Stone

Brie Childers

5. Casey Trotter as Cliff, a "drummer with his own beat" Casey Trotter

Shimon

6. Brooklynn Pitts as "choreo queen" Callie Brooklynn Pitts 7. Ava Jean as Madison, an "intimidating influencer" Ava Jean

Dana Patrick

Is Demi Lovato in 'Camp Rock 3'? Demi Lovato at the New York premiere of Camp Rock in 2008

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris on Getty Images

Lovato is officially involved in Camp Rock 3—but as an executive producer alongside the Jonas Brothers, not as an announced cast member. Whether her character—Mitchie Torres—will appear on-screen remains an open question. Lovato played Mitchie in both Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) and her voice can be heard in the December 2025 teaser trailer via archival audio from the first two films.

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The "Cool for the Summer" singer has fueled fan speculation by sharing several Camp Rock-themed videos to her TikTok—including this viral November 2025 clip poking fun at Mitchie's storyline:

@ddlovato

couldn’t be me

♬ suono originale - 𝙗𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙙𝙖𝙮

Director Veronica Rodriguez has neither confirmed nor denied the cameo rumors, telling Entertainment Weekly, "You can't really talk about Camp Rock or have a Camp Rock movie without referencing her. We love Mitchie."

Related: Demi Lovato Is ‘Sorry, Not Sorry’ About Her Net Worth in 2026

What is 'Camp Rock 3' about?

Camp Rock 3 picks up 15 years after the events of Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. After losing their opening act for their major reunion tour, Connect 3 returns to their beloved Camp Rock to discover the next big thing. "As campers vie for the chance to open for their favorite band, tensions rise, and friendships are tested, leading to unexpected alliances, revelations and romances," reads the official synopsis.

Related: The Best Parts of Disney Channel Original Movies

Is there a 'Camp Rock 3' trailer?

Disney released the first Camp Rock 3 teaser on December 4, 2025. The 43-second clip shows the Jonas Brothers walking back toward the lake at Camp Rock, with Mitchie and Shane's iconic duet "Wouldn't Change a Thing" playing in the background.

"Music, friendship, memories," Nick says in the teaser. Joe replies, "We're back. Exactly where we're supposed to be," with Kevin chiming in, "Still no birdhouse."

Have Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas reconciled?

Lovato and Joe famously dated, but called it quits in 2010. At the time, Joe explained to Us Weekly that he made the decision to end things. "Demi and I knew going into our romantic relationship that it may not be an easy one," he told the outlet. "I realize over the time we have shared together that I feel I care more about our friendship right now. It was my choice to break up, but I love her as a friend. She's been there for me when I needed her. I will continue to be her friend and be there for her."

The exes have reunited over the years. In 2020, she told Harper's Bazaar that she was no longer in contact with the Jonas Brothers, but five years later, Joe reached out to see if she'd be interested in performing onstage with them on their first JONAS20: Greetings from Your Hometown Tour date.

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Lovato spoke about the reunion on the Chicks in the Office podcast, saying that it "healed" her. "We've been through so much together—all of us—the Jonas Brothers and I. And it was really, really great to spend time with them," she continued.

She also revealed that the brothers spent time getting to know her husband Jordan "Jutes" Lutes, whom she wed in May 2025. "They just thanked me profusely for flying across the country to perform with them," she shared. "It was so thoughtful. I felt so appreciated. It was really healing for us, and I loved it. Every second of it was so great."

How to watch 'Camp Rock 3'

The third Camp Rock, produced by Disney Branded Television, will air on Disney Channel and stream on Disney+.

Related: Ranking Kevin, Joe and Nick by Net Worth (2026)

Related: Why Fans Are Talking About the Jonas Brothers’ New Holiday Road Trip Movie

If you work for yourself or at home often, you know how tough it can be to be productive and stay on top of your schedule. Being "productive" can mean many things, and while it's sometimes easy to fall into bad habits, now, in our modern age, there are tools to help you use your time more wisely. Whether you're interested in better time management, want to track your personal goals or stay more organized, there are some great apps out there that can help. I would know. I tried 9 free productivity apps for a few weeks, and two of them really surprised me.

