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On Aug. 27, 1961, Yolanda Adams was born in Houston, Tex., and went on to become one of the most defining voices in gospel. In fact, the four-time Grammy winner is recognized as “the first lady” of her music genre: The First Lady of Modern Gospel. Today, Aug. 27, 2026, the iconic singer celebrates her milestone 65th birthday.

After graduating from Texas Southern University, Adams worked as a teacher and model in Houston before trading in the chalkboard for the microphone. And the rest is history. The “Open My Heart” artist won her first Grammy in 1999 for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for Mountain High… Valley Low, and made history as the first gospel artist to win the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song in 2005 with her inspirational track “Be Blessed.”

Since beginning her career in the ’90s, Adams has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards in total.

Music aside, Adams has also appeared on-screen in acting roles, portraying a preacher in 2016’s Ride Along 2 starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube, and more recently, lead matriarch Denita Jordan in BET series Kingdom Business.

Related: ’70s Music Legend, Original Member of Iconic Soft Rock Band Turns 78

Earlier this month, the Christian entertainment figure chatted with WBRC 6 News about her continued life mission to share her faith through her music. “The world is my ministry, and it’s not just the four walls of the church,” she expressed in a video interview. “I have sat with all kinds of beautiful people, and if I am supposed to walk in and represent God, that’s what I’m going to do.”

“God so loved the world that He gave—so the first thing that I can give is my presence,” she added.

“The Battle Is Yours” songstress was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2017, and named one of the Top Gospel Artists of the 2010s by Billboard, where she has scored five No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart.

Next, ’70s Rock Legend, Founder of an Influential Band From Cleveland, Turns 79

The first episode of Heated Rivalry‘s first season takes place almost entirely at a lakefront cottage in the words (idyllic, much) and is honestly one of the episodes that broke the internet.

Within weeks, thousands of viewers had decided they need to go to that exact spot. This hockey romance, created by Jacob Tierney from Rachel Reid’s Game Changer novels, premiered in late November 2025 and became an almost overnight sensation, growing nearly 400% in viewership in its first seven-day airing window.

It even won a Peabody in April. And that cottage, belonging to Shane Hollander, is actually set in Quebec on the show, but it was actually filmed somewhere really special, and quite unknown—Lake Muskoka, two hours north of Toronto.

“Shane’s cottage could’ve been anywhere, and it would inspire travel to that place. The influence of Shane and Ilya’s love story is just that strong,” says Jayne McCaw, president of Jayne’s Luxury Rentals. Thankfully though, for those who love the town of Muskoka, it’s garnered so much interested to this beautiful hidden gem.

Muskoka is a region of more than 1,600 lakes spread across six small communities, and it has been Ontario‘s summer escape for a little over a century. “The show introduced Muskoka to a huge new audience adn made the destination such a big part of the story,” says Val Hamilton, executive director of Muskoka Tourism. “We saw Expedia and VRBO searches for Muskoka increase 35% this summer, international visitation is up 34% in 2026, and Discover Muskoka reached 1.4 million people on social media in the last two weeks,” she says.

What visitors want once they arrive has surprised Hamilton the most. “There is definitely interest in filming locations,” she says. “But people really want the broader Muskoka story, like the best swimming spots, historic cottages to rent (and visit), quaint towns, and docks they can get the perfect Insta backdrop.”

Related: Popular Heated Rivalry Cottage is Now Available on Airbnb

Season two of the famed show filmed over summer 2026 and arrives to screens next spring (2027), which gives a relatively long runway in order to explore the region ahead of the air dates. Barlochan Cottage was even listed on AirBNB this spring for a handful of weekend dates and sold out instantly.

The region has also been really busy, aside from the show. Muskoka Skybar opened in August on the roof of Muskoka Bay Resort‘s new hotel wing in Gravenhurst—complete with infinity pools, chef-driven tapas, and views over a breathtaking 300-foot cliffside drop. Getting here is easier now too. The Ontario Northlander train, out of service for more than a decade, is returning with stops in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge, about three hours from downtown Toronto for under $70 roundtrip.

As excited as some locals are for the new attention, some are a little more reserved. “I think there are two camps of people,” McCaw says. “The Muskoka residents that love it, feel the same way I do, very passionate about wanting to share Muskoka with the world. However, there’s the other camp though, where people just want to keep this hidden gem hidden, and have this secret place to retreat to.”

Related: Heated Rivalry Author Rachel Reid Defends Book vs. Show Change

There are two types of places to stay in Muskoka: the private-dock, boathouse rental the show is set in, and the resorts and inns that have been hosting visitors for years. Both are great options, it all depends on the experience you’re trying to have. McCaw books the first, and she’s candid about why. “To get the true privacy shown on the show, it will likely cost you about $5,000 for a private cottage rental in the summer,” she says.

However, don’t let that price point scare you away from your own Heated Rivalry fantasy. “Many people have the perception that Muskoka is only luxury, but there are actually more than 100 accommodation options at a wide range of price points,” she says. “Plus, summer is our busiest season, so we recommend booking early, particularly for the weekends.” For hotels and resorts, the JW Mariott Rosseau sits at the high end of luxury, while the Windermere House and Sherwood Inn give you that small-town lakeside vibe. Deerhurst in Huntsville is great for families, and have a ton to keep kids of all ages occupied, from a full-size rock climbing wall, to a heated pool, arcade, indoor treehouse playhouse, and more.

The two main towns are about twenty minutes apart, so plan to drive between them for your dining experiences. Don’s Bakery in Bala has fed cottagers and lakeside visitors since 1947 and recently went back to its original scratch recipes (so it’s an order to get the scone buns). Mrs. H’s, a fish-and-chips stand near Wahta Station, is worth the stop just for the halibut alone. Tulo’s Taqueria in Port Carling has a dazzling rooftop bar for margaritas and doesn’t take reservations. Crossroads in Rosseau is smaller and more formal, and books weeks in advance. Butter tarts are the regional order wherever they’re made in-house, and Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge has a taproom if you want to drink something local, like the popular Detour session IPA or the Tread Lightly Lager. If you want to blend your love of beer with a cozy stay too, book a night at the Beer Spa, which is a full-service retreat-style resort centered around craft brewing.

