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I just thought Barbie was a fun toy. A pretty doll with cute clothes. A vehicle for my imagination. Feminist icon? No. Future political lighting rod? No, neither of those things. I was only 6 years old. My little-girl self was only concerned with Barbie’s adventures. “Where will she go in her purple Dream Vette today?” was my first thought on Saturday mornings. I built elaborate worlds for Barbie and her friends using my books and other toys. I spent hours scooting across the carpet on my hands and knees while I rolled the car along or “walked” Barbie into whatever my story called for–a friend’s house, the pet store, a restaurant, the White House... The possibilities were limitless! Barbie even traveled to the moon courtesy of my brother’s GI Joe lunar capsule. That was fun until he threw the capsule into the deep end of our pool and I thought for sure Barbie was doomed. She handled it like a pro––never stopped smiling. Barbie equaled hours of entertainment for me. I never thought about what she represented or compared myself to her. I had a Jaime Somers Bionic Woman doll, too. I was a regular viewer of this 1970s hit TV show about a woman transformed with bionic powers. Jaime could jump over walls, uproot trees and hear whispers from great distances. The doll’s bionic hearing was “activated” when her head was turned and it clicked. I never expected to hear my classmates talking across the playground if I turned my head the same way. That was a toy after all. Now, I’m all grown up and don’t play with dolls, but I still remember the fun I had with them. It’s with this appreciation I went to see the 2023 “Barbie” movie directed by Greta Gerwig. I heard the rumblings of “politicization” before the movie even premiered. I guess that’s no surprise. Social commentary about the Barbie doll has popped up in the news for as long as I can remember. Does Barbie make little girls feel bad about themselves? Is Barbie bad for women? And, with the movie’s release, came statements of male bashing, hyper feminism and gender roles. I blocked out the pundit talk. I wanted to see Barbie’s dreamy world. Would it match what I imagined? Or, maybe even better! A few days after “Barbie” premiered, my friend and fellow movie lover, Jen, met me at a local Regal Cinema. Jen has a great sense of humor and showed up with heart-shaped, pink glasses for us to wear. As the lights dimmed and the movie started, our only expectation was fun and we had it. We laughed out loud along with everyone else in the crowded theater. There’s no way everyone there shared the same political belief system, but we all laughed at the same on-screen moments. In the story, Stereotypical Barbie (Margo Robbie) has a crisis of self. She’s feeling down and doesn’t know why. Things in her perfect, plastic, non-real life are going haywire. She’s walking flat footed for goodness sake! The answer may lie with Gloria (America Ferrera), the little girl who played with Barbie in the real world. So, Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling), slip the boundaries of Barbie Land and enter modern-day Los Angeles in search of Gloria. The experience is eye-opening. Gloria is now all grown up and has problems of her own. To Barbie’s dismay, things aren’t perfect for women in the real world. She left Barbie Land, a world of innocence and platonic relationships, to experience sexism for the first time, a realization punctuated by a man who smacks her bottom when passing by. Ken is exposed to stereotypical masculine images, especially those manufactured in Hollywood like a pumped up Sylvester Stallone. And then there are the horses –– lots of images of strong horses running. In this moment, Ken discovers the patriarchy and eventually takes his knowledge back to Barbie Land where trouble ensues. Avoiding big spoilers, let’s just say with conversation, honesty, musical numbers and soul searching everything works out. Along with Gerwig’s skilled direction and the actors’ performances, the movie is entertaining, smart and funny. Visually, the film is a cotton-candy delight. Barbie Land is an explosion of pinks and soft colors. The production and set design – everything from the dreamhouses to the fashion – truly looks like a toy land come to life. The use of flat sets and imagery in the travel scenes along with dolphins that look like paper cutouts adds to the movies' fantasy quality. Gerwig wrote “Barbie” along with her partner, Noah Baumbach, a successful filmmaker in his own right. The pair were tasked with writing a screenplay about a doll. A DOLL. Every story needs an arch and conflict so it makes sense to tap into the conversations that have swirled around Barbie for decades. What else could they write about? Barbie meets aliens. Barbie sees a podiatrist. Barbie searches for the Arch of the Covenant. I mean really, the writer’s choices make sense and the result is a clever satire. Gerwig said her goal was to make a fun, playful movie about being human even though the characters are dolls. In a Warner