At the start of my productivity app journey, I'll be honest, I wasn't totally sure any of them would be for me because I tend to fall off the wagon with that stuff. But if you're similar, don't worry; I changed my mind pretty quickly once I began using them.

From AI note-taking and tracking my reading goals, to keeping my to-do lists and calendar organized, I tried them all this month. For all my thoughts on some of the most popular free productivity apps—including TickTick, Notion, Todoist and Plaud—and the ones that really surprised me, take a look ahead.

Related: Psychologist Reveals That People Who Write Out To-Do Lists by Hand Share These 7 Unique Traits

What Are Productivity Apps?

Guido Mieth/Getty Images

While there are many different types of productivity apps, here's a breakdown of the most common types. Productivity apps are designed to help you be more efficient in all areas of your life by supporting the organization of tasks, time management and streamlining your workflow. Some also allow you to set personal goals. Many of them focus on calendar management, notes, to-do lists, project-tracking and some even have "focus" modes to help you forego distractions.

Many productivity apps can also be accessed on multiple devices, making them the perfect companion to help you stay organized. While productivity apps are great for individual use, they can also work in a team setting, maximizing workplace efficiency and keeping everyone on deadline for certain projects or tasks.

Related: This One Thing Shaved Nearly an Hour Off My Workday—and Now I’m Telling Everyone To Do It

9 Best Free Apps for Productivity, Ranked From My Least to Most Favorite9. Day One: Daily Journal & Diary

Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free, Silver - $49.99 per year, Gold - $74.99 per year

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with Day One's app in any way. In fact, it's a great app for those who love to keep a digital journal. It tracks your entries, provides a calendar and includes the ability for you to create different journal subcategories within the app.

While I know many find gratitude and general journaling super productive and love making it part of their day, I've never been as good at keeping up with daily journaling. It is a nice way to create a simple task list for yourself during the day if you wish, but if you're looking for something a little more wide-reaching, I would skip this one.

8. Fantastical Calendar

Apple App Store rating: 4.2/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Individual - $4.75 per month; Family - $7.50 per month; Team - $4.75 per user, per month

Fantastical is a great free option for those who need to consolidate their calendars. It's also great for reminders and basic to-do lists. The top feature of this app is that you can get a comprehensive view of your entire day, week, month, quarter or year, which is perfect for extremely busy people.

However, I do wish this app had more in terms of detailed tracking and to-do lists. For example, other apps I used allowed me to set task times and had more goal-oriented features like adding what time my workday started and ended.

Related: 10 Free Printable Goal-Setting Worksheets That'll Help You Achieve Anything

7. Plaud: AI Note Taker

Apple App Store rating: 4.9/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Plaud Intelligence Pro Plan (Monthly) - $17.99 per month; Plaud Intelligence Pro Plan (Annual) - $99.99 per year; Plaud AI Annual Unlimited Plan - $239.99 per year

The Plaud app is perfect for anyone who has a job that requires rigorous note-taking. Whether that's during a meeting or—if you're a journalist (like me)—to transcribe interviews. This app transcribes audio with pretty good accuracy and is great at identifying multiple speakers (something I've found lacking in other transcription services). It can also convert audio recordings into structured, easy-to-follow notes or to-do lists, making it great for maximizing efficiency.

While I consider note-taking and transcribing an important part of my job, I only ranked this one a little lower on the list because there were apps I found more comprehensive. Another downside is that the free version is pretty limited. If this app is something you'd want to use often, you'll most likely have to pay for the premium version.

6. Todoist

Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5 stars
Pricing: Beginner- free; Pro - $5 per month; Business- $8 per user per month

Todoist targets those who work in a team setting. It allows you to do things like create a shared task list, assign responsibilities, and comment and share files. While this app is designed with team project management in mind, you can still use it individually as a personal task manager to organize your daily life, track due dates and organize projects. You can also create both work and personal tabs to keep a better tab on things.

With the basic free plan, you can track up to five projects, which isn't bad if you're just using it as an individual. I liked how easy and intuitive this one was. There were a few apps I liked more that allowed for more detailed task managing, like setting times and creating a focus mode.

5. Notion

Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Plus - $10 per month; Business - $20 per member per month

Notion offers a lot in terms of organization. It allows you to create tables, boards and calendars with built-in AI summaries of the content to allow you to digest the information quicker. This is a great one for those who really like to customize and detail out their day or tasks.

While I enjoyed this app, I try to be careful about relying on AI too much in my daily life. While it can be helpful, it isn't perfect, and you might miss certain things if you're only using that to analyze your workflow and take care of other tasks.

Related: 50 Career Goals That'll Help You Climb That Corporate Ladder in No Time

4. Awesome Habits

Apple App Store rating: 4.8/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Premium - $1.99 monthly, $12.99 yearly or a $22.99 lifetime purchase

I really liked Awesome Habits because its ethos aligns with my own philosophy. I've always found it hard to stay consistent on larger goals or things like New Year's resolutions since they sometimes feel daunting. Instead, I try to focus on building better daily habits because, slowly but surely, you achieve your goals much more easily. Awesome Habits is the perfect companion app if you feel the same way. It helps you adopt smaller and easier changes every day to work toward your larger goals. That way, success feels more achievable.

This app includes the ability to sync with Apple Health and to create small goals like "eat three servings of fruit today" or "reduce alcohol for the next week." You can also check your stats over time to track your progress. While this app feels more personal goal-oriented, I appreciated how easy it was to use and the way it helps you make small changes that eventually make a big impact.

Related: ‘I’m a Neuroscientist, and This 10-Second Habit Can Instantly Boost Your Focus’

3. Routinery

Apple App Store rating: 4.7/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Premium - $7.99 per month or $39.99 per year

Routinery offers really detailed ways to organize your day, from to-do lists with time breakdowns to helping you set reminders for small daily tasks like taking your pills. It's a really good habit-tracking and routine-focused app that's similar to Awesome Habits. You can even add details and notes to each of your timed tasks for added context.

It helps you build change over time through smaller daily shifts, which I really loved. I also liked that I could add both personal and work tasks to it. While this one is less work-focused, it's great for keeping you on your routine every day.

2. Focus Traveller

Apple App Store rating: 4.9/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Premium - $0.99 a month

Focus Traveller is a bit of a different type of productivity app. Instead of focusing on organization, it's a productivity timer designed to help you stay 100% focused and features animated mountain-climbing visuals that are extremely cute. It also has ambient sounds and Apple Music integration along with detailed progress tracking. You can also access daily logs of your progress so you can monitor your productivity over time.

While this app is less about calendar organization and task management, I enjoyed how cute the visuals were and the soft, ambient music. It really did help me focus when I had a lot of work to do, and it was interesting to track my productivity overall. If I know I'm tracking my own progress, it then motivates me to be even more productive.

1. TickTick

Apple App Store rating: 4.9/5 stars
Pricing: Basic - free; Premium- $3.99 per month or $35.99 per year

I found TickTick to be the most comprehensive of all the productivity apps I tried. It has a lot of features. You can create to-do lists, manage your schedule, make an Eisenhower matrix to boost efficiency, create reminders and tasks and it integrates seamlessly with other apps like Notion, just to name a few. If you're someone who likes everything in one place, this is the app for you.

I loved using it to manage both my personal and work tasks. It made planning my days so much easier, and I found that I got things done so much faster than when I wasn't using the app.

Related: 275 Motivational Quotes for Work

The 2 Free Productivity Apps That Surprised Me the Most1. Focus Traveller

As I mentioned above, Focus Traveller isn't your typical organization-heavy productivity app, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using it. As a freelance writer, it's definitely harder to focus some days, so it really pays to have something like this handy to help keep me on track with deadlines and work efficiency.

The app was really easy to use, and I just loved the little animated visuals. Your little "traveler" makes its way up a mountain with the more progress you make—if you're a visual learner or enjoy things like it, it adds a bit of motivation to the experience. It also just made the experience of using the app so much more fun, and you can even earn badges for your progress. It's the little things in life, right?

2. Awesome Habits

While TickTick was my absolute favorite for a more organized life, I was surprised at how much I loved Awesome Habits because it helped a lot with personal goal-setting. Normally, I don't write down any personal goals like "eat more servings of fruit today."

Usually, I'll just try to do it, but I was surprised by how much I loved having that visual reminder of the daily goals and habits I was trying to set—it really helped keep me on track. Making those smaller changes to my lifestyle every day has helped build better habits overall. I also used it to up my workout schedule, and that went really well, too.

Up Next:

Related: Psychologist Says if You Need Background Noise To Focus, You Likely Have These 7 Traits

If you're a fan of high-stakes thrills and lakeside nostalgia, the wait is officially over. Today, May 9, Cedar Point opens its gates for the 2026 summer season. While it's known globally as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World," this Sandusky landmark remains a destination for those who understand that the park’s true soul is rooted in its 19th-century origins as a grand lakeside retreat.

To walk onto the peninsula today is to walk through 156 years of American leisure history. Long before the first steel loop was forged, Cedar Point was a simple bathing beach that opened in 1870, where guests arrived by steamboat to escape the summer heat.

The nostalgia is baked into the very skyline, starting with the Grand Pavilion, which opened in 1888 and stands as the park’s oldest building. This Gilded Age masterpiece once hosted bowling alleys and grand auditoriums, serving as the social hub of the peninsula.

Related: The Roller Coasters Amusement Park Superfans Are Most Excited to Ride in 2026

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Nearby, the Hotel Breakers, which debuted in 1905, remains one of the most storied hotels in the Midwest. It has hosted everyone from Abbott and Costello to six U.S. Presidents, and its iconic rotunda—recently refreshed for 2026—still features historical park décor that honors its "Grand Dame" status.

Even the mile-long stretch of white sand remains the park's original attraction; it is the same beach where legendary figures like Knute Rockne and Gus Dorais perfected the forward pass while working as lifeguards in 1913.

Related: This Unlikely 'Mining Town' Was Just Named the No. 1 Theme Park in the U.S.

This year is particularly significant as the park prepares for America's 250th celebrations. From June 29 to July 4, Cedar Point will host a Star-Spangled Celebration to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial, featuring skydiving demonstrations and the Ohio National Guard’s 122nd Army Band. In a move to honor those who have served, the park is introducing Veterans VIP Parking this year, with exclusive spots at the front of the main lot near the Main Gate.

Even the park's newest thrills pay homage to the "Roller Coast" legacy. Siren’s Curse stands as North America’s tallest and fastest tilt coaster, using state-of-the-art tech to provide a 160-foot drop that feels like a modern evolution of the park's 1892 Switchback Railway. Meanwhile, Top Thrill 2 pushes the boundaries of speed and height on the same soil where the first "race through the clouds" began over a century ago.

For those looking to turn their visit into a summer-long pilgrimage, the new Regional Gold Pass now includes access to sister parks like Kings Island and Canada’s Wonderland, making it easier to explore the heritage of the Great Lakes. Whether you’re here for the Happy Friar’s Fresh-Cut Fries Fest, a staple since 1942, or a sunset walk on the boardwalk, Cedar Point’s 157th season proves that the classics never go out of style.

Related: This Summer’s Biggest Travel Hack? These 8 Under-the-Radar Regional Theme Parks

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If you're a fan of vintage style, you will absolutely adore this pretty 3-piece comforter set at Kohl's. It adds so much retro charm to any space, and it can easily fit into any home design style. Plus, it goes without saying that it's ultra cozy too.

Peri's Retro Scroll 3-Piece Comforter Set is available in a full/queen size and comes with one comforter and two coordinating pillow shams. The comforter measures 88 inches by 92 inches, and the pillow shams each measure 20 inches by 26 inches.

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Peri Retro Scroll 3-Piece Comforter Set, $210.36 at Kohl's

Kohl's

Shop It!

The comforter set features a light blue hue that feels super calming, and it comes complete with pretty floral and swirly embroidery that adds so much retro charm to the piece. The woven construction feels super cozy to sleep underneath, thanks to a blend of polyester fill and a cotton shell. This comforter set is machine-washable for easy cleaning too.

This comforter would be perfect for styling with throw blankets and accent pillows for a comfy, layered look in a primary bedroom or a guest room. The solid color of the comforter set makes it easy to combine with other colors and patterns. You could also pair the comforter set with some fun sheets in a bright floral print for a contrasting but still coordinated style. Or, you could opt for a solid sheet set for a more polished look. It's totally up to you and your personal preference. This comforter's solid color and subtle embroidery make it a fit with any sheet set.

Related: Five Below's 4-Piece Sheet Set Is Soft, Breathable and Chic

Kohl's shoppers love this comforter set, giving it an average rating of 4.6 stars on Kohls.com. Fans write that they appreciate the comforter set for its weight, style and soft feel.

"This Peri Home Comforter Set was perfect," wrote one fan in a four-star review on Kohls.com. "The comforter is super soft and the design is really pretty. It fit perfectly on my queen size bed. I normally like an oversized comforter, but this fits great!"

Another shopper in a five-star review on Kohls.com wrote, "Such a beautiful retro scroll queen comforter set. This comforter is just the perfect addition to my guest bedroom making it stylish and inviting to my guests. It's super soft and I think it could be used for summer or even winter."

You can find this comforter set on the Kohl's website and in select Kohl's stores nationwide. It is currently on sale for $210.36, so snag it while you can at a great price.

Related: Target's New 3-Piece Quilt Set Is a Cottagecore Dream Come True

In 1973, Alice Cooper released one of his most iconic songs with “Billion Dollar Babies.” The title track from the rocker’s sixth studio album peaked at No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the album itself soared to No. 1.

Written by Cooper, Michael Bruce, and Reggie Vinson, “Billion Dollar Babies” was a satirical take on decadence. “The Billion Dollar Babies concept was simply making fun of ourselves,” Cooper told Classic Rock in an interview. “Here was a band nobody would touch three years ago, and now we’re the biggest band in the world. We’d look at each other and go: ‘We’re like billion dollar babies’.”

The title track also featured an unlikely pairing between the gritty shock rocker and Scottish folk-pop singer Donovan.

Ultimate Classic Rock ranked “Billion Dollar Babies” among the greatest rock duets of all time, on a list topped by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s "Ain't No Mountain High Enough.”  “It’s the duet the world didn’t know it needed,” the outlet noted. “Alice Cooper, the king of shock rock, joining forces with ‘Mellow Yellow’ crooner Donovan. Impressively, the unlikely pairing works to perfection, thanks largely to the dynamic between Donovan’s falsetto and Cooper’s demonic growl.”

Cooper explained how the duet came to be

Cooper asked Donovan to join in on the song on the fly. In a video interview, the “School’s Out” singer noted that he was well aware of the singer and his nice, “wonderfully written songs, such as “Sunshine Superman.” “He’s had like eight number ones in a row or whatever,” Cooper said of Donovan.

“The first time I met Donovan, we were recording ‘Billion Dollar Babies’ in London at Morgan Studios, and we realize we needed a British voice that was going to mimic my voice,” Cooper recalled. “And I said, 'Who's here in the studio?' And they said, ‘Donovan's next door.’ And I went, ‘Oh, this will be great.’ Because he's got that great British voice, you know. And I went into the studio. I walked right in the studio, and he was doing something. I said, ‘Donovan, I'm Alice Cooper. Hi.’ Oh, hi. I said, ‘Come on.’ I said, ‘It's time to sing rock and roll.’"

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Cooper said Donovan readily agreed and did both talking parts and falsetto vocals and harmonies on “Billion Dollar Babies.”

“He had so much fun doing that song,” Cooper said. “And it was really fun to have Donovan on that. I like the idea of taking somebody out of their comfort zone and putting them in a place where they didn't normally go to, you know.”

RELATED: 1981 Rock Duet Became the Biggest Hit Ever for Both Artists

Donovan also spoke about the unlikely collaboration

Donovan once admitted he didn’t know who Cooper was when he first met him at Morgan Studios in  London, but that he always liked to be “experimental.” In an interview posted by Classic Rock Revisited, he said, “Alice introduced himself to me, and he played me the track. It was power chords, of course.  …Alice said, ‘Would you like to try a vocal?’ I thought he meant a background vocal. I said, 'It is very hard to climb on top of those guitars. I am going to have to do a falsetto.’”

Donovan pointed to bands like Yes and Led Zeppelin that had lead singers who had to cut through powerful guitars.

"When I was with Alice, I knew I would have to climb up over the guitars, and Alice told me to have a go at it,” he explained, “I went in and sang this piercing falsetto and sang, 'Biiillllion dollllar babbbbieeeees.' I can do things with my voice like that. Alice said, ‘That’s it man, let’s record.’ I think I did about half the vocals on that song.”

Donovan described the unexpected  experience of  working with Cooper as “extraordinary.” “It was really extraordinary to be a part of that song,” he added. “‘Billion Dollar Babies' went to number one. I also did the talking part on the song, ‘We go dancing nightly in the attic.' It was all like a horror movie; it was all tongue in cheek.”

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Daytime Television has told many love stories and hosted many weddings since its inception. But as the 1980s kicked off, no marriage before, or since, has achieved the cultural phenomenon that occurred when Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) married Laura Webber (Genie Francis), in what many describe as one of the top moments in soap opera history.

TV Guide released a list of the best soap opera moments of all time. In the list, topical stories such as Marlena’s possession on Days of Our Lives and the heartbreaking story of BJ’s heart on General Hospital ranked highly, but it was the star-studded wedding between Luke and Laura that made its way to number one on the list.

When the characters first interacted, nobody could have expected a wedding between the two, or that a record-breaking 30 million viewers would tune in to watch the moment unfold.

Luke Spencer arrived in town in 1978 to assist his sister, Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman), in breaking up Laura Webber (Francis) and her then partner Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner). Throughout the storyline, Luke targeted Laura and was doing whatever it took to cause terror in her life. But when Laura got injured in a car accident, Luke decided that he had had enough and would no longer do anything to harm Laura.

Luke managed the local Campus Disco and eventually hired Laura to work there. Elsewhere in Port Charles, Luke was also working for the local criminal Frank Smith.

On October 5, 1979, Luke and Laura's lives would forever change. After having a horrible day, Luke began heavily drinking. Laura checked on him at work, and it was then that Luke forced himself on Laura and sexually assaulted her at the disco.

As the storyline progressed, Scotty eventually learned of Luke’s involvement with the attack and was infuriated. This led to an altercation on a yacht, which led the world, including Frank Smith, who was looking for Luke, to believe he was dead. When in reality, he was on the run, this time with Laura by his side.

The Summer of 1980 saw Luke and Laura go on the run in search of The Left-Handed Boy, which would serve as a means to put Frank Smith away for good. Many twists and turns occurred, but throughout the adventure, Laura and Luke both developed feelings for each other and ultimately fell in love.

Following the revelation that the Left Handed Boy was a statue with gold bars hidden inside it, Luke and Laura made their way back to Port Charles, but they found it difficult to navigate a relationship, given Laura’s connection to her husband Scotty, as well as the town knowing what Luke had previously done to Laura.

That was until 1981, when Luke, Laura, and World Security Bureau agent Robert Scorpio (Tristian Rogers) saved the world from the evil Mikkos Cassadine, who planned to use a diamond named the Ice Princess to freeze the world.

GENERAL HOSPITAL - 11/16/81Elizabeth Taylor portrayed Helena Cassadine, the vengeful and rich widow of mad scientist Mikkos, for a five-show guest stint in late 1981 on Walt Disney Television Daytime's "General Hospital". "General Hospital" airs Monday-Friday, 3-4 p.m., ET, on the Walt Disney Television Network. Displeased with the prospect of the couple's marriage, Helena arrived in Port Charles days before the wedding, blaming Luke and Laura for her husband's death. Unknown to anyone, she placed a curse on the two lovers during the wedding reception. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Having heard rumors that Luke and Laura would not be wed anytime soon, Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor contacted the General Hospital studio and negotiated an appearance on the soap opera, but only under the condition that the pairing would be married.

Thus, after saving the world, Laura divorced Scotty, and on November 16, 1981, Luke and Laura were wed.

Following the nuptials, Mikkos' widow, Helena Cassadine (Taylor), made an appearance, placing a curse on the pairing that would never find happiness.

Los Angeles, CA - 1981: (L-R) Shell Kepler, Sharon Wyatt, Bianca Ferguson, ackie Zeman, Kin Shriner appearing in the ABC tv series 'General Hospital', Luke and Laura's wedding. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)

Luke and Laura enjoyed their wedding and reception, but the event had its fair share of drama when Laura tossed her bouquet, which was caught by none other than her ex-husband, Scotty. This led to an immediate confrontation between Luke and Scotty.

Afterward, Luke and Laura left Port Charles in their car and began their married life together.

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Throughout the years, the couple would have many ups and downs, as both spent time away from each other, and at times were believed to be dead, but ultimately stayed a part of each other's lives in some respect until the very end.

On July 27, 2015, Geary retired from the soap opera and made his final contract appearance. He would return once again on May 4, 2017, to help mark the departure of his longtime co-star Jane Elliot.

On January 3, 2022, it was revealed that Luke had passed away in a cable car accident in Austria, and following Geary’s passing in 2026, the ABC soap opera paid tribute to the late star by airing a retrospective look at his storylines throughout the years.

Francis continues to air as Laura, and the impact that the couple had is still felt in the storylines today as their children and grandchildren continue to propel the soap opera forward.

General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams weeknights on Hulu.

Time sing the Piano Man a song, and that song is "Happy Birthday." Billy Joel, the Kennedy Center honoree and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, turned 77 on May 9th, 2026.

Billy Joel was born in the Bronx, New York in 1949 before moving to Long Island with his family at the age of one. Despite his mother and father both being Jewish, Joel was not raised particularly religious. At the age of four when he would "bang around" on the family piano, his mother enlisted in him piano lessons. After his parents divorced in 1957, his father relocated to Europe and Joel began playing at a piano bar to help support himself, his mother, and sister. After missing an exam he would have needed in order to graduate high school, Joel instead opted to not finish and start pursuing his music career saying:

"I told them, 'To hell with it. If I'm not going to Columbia University, I'm going to Columbia Records, and you don't need a high school diploma over there."

In 1970 Joel signed a contract with Family Productions and recorded his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor. Despite the owner of Family Productions claiming they invested over $450,000 into Joel, the album was not successful. However, the tour for Cold Spring Harbor which kicked off in the fall of 1971 started to grow interest in Joel and his music.

In 1972, WMMR-FM radio in Philadelphia played a live broadcast of Joel performing, and their late-night weekend DJ played the subsequent recording multiple times. Because of this, the song "Captain Jack" became a most requested song for the station and an underground hit on the East Coast. It also garnered the attention of Herb Gordon, a Columbia Records executive, who would end up bringing Joel to Columbia that same year.

While living in LA and working on his record for Columbia, Joel worked in the piano bar at The Executive Room under the pseudonym "Bill Martin." It was at this bar that Joel would write "Piano Man" about it and its patrons. Joel's first album with Columbia would end up being Piano Man, released in 1973.

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Joel would go on to record Streetlife Serenade in in 1974 and Turnstiles two years later, before recording what would be his big breakthrough, The Stranger in 1977 which "established Joel as a household name." The Stranger was certified multi-platinum and Rolling Stone ranked The Stranger the 70th greatest album of all time on their list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."

In 1978, Joel would perform for the first time at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Over the years, Joel has gone on to perform his residency at MSG and played over 150 shows at the venue. This makes him the record holder for the most performances at MSG.

Joel has received numerous accolades over the course of his career and is one of the most honored and decorated musicians of modern times. He has received seven honorary doctorates, six Grammy awards, and a Tony Award. To commemorate his 100th MSG performance, Governor Andrew Cuomo proclaimed July 18th to be Billy Joel Day in New York state.

With such an iconic and prolific career, it's hard to imagine music without Billy Joel.

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On May 9, 1980, the horror genre was forever changed. The release of Friday the 13thinspired one of the longest-running horror franchises and has become a cult classic.

The film follows teenage counselors as they attempt to reopen Camp Crystal Lake, a summer camp with a grim history of drownings and murder. They are killed off one by one by a secret killer. 

It was directed by Sean S. Cunningham and starred Kevin Bacon, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Jeannine Taylor, and Mark Nelson.

Friday the 13th was one of Bacon’s very first roles. He would later act in projects such as Footloose (1984), Apollo 13 (1995), A Few Good Men (1992), and Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011).

"There was no transportation," Bacon said in a 2019 interview with GQabout the filming process. "I think they would drop me off on the way back at a bus stop, and I would have to get the bus stop and try to get back to Manhattan."  

The film reportedly had a production budget of $550,000. It made $5,816,321 on opening weekend and grossed $59,754,601 worldwide. It was a hit.

"I would say the number one photograph that's shoved in front of me from fans to sign is one of me dead," Bacon revealed. "And that's always been a little strange to me."

According to Collider, the film “didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it definitely helped create a roadmap for future slashers that many adhered to for years to come.”

Although Friday the 13th may not have originated showing the killer’s POV, “it was used in a more pronounced way to add mystery and tension while keeping the plot moving,” the publication argues.

In a 2016 interview with the Daily Dead, King shared the importance of composer HarryManfredini.

“He gave each character a little libretto. So even when the killer isn’t onscreen, but they’re around, you hear their theme,” she said. “I don’t really think that had been done before.” 

The slasher reveals the killer to be Pamela Voorhees, whose son Jason was drowned at the camp 20 years earlier. She blamed the councilors' negligence for his death. (Spoiler!)

“In terms of women not being victims, or a woman being the killer, it hadn’t really been done before,” King said. “And who would have ever guessed that the killer could have been a woman? A sweet lady, too, Betsy Palmer. No one saw that coming.”

The Friday the 13th franchise spans 12 films, with the last movie released in 2009.

For travelers who value authentic charm and family-owned hospitality, today represents a major milestone in American leisure history. Today, Saturday, May 9, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari officially opens its gates for a landmark 80th season.

While it's known today as a world-class destination for high-speed thrills, its origins are uniquely nostalgic. Founded in 1946 by Louis J. Koch as Santa Claus Land, it was the first themed amusement park in the world, born from a desire to create a magical sanctuary for children visiting the town of Santa Claus, Indiana. Eight decades later, the park remains a masterclass in how to modernize a destination without losing its historic soul.

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The park’s true claim to fame lies in its world-renowned collection of wooden roller coasters, which have turned this quiet corner of Indiana into a pilgrimage site for enthusiasts. The journey began with The Raven, a terrain-hugging wooden coaster that put the park on the map in 1995. This was followed by The Legend, themed after the Headless Horseman, and finally The Voyage, which is frequently cited as one of the best wooden coasters on Earth for its staggering amount of airtime and underground tunnels. These rides are celebrated for their "pure" coaster experience—relying on gravity, timber, and the natural forest landscape rather than high-tech gimmicks.

This commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed by the wider travel community. In the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards announced just last week, Holiday World secured major national honors. The park’s flagship wooden giant, The Voyage, was voted the #6 Best Roller Coaster in the country, while Wildebeest reclaimed its throne as the #1 Best Water Coaster. The park also reached the podium as the #2 Best Outdoor Water Park in the nation. These accolades arrive at the perfect time, as the park kicks off its "longest operating calendar" in its 80-year history, totaling 134 days of operation for the 2026 season.

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Beyond the thrills, Holiday World has maintained its legacy by sticking to a philosophy of radical hospitality. For 80 years, the park has famously resisted the trend of nickel-and-diming guests, offering free soft drinks, free sunscreen, and free parking as a standard part of the experience. This commitment to value is a direct evolution of the Koch family’s original vision for a park that felt more like a home than a commercial enterprise. Even as the park has expanded to include Splashin’ Safari—home to the world’s longest water coasters like Mammoth and Wildebeest—it has kept its small-town, family-run atmosphere intact.

For those visiting during this 80th-anniversary season, the 2026 calendar is packed with nods to the past. The park is celebrating its milestone with various events and opportunities for guests to revisit the magic that started back in 1946.

Those arriving for opening weekend will find shorter lines and a first look at the anniversary exhibits, while also getting a chance to experience the newest addition to the lineup, Good Gravy!, a family-friendly coaster that leans into the park's Thanksgiving-themed section. Whether you are there for the record-breaking airtime of the wooden "big three" or a quiet walk through the holiday-themed lands, Holiday World’s opening day proves that after 80 years, the spirit of Santa Claus Land remains the heart of the experience.

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