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In 1970, the New York Knicks Won Their First NBA Championship; 49 Years Later, Coach Red Holzman's Ring Sold for $107,482
The 1970 New York Knicks squad brought fans the best gift they could ask for: their very first NBA championship. The team, coached by Red Holzman and led by Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, and Dave DeBusschere, was a force to be reckoned with, securing another title in the 1973 season after the addition of Earl Monroe and Phil Jackson.
Naturally, that very first championship win went down as a major event in the organization’s history, and years later, when nostalgic items hit auction, fans clamored over the idea of owning a piece of memorabilia from the first victorious Knicks team’s archives.
So much so that Coach Holzman’s championship ring sold to an unnamed bidder for over $100K in 2019—$107,482, to be exact. “Red Holzman amassed, by far, the most impressive resume of any Knicks coach in history. Now his tangible rewards are available to the highest bidding Knicks fan…” SCP Auctions noted of the sale.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 6: Banner in honor of New York Knicks 1969-1970 & 1972-1973 World Champion Teams alongside New York Knicks Hall of Fame player Red Holzman’s banner photographed before the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)And fans weren’t the only ones to get in on the action. Filmmaker, actor, and longtime Knicks fanatic Spike Lee scored big time. Adding to his ever-growing collection, the School Daze director—who actually attended the championship Game 7 at the age of 13—purchased a whopping 13 items (a full circle moment, if you will?) at the time, according to ESPN.
Among other things raffled off (Holzman’s family auctioned 35 items in total), Lee acquired the used original net from Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals for $69,184 and Holzman’s NBA Coach of the Year trophy for $31,517, the famed sports network reported.
“It was a memory I will never forget,” he said in a statement from SCP Auctions. “Willis Reed coming back and the Garden went nuts. It was a very special moment in Knicks history.”
Nearly five decades later, another rare chance has come around for someone to own a piece of 1970 New York Knicks history. Per The New York Times’ The Athletic, NYT best-selling author Michael Gross is auctioning off his father Milton Gross‘ championship ring via Heritage Auctions this month. Milton, who died in 1973, was a longtime New York Post sports columnist who covered the team for decades, including their first championship season.
Fast forward to now: the Knicks are experiencing a full-on heyday as they reign supreme as the 2025-26 NBA champions, and tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 PM EST, they hit the court again for their official 2026-27 season opener, where the iconic Madison Square Garden will hang the team’s title banner in its rafters.
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Hobby Lobby's Pretty Floral Runner Rug Is 'Colorful Like Artwork'
Runner rugs are a perfect decorative and functional solution for entryways, hallways, bathrooms and kitchens, adding warmth and texture to the space. And if you have senior pets or kids, they also help prevent slips and falls on hardwood floors! If you’re looking for a new runner rug for your home, Hobby Lobby is selling the prettiest option right now for just $29.99. It’s so versatile and beautiful.
Darsee & David’s Kermit Floral Trellis Runner Rug measures two feet by six feet, the perfect runner rug size. Featuring pretty shades of cream, red, green, blue and yellow, this charmingly rustic yet feminine rug has a gorgeous floral print that feels bold and inviting, adding a pop of vibrancy to any space in your home. It would be beautiful in a kitchen, bathroom, entryway or hallway. It’s totally up to you.
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Darsee & David’s Kermit Floral Trellis Runner Rug, $29.99 at Hobby LobbyHobby Lobby
This rug lends itself best to boho, traditional and farmhouse interior styles, but it’s versatile enough to work in a variety of other design schemes. While it has bright colors, it still reads slightly neutral because of its cream foundation. It makes a statement but without being over the top.
This rug is made of 100 percent polyester, and we recommend using a rug pad with this product.
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What Hobby Lobby Shoppers SayShoppers love this vivid floral runner rug, giving it an average rating of five stars on Hobby Lobby’s website, with 100 percent of reviewers saying they would recommend it to others.
“Colorful like artwork,” wrote one fan in a five-star review on HobbyLobby.com. “Vibrant in color and has just the right pile. Easy to care for and pet sound.”
You can find this stunning floral runner rug on Hobby Lobby’s website or in select stores for $29.99.
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Dolly Parton's Charming 9-Piece Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Is the Ultimate $10 Kitchen Upgrade
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It’s not every day you thank Dolly Parton for helping you out in the kitchen. Yet it turns out the icon left as much of a mark on the culinary world as she did in country music. Her kitchen collection is full of essentials that are as charming as they are useful. The nine-piece Dolly Parton Measuring Cups and Spoons Set is the perfect example — and it’s just $10 at Amazon.
For that steal of a price, you’ll get everything that you need to measure ingredients. The cups bundle includes one-quarter, one-third, half-cup, and single-cup sizes, while the spoons bundle has one-quarter teaspoon, one-half teaspoon, one teaspoon, and one tablespoon sizes. Each of the bundles is hooked onto large rings, making it easy to keep the pieces all in one place and nested together when they’re not in use. The convenience is unmatched, but they’re just as beautifully designed as they are handy.
Dolly Parton Measuring Cups and Spoons Set, $10 at Amazon Shop at AmazonNaturally, it wouldn’t be a Dolly-themed set without a touch of whimsy. This collection has quintessentially homey details that set it apart from other sets, like the singer’s signature butterfly motif on the handles and a country-inspired font that clearly marks the size so you don’t have to waste time looking for what you need. The soft color palette brims with Dolly-worthy elegance, with a medley of pinks, peaches, and roses lending your kitchen some girlish charm.
Of course, every kitchen deserves this kind of update — and you don’t need to be a chef or baker to make good use of them. Measuring spoons and cups come in handy for so many reasons, whether you’re adding precise amounts of liquids to your dishes or ensuring you’ve added just enough of a dry ingredient to your baked goods.
Amazon shoppers adored the collection, praising the high quality and noting that the design hasn’t faded even through multiple cycles in the dishwasher. They’re “super cute,” according to one reviewer, while another person said they loved these “pretty and well-made” utensils.
Shop More Dolly Parton Deals- Dolly Parton Holiday Toile Mug and Guitar Ornament, $22 (was $25) at Amazon
- Dolly Parton Pink Guitar Tea Infuser, $9 (was $11) at Amazon
- Dolly Parton Mini Spatula and Rolling Pin Set, $13 (was $15) at Amazon
You can’t go wrong with the Dolly Parton Measuring Cups and Spoons Set, whether you’re stocking your own kitchen or looking for a thoughtful gift idea for the Dolly lover and cook in your life. Anyone would be thrilled to receive it! Grab it for just $10 while it’s still in stock at Amazon.