Brothers’ short about the movie, Gerwig said, “I feel like we’ve always used dolls as a way to kind of understand ourselves through play. And, I thought, well, wouldn’t it be wonderful if she was allowed to be like us and to be flawed and messy and not have to be perfectly perfect.” Gerwig and Baumbach’s story takes Barbie through a hero’s journey, a classic structure for telling stories in books and movies. The “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” movies, for instance, follow a hero’s journey format. It works because it's relatable. As audience members, we're pulled in and along for ride. We root for the characters and see parts of ourselves in them. Everyday, regular people don’t slay beasts or destroy the death star, but we empathize with the emotional struggle of Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker. And, like Ken and Barbie, regular people question life choices, too. “Barbie” is a delightful, funny story that's also visually entertaining. I don’t think the movie is meant to be taken too seriously even though serious topics come up. Just look at Ken, he declares his disinterest in the patriarchy once he realizes it's not all about horses. Come on, that’s funny. Humor helps us digest difficult topics with a spoonful of sugar. Stand-up comics, for instance, are sharp, often biting observers of truth and we take in their insights a little easier because it comes with giggles and laughs. Humor gives us permission to laugh at ourselves and society while acknowledging our shortcomings and problems. Sometimes humor is the best way to start a difficult conversation. Certainly, nothing is ever solved when everyone is angry. If you go see "Barbie" armed with pundit soundbites in your head and ready to be offended, then you probably will be. I didn’t and wasn't. Ticket sales have exceeded 1 billion, so it's safe to say most people weren’t either. I never believed I could have bionic powers like Jaime Somers. I never wondered why Barbie had an impossibly small waist and lacked private parts down below. I never expected the “Barbie” movie to be a deep allegory. Having seen the movie, I still don't characterize it that way even though it touches on important issues worth addressing. It's okay for a movie to just entertain us. It's also okay for a movie to serve as a jumping off place for deeper discussions. That's the beauty of the arts. We all come from different worldviews and perspectives, so our interpretations will differ, too. The “Barbie” movie is a satirical delight. It's a well-crafted, humorous movie that clearly resonates with audiences as seen by its massive box office returns and all the surrounding debate and conversation. For me, the movie's take-away is to figure out the life you want to lead. And, most importantly, bravely be yourself. Life isn’t perfect, but make yours genuine and real––flat feet and all.

If you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, look no further than downtown Tampa, Fla. This mid-sized city offers the perfect combination of sunshine, culture, history and water recreation. While staying in downtown, everything you need for a full and fun weekend is all within a short walk or ride via a charming streetcar or water taxi. Top Things to Do in Downtown Tampa 1. Stroll the Riverwalk Tampa is a waterside city and its downtown is hugged by the Hillsborough River, the Garrison Channel and the Ybor Channel, all which provide some of the most entertaining and unique experiences for visitors. An absolute must is walking, jogging or biking the Tampa Riverwalk. This 2.6 mile stretch connects some of downtown’s most popular things to do, including a series of waterfront parks, the Tampa Museum of Art, and a collection of restaurants and bars surrounding the Tampa Convention Center. Among Riverwalk's best features is its network of connected greenspaces. These parks are wonderful places to relax and attend major events. The main Riverfront parks are: • Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park — Major festival area near the Tampa Museum of Art. Includes water features and dog park. • Water Works Park — Playground, spashpad, and picnic areas near Armature Works. • Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park — 4.5 acres along Garrison Channel with a pier and memorial to the Seminole Indian Wars. Green space includes a playground. • Kiley Gardens — Large, urban greenspace designed with a concrete/grass grid. Includes an ampitheater. • Plant Park — On the west bank of the Hillsborough river at the Henry B. Plant Museum/University of Tampa. Lined with Palm trees and benches. • MacDill Park — A small park (3/4 acre) honoring MacDill Air Force Base. A major Riverwalk exapansion along the west bank of the Hillsborough River began in 2025. When completed Tampa will have a 12.2 mile contentious walkway. Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, which is also along the west bank riverfront, will be among those newly connected miles. Julian Lane Park is alreadly a popular destination. It's 25 acres includes a play area, splash pad, sports courts, boat ramps and an outdoor sculpture area. It's also home to major special events, including the Gasparilla Festival of Arts. The park includes a wonderful variety of public art from mosiacs to murals that highlight the area's rich history and natural resources. For a peek into what's displayed, the city has a nice online listing and description of each piece. Riverwalk (and Tampa in general) is home to a wonderful collection of public art, including soaring scultptures and installations featuring colorful glass and steel. The city offers an online, self-guided walking tour for pieces along the Riverwalk. For a listing of all Tampa-area parks and recreation facilities, visit here. The Form Of Wander by artist Marc Fornes in Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park 2. Cruise in a Water Taxi Seeing a city from its waterways always offers the best views! Take a water taxi along Hillsborough River and through Garrison Channel and enjoy the city's skyline, beautiful waterfront homes, outdoor public art, the incredible architecture of the historic Henry B. Plant Museum and so much more. With hop-on and hop-off options, a water taxi is a unique and perfect way to travel from site-to-site. TN&G’s favorite choice was the Pirate Water Taxi service. It’s really a city water tour/taxi since the vessel host offers history and trivia along the routes. And the fact, the water taxi has seating in the shade is a major plus! 3. Relax at Armature Works The brick and steel Armature Works building was originally built in the early 1900s as a streetcar warehouse for Tampa Electric Company (TECO). Today, it’s a large, multi-use facility that’s one of the city’s most popular destinations. Located along the Hillsborough River, the complex features a few shops and the incredible Heights Public Market food hall (more on that below). Pick among Armature Work's numerous large outdoor spaces — including shaded options — to enjoy a tasty meal or drink while watching boats go by. You and your friends might also enjoy a game of chess or checkers on the giant outdoor boards. 4. Tour the Henry B. Plant Museum One of Tampa’s most iconic structures is the beautiful Henry B. Plant Museum. The museum was once home to the Tampa Bay Hotel, a luxurious winter retreat for the wealthy from the late 1800s – 1932. The hotel was financed by Plant, a railroad and steamliner magnet, who was instrumental in the growth and success of Tampa and Florida. The historic building’s storied past includes serving as a military headquarters during the Spanish-American War. Beginning in 1933 the hotel became a museum and part of the University of Tampa. The building’s architecture with its Moorish/Islamic revival style was chosen to provide an a exotic lure for well-traveled, elite Victorians. Among the building’s more unique features are a series of minarets with cupolas. The hotel’s design, furnishings, modern conveniences, and grounds were all opulent and unique for the time. Located in Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood, the museum is just over the Hillsborough River via the W. Kennedy Blvd bridge. The museum is housed in Plant Hall and includes original furnishings, artwork and artifacts. Audio tours are available. Once finished with the tour, walk outfront to Henry B. Plant Park. This riverside park is gorgeous. After admiring the beautiful landscaping and fountain, find a bench under some palm trees facing the river and enjoy views of the city and watercraft. 5. Shop and Sip at the Oxford Exchange Located adjacent to the University of Tampa, the Oxford Exchange is a quaint shopping and food destination. There’s a coffee bar, a tea bar and even a champagne bar. Plus, beer, cocktails and wine. Food offerings include all day breakfast, small plates, salads, sandwiches and more. The Oxford Exchange’s atmosphere is its best draw. It’s gorgeous and has all the “feels.” The building’s interior features antique brick, dark panelled walls, vintage-inspired art, garden-like solarium dining, and velvety oversized chairs one would expect to find in a personal study. Shopping-wise, the Oxford Exchange has wonderful retail areas featuring bespoke finds from stationary to jewelry. There’s also a bookstore with a candle bar for customizing your own. 6. Be Inspired at the Tampa Museum of Art Not many museums can boast balconies with waterviews — the Tampa Museum of Art can! The museum has temporary exhibits from preeminent artists and an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art and Greek and Roman antiquities. The museum is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion that will triple its exhibit space. 7. Visit Other Cultural Attractions Tampa has interesting and educational experience for all ages. In addition to the Henry B. Plant Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art, other popular attractions include the Tampa Bay History Center, the Glazer Children’s Museum and The Florida Aquarium. 