There is so much to do in every season here, whether you’re on the water in July or on a trail in February. The RMS Segwun, North America’s oldest operating mail steamship, still runs cruises out of Gravenhurst. The Kee to Bala, a lakeside concert hall built in 1942, is one of Canada’s best-loved live music rooms, just check the calendar before you book your dates. Bracebridge has waterfalls downtown and a Saturday market with more than 40 vendors. For hiking, the Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail near Milford Bay is a 2.5-kilometer loop you can do in under an hour, with panoramic views of Lake Muskoka and some of the oldest exposed rock on earth underfoot. If you want to work harder, Strawberry Point is a five-kilometer route that mixes country road and woods and rewards you with the same lake at the end.

Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. Directly east of Muskoka and 90 minutes from Toronto Pearson, the Kawarthas offer the same cottage and boating life along the Trent-Severn Waterway for less money, with historic lock towns like Bobcaygeon and plenty of dockside dining.

Magog, Quebec. Seventy-five minutes east of Montréal, the villages around Lake Memphrémagog have walkable main streets, farm-to-table restaurants, and small inns. “The lakes in these regions are less concentrated than the Muskokas, so I would assume the feeling of remoteness is even stronger,” McCaw says. She also suspects it’s where the show’s writers pictured The Cottage in the first place.

Related: 14 Charming Small Towns That Feel Straight Out of Stars Hollow

Ella Langley is giving one of Shania Twain’s biggest songs a new moment nearly three decades after it first became a hit.

The country star recently shared a piano cover of Twain’s 1998 classic “You’re Still the One” on TikTok. Langley kept the performance simple, accompanying herself on piano while putting her own emotional spin on the song.

“I’ll never get over this song,” Langley captioned the video.

The performance quickly reached the song’s original singer. Twain responded in the comments, writing, “So flattered ❤️Loved getting to connect at ACMs xx.”

Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images

The exchange shows how “You’re Still the One” continues to connect artists and listeners 28 years after its release. The song was already a major crossover hit in 1998, and it has found a new life through covers and performances by artists from different genres and generations.

I’ll never get over this song @Shania Twain #cover

The cover also fits Langley’s history of sharing songs she loves on social media. She has previously posted versions of Freddy Fender’s “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and George Strait’s “Fool Hearted Memory.”

Her love for classic country also appeared on her album Dandelion, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album included her version of Kitty Wells’ 1952 classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”

“You’re Still the One” first appeared on Twain’s 1997 album Come On Over before becoming one of the defining hits of 1998.

The song was written by Twain and her then-husband and producer, Robert “Mutt” Lange. It was inspired by criticism surrounding their relationship and the belief from others that their marriage would not last.

In a 1997 interview with The Spokesman Review, Twain explained the personal meaning behind the song.

“Mutt and I are an unlikely pair,” Twain said. “There’s been talk in the tabloids that we’re divorcing, but we are very happy. We love each other in every way. We have a great creative relationship and a great personal relationship. We feel as strong as ever, and ‘Still the One’ is sort of my own personal victory song about the marriage.”

The song’s message reached far beyond its original story.

After Twain and Lange later divorced, she explained that the meaning of the song had changed because listeners had made it part of their own lives.

“I think the biggest value of ‘You’re Still the One’ is that it’s become the people’s song,” Twain told The Line of Best Fit in 2023. “Because it no longer applies to Mutt and I.”

She added, “With songwriting, I think a lot of the time you have to sort of let your original meanings go, because the meaning of a song can evolve so much once it’s out there. Once you give it to the public, they make it their own. They have their own reasons for loving it.”

That may help explain why the song has lasted for 28 years.

“You’re Still the One” became a crossover success after being released to pop radio. It reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. The song became Twain’s most successful single on the Hot 100 and spent nine non-consecutive weeks at No. 2.

The hit also earned two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

The song’s success helped make Come On Over one of the biggest country albums ever. The album spent 50 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and became the best-selling album by a female solo artist in the United States.

Over the years, “You’re Still the One” has continued to inspire artists. Harry Styles and Kacey Musgraves performed it together in 2018, while artists including Prince, Kelly Clarkson, Teddy Swims, Christian Lee Hutson, Julia Jacklin, boygenius and others have also performed or recorded versions.

Related: Country Star Ella Langley’s Second-Best Hit Song Was Written in 30 Minutes

In 1967, Chip Douglas was playing bass for The Turtles when Michael Nesmith walked up to him at the Whisky a Go Go with an unexpected proposition: He wanted Douglas to leave the band and become the new producer for The Monkees.

There was just one small problem. Douglas had never produced a record.

Related: Last Surviving Member of ’60s NBC Phenomenon ‘The Monkees’ Opens Up About His 3 Late Bandmates: ‘It’s Like They’re Still There’

That unlikely career move worked out pretty well. Douglas would help The Monkees take greater control of their music, produce some of their most enduring songs and become so closely involved with the group that he later described himself as “the fifth Monkee for a while.”

On Aug. 27, Douglas celebrates his 84th birthday.

Born Douglas Farthing Hatlelid in 1942, Douglas began his career in Hawaii before making his way to California and joining the Modern Folk Quartet. He later spent time with the Gene Clark Group before joining The Turtles on bass in late 1966.

Douglas’ brief tenure with The Turtles nevertheless included one enormous record. He played bass and created the arrangement for “Happy Together,” which became the band’s first and only No. 1 hit, knocking The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” from the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

It was while Douglas was still with The Turtles that Nesmith came calling.

Douglas later recalled that he was at the Whisky a Go Go when Nesmith approached him and said The Monkees needed a new producer. Douglas couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

Related: Micky Dolenz Shares Rare ‘Monkees’ Photos to Mark Show’s 60th Anniversary

“I haven’t the slightest idea how to produce a record or anything,” Douglas remembered telling Nesmith in an interview with Monkees Live Almanac.

According to Douglas, Nesmith wasn’t concerned: “Never mind. I’ll teach you all you need to know.”

Douglas left The Turtles and quickly found himself at the center of a pivotal moment in The Monkees’ history. The group had been fighting for greater control over its records and wanted to prove that its members were musicians rather than merely actors fronting music created for their NBC television series.

Douglas produced Headquarters, the 1967 album on which Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork famously took a much larger role in playing their own instruments. Douglas also played bass and contributed the song “Forget That Girl.”

Related: Two Monkees, One Heavenly Birthday: Last Surviving Monkee Shares Moving Tribute

The gamble paid off. Headquarters reached No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart before being displaced by another little 1967 release: The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Douglas’ fingerprints were all over what came next.

He produced “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” the Gerry Goffin and Carole King-penned hit that reached No. 3 on the Hot 100. Douglas played bass on the recording and devised its distinctive opening guitar figure, which Nesmith played.

He also produced the group’s 1967 album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. and helped bring one of The Monkees’ signature songs into their orbit.

Related: Last Surviving Member of The Monkees Micky Dolenz Releases New Music 60 Years After First No. 1 Hit

Douglas introduced the band to former Kingston Trio member John Stewart, who had written a song called “Daydream Believer.” With Douglas producing, The Monkees recorded it with Jones on lead vocals. Released in 1967, “Daydream Believer” became the group’s third and final No. 1 hit in the United States.

Douglas also helped create its B-side, “Goin’ Down.” He recalled that the track grew out of a jam after the musicians recorded “Daydream Believer,” with Douglas playing walking bass. Dolenz ultimately recorded the song’s rapid-fire lead vocal in one take.

For Douglas, however, his relationship with The Monkees went beyond sitting behind the control board. He played alongside them, helped arrange their music and worked with them as they tried to establish their musical credibility.

Looking back on the possibility that he might once have become an actual member of The Monkees, Douglas concluded that things probably happened the way they were supposed to.

Related: Micky Dolenz Reflects on the Year the Monkees Outsold the Beatles & Rolling Stones — Combined

“I was better off being the producer,” he said. “I kind of was the fifth Monkee for a while there anyway.”

Douglas and The Monkees eventually went their separate ways as the four members increasingly pursued individual musical interests, but his association with them didn’t end there. He returned to work with Dolenz on “Steam Engine” in 1969 and reunited with Dolenz, Jones and Tork for the 1976 holiday recording “Christmas Is My Time of Year,” which Douglas co-wrote with The Turtles’ Howard Kaylan.

His post-Monkees résumé also included another famous voice of the era. Douglas produced Linda Ronstadt’s 1969 debut solo album Hand Sown…Home Grown.

Nearly six decades after that extraordinary run in 1967, “Daydream Believer” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” remain among The Monkees’ most recognizable recordings. And Douglas’ unlikely path from The Turtles’ bass player to first-time producer put him right in the middle of the moment when The Monkees fought to show the world there was much more to the band than a television show.

Related: Last Surviving Member of ’60s NBC Phenomenon Opens Up About His 3 Late Bandmates: ‘It’s Like They’re Still There’

The death of Tim Curry has left fans mourning one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. Now, newly reported 911 dispatch audio is offering a brief glimpse into the emergency response at the actor’s Los Angeles home on the night he died.

Curry, best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in the original It miniseries, died Aug. 25 at age 80. His longtime manager, Marcia Hurwitz, confirmed that he died peacefully at his home in Toluca Lake. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

According to audio reviewed by the Daily Mail and reports from other outlets, emergency personnel were dispatched to Curry’s home at about 11:23 p.m. after a medical call. The dispatch was described as an “ambulance death investigation,” and Curry was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles Police Department has said there was no indication of foul play.

The newly reported audio doesn’t establish what caused Curry’s death, but it provides a somber look at the final emergency response involving an actor whose work had remained part of pop culture for decades.

Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012 that left him partially paralyzed and dependent on a wheelchair for mobility. He later spoke candidly about his recovery and the profound changes the stroke brought to his life.

Despite those challenges, Curry continued performing, particularly through voice work and appearances with fans. He also returned to the screen in recent years, including a role in the 2024 horror film Stream.

In his 2025 memoir, Vagabond, Curry wrote about his health struggles and recovery, while maintaining the sense of humor that had become one of his trademarks.

Curry’s career stretched across theater, film and television, earning him three Tony nominations and a Daytime Emmy.

But his most enduring characters may be the ones that could never quite be separated from him: the outrageous Frank-N-Furter, the sinister Pennywise and the flamboyant characters he played in everything from Clue to Home Alone 2.

His death at 80 marks the end of a career that lasted more than five decades. And while the newly released dispatch audio offers a glimpse into the final hours of his life, the details of Curry’s death remain private.

RELATED: Tim Curry Once Shared the Mindset That Helped Him Through His Hardest Years

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You can’t put a price on your comfort, especially at night. Bedding can make a huge difference, affecting everything from your body temperature to how well you sleep. Fortunately, with the breathable Gogreen Duvet Set, you’ll notice that from the first use. The three-piece set is 47% off, and comes with a duvet cover and matching pillowcases, providing an easy bedding makeover with the option for year-round use.

It’s also available at an incredible price, too.. You’d normally pay as much as $43 for the king-size set at Walmart, but right now you can snag it in the gray stripe, flamingo, green leaf, and light pink flower patterns for only $18. There are several seasonal varieties available, too, including holiday-friendly deer and penguin motifs.

Courtesy of Walmart

Featuring a soft polyester outer layer, the duvet cover contains a polyester fill that lends it just the right amount of weight. The effect is light and cooling, so it’s an excellent choice for the warmer months. At the same time, it’s substantial enough to keep you comfortable even when layered over a blanket during fall and winter, too.

The pieces are built for the long-haul. The cover’s wrinkle-resistant finish won’t shrink when you toss it in the washing machine — just use cold water and dry on low heat to protect its integrity. The patterns have a watercolor-inspired finish that gives each design a light and airy look. They’re subtle and just slightly blurred, so the effect on your bedroom’s aesthetic is more relaxed and understated. Adding one to your bed is a simple way to refresh the room without overwhelming the space.

Several shoppers confirmed the material is “so soft,”, while one reviewer commented that it adds a “stunning and elegant” feel to their bedroom. Another person commented on the “very cute and colorful” pattern. A few people also noted that they appreciated the concealed zipper, as well as the four corner ties to keep the insert secure.

• Kaqinu Down Alternative Pillow Set, $23 (was $40) at Walmart
• Casacomoda 5-Tier Bookshelf, $50 (was $74) at Walmart
• Vasagle Maezo Side Table, $36 (was $70) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s ‘Sturdy’ $20 Folding Tray Table Set Is Perfect for TV Dinners, Crafting, and Game Nights

Whether you’re updating your bedroom for fall or looking for something new to help you sleep more comfortably at night while adding a protective layer to your bed, the Gogreen Duvet Set is a phenomenal value. Don’t miss it while it’s on sale in your preferred pattern!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

If you’ve ever walked into Costco intending to buy olive oil and paper towels only to walk out $350 poorer, your next vacation budget might come as a welcome shock.

Margaritaville at Sea just rolled out a limited-time Labor Day Flash Sale featuring 60% off cruise fares fleetwide through September 8, 2026.

Between the 60% fare discount, $50 deposits per person, and promotions where third and fourth guests sail free in the same cabin, select five- and six-night sailings aboard the Islander out of Port Tampa Bay drop to astonishingly low rates. For less than the price of a single weekend grocery haul, travelers can spend six days sailing the Gulf of Mexico, lounging poolside with a frozen cocktail, and exploring Belize or Progreso.

For travelers looking to stretch their dollar even further, sailings aboard the line’s Palm Beach-based vessel, Paradise, drop rates even lower. With new 5-night Dominican Republic and Bahamas itineraries starting at just $249 per person (taxes and fees included), a multi-country island escape costs less than a single trip to a wholesale club.

Related: This Wallet-Friendly Cruise Is the Sun-Drenched, Good Vibes Getaway You Need

The flash sale comes loaded with extra perks, including complimentary stateroom selection within purchased subcategories and free cabin upgrades on select departure dates. For families and friend groups sharing a room, the third- and fourth-guest free perk brings the average nightly cost down to sheer pocket change.

The 60% savings also extend well beyond this year, covering future voyages aboard the cruise line’s upcoming flagship, the all-new Beachcomber. Beginning in January 2027, the ship will make its official debut from PortMiami, sailing four- to eight-night journeys across the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Related: I Cruise Every Month—Here Are My Secrets to Scoring Luxury Deals on a Budget

Whether you want to jump on Paradise from Palm Beach for a quick weekend in the Bahamas or take a full six-day getaway out of Tampa on Islander, the post-Labor Day shoulder season is proving to be one of the cheapest times of the year to trade the checkout line for the lido deck.

Related: I Cruise Every Month—Here Are My Secrets to Scoring Luxury Cabins for Cheap

It’s been more than a decade since we checked in on Madeline, Celeste, Jane, Renata, and Bonnie. At least, in novel form. We head back to Pirriwee Peninsula after 12 years away with the September pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club.

The Reese Book Club pick is Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty. It picks up a decade after the drama of Big Little Lies, so the characters grow up along with us. As we deal with the drama of our own teenagers, so do the five moms who found comfort and support in each other during some harrowing events.

Big Little Truths promises to deliver something from the perspective of the adults and the teenagers. The children of the five women are dealing with their own high school drama. They’re struggling with adolescence and trying to fit in at high school. However, things take a dark and sinister turn when a mysterious man starts lurking around the school.

Suddenly, the entire beach town is thrown into uproar. Secrets that people have held onto for years threaten to reach the surface. The truth always eventually comes out, but can these five families stick together when they need to, and who is the mysterious man causing trouble?

The Reese’s Book Club special edition is only available at Target. It will include beautiful sprayed edges and endpapers, as well as a bonus Q&A session with Moriarty. Those who subscribe to the Book Club will also get a surprise bonus chapter.

This is especially timely for Witherspoon, who starred in Big Little Lies on HBO. Initially billed as a limited series, as it followed the standalone novel at the time, it was adapted into a second season. There are now talks of a third season, with it being in active development and slated for a 2027 release. However, it’s not yet filming, with the high-profile actors’ schedules being part of the issue. The show starred Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Shailene Woodley, and Laura Dern. When it comes to the Big Little Lies Season 3 adaptation, Moriarty shared with E! News that the producers had read her story, but that she is “absolutely sure there will be huge changes.”

In the announcement for the pick of the month, Witherspoon shares, “I can’t tell you how fun it is to go back down memory lane with these characters.”

Moriarty shares, “When I was writing [Big Little Truths], it felt like I was reuniting with old friends. I very much hope that you feel the same way when you read it.”

The novel is 12 years in the making, and it was something that she didn’t initially intend to create. In fact, Witherspoon even asked if there was a chance of a sequel, and she said no because she hadn’t done a sequel before, and she didn’t want to create new drama for the characters. In the end, the sequel idea came about as she started writing about the teenagers and could see how drama could develop.

Big Little Truths was published on Aug. 25, 2026.

Related: 6 Books Are Sure to Ruin Your Sleep This Week — Including a Trip Back to Oz

On August 27, 1964, a magical nanny floated in from the sky and blasted into movie history. Mary Poppins, Walt Disney’s musical fantasy starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, premiered at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. And it introduced audiences to a nanny who could fly with an umbrella, pull practically anything from her carpetbag and turn an ordinary day into an adventure.

Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers, the film blended live action, animation, music, comedy and fantasy in a way audiences had rarely seen. At its center was Mary Poppins, a mysterious and wonderfully self-assured nanny who arrives to care for Jane and Michael Banks. And, most importantly, she helps their distracted parents rediscover the joy of being a family. Alongside her was Bert, the charming chimney sweep played by Van Dyke, whose great imagination made him the perfect wingman for Mary’s adventures.

The movie was also a remarkable showcase for Andrews. She made her feature-film debut after her great stage career. Her performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, while the film received an extraordinary 13 Oscar nominations and won five, including Best Actress, Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” Best Original Score, Film Editing and Special Visual Effects.

But perhaps what made Mary Poppins so special was its ability to make the everyday feel extraordinary. Tidying a nursery could become a game. A trip to the park could turn into an encounter with dancing penguins. Feeding birds could become a lesson in compassion. More than six decades after its debut, the film still feels joyful because it doesn’t simply tell children to have fun. It suggests that imagination can change the way we experience the world.

Related: Quote of the Day: Michael Douglas on Finding Joy in the Moment

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and SNAP the job’s a game!”
—Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins shares this wisdom with Jane and Michael when they are faced with the decidedly unmagical task of cleaning up the nursery. Rather than treating the chore as something boring or unpleasant, she changes their perspective. Suddenly, tidying isn’t simply something they have to do. It becomes something they can enjoy.