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Washington Square Park was once a burial ground; now, NYU is investing $6 million to preserve it
As a New York University student from 2021 to 2024, I used to walk through Washington Square Park (WSP) all the time. It was my path on my way to class, I ate lunch and sipped my Kung Fu Tea boba on its benches, I studied outside on its various lawns on sunny days and spent countless afternoons picnicking with friends. It was where I people-watched between meetings and broke up with a situationship. It became a place where I made memories, navigated growing pains and found comfort in the middle of a city that could sometimes feel overwhelming.
I’ll never forget the sounds of the jazz band playing in the summer or the skateboarders that rode in the fountain. After Liam Payne’s death, people left tributes beneath the arch at the park’s center. At other times, organizations have gathered by the fountain or its steps for protests and sit-ins. Whether it’s the memory of the city gathering in the park one spring afternoon to watch a solar eclipse, a surprise performance by Lorde, or the viral chaos of the iconic Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest, this park will always hold a special place in my heart.
Though owned by the city of New York, Washington Square Park has served as the unofficial quad for NYU students for years. Most of its buildings and schools surround the park, and it’s a common place for students and faculty to gather and hang out after a long day of classes.
Washington Square Park and arch on a gloomy, cloudy summer day, in Greenwich Village NYC near New York University (NYU).It was announced last Tuesday that NYU will be doubling its financial support for WSP by investing over $6 million over four years to the Washington Square Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that maintains the space.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the substantial increase of our annual gift to the Conservancy that oversees Washington Square Park, which is so central to the life of NYU’s community,” said NYU President Linda G. Mills in a statement. “Washington Square Park is a public space where our employees and students gather and connect, and where our faculty members and their families play and build community. Everyone here in the Village and who comes here to visit deserves a vibrant, thriving, and safe Washington Square Park, and we are proud to be the Conservancy’s partners in this work. We would like to thank our friends at the Conservancy, the Parks Department, and our elected officials for their ongoing advocacy of this historic and treasured New York landmark.”
New York state Senator Erik Bottcher also wrote: “This $6 million investment will make a real difference in the day-to-day experience of everyone who uses the park. I applaud NYU President Linda Mills and the Washington Square Park Conservancy for their continued partnership and commitment to ensuring Washington Square Park remains a place that everyone can enjoy for generations to come.”
Washington Square Park during Christmas time, where they put up the Washington Square Park Christmas Tree.joe daniel price / Getty Images
The history of Washington Square ParkThough now it’s a place for the local community to play, protest and hang out, Washington Square Park actually has a very dark history. Long before it became a park in the 1820s, the Lenape people knew this land as marshy ground crossed by the Minetta Creek. In 1624, the Dutch West India Company established trading posts in lower Manhattan, and 20 years later, the director of New Amsterdam freed many slaves and granted them plots of land to farm, some of which overlapped the site of what is now WSP.
Beginning in the late 1700s through the early 1800s, the site became known as the city’s potter’s field — a public burial ground for the poor, the unknown, and the many victims of the yellow fever epidemics that repeatedly swept through New York City. Over 20,000 people are estimated to rest beneath the park’s grounds today.
By 1826, the filled cemetery was converted into the Washington Military Parade Ground, declared on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Eventually, it became one of Manhattan’s most coveted locations, and a year later, the City of New York declared the Washington Military Parade Ground a public park.
Illustrated postcard of the Washington Arch, New York City, published by Photo and Art Postal Card Co, 1907. From the New York Public Library.Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the City of New York and New York University eventually started developing the park. Many homes were built surrounding the park, and it eventually became known as Washington Square. The iconic arch, which is located right in the center, was formally dedicated in 1895 and has anchored the park since. Two prominent sculptures — Washington at War (1916) by Herman Atkins MacNeil and Washington at Peace (1918) by A. Stirling Calder — were added to the pedestals in the years that followed.
By the early 20th century, Greenwich Village was the heartbeat of bohemian life and many artists, writers and radicals from across the country flocked to New York City. Many iconic artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Allen Ginsberg found their footing at the fountain plaza, located in front of the Washington Square Arch.
Poet Allen Ginsberg reading his work to a crowd in Washington Square Park.New York Daily News Archive / Getty Images
The park’s most recent big renovation project took place in 2012, which led to the establishment of the Washington Square Park Conservancy. The Conservancy works in partnership with NYC Parks to enhance and preserve a vibrant community green space in the heart of New York City for all who are drawn to its iconic grounds.
After more than a decade of growth and community building, the Conservancy reached a landmark milestone in 2025 when it was officially approved for a license agreement with NYC Parks, making WSPC the official nonprofit partner of Washington Square Park.
“Caring for a park this beloved takes real partnership, and we are grateful to NYU for its continued commitment, and to the Washington Square Park Conservancy for its outstanding stewardship,” NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura wrote. “Together, we’re making sure this park stays welcoming, safe and vibrant for every New Yorker who walks through the Arch.”
Washington Square Park is located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City, at the foot of Fifth Avenue.
T. Boone Pickens gave Oklahoma State $70 million in 2003; in 2006, he gave a record $165 million more
In 1951, a young student earned a geology degree from Oklahoma State University. Fifty-two years later, in 2003, he made the largest donation in the university’s history at the time; two years after that, he made another record donation more than double his first. Who is he, how did he get wealthy, and why did he keep returning to his alma mater?
Thomas Boone Pickens Jr. was born in 1928 in Holdenville, Oklahoma. Although his family moved from there to Amarillo, Texas, while he was a child, he returned to Oklahoma to earn his bachelor’s degree in geology at Oklahoma State University (OSU). After college, he worked at Phillips Petroleum, the same company where his dad was a lawyer.
Not long after, in 1954, he founded his own oil and gas company, Petroleum Exploration Inc., which became Mesa Petroleum. By the early ‘80s, it had grown into one of the largest oil companies in the United States.
A statue of T. Boone Pickens is unveiled by head coach Mike Gundy (L), Oklahoma State University president Vaden Burns Hargis (C), and athletic director Mike Holder (R) before a game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.During the ‘80s, Pickens made a name for himself after launching multiple corporate takeover bids against other big oil companies. While some of these weren’t successful, many were, ultimately making him and his company massive profits and solidifying his reputation as a takeover operator.
“I was seen as the financial barbarian with little regard for shareholders, employees or consumers,” he wrote in his 1987 autobiography, Boone.
Because of weak natural gas prices, Mesa faced significant financial trouble and sold to Fort Worth Billionaire Richard Rainwater in 1996. Pickens left Mesa Petroleum. The sale let him start over and, in 1997, build a hedge fund that invested in oil and gas futures. BP Capital Management, then called BP Energy Fund, enabled him to earn billions.
Despite the risk of the oil business, huge gains and huge losses, Pickens never forgot his alma mater. His first known donation to OSU was in 1982, when he gave $1 million toward the construction of the university’s geology building (which was named in his honor).
Later, in 2003, he donated $70 million; about $20 million of it was earmarked for renovating the football stadium, which would also be named in his honor. In 2006, he set a college-athletics record by donating $165 million for the football program.
This amount, which sat in a hedge fund for six months, grew to a reported $267 million, as per The Oklahoman. The donation grew to about $400 million over the next few years; however, by October 2008, the recession shrank it to $125 million. Regardless, it enabled the stadium, called the Boone Pickens Stadium, to receive some major upgrades.
These wouldn’t be the last of his donations to OSU. He continued to donate until 2011. He died in 2019 at age 91 after experiencing declining health.
Boone is remembered as a man of remarkable tenacity and generosity, an Oklahoman who never forgot his roots.
In 1959, Ruth Handler Named Her New Doll After Her Daughter Barbara; 2 Years Later, Barbie’s Boyfriend Got Her Son’s Name, Ken
Barbie is more than a brand; it’s a cultural legacy recognized by generations. In 1959, Ruth Handler introduced a doll named after her daughter that revolutionized the toy industry, and she later struck gold again with another iconic toy, this time inspired by her son.
Handler co-founded Mattel with her husband, Elliot Handler, and Harold Matson in 1945. One day, she noticed her daughter, Barbara, playing with dolls made out of paper. It wasn’t out of the ordinary by any means, but what caught Handler’s interest was how her daughter was playing with the dolls.
Barbara was acting out future adult roles or events. Back then, a majority of toys catered to young girls focused on being caregivers, future mothers, and wives. It soon led Handler to realize there was a huge gap in the toy market that stopped her daughter from envisioning a larger life for herself. Paper dolls also limited creativity in terms of wardrobe, and Handler began tinkering with the idea of an adult-bodied doll that could transform into any career role.
At the time, the directors of Mattel weren’t sold on the idea. They believed parents wouldn’t buy a doll with a voluptuous frame and breasts. It wasn’t until Handler and her children were on a trip in Europe in 1965 that she stumbled upon a German toy doll called Bild Lilli that had been launched a year earlier and was largely sold to adults.
The trip and doll proved to Handler that her idea was worth investing in, and she returned to the U.S. to work with a local inventor named Jack Ryan to reinvent and redesign the doll. They also worked with fashion designer Charlotte Johnson to develop the wardrobe that was hand-stitched in Japan.
On March 9, 1956, the first doll was officially debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. Named after her daughter, the first Barbie doll was designed to be blonde or brunette and wore a black and white zebra dress striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail. Mattel sold an estimated 350,000 in the first year.
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be,” Ruth wrote in her 1994 autobiography. “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
Handler would develop the next doll in March 1961, named Kenneth Sean Carson. Ken, for short. The doll was named after her son and created as a response to letters Mattel received from fans. Ken was created to be Barbie’s love interest after many complained about Barbie’s single life.
He wasn’t created with boys in mind, seeing as they had numerous action figures and toys that took on different roles and careers. For many, Ken was seen as the arm candy for Barbie, a male counterpart.
“Ken was invented after Barbie, to burnish Barbie’s position in our eyes and in the world,” Barbie director Greta Gerwig told Vogue. “That kind of creation myth is the opposite of the creation myth in Genesis.”
Since their debut, Barbie and Ken have undergone countless transformations, with evolving looks, wardrobes, careers, and iterations. While the dolls have faced criticism over their body proportions, initial lack of inclusivity and influence on young children, their underlying mission was to inspire kids to imagine who they could become as adults, whether an astronaut, an engineer or an actor.
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Costco's New Deli Find Is an 'Instant Crowd Pleaser' That Brings Smoky Barbecue Flavor to Weeknight Dinners
Cozy comfort foods are what the fall season is all about, but there’s one thing that could make them even better—not having to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day of pumpkin picking and other spooktacular fall festivities.
Thankfully, Costco understands the assignment all too well, especially with its latest hot deli addition that’s giving your weeknight dinner rotation a fall-tastic upgrade.
Costco shoppers have spotted new Smoked Pork Bites in the refrigerated deli section, offering a smoky, savory option for anyone craving barbecue without having to fire up the grill or smoker.
“Made with pork shoulder and smoked with hickory chips, they’re ready to eat and priced at $9.99 per lb. Dinner just got easier!” the Costco Love Facebook account revealed.
Since the pork is sold by weight, the total price will vary based on the package you choose.
The bite-sized pieces of pork are an easy starting point for a hearty meal and put a delicious spin on everyday meals, whether you’re serving them alongside mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables, tossing them into a barbecue-inspired rice bowl, giving your ramen some extra protein, or adding them to macaroni and cheese for the ultimate indulgent twist.
And with football season in full swing, they could also make a convenient addition to a game-day spread. Just pair them with your favorite barbecue sauce, pickles and a few classic sides, or sprinkle them atop nachos.
The new deli find is listed as in stock in 589 stores, per Warehouse Runner, with 2 stores in low stock and 6 stores out of stock.
Currently Costco on Instagram noted that they are an “instant crowd pleaser.”
You can get them hot and ready to eat, but there’s also a pre-cooked version for $12.89 for a 2-pound pack in the refrigerator.
CostcoBayAreaFinds on Instagram gave them a 6.5 out of 10, noting, “the smoky flavor is there, but I was hoping for a more tender bite,” adding that the meat was a little “too dry and salty” when eaten alone.
View this post on InstagramHowever, paired with the Tonkotsu ramen and other ingredients like Brussels sprouts, noodles and eggs, she underscored, “My ramen tasted good though.”
For anyone looking to satisfy a smoky barbecue craving without committing to a full afternoon of cooking, this new offering could be worth checking out on your next Costco run.
With the 31st 'Reacher' Book Out, Lee Child and Andrew Child Share How They've Kept Each Story Fresh (Exclusive)
Can you believe that the 31st Reacher novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child has just been released? Chain Reaction hit shelves on Oct. 20, 2026, and it is one of the best books yet.
To mark the outstanding moment, Parade chatted with both Lee and Andrew, getting to know more about their working relationship, their involvement in the TV series, and whether there are any plans for spinoff stories in the works. After all, Prime Video has just brought us the Neagley spinoff we didn’t realize we needed!
We started off with the milestone of 31 books, with Lee sharing, “I wrote that first book all those years ago, and I totally imagined it. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if one book became such a monster book? I’d never have to work again.’”
He dreamed of a world where, 10, 20, and 30 years later, he would still be doing what he loves the most, but what about expecting those dreams to come true? That was a definite no, as he explained, “You can’t expect long-term success in the world of entertainment. That’s just delusional. Everything is an accident.”
The journey to this success wasn’t immediate or straightforward. In fact, it was a huge risk, as he was out of work and needed to find a way to support his family. Fortunately, he had his brother by his side, with Andrew reminiscing about that first release.
“I remember when the first book was coming out. I went around to everyone and told them they had to buy my brother’s book. It was fantastic! Nobody would listen to me.”
In the end, everyone did start to listen. While Andrew always started out as Jack Reacher’s biggest fan, soon everyone else was coming to him to see if he could get them a signed copy.
While Lee started the story, Andrew has taken over the development of the plots and books now. It’s all with Lee’s blessing, and he wouldn’t have had anyone else take over. It turns out that, in a way, Andrew has always worked with Lee on the books. As people question how much Lee has to do with the current books, he has to look back at the past.
“How much input did Andrew have into the earlier books? And actually, it was quite a lot,” he confessed. “Because, inevitably, when you’re writing, you depend on hearing things, thoughts, facts, and angles, and interesting takes on things, and you get that from people you talk to. Andrew and I are brothers, but we’re also really good friends. We talk all the time, and we have similar interests and triggers, and so the earlier books have a lot of Andrew in them from talking to him.”
This wasn’t by design, though. Eventually, Lee turned to his brother to officially ask him to join in on the creation of the stories.
“When it came time to ask him to join me and then strike out on his own, it felt pretty natural. It was not a massive thing, because he knew it all.”
Andrew followed up with parts that he’d been involved in before officially taking over, and one of those came up in Gone Tomorrow, which was the basis for Reacher Season 4 on Prime Video.
“We’re both huge consumers of trivia and weird facts,” Andrew told me, “And I remember I’d come across this thing from Israeli intelligence about how, in the aftermath of an explosion, they can figure out whether it was caused by a suicide bomber or not. It was this weird combination of unbelievably morbid, but logical and forensic. I told Lee about it, and it morphed its way into the beginning of that book.”
Courtesy of Penguin Random HouseAndrew isn’t the only member of the Child family who has ended up with something in one of Lee’s books, either. It turns out that Andrew’s daughter, Lee’s niece, came up with a character name for a school project, and Lee loved it so much that he used it in one of his books.
Since the topic of the Amazon TV series came up, we did touch on the movies and then this new TV series adaptation that has brought the Reacher we all imagined from the books.
“For all Tom Cruise’s virtues — he’s a lovely guy — he just didn’t fit the implied character,” Lee commented, and it’s true. Reacher has always been this larger-than-life, super-confident guy because he’s physically unbeatable. Cruise couldn’t portray that, but Alan Ritchson has embodied that look from the start.
“He’s another smart, good actor who has read the books,” Lee added. “He understands who Reacher is, and he has the intellectual ability to analyze the character. He’s wonderful.”
The interview was done before the Reacher Season 6 renewal news came through, but it’s true that Amazon has been an excellent partner in bringing this whole genre to life. Not only has there been success with Reacher, but Bosch, Cross, and Jack Ryan have all been huge successes.
As Neagley had just dropped, we did get the chance to discuss that. While the Childs have created the universe of Reacher, they’ve focused solely on their main character. There have been a couple of novellas, but never any official spinoffs, and Lee admitted that he “felt unequal to the task of writing about her because the thing that made her valuable was that she was unexplained. Nobody knew anything about her.”
It turns out that Lee has never considered writing a book about her, and he wouldn’t want to, either. “We don’t know her history or backstory. We didn’t know why she did what she did, or why she worked for Reacher. If somebody said to me to write a book about her, I wouldn’t have wanted to, because I didn’t want to know that stuff. I wanted her to be a mystery, so somebody else doing it was perfect in that sense.”
Could there be some spinoffs now? Lee made it clear that it’s up to Andrew now, so we both looked to him.
Alan RitchsonPhoto credit: Brooke Palmer/Prime Video
“I think it’s a really interesting idea,” Andrew admitted. “From day one, I was fully on board with Reacher. It was all about Reacher; whenever we got together, we talked about Reacher. As I’ve been doing them on my own, I have started to think in a different way.”
He didn’t go into too many details or teases, except to say that “Reacher’s mother would be a fascinating subject. There’s a lot of stuff that tells you about what she did during the Second World War as a kid, so you could get into a whole different world and explore her stories. I think there’s definitely still a lot of potential that we haven’t really scratched yet.”
For now, the focus is on Jack Reacher and the 31st book, Chain Reaction. After 31 books, how do the Childs make sure they don’t start rehashing the same old storylines?
“There are two elements,” Lee shared, describing the process of developing each story. “First of all, how does it start? Because Reacher is a drifter, there’s no reason for him to get involved.”
It turns out that Andrew is the one who has come up with great ways to bring the lead character into the case. The opening has to be neat and subtle. There is a method used a few times that involves someone from his past pulling him into a case, but that can’t be overused.
“The second thing is who the bad guys are, and this is where Andrew and I have a lot of fun.”
If you’ve ever heard of authors who put their enemies into books, you can add the Childs to that list. Well, it’s not quite enemies, but just the people who annoy them. They look at the types of personalities that get under their skin, because relatable villains are some of the best. It creates an emotional investment in the story.
We all know greedy, entitled bullies. Not everyone knows the megalomaniacs who live in bunkers with cats and nuclear weapons.
Brooke Palmer/Prime Video
It’s not just the villains who need to be relatable, though. Every character has to be a living, breathing person who the readers are able to recognize. This could mean a neighbor or a colleague. Either way, it’s something that draws people in.
“If you don’t believe that somebody would do something for a particular reason — and it can be trivial or important — then you don’t believe that they would care. If that’s the case, you haven’t explained it properly, or you haven’t introduced them properly,” Lee explained, while also sharing that his brother is much better at the development of the secondary characters than he is, and it’s something he’s loved about handing the stories over to him.
There is another problem in the books, though, and that’s why Reacher doesn’t call the authorities. Wouldn’t that be the best way to handle a situation as a drifter? Fortunately, with Chain Reaction, it was easy to explain; it’s because of who has pulled the main man into the story: General Turner is already with the authorities, so there’s no need to call someone else in.
The drifter element has certainly helped in other ways, though. Lee went on to share that one thing has kept his novels fresh: “If Reacher had been employed, then that immediately limits what he can do and where he can do it. I felt the attraction was that each book is totally fresh. It can be pitched at a totally different level. It can be a dusty little town with nothing going on, or a massive city. It can be government; it can be anything, anywhere.”
One of the fun elements of the Reacher stories has been seeing how he gets out of sticky situations. That’s unique to the moment as well. He doesn’t have a photographic memory, which is a popular trope in crime books. Nor is it like Robinson Crusoe, where he can swim to a sunken ship to get physical items that will help. Reacher has to think on the spot, and he doesn’t get to take the easy way out.
The two have also never gone back to add something to an earlier scene to help get them out of a sticky situation later. It would be easy to write in that Reacher had a penknife in his pocket, but they want to figure out if Reacher would need to.
“It’s an interesting thing about Reacher, as it’s an ongoing series. Odds are, he’s not getting killed in the book,” Andrew pointed out as we continued the discussion. “You know he’s going to figure it out and walk away, so it becomes more of a how-done-it than a who-done-it. That’s really interesting, and really satisfying. People look forward to seeing what Reacher has to do or figure out in order to get the result everybody wants.”
It’s certainly working. Chain Reaction is now available to buy in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Reacher Season 5 is currently filming in Toronto, and it’s clear that there is more interest in this universe now than there ever has been!
Trader Joe's New Cornbread Muffins Are Reminding Shoppers of a Discontinued Entenmann's Favorite
Trader Joe’s has a new bakery item that’s taking some shoppers on a trip down memory lane.
The grocery chain’s new Cornbread Muffins have arrived just in time for the holiday season, but it’s not their Thanksgiving dinner potential that’s getting people talking. Instead, shoppers are comparing the $5.49 four-pack to a long-discontinued Entenmann’s favorite and the corn muffins once served at old-school New York City diners.
In a Reddit discussion about the new product, one shopper pointed out that the muffins resemble Entenmann’s discontinued six-pack of corn muffins, complete with their distinctive flat tops. “These kinda look like the long-discontinued Entenmann’s corn muffins,” they wrote. “They were delicious and I am hoping these are similar.”
Another recalled slicing diner-style corn muffins in half and toasting them on a buttered griddle. “Short pucks that were perfect for slicing in half and then slapping the two halves onto a hot griddle slathered with butter,” they wrote. “That’s what you’d get if you ordered a ‘toasted corn muffin.’ But those were the days when there were still diners.”
While many commenters have yet to try the new Trader Joe’s muffins, they’re already imagining how delicious the bakery find might be. “Oh nooo, I’m going to inhale these,” said one Reddit user. Another chimed in, “Lord, have mercy on my waistline.”
While the cornbread muffins could make an easy addition to Thanksgiving dinner, shoppers are also coming up with other ways to enjoy them. One suggested pairing the muffins with Trader Joe’s canned Organic Vegetarian Chili for an easy weeknight meal.
According to Trader Joe’s, the muffins are moist and tender, made with sour cream and creamed corn, and sweetened with a touch of honey. A sprinkle of cornmeal on top adds texture. And if you’re hoping to try them, don’t wait too long: Trader Joe’s says the seasonal muffins will only be available in its bakery section through December.
Bring a Burst of Cheer to Your Cooking With Aldi's Sweet 2-Piece Kitchen Essential for Only $4
There’s no need to deck every inch of your home in holiday decor to make things feel merry and bright. Sometimes, it’s the little details that make the biggest difference, like swapping your everyday kitchen accessories for something a little more festive. Think holiday-themed dish towels, a cheerful mug for your morning coffee or a serving dish that makes even a batch of store-bought cookies feel special. These small touches are a fun way to lean into the season without having to haul out every decoration you own.
Personally, I’m all for holiday decor that pulls double duty: It brings a little extra cheer to your home now and doesn’t become a storage headache once the wrapping paper is cleared away and Santa’s cookie plate has been reduced to crumbs. We all have enough stuff to pack away come January, am I right? I love the idea of trading a few everyday kitchen essentials for seasonal versions. They’re practical enough to earn their keep but pretty enough to make even the most mundane tasks feel a little more magical. And if you’re looking for an easy way to stir up some holiday spirit, Aldi has a festive find worth adding to your kitchen lineup.
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Merry Moments Holiday Enamel Utensil – Pink Bow Acacia, $3.99 at AldiAldi
Aldi’s pretty little Merry Moments Holiday Enamel Stirring Spoon comes with a matching spoon rest to help keep your countertops clean (or at least try to). The two-piece set retails for $3.99 and joins a few other cooking utensils with a jolly old theme in the Aldi Finds aisle. There’s also a festive beverage dispenser that looks like a present wrapped in a bow, and measuring cup spoons shaped like gingerbread houses.
Related: Tailgating This Weekend? These Low-ABV Canned Cocktails Are So Refreshing
Aside from the enamel parts, the spoon is made of acacia wood, which is a great choice for cooking utensils because it’s naturally durable, sturdy and resistant to everyday wear and tear. It’s also gentle on your cookware, so you don’t have to worry about scratching the nonstick coating on your favorite pans. Unlike metal utensils, wooden spoons won’t get hot to the touch while you’re stirring a simmering sauce, and acacia’s naturally beautiful grain gives each piece a warm, one-of-a-kind look. Just be sure to hand-wash your utensils and dry them promptly rather than tossing them in the dishwasher, which can cause the wood to crack or warp over time.
Related: Give Your Vanity a Chic Upgrade With Five Below’s Tortoiseshell 2-Tier Organizer
Coronation Street Star Passes Away at 94 — Do You Remember Her Character's Controversial Storyline?
Actress Eileen Mayers, who appeared on Coronation Street as Sheila Birtles, has died at the age of 94, the Daily Mail has reported.
Mayers could be seen on the long-running British soap opera as her factory-worker character from 1960 until 1963 before she returned to reprise her role in the early 1970s. She also appeared on both Keep It In The Family and I’m Not Bothered.
“Sheila Birtles in Coronation Street between 1960-63, she is now ‘resting’ for ever. God bless,” reads the announcement of her passing published by The Times (via the Mail). “Eileen (née Mayers) died on 27th June 2026 aged 94. She took her final curtain call after an acting career which began aged 15 at the Oldham Repertory Theatre.”
Mayers’ fans sent messages of condolences online, per the Mail, with one person writing, “I am incredibly sad to see she has passed, sincerely RIP to her.”
The actress appeared in 161 episodes of Coronation Street, following her January 1961 debut as Sheila, “who shared a flat with Doreen Lostock. She was also close with Elsie Tanner, and dated Jerry Booth for a while,” according to Digital Spy. “Sheila soon developed feelings for Neil Crossley, which was the beginning of a controversial storyline that has gone down in Corrie folklore. Their relationship, in which Sheila was mistreated, ended initially when Neil left Weatherfield.”
“Sheila subsequently entered a state of depression when Neil returned and rejected her again, with bosses at the soap developing a storyline in which she would have died by suicide after overdosing on pills,” Digital Spy explains.
However, before the episode aired, “the plot leaked,” the Mail noted. The “controversial storyline … was then dramatically changed” by Margaret Morris, who was the producer, “after it sparked a furious backlash.”
Mayers later spoke about the controversial plot, the Mail mentions, saying, “‘It is disappointing when you think ‘Oh that’s it, that’s good,’ and then it doesn’t get shown but that’s the way it is. I had an actress friend who used to say, ‘Well dear, you’ve been front page news!’ and I’d rather not have been, and that they had shown the episode.”
Mayers eventually got her wish, and the formerly unseen scene was included in The Corrie Years documentary in 2011.
Walmart’s $34 7-Piece Bedding Set Has an ‘Elegant’ Pintuck Design That Looks So Expensive
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If you prefer a minimalist bedroom but still want your bedding to feel cozy and inviting, texture is the way to go. Subtle details like pintuck pleats can add visual interest without making your space feel too busy, giving your bed an elevated look that never feels boring. The Sasttie 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set is a great example, especially if you’re ready to swap lightweight summer bedding for something cozier.
Right now, the queen-size beige set is on sale for 48% off at Walmart, making it an especially good value for a complete bedding refresh. The set comes in full, queen, and king sizes, with 23 colors ranging from soft neutrals to richer, bolder shades.
Sasttie 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set, From $34 (was $66) at Walmart Shop at WalmartThe seven-piece queen set includes a comforter, a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, two pillow shams, and two pillowcases, giving you the essentials for a pulled-together bed. Its standout feature is the pinch-pleat design, which creates a raised geometric pattern across the comforter. The design adds a touch of elegance without relying on bold prints, making the set easy to pair with different bedroom styles.
Comfort is just as important as appearance, and this set is made with brushed microfiber, a smooth polyester fabric that feels soft against your skin. The comforter has a 240 GSM down-alternative fill, designed to provide a fluffy, cushioned feel without using natural down. It offers a balance of warmth and breathability that works well across seasons, including those in-between fall nights when you want to feel cozy without piling on heavy blankets.
The set is designed for everyday use and easy care, too. You can machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry it on low heat which makes routine laundry less of a hassle. The fitted sheet accommodates mattresses up to 14 inches thick, so it can work with many standard beds.
This popular set has over 300 five-star reviews. One shopper described it as “beautiful, soft, and fluffy,” adding, “It’s so pretty, true to size, and wonderful quality.” Another reviewer shared, “The pintuck design is perfect for an elegant look. It’s like sleeping on a cloud. It’s very lightweight but keeps you warm.”
Shop More Comforter Set Deals- Sonoro Kate 7-Piece Bedding Set, $54 (was $110) at Walmart
- Mainstays 3-Piece Blurred Rose Pink Comforter Set, $21 (was $34) at Walmart
- Vccoem 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set, $36 (was $66) at Walmart
If you’re after a simple, versatile bedding upgrade that feels cozy without overwhelming your bedroom decor, the Sasttie 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set is a strong option. Walmart’s current 48% discount makes it a great time to snag the set, since you can save over $30 on the queen-size beige option right now.
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Tom Welling Reveals What He Thinks About a Possible ‘Smallville’ Reboot
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Smallville, two of the show’s stars, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, discussed the possibility of a reboot.
In a joint October 2026 interview with Variety, Welling and Rosenbaum, who played friends-turned-enemies Clark Kent and Lex Luthor, were asked to name which of their castmates would be the first to agree to a Smallville reboot. Both Welling and Rosenbaum agreed that Erica Durance, who played journalist Lois Lane, would be interested in joining the cast of a Smallville reboot.
Rosenbaum also said he believed Welling would want to star in a reboot if the show’s creators, Al Gough and Miles Millar, “had this great idea.”
Welling then suggested he wasn’t too keen on the idea of rebooting Smallville, which had a 10-season run until 2011.
“I just can’t imagine what that idea would be,” said Welling while speaking to Variety.
The 49-year-old actor said, however, that “You never say never.”
Al Gough and Miles Millar Shared Their Thoughts About The Legacy of ‘Smallville’Gough and Millar discussed the legacy of Smallville during an October 2026 episode of Rosenbaum’s podcast, Inside of You, which also featured appearances from Welling, Durance, and Kristin Kreuk, who played Clark’s love interest, Lana Lang.
Gough said he and Millar “can’t believe that it’s a show that’s still resonating with people 25 years later” and expressed gratitude towards fans.
Millar also said he was appreciative that original fans of the series are now introducing it to their children.
“People watch it as a family together. Mothers and daughters watch the show together. A lot of dads and daughters watch the show together, which is interesting. Dads are introducing their daughters to the world of superheroes. So, it’s something that’s very unique and special and is incredibly touching,” continued Millar during the Inside of You interview.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler Supports Christina Applegate After Her MS Misdiagnosis Revelation
Jamie-Lynn Sigler is vowing to be there for pal Christina Applegate after she revealed she had been misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis on their “Messy” podcast Tuesday, Oct. 20.
“You are so loved and appreciated and supported,” Sigler, 45, said. “Me and this whole community are going to be here by your side as we figure this out, and even if you don’t — still.”
She continued, “Everything’s just a name. I could have ‘MS.’ You could have something different, and our bodies could be very, very similar in what they’re battling and struggling with. Just give yourself grace.”
The Married With Children star, 54, said she was absent from the podcast for seven months after a doctor told her she did not have MS because she needed to “process” the news and was facing “health stuff.”
She opened up about the medical misdirection.