8. Dine Outside at Sail Plaza and The Pointe For some of the best downtown water views (especially of the marina) and al fresco dining, check out options in either Sail Plaza or The Pointe on Harbour Island. Both are located waterside and directly across from each other. Sail Plaza is on the mainland of downtown Tampa and offers 360 degree views and a giant sail (hence the name) for shade. The plaza features a super casual patio bar (frozen drinks!), no-fuss bites (sandwiches, seafood, appetizers) and live music. Several water taxi companies have their main ticket and departure area here. Adjacent to Sail Plaza is a bridge over the Garrison Channel that connects to Harbour Island’s The Pointe. This multi-level, entertainment complex is home to numerous sit down and quick-serve restaurants and bars. Among the most popular is Lower Deck, an outdoor bar where you can listen to live music or watch games and movies on a large outdoor screen all while overlooking the water. This area is also inlcudes The Pointe Marina, home to beautiful docked yachts of all sizes. 9. Attend a Festival or Celebration Tampa residents know how to celebrate and their most famous party is the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. A tradition that dates back more than 100 years, this pirate-theme festival and parade recreates the invasion by Spanish pirate José Gaspar. Spanish pirate José Gaspar Pirate fest begins with a fully-rigged pirate ship along with hundreds of vessels forming a flotilla “arriving” in Tampa with 300,000+ onlookers (many dressed as pirates) cheering them on. Once the pirate ship “invades” Tampa and reclaims the city’s key, a huge parade through the heart of downtown Tampa begins. Pirate Fest is held annually on the last Saturday in January. In addition to the huge Mardi Gras-like party, the fun continues for numerous weeks with a series of events celebrating art, music and culture. Want even more way to celebrate? Check out these other popular Tampa events: Riverfest — This large, two-day celebration of food and music in May spans from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park to Water Works Park. Highlights include glowing hot air balloons at sunset; a Wiener Dog Derby; a lantern parade; and Taste of Riverwalk, a favorite featuring samples from the area’s popular culinary scene. Holiday Lighted Boat Parade — This nighttime river parade is an annual favorite held every December. The parade and features small and large watercraft with theme decorations and lights. River O’ Green — For St. Patrick's Day the Hillsborough River is turned into a bright shade of green and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is home to a celebration with live music, kids activities, food trucks and more. 10. Eat and Drink Your Way Around Sparkman Wharf Sparkman Wharf is a large, dining, shopping and entertainment destination in Tampa's Channel District overlooking the Garrison Channel. A highlight of Sparkman Whaft is its casual, outdoor food hall housed within a collection of shipping containers. Indoor, sit-down resturants are also located in the area. Among the recreation choices is Splitsville, a luxury bowling alley. Sparkman Wharf is located near the Port of Tampa where cruiseships depart. Things to Do in Downtown Tampa: Tastebud-Satisfying Recommendations Among the top things to do in downtown Tampa is eat! Choices for delicious meals abound in Tampa. Here are just a few of TN&G’s favorite picks. Ulele - Located along the Riverwalk and adjacent to Armature Works, Ulele is a vibrant and gorgeous restaurant. Its rustic, modern dining room features high ceilings, brick walls and large windows. The menu is a fusion of food and ingredients that are indigenous to the area and prepared using a barbacoa grill. No visit is complete without some barbacoa blackened shrimp! TN&G’s favorite item, the appetizer pairing of shrimp with a parsnip and celery root puree, roasted tomatoes, charred asparagus tips and a lemon vinaigrette. Yum! Indoor and outdoor dining options. Heights Public Market —This food hall has something to satisfy just about anyone’s tastebuds. Craft cocktails, barbecue, pasta, empanadas, ice cream and so much more! And, it's all housed within the industrial-style architecture of Armature Works. The Pearl — A gastropub and oyster room in downtown's Water Street neighborhood. The resturant is open, bright and beautiful with throwback vintage vibes. Be sure to try the deviled eggs from the “Snacks” part of the menu. Not only are they flavored well, but they come served on an antique egg scale for an extra charming touch. Outdoor covered patio dining also available. Tori Bar — A hip, Japanese gastropub featuring tapas and craft cocktails. Tori Bar’s atmosphere is lively and metropolitan thanks to its low lighting and chic decor, especially the wall lined with large glowing lanterns. The burrata vinaigrette salad with a miso caramel, ube puree, heirloom tomatoes and pistachios is a chef’s kiss combination! Amorg the other favorites of TN&G is the tuna sashimi and the crab rangoon with shiso (a Japanese herb). Located near