And that little shift in perspective is one of the reasons the quote has endured. Mary isn’t necessarily saying that every task is inherently exciting. She’s suggesting that there is often a way to approach even the most ordinary responsibility with imagination, playfulness and a sense of possibility.

Related: Quote of the Day: Scott Hamilton’s Advice on Challenging Yourself Still Inspires 42 Years After His Olympic Gold

Mary Poppins’ quote is about perspective. There will always be things we have to do that aren’t particularly glamorous. We have laundry to fold, emails to answer, dishes to wash, deadlines to meet and responsibilities that can’t simply be wished away. Mary Poppins offers another way of looking at those moments: Instead of asking, “How can I get this over with?” we might ask, “How can I make this a little more enjoyable?”

That doesn’t mean pretending that difficult work is always easy. It means looking for the small spark of pleasure, creativity or humor that can make the experience feel different. Mary understands something that children naturally know: Play can transform an ordinary task into something memorable.

There’s also a larger lesson hiding beneath the whimsy. Mary Poppins doesn’t simply entertain Jane and Michael; she teaches them to look at the world differently. A chore can become a game. A walk can become an adventure. A spoonful of sugar can make something unpleasant easier to swallow.

And perhaps that’s why the quote still resonates all these years later. We can’t control every task that lands in front of us, but we can sometimes control the spirit in which we approach it. As Mary Poppins reminds us, finding the fun—even a tiny bit of it—can change everything.

After all, sometimes all it takes is a little imagination to turn a job into a game.

“Anything can happen if you let it.”

“Practically perfect in every way.”

“Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

“Enough is as good as a feast.”

Next, 200 inspirational quotes.

Tim Curry died on August 25, 2026. He was 80. Every tribute will tell you about Frank-N-Furter, Pennywise, and Wadsworth. This is the story behind the most extraordinary one. In 1975, Mick Jagger actively asked to play Frank-N-Furter. The creative team said no. Curry had originated the role on the London stage, and he wasn’t giving it away. Then, he did something nobody expected: he studied David Bowie so completely that Bowie’s own makeup artist ended up designing Frank’s face. When Bowie found out, he stood up and applauded.

The studios had wanted a rock star for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The glam rock craze was at its peak, and they wanted someone who embodied it. Curry wasn’t a rock star. He was an actor. He kept the role anyway. It was 1975 — glam rock, psychedelia, disco, the most elaborate decade in art. But there was one figure above all others whose work Curry studied. David Bowie. The Ziggy Stardust campaign was the most complete fusion of rock and roll with a side of theatrical spectacle that existed at the time. Bowie had solved the exact problem Frank-N-Furter needed to solve. Curry just needed to find out how.

Nobody does Frank-N-Furter quite like Tim Curry. Today marks 50 years since THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) first hit theaters. Directed by Jim Sharman, the cult favorite stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn. #TheRockyHorrorPictureShow #TimCurry #SusanSarandon #BarryBostwick #FrankNFurter #JanetWeiss #BradMajors #Musical #SweetTransvestite #Movies #Film

Now, here’s the part nobody talks about. Curry brought in Pierre La Roche — the makeup artist who’d created Ziggy Stardust and designed the Aladdin Sane lightning bolt. One man’s hands had built two of the most iconic images in rock history. Now, they were designing Frank-N-Furter.

The makeup took four hours. La Roche’s process was so elaborate that Curry eventually learned to apply it himself. But he wasn’t after a replica. Ziggy was polished. Frank needed to be rawer. So Curry smeared the makeup with his own hands. “I wanted him to look like he’d been dragged through a hedge backwards,” he said. “All the eye makeup was smudged. I didn’t want him to be too clever — to still look like a man underneath.” Same DNA. Completely different expression.

Ziggy Stardust with never before seen Mick Rock footage, filmed during the Ziggy Stardust tour 1972-1973. Watch in full on YouTube ⚡️

When Bowie found out, he showed up. Rocky Horror screening. Curry made his entrance down a runway raised above the audience. Bowie was in the crowd. When Curry appeared, Bowie “fairly ostentatiously put his hands above his head and applauded.” He made a performance of it. Publicly. Deliberately.

The artist whose DNA had been borrowed giving his most theatrical seal of approval. Curry had honored Bowie by using his makeup artist. Bowie honored Curry by making his approval impossible to miss. From that moment the pair traded jokes and compliments at rock and roll parties throughout the 1970s.

Related: Carl Dean, the Asphalt Contractor Who Inspired ‘Jolene’ and ‘I Will Always Love You,’ Was Dolly Parton’s Greatest Song She Never Wrote

Both were drawn to the esoteric in art. Both were desperate to push creativity further than anyone expected. “Few people could understand the sort of loneliness that came with innovation,” Curry remembered. In each other they found someone who always did. “Why stay in the box?” Neither ever did.

Pierre La Roche died in 1991 from AIDS-related complications. He was 45. The man whose hands created Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and Frank-N-Furter was gone before most of the world knew his name.

Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection / Getty Images

For fifty years, audiences dressed as Frank at midnight screenings and found something in Curry’s performance they couldn’t name but couldn’t forget. The character outlives the explanation.

Frank-N-Furter. Pennywise. Wadsworth. Darkness. He took every role further than anyone expected.

Mick Jagger asked for the part. Tim Curry kept it. Built it from Bowie’s own DNA. When Bowie saw what he’d done, he stood up and applauded in front of everyone.

That was the review that mattered most.

He never stayed in the box.

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Some people see the first sunflower of the year and think, Oh, fall is coming. We see one and think, Great, where can I put another? From baskets to wreaths and tablecloths to trays and bowls, the large yellow blooms take over our homes in the late summer, and their timing makes sense: They bring plenty of August sunshine while subtly ushering in the season of pumpkins, changing leaves, and cooler weather.

In the thick of sunflower season, you need the Jyps Solar Wind Chimes with Sunflower LED Lights. This deck accent is currently $24 at Amazon, down 25% from $32, and its solar-powered lights give the flower-filled design a soft glow once the sun goes down. With shorter nights on the horizon, that feature is particularly useful.

Courtesy of Amazon

This 42-inch-long set of solar wind chimes turns the classic garden accent into a full-on sunflower display, starting with an oversized bloom at the very top. Two layers of sculpted golden petals radiate around a large amber-toned center, with longer pointed petals forming the outer ring and a second row of smaller petals adding dimension closer to the middle. Fine ridges pressed into each petal mimic the veining of a real sunflower, while the domed center doubles as the solar-powered light.

The floral detailing continues all the way down the chime. Three chains descend from the main sunflower to support a circular gold-tone canopy, beneath which hang four long, slender metal tubes and six petite bell-shaped chimes at staggered heights. The mix of elongated tubes and rounded bells is are designed to produce a combination of deeper resonant tones and lighter tinkling sounds as the wind moves through them. Several smaller sculpted sunflowers are suspended among and below the chimes, including blooms dangling from long individual strands, so there’s movement throughout the entire design rather than just at the tubes.

• Fkksparkler Sunflower Wind Chimes, $21 (was $25) at Amazon
• Yhmall Sunflower Lantern Wind Chimes, from $16 (was $20) at Amazon
• Mumtop Sunflower Wind Chimes, $24 (was $27) at Amazon

During the day, the all-gold finish and abundance of sunflower details “sparkles in the sunshine,” according to shoppers; after sunset, the illuminated center emits a warm “amber glow at night.” The built-in solar panel recharges in direct sunlight and can provide more than eight hours of illumination, while the weather-resistant construction and rust-resistant hanging hook are designed for outdoor use. Hang it from a covered porch, pergola, shepherd’s hook, sturdy tree branch, or garden stand where it can catch both sunlight and a breeze.

Sunflower lovers at Amazon couldn’t get enough of this “beautiful” and “lovely” outdoor decor piece, praising its “radiant glow” and “soothing sound.” One shopper wrote, “This set of wind chimes is beautiful, night or day,” adding that “it’s a nice addition to the garden.”

Related: Walmart’s ‘Very Pretty’ $30 Leaf and Pumpkin Wreath Is an Easy Way to Get Ahead on Fall Decor

Sunflowers don’t have to disappear when summer does. Shop the 25%-off Jyps Solar Wind Chimes with Sunflower LED Lights at Amazon now!

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Finding the perfect autumn wardrobe can be overwhelming, since there are countless trends to follow and styles to sort through. Thankfully, we’ve been searching for the best seasonal clothing options before fall is officially here. Nordstrom Rack has some of the most amazing footwear brands on sale, spanning from Frye’s moto boots to Clarks’ comfortable loafers. Now, we’re upgrading our shoe collection with the Sorel Revel Mary Jane Loafers, while they’re 50% off,

The loafers originally cost $140, but have been reduced to just $70. They’re a new arrival to Nordstrom Rack’s footwear section, so all of the sizes are currently in stock. You can add them to your cart in a chic cream color, with sizes spanning from 5 to 12 (including half sizes). The shoes are described to be true to size, but one shopper recommends sizing up half a size if you plan on wearing thick socks with them during the colder months.

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

The loafers have a 1-inch platform heel that will give you a bit of height and ankle stability. The design additionally features an adjustable strap with a classic buckle closure that can be fixed throughout the day if needed. There’s even a removable insole, so if you’re someone that needs orthotics or wants extra padding, you can just pop the inserts right into the shoe. 

The round-toe and open spaces next to the strap offer a modern twist on the traditional Mary Jane style, so they’ll add a unique touch to any outfit. We really love that they’re made of a leather upper because it also offers a highly-polished and sleek look that makes them a great option for professional, upscale, and casual settings. The shoe is also made of a synthetic lining and rubber sole that has traction for uneven surfaces (which is especially helpful if you’re constantly walking) . 

The loafers may look heavy, but one shopper noted that they’re “actually light for how chunky they look,” so they’re easy to walk in. Another customer described the loafers as “stylish” and “practical” because they can be worn during all seasons. Due to the fact they’re “instantly comfortable,” you don’t have to worry about breaking them in when they get delivered. 

• MIA Adea Platform Chelsea Boot, $50 (was $70) at Nordstrom Rack
• Sebby Short Hooded Puffer Jacket, $40 (was $110) at Nordstrom Rack
• Dr. Scholl’s Bring It Mary Jane Platform Shoes, $60 (was $100) at Nordstrom Rack

Related: Nordstrom Rack’s ‘Very Pretty’ Crystal Chain Bracelet Is Just $15 and ‘Looks Like Fine Jewelry’

Shoppers pair these “fantastic” Sorel loafers with everything from jeans to dresses. Given that they’re functional and fall perfectly in line with seasonal style trends, they’ll become your go-to shoe immediately. Shop these gorgeous loafers while they’re 50% off at Nordstrom Rack!  

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From chic cat-eye glasses and belts to home accents such as vases and other decor pieces, tortoise shell is a retro trend that is making a major comeback in both the world of fashion and also in interior design. Hobby Lobby is in on the revival, and is selling a beautiful tortoise glass apothecary bottle for just $12.99. It brings a touch of vintage academia charm to any space. It honestly looks like something you might find in a vintage shop or in a flea market.

Hobby Lobby’s Short Tortoise Glass Apothecary Bottle makes for such chic home decor. Perfect for those who love a fusion of both vintage and academia styles, this pretty accent is so unique and really adds something special to your home. The tortoise shell design coupled with the rounded shape of the body of the bottle with the spherical glass topper makes this look like a piece of art. It would be beautiful to display in a home office, on a vanity, in your bathroom or in your dining room.

Related: T.J. Maxx Is Selling Mary Jane Flats That Combine Everyday Comfort with Cutesy Style

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Hobby Lobby

For dimensions, this apothecary bottle (including the lid) measures 8.5 inches in height, 5.5 inches in width and 5.5 inches in diameter. Without the lid, the bottle stands 6.38 inches in height, 5.5 inches in width and 5.5 inches in diameter. This makes it the perfect size to pop on a bookshelf, your desk, your bathroom counter or on top of your dresser. It is totally up to you how you want to to style it. It is a versatile piece and one you can get super creative with where you want to place it.

If you love the tortoise shell look, Hobby Lobby is also selling a few other glass decor pieces in the style, including a tall version of the apothecary bottle for $12.99 or a striking glass vase for $13.99. You could get all three to bring a bit of cohesiveness to your decor. You can find any of these artisan pieces on Hobby Lobby’s website or in select stores.

Related: Hobby Lobby’s $12 Porch Decoration Adds a Sweet Welcoming Touch to Your Space

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It’s almost fall, and if you’re planning to make a weekend out of foliage season, Walmart’s Sophia and William 10-Person All-Weather Camping Tent is currently on a flash deal for just $200, down from $300, saving you a full $100. The 10-person cabin version comes in blue or green for the same price, so there’s no upcharge based on your color preference.

The cabin measures 14 by 10 feet with 140 square feet of floor space, an 86-inch center height, and enough room to fit up to four queen air mattresses. It has a removable curtain that divides the interior into two rooms, which is perfect if you want separate sleeping zones or a place to keep belongings away from your bedding. The tent weighs nearly 32 pounds, so it’s best for car camping rather than backpacking.

Courtesy of Walmart

The tent is made with polyester and has a waterproof coating, fully taped seams, and a 5.7-inch raised floor designed to help keep water from seeping in from below. It features large mesh windows, a mesh roof, and low side vents that help keep air moving, while the steel build and poles offer added stability when the weather picks up. It also uses reinforced webbing around the doors and windows and fire-retardant certified fabric.

Shoppers have called the tent “durable,” “spacious,” and “well built.” One person said that it kept them dry through heavy rainfall, while another person used it for a backyard party and noted, “It stood strong despite strong winds and rain.”

The two-room layout is ideal if you know you’ll be traveling with a lot of gear. One side of the tent could hold sleeping bags and air mattresses while the other could be a designated spot for jackets, boots, backpacks, or anything that gets damp from the trail. You could also leave the divider open during the day so everyone has one large space to hang out.

• Cobizi 8-to-12 Person Family Camping Tent with Roof, $92 (was $150) at Walmart
• Cobizi 12-Person Instant Camping Tent with Carry Bag, $90 (was $250) at Walmart
• Ozark Trail 3-Person Clip and Camp Dome Tent, $25 (was $30) at Walmart

Related: Walmart’s ‘Incredibly Comfortable’ Folding Camp Chair Is Just $10 Ahead of Fall Sports Season

Walmart’s Sophia and William 10-Person All-Weather Camping Tent makes a strong case for scheduling some fall trips, and at $200, you’re saving $100 on a tent that can keep working well beyond leaf-peeping season. Be sure to snag the blue or green version while both are still marked down this low.

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covers everything from breaking the rules to business dealings and breaking the rules to Texas NFL players and periods in sports history.

Get excited—there’s another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you’re looking for some hints and answers for today’s Connections Sports Edition on Thursday, August 27, 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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The New York Times

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it’s a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It’s up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you “group sports terms that share a common thread.”

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: Infringement.
• Green: Ways to swap players.
• Blue: Reps the star.
• Purple: Eras in sports.

OK, time for a second hint…we’ll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: TRANSGRESSION
• Green: TRANSACTION
• Blue: DALLAS COWBOYS
• Purple: _____ ERA

If you’re looking for the answers, no worries—we’ve got them below. So, don’t scroll any further if you don’t want to see the solutions!

The answers to today’s Connections Sports Edition #703 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

• TRANSGRESSION: FOUL, INFRACTION, PENALTY, VIOLATION
• TRANSACTION: DEAL, EXCHANGE, TRADE, TRANSFER
• DALLAS COWBOYS: BLAND, LAMB, OVERSHOWN, PRESCOTT
• _____ ERA: DEAD BALL, NEW, OPEN, STEROID

Don’t worry if you didn’t get them this time—we’ve all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Monday, August 24, 2026

When people talk about alternative rock crashing into the mainstream, Nirvana’s Nevermind usually gets the credit. But Pearl Jam deserves just as much, arguably more, for shaping the sound of ’90s grunge. A full month before Nevermind hit shelves, Pearl Jam released their debut album, Ten, on Aug. 27, 1991.

The album took its time climbing the Billboard 200, but it got there in early 1992, eventually peaking at No. 2 on Aug. 22 of that year. From there, it had serious staying power, lingering on the charts for the next five years. These days, Ten is regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made by outlets like Rolling Stone, and in 2021, it earned a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Before they were Pearl Jam, guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard, along with bassist Jeff Ament, briefly performed as Mookie Blaylock in a nod to the NBA player. Once singer Eddie Vedder and drummer Dave Krusen came aboard, the band rebranded as Pearl Jam, but they kept Blaylock’s jersey number alive by naming their debut Ten.

Lyrically, the record went to darker places than a lot of its peers. The Grammy-nominated track “Jeremy” was drawn from the real-life story of Jeremy Wade Delle, a 15-year-old who took his own life in front of classmates after bringing a gun to school. And in 2006, during a VH1 Storytellers taping, Vedder opened up about just how personal “Alive” was, revealing he’d written it after learning the man he’d grown up calling his father was actually his stepfather, while his biological father had already died.

Though “Alive” never reached the Billboard Hot 100, it spent 61 weeks on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, and another standout, “Even Flow,” reached No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. McCready later told Guitar World that the guitar work was his own homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan. As for the song’s meaning, Vedder told a Seattle crowd in 2018 that it was inspired by a homeless Vietnam veteran he’d gotten to know — and wrote the song for him after learning he had died.

What makes Ten endure isn’t just the sound of the era, it’s the honesty underneath it. From Vedder’s own family history to the strangers he immortalized in song, the album turned deeply personal pain into something universal, and that’s why it still resonates today.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Heel booties have a way of pulling an outfit together without trying too hard. The style is a classic and fashionable go-to that eliminates the stress of having to choose the perfect footwear, and Macy’s is selling a plethora of incredible boots before fall. We recently found the Clarks Emily Block Heel Booties in the sales section, and since they’re 44% off, we’re immediately adding them to our cart. 

The footwear originally cost $140, but has been reduced to $78. The promotional code BUYMORE is automatically applied to receive the lowest sales price, but always double check before checking out. You can shop for these booties in a timeless brown or black hue, which is perfect for those who are in desperate need of an everyday style that they can match with literally everything. 

Courtesy of Macy's

The great news is that every single color and size combination is currently in stock. The booties are available in sizes ranging from 5 to 12, including half sizes. Clarks do generally run slightly large, so we recommend consulting the size chart so that you nail your order on the first try. The shoes are made of a leather upper, which usually has to be broken in a bit initially. Wear them around the house for a few hours upon delivery and you should be good to go!  

Courtesy of Macy's

Due to the material, it’s also advised that you spot clean them as they get scuffed from normal use. The booties are made of a thermoplastic rubber outsole too, which features a 2.125-inch block heel and minimal traction that’s ideal for casual events. With the block heel automatically being supportive and stable, you should have no trouble walking around in them for hours on end. 

The design further consists of a classic round-toe and zipper closure that lets you take them on and off easily. The zipper is a great tool if you want to tuck bottoms into the shoe because it provides a little more give for thicker pants. You can pair the booties with jeans, dresses, skirts, trousers, and pretty much any other outfit that you’re dreaming of wearing this autumn. 

• Earth Penny Stripe Lace-Up Sneakers, $59 (was $99) at Macy’s
• Madden Girl Saige Rhinestone-Embellished Gladiator Sandals, $22 (was $55) at Macy’s
• Style & Co Broadway Mary Jane Flats, $40 (was $50) at Macy’s

Related: Clarks’ ‘Supportive’ Sandals Are Cushioned for Comfort and Feature Straps That ‘Don’t Rub,’ Now 40% Off

These sleek Clarks booties are the kind of shoes that you’re going to wear for years to come. If you’re deciding between colors, we particularly love the brown colorway, because the subtle brass-toned buckle adds an effortless chic touch. Make them a permanent addition to your closet while they’re 44% off at Macy’s! 

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On August 26, 1990, Stevie Ray Vaughan opened for Eric Clapton at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. When Clapton’s set ended, Vaughan returned to the stage for an electrifying 16-minute encore of Robert Johnson‘s “Sweet Home Chicago,” joined by his brother Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, and Buddy Guy. Clapton introduced the quartet as the finest guitarists on the planet. Hours later, the helicopter carrying Vaughan home slammed into a ski hill near the venue, killing everyone aboard.

Clapton reflected on that final performance in a 1993 interview with In the Studio. He described being awestruck by the raw emotional honesty in Vaughan’s playing that night, saying it left him questioning whether he’d ever reach that same depth. Clapton called it the best he’d ever seen Vaughan play, adding that the performance felt whole: “There was nothing required. There was nothing missing. There was no room for improvement.”

Vaughan and his band, Double Trouble, were just starting the sixth leg of their In Step Tour — his first album since getting sober following years of drug and alcohol addiction. His fiancée, Janna Lapidus Leblanc, had stayed behind at their New York apartment but spoke with him by phone not long before he boarded the helicopter. On the Sweetman Podcast in 2017, she recalled their conversation.

“Somebody asked if he wanted to take the next seat because the other person was too big, or whatever, the weight requirement. And he said, ‘Sure, hang on, I’m going to grab a seat,'” she explained. “So we finished up talking quickly and said our goodbyes, and then he was going to get back sooner to the hotel in Chicago, so he was going to be able to call. I waited and waited and waited, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s odd.'”

Hours later, she was woken by pounding on the door. “You just know,” she said about being told the devastating news.

Just after 1 a.m. on August 27, the helicopter crashed into a 300-foot hill less than a mile from takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to the pilot’s poor planning and his failure to gain sufficient altitude over rising terrain in the dark, with heavy fog cited as a contributing factor.

Vaughan was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Double Trouble in 2015. “There’s an intensity to Stevie’s guitar playing that only he could achieve, still to this day,” John Mayer said in his induction speech. “It’s a rage without the anger. It’s devotional. It’s religious.”

“He seamlessly melded the supernatural vibe of Jimi Hendrix, the intensity of Albert King, the best of British, Texas, Chicago blues,” he added. “And the class and sharpshooter precision of his older brother, Jimmie.”

Vaughan poured everything into that stage in Wisconsin and was gone before sunrise. What remains is the recording, the memories of everyone who witnessed it, and a Hall of Fame honor that came 25 years too late for him to see.

Today’s Strands puzzle will have you exploring things like types of movement, common injuries, unexpected moments, ways to change up your look, and alterations in appearance.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #907 on Thursday, August 27.

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Round and round.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are six theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• DA
• SP
• SU
• HA
• DI
• WH (SPANGRAM) DANCE, SPRAIN, SURPRISE, HAIRSTYLE, DISTORTION

Today’s Spangram is mostly diagonal.

Today’s Spangram answer on Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, August 27, 2026, is WHATATWIST.

• DANCE
• SPRAIN
• SURPRISE
• HAIRSTYLE
• DISTORTION
• SPANGRAM: WHATATWIST

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Wednesday, August 26, 2026

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There really is nothing cuter than some Mary Janes. Right now, T.J. Maxx is selling a pair of Mary Jane flats that have a unique twist on the classic style. Even better, each one retails for just $34.99.

Cushionaire’s Monet Woven Maryjane Flats come in two colors, either black or natural, and you can find ’em right at T.J. Maxx. Depending on your personal style, you could opt for the black pair for a sleeker aesthetic or the natural hue for a more boho look. It is totally up to you. The unique texture of these Mary Janes is what makes them stand out from more traditional styles, making them feel more special. They make such a chic statement.

Featuring a woven upper with goring for added stretch, these shoes are so comfortable and oh so cute, too. The gold-tone buckle also allows you to adjust the fit to your liking, making the flats even cozier. What’s more, the mid-textured sole and brand logo detail add even more stylish accents.

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T.J. Maxx

With these cutesy shoes, you don’t have to choose between looking stylish and feeling cozy. These help you achieve both. You gotta love it. These Mary Jane flats also have a cushioned footbed, adding stability and comfort, making them great for everyday wear. Whether you’re heading into the office, or hitting up the town or maybe even running afternoon errands, these shoes help you do it in cutesy style.

These are a great pair of shoes to rock as the weather transitions from summer to fall, lightweight enough to keep you cool during the warmer end of summer but still warm enough as temperatures gradually cool down.

You can find these adorable Mary Jane flats at select T.J. Maxx stores and on T.J. Maxx’s website. They are available in half sizes 6–9 and whole sizes 6–10.

Related: Costco Is Selling a Chic Pair of Clarks Boots That Are Pure Comfortcore