“It’s the same game with a different name,” Applegate said. “That’s what I keep saying. I’m sure there are so many of our listeners too that have been misdiagnosed in some way. … There’s a lot. More than you’d think.”
Christina Applegate at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
Dr. Marwa Kaisey, associate professor with the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center department of neurology, joined Applegate and Sigler to discuss the situation.
She said MS misdiagnoses are “fairly common” because “we don’t have one single test for MS. It’s not like we have something like a pregnancy test that says, ‘Yes. You have it.’ ‘No. You don’t.’ It’s a list of criteria.”
Kaisey admitted about 20 percent of people are misdiagnosed with the condition.
“Almost one in five of these people who’d been told they had MS, some for decades, didn’t actually have it,” Kaisey said. “And a majority of them were on medication to treat their MS.”
Sigler went public with her MS diagnosis in 2016 while Applegate shared her story in 2021.
They plan to continue their podcast and include guests such as doctors and Bravo TV stars.
“They are important people in this universe,” Sigler quipped.
Through it all, Sigler will be there.
“Maybe you’re just listening to your body right now,” The Sopranos star said. “Maybe you’re just really in tune and taking care of yourself. I don’t know. I’m going to keep trying to err on the side of positive for you because I just have this vision of a lot of possibilities for you. I want to hold that because you deserve that.”
She continued, “I’m just so happy you’re back, and I don’t have to do this without you.”
In 1974, Joni Mitchell Made Music History With Her First No. 1 After Calling It a ‘Throwaway Song’; 52 Years Later, It’s Still a Masterpiece
Joni Mitchell didn’t make Court and Spark with the radio in mind. The jazz-tinged album, released in January 1974, became the best-selling record of her career anyway. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went double platinum.
The single “Help Me” is why. In May 1974, it topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, the only time Mitchell has ever been No. 1 there. On the Hot 100, the main pop chart, it peaked at No. 7 in June. It entered at No. 87 in March and spent 19 weeks on the chart. That made it her biggest single and her only Top 10 pop hit.
It also made history for who was behind it. Songfacts credits “Help Me” as the first Top 10 hit in the U.S. that was entirely written and produced by a female artist. Other women of the era wrote their own songs, and the site names Bobbie Gentry and Carole King, but it notes that Mitchell also produced her own records, which was exceedingly rare at the time. She did the same on “Help Me,” working with engineer Henry Lewy.
Mitchell has described the song as a throwaway, though she also called it a good radio record. Her feelings about singles were mixed. She has said her record companies tended to pick her fastest album tracks, while she felt “the radio is crying for one of my ballads.”
“Help Me” was nominated for Record of the Year at the 1975 Grammys, losing to Olivia Newton-John, and Court and Spark was up for Album of the Year, which went to Stevie Wonder. The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004, and “Help Me” went into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007. Rolling Stone included it on its 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Lady Gaga Hints Her Next Album May Be Closer Than Fans Think After Welcoming Her First Child
Is Lady Gaga giving us new music? Some fans think her next album may be closer than we realize after a recent social media interaction.
The singer, 40, recently offered a brief but reassuring response to a fan who asked her not to make them wait too long for new music, hinting that she may have more up her sleeve following the release of her 2025 album, Mayhem.
The exchange happened Monday, October 19, when Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, shared a TikTok video promoting a new holiday brush set from her beauty brand, Haus Labs, to the tune of “Last Christmas.” While the video focused on her makeup products, one fan used the comments section to make a request that had little to do with cosmetics.
“Gaga please don’t make us wait long for albums!!! We just want music!!! Every albums has been taking longer & longer 😭,” the fan wrote.
Gaga, who just welcomed her first child earlier this year, responded with a short message that quickly caught the attention of her devoted Little Monsters.
“Don’t worry 💓💓,” she replied.
Although the singer did not announce a release date or confirm that a new album is in the works, her response offered a promising sign for fans eager to hear what comes next.
“The interaction comes as Gaga navigates a major new chapter in her personal life. She and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Rose Bean, in June. The couple has generally kept their relationship private, and Gaga has not shared extensive details about their daughter publicly.
“Mother don’t joke about albums,” one user responded.
Another, clearly in the holiday spirit, added, “What if the album is our Christmas gift??”
It’s been a busy year for Gaga, who welcomed daughter Rose Bean with her fiancé Michael Polansky in June. For now, Gaga hasn’t confirmed whether a new album is on the way, but her reassuring reply has Little Monsters wondering if they’ll have new music to unwrap sooner rather than later.
Roseanne Barr Reveals How New Series Is Helping Her To Heal After Controversy That Ended 2018 Reboot
Roseanne Barr is making a comeback eight years after an offensive tweet ended her self-titled reboot, and she reveals it is helping her heal the pain after being labeled as a racist.
The Emmy-winner starred in her highly-rated Roseanne series from 1988-1997, and then returned in the revival in 2018. However, two months after the series premiere, ABC canceled the show after Roseanne’s controversial social media comment about Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama.
Jarrett is half-black. Barr tweeted that she looked as if “Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby.”
The reboot was retooled without Barr as The Conners, starring John Goodman, who portrayed Roseanne’s husband in the original series. Barr’s character was killed off in a drug overdose.
After being ignored by Hollywood, Barr is financing a new series called Meemaw: A Modern Day Fable inspired by her life growing up in Texas. It features a mixed-race family co-starring The Sopranos’ actress Drea de Matteo (as Barr’s daughter), Randy Quaid (as Barr’s husband), and Omar Gooding (as Barr’s son-in-law).
The comedian told The Hollywood Reporter that her new show is helping her heal the pain of being labeled a racist.
“Absolutely. And a lot of the healing happens through my scenes with Gooding,” Barr commented. “He’s also a stand-up comic, and he’s a Black man. I met a lot of resistance casting Black actors.”
“We had a lot of really great Black comedians audition for the role,” Barr continued. “A lot of people said no, they wouldn’t. How could any Black person work with me? That hurt me.”
Barr still maintains her comment about Jarrett was not racist, explaining she told an ABC executive at the time, “Well, I thought she was white.”
She recalled the fallout, beginning with Black comedian Wanda Sykes, who served as a consulting producer and writer on the 2018 revival.
“I remember it being almost immediate that somebody sent me Wanda Sykes’ tweet saying, “I have to get off of this show. Roseanne’s a racist.””
Now Barr is producing Meemaw: A Modern Day Fable independently after failing to find a studio to work with her again.
Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and More to Honor Country-Rock Legend With Special Show, 53 Years After He Died at Just 26
More than half a century after Gram Parsons died at just 26 years old, some of the biggest names in music are coming together to celebrate the enormous influence he left behind.
Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, The Black Crowes, Margo Price, The Head and the Heart and Grace Potter are among the artists set to perform at “A Song for Gram,” a special tribute concert honoring Parsons at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Nov. 11.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will present the show just three days before Parsons is posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Musical Influence category on Nov. 14.
Jesse Welles, Madison Cunningham, Grahame Lesh, Harper Simon and Jim Lauderdale are also on the lineup, with Beachwood Sparks providing what organizers are calling “cosmic accompaniment.”
The concert comes 53 years after Parsons’ remarkably short life ended on Sept. 19, 1973 when he was just 26.
Born Ingram Cecil Connor III on Nov. 5, 1946, Parsons became one of the architects of the sound he called “Cosmic American Music,” blending elements of country, rock, folk, R&B and soul.
His recording career lasted only a handful of years, but Parsons managed to leave fingerprints on several enormously influential projects.
He joined The Byrds in 1968 and helped steer the band toward country music on Sweetheart of the Rodeo. After leaving the group, Parsons teamed with Chris Hillman to form The Flying Burrito Brothers, whose 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin became another landmark in the development of country rock.
Parsons later launched a solo career and found one of his most important musical collaborators in Harris.
The two recorded together on his 1973 solo debut GP and again on Grievous Angel, which was released after Parsons’ death. Their vocal partnership helped launch Harris toward a legendary career of her own, and she continued performing Parsons’ songs and celebrating his work long after his death.
Parsons’ influence stretched well beyond the records he made himself.
The Eagles’ “My Man,” written by Bernie Leadon, was a tribute to Parsons, while artists including Lucinda Williams, Beck, Elvis Costello and Wilco are among the generations of musicians who have drawn inspiration from his genre-blurring work.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who became close friends with Parsons, once described his effect on country music as “enormous.”
That makes Parsons’ 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction a recognition that arrives more than five decades after his death.
“A Song for Gram” will take place at the Troubadour on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. PT through AXS.
The concert will also benefit Friendly House Foundation and Backline, organizations that provide addiction, mental health and wellness support. Parsons would have turned 80 on Nov. 5, less than a week before the tribute concert.
Instead, the musicians he influenced will gather in Los Angeles to celebrate him 53 years after his death—and just days before the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame finally makes his influence official.
In 1900, Milton Hershey Sold His Caramel Company for $1 Million; Unable to Have Children, He Later Left His Chocolate Fortune to a School for Orphan Boys
Long before the Hershey name became synonymous with milk chocolate bars, Milton Hershey was a small-town caramel confectioner.
In 1900, he made a daring gamble, selling his thriving business for a staggering $1 million to bet everything on mass-producing milk chocolate. But while his business instincts proved genius, it was a deeply personal heartache that ultimately shaped his true legacy.
Facing the quiet reality that he and his wife, Catherine, would never have children of their own, Hershey made an unprecedented decision to give his entire fortune away to build a school and home for orphaned boys. His story continues to inspire by demonstrating that true success is measured not by the empire a person builds, but by the lives they uplift along the way.
According to the Milton Hershey School’s official website, the facility was “founded on November 15, 1909, to provide young people with access to a high‑quality, hands‑on education rooted in skill‑building and character development.”
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View this post on InstagramThe first group of students numbered just 10. They lived in the Homestead, Hershey’s birthplace, and took education classes in the same building, a safe space for the boys to learn and flourish.
The school’s pledge, first published in 1926, originally stated, “I will keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. I will try to keep my standards high and help others to do likewise. I will help others to get the comforts of life and happiness which are rightfully theirs. I will improve my language, which is an expression of my character. I will pledge myself to honor and to uphold and to do all I can for the good of my school. These are the best services I can render my school, my state, and my country.”
Hershey’s dream had grown far beyond acquiring wealth for his own benefit: “One is only happy in proportion as he makes others feel happy,” he said. In 1918, decades before his death, Hershey endowed the school he and Catherine founded with his entire fortune.
On Instagram, the legendary philanthropist was quoted as saying, “It was natural for me to think of education and of orphans and boys whose mothers had hard times and wanted them to have the chance other boys had. I wanted to get away from the idea of institutions and charity and compulsion, and to give as many boys as possible real homes, real comforts, education, and training, so they would be useful and happy citizens.”
Today, the Milton Hershey School stands as a living testament to that belief, continuing to provide cost-free housing, education, and healthcare to thousands of children in financial need, all funded by the enduring legacy of a man who turned his personal heartbreak into a sweet gift for generations to come.
What began as a daring $1 million gamble on a chocolate venture ultimately built more than just an American icon. Hershey turned his success into a beacon of hope for generations of young children, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to inspire to this day.
View this post on InstagramThe upcoming biographical drama HERSHEY, depicting Milton Hershey’s life and career, is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on November 25, 2026. The film stars Finn Wittrock, Alexandra Daddario, Alan Ruck, Richard Kind, David Costabile Heléne Yorke, and Michael Moreland Milligan.
'Die Hard’ Actor Rushed to Hospital After Stroke
Al Leong, who is best known for his role in Die Hard, was hospitalized last week after suffering a stroke, TMZ reports.
Sources close to the actor told the outlet that he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke in California.
“The sources wouldn’t say if Al was still in the hospital or shed light on his condition,” they added. “We’re told his family is requesting privacy at this time.”
In Die Hard, Leong played a terrorist named Uli who took over L.A.’s Nakatomi Plaza, but he was ultimately shot and killed by NYPD cop John McClane, who was played by Bruce Willis. His career has spanned four decades, beginning in 1981 with an appearance in the comedy “Going Ape.” He also had a role in “Lethal Weapon,” as well as playing Genghis Khan in the 1989 comedy “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Along with acting, Leong is a skilled martial arts expert and was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in 2014.
Following the news of his hospitalization, fans sent well-wishes his way.
“Send some prayers to one of the greatest henchmen to ever hench,” one person posted.
“Oh man, Al Leong has been hospitalised following a stroke. 🙏😔 Words cannot describe how much this man has given us. Thoughts are with him and his family,” another person wrote.
“Praying for #AlLeong. 🙏🏻😢❤️🩹 One of my favorites. He was funny in #BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure,” a fan shared.
“The quintessential bad guy actor. Get well soon,” another fan commented.
“Live Hard, Al. Get well soon,” one fan stated.