the University of Tampa and The Oxford Exchange. Indoor and outdoor dining options. Mayday Ice Cream — Delicous and creamy artisanal ice cream. Just to get your mouth watering, a few of their flavor offerings include salted caramel, coffee+donuts (made with glazed donut pieces) and brown butter chocolate chip (TN&G's favorite). Locations in Hyde Park and in Ybor City, just beyond downtown. Sorsi Waterfront Lounge — Sorsi's menu offerings are inspired by Italy's Amalfi coast. Choose among small plates, spritz cocktails and gelato. The spritz with lavender, vodka, prosecco and fresh lemon juice is the perfect bright, refreshing drink on a hot afternoon. Located next to Jackson’s Bar & Bistro on Harbour Island’s The Pointe. Walk-up counter service. Things to Do Beyond Downtown Tampa If you’re willing to hop in a ride-share or a TECO streetcar, there’s so much more to explore. For instance, Hyde Park Village with its upscale shopping and dining is a popular destination. The village has major, upscale retailers such as Kendra Scott and Peter Millar, as well as unique local boutiques. Food-wise, there’s everything from Roman-style pizza to a pirate candy shop. The village is designed around a central plaza with a large water fountain — the perfect spot to relax after making rounds to the various stores. The Hyde Park neighborhood is also home to the legendary Bern’s Steak House featuring a renowned wine selection (you can request a cellar tour) and artsian desserts. FYI, call waaaay in advance to secure a reservation even if you plan to only patron the resturant's Henry Waugh Dessert Room. Ybor City is a historic neighborhood just northeast of downtown Tampa. Hop on a downtown TECO streetcar (no charge!) and within minutes you’ll be transported to the former cigar capital of the world. The city’s cigar industry in the late 1800s brought an influx of people from Cuba, Spain, Italy and Germany creating a unique cutural blend and influence that's still felt today. One of the best ways to explore Ybor is through a food and history tour. Highlights inlcude learning about the community’s former cigar-focused social and business endeavors; seeing restored former cigar factories and other historic buildings; and learning about significant moments, such as Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders arriving in town. In between these locations are stops to sample food from Tampa’s immigrent influences. Flora Fina, a restaurant within the modern and beautiful Hotel Haya, has an incredible Cuban sandwich. And, best of all, it's done the Tampa way with salami added. The Tampa Cuban is the perfect nod to the city’s early immigrant population - pork for Cuba, ham for Spain, salami for Italy and Swiss cheese for Germany. If you’d rather tour the area on your own, Ybor City has an excellent visitor center with memorabilia, walking maps, historic information and a short film. The center is managed by the Chamber of Commerce and located in the Centro Ybor shopping and dining complex. Consider timing your visit to Ybor City based on the kind of experience that interests you. During the day, Ybor City is typical of most historic downtowns with just normal comings and goings. But, at night things ramp up with a serious, nightlife vibe. With so many options of things to do in downtown Tampa, enjoy vbrant weekend!

Road trips are woven into the fabric of America’s history and directly tied to the creation of roadside attractions from the unusual to the breathtaking. At 2,559 miles, I-40 is one of the longest and most popular interstates in the country and connects the East and West coasts. I-40's history is also connected to the legendary Route 66, the one time mecca of roadside attractions that turns 100 in 2026. With centennial celebrations planned across the country (more on that below), its the perfect time to hit the road and appreciate Route 66's unique history. We traveled coast-to-coast on I-40 and compiled our 15 must-see roadside attractions and scenic sights for quirky entertainment, breathtaking beauty and a lifetime of memories. I-40/Route 66 And Roadside Attractions: A Little History Before we get to the list, here’s a little background on why I-40 and the decommissioned Route 66 offer some of the country’s best roadside attractions. Route 66, a.k.a, the “Mother Road,” was part of the country’s first federal highway system, which combined local, state and national roads into a single system, according to National Park Service (NPS) information. Route 66 was the first completely paved highway in the country and the longest stretching over 2,400 miles, providing the fastest and most scenic drive from Chicago, Ill., to Santa Monica, Calif. Travelers along the hugely popular Route 66 needed places to eat and stay along their journey hence the birth of roadside attractions to lure customers into mom and pop businesses. Wacky and unique marketing ploys started popping up all along Route 66 and other well-travelled routes. Business boomed! And, trouble followed. These busy, two-lane highways were unsafe and problematic. Eventually they were replaced by the multi-lane interstate system we enjoy today. The interstates were faster, safer and more direct. This is where the history of I-40 and Route 66 converge. I-40 replaced Route 66 in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The work to replace Route 66 with I-40 and other interstates took place incrementally over several decades. I-40 bypassed the last section of Route 66 in 1985 in Williams, Ariz. When driving through those five states today it’s common for I-40 to either run parallel to old sections of Route 66 or literally right on top of its former path. This is true for Route 66's entire Illinois-California path, which is still largely driveable. Once the interstates bypassed small towns along the early highways, the businesses dried up. Buildings, restaurants and attractions that were once neon shining beacons for travelers sat dormant and deteriorated. Thankfully, preservation-minded folks took action. Route 66 helped usher in a time of prosperity and adventure in America. For this reason, its legacy is important and endures. Now, there are designations to preserve this unique transportation history, such as the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program by the NPS. There is also the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, which works to promote and revitalize communities along the former road. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a nice overview on the road's history and preservation efforts. Not all roadside attractions were savable, but the ones that remain are kitschy, unexpected and even informative delights. Spectacular historic attractions and those courtesy of Mother Nature are also part of the amazing sites along the historic Mother Road. 15 Must-See Roadside Attractions Along (and Near) I-40 and the Former Route 66 1. Shell-Shaped Service Station, Winston-Salem, N.C. In the 1930s, Quality Oil Company of Winston-Salem, N.C., built a total of eight gas stations across the city, all mimicking the Shell logo, according to information from the city. Only one of these stations still stands today. The patented design was made using concrete and is approximately 18’ feet high. The building was restored by Preservation North Carolina in the 1990s and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places for its significance to advertising and transportation history. Today, the station is privately owned. Visit here for more on the station's history. 2. Biltmore House, Asheville, NC Nothing kitschy about this Gilded Age masterpiece, but definitely an attraction! Known as America’s Largest Home®, the Biltmore, is all about grandeur and luxury. Biltmore was the vision of the uber wealthy George Washington Vanderbilt, the grandson of industrialist Cornelius “The Commodore” Vanderbilt. The 250-room home was designed in the French Renaissance style and took six years to build, finally opening as the family’s country retreat in 1895. Today, the magnificent Biltmore House is still privately-owned by family descents. It’s open for touring year-round. Spread over 8,000 acres within the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore Estate includes the mansion, extensive gardens, a winery, shopping, exhibit spaces, a restaurant and an inn. Festivals and events are hosted at the estate throughout the year. The evening Christmas tours are especially beautiful and popular. 3. Parthenon, Nashville, TN When you think about ancient Greece, certainly Nashville, Tenn., comes to mind, right? No, but maybe it should because right in the middle of a lovely city park is the world’s only exact-size replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Parthenon replica in Nashville's Centennial Park Thanks to its many fine institutions of higher learning, Nashville once enjoyed the nickname “Athens of the South.” So, when the city was celebrating its 100th year of statehood in 1897, it decided to embrace the moniker and build a temporary structure dedicated to fine art and education that was identical to the ancient structure, even in size. The city loved its Parthenon and couldn’t bear the idea of tearing it down once the celebration was over, according to the destination's online information. A permanent structure followed and was finished in the 1930s. Today, the Parthenon is home to art galleries and arts-related programming. It’s also a centerpiece of Centennial Park. With 132 acres of green space, the park is a popular site for city events. It also features a walking path, a lake, gardens and monuments. 4. Graceland, Memphis, TN See where and how the King of Rock n’ Roll lived! Elvis’ home, Graceland, is open for tours and part of a larger entertainment complex featuring museum-quality, curated exhibits. The entire experience not only sheds light into Elvis’ life, but also provides a snapshot into American pop culture during his lifetime. In fact, Graceland was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006 because it possessed "national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.” From film and music to fashion and transportation, Graceland is a fun and fascinating time capsule. It's a few miles off of 1-40, but worth the detour. 5. Music Pathways & Highway, TN The section of I-40 in Tennessee between Nashville and Memphis is designated the “Music Highway” with the intention of highlighting the significant contributions of these two music cities. In addition to Graceland, Music Highway attractions include Beale Street and Sun Records in Memphis and Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Also along I-40, and through all of state's 95 counties, are markers for the Tennessee Music Pathways program, which celebrates the state's music heritage by spotlighting influential and significant musicians, events and locations. According to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, "more songs are written, recorded, and played live (in Tennessee) than anywhere else in the world." Plus, seven genres of music, including blues, R&B, country and pop, were born and refined in Tennessee. For more information, including marker locations, visit here. 6. Charles B. Hall Airpark, Oklahoma City, OK The Hall Airpark features a collection of planes tied to the history of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla. Located just outside the base entrance, the park is free and open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. Paved paths wind through the park, which includes informative historical markers and signage. The park’s namesake was a highly decorated pilot and Tuskegee Airman. In addition to the planes, the park’s military history includes the development of the base, the Tuskegee Airman and the contribution of women during wartime. There is also a small POW/MIA memorial. The park is rich in history and features a variety of planes such as a F-105D "Thunderchief" and a B-52 "Stratofortress" It’s also an easy, quick stop (you can tour the whole thing in 20-30 minutes). Its location is convenient, too, right next to I-40 and near a nice commercial area with food and shopping options. Parking and restrooms on site. 7. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX In an open, bare field near the interstate in Amarillo, Tx., is Cadillac Ranch. Truly one of the country’s most unusual public art installations, which has morphed into an interactive piece, as well. The ranch features a line of 10 Cadillac sedans nose first in the ground at an angle. The display was created in 1974 by a group of artists called "The Ant Farm" under the support of Stanley Marsh III, a local eccentric millionaire and artist. Visitors to the ranch often come with spray paint in hand, so they can leave their mark on the cars, albeit temporary because of the ritual’s popularity. The resulting thick layers of colorful graffiti cover every inch of the sedans. Check out what's happening at the ranch on its Facebook page. 8. Tex Randall, Canyon, TX Just 20 minutes south of I-40 in Canyon, Tx., is a real special guy, Tex Randall. Standing 47 feet tall, good ole’ Tex leans on his knee as if to say, “howdy,” to the drivers along another highway (Route 60). Tex, built in 1959 to promote Wheeler’s Western Store, is one of the most recognized landmarks in the Texas panhandle. The original steel, concrete and wire mesh structure took a beating in the weather and was also damaged by a truck, so the Canyon Main Street Program restored Tex in 2016. He now proudly maintains his post along the highway with his own little park. Visit here to learn more about Tex Randall’s history. 9. Historic Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe, N.M., is about an hour north of I-40, which is a little far to be in this list except for the fact Route 66 originally went through the city’s downtown on what was called the Santa Fe Trail. The city’s time on Route 66 predates the big roadside attraction boom, but Santa Fe's historic downtown is just too special to leave off the list considering its incredible architecture, outdoor markets, history and natural beauty. The downtown’s history stretches over 400 years and features beautiful Pueblo-Spanish architecture. Historic plazas and courtyards lined with art galleries, restaurants and retail shops featuring local makers and designers. Several must-sees include the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, which is home to the oldest statue of the Virgin Mary in the U.S. The neighboring historic La Fonda on The Plaza Hotel with its stunning main dinning room and collection of Native American art is also worthy of a visit. One of the more unusual attractions in downtown Santa Fe is found in a plaza along East Avenue. Its the former secret office where workers for the uber top secret Manhattan Project during WWII were required to check in before traveling on to Los Alamos. This history is denoted by a marker. Step inside the Rainbow Man store next door and they can tell you even more about it since the store's back room was the former check-in office. Art lovers will appreciate the abundance of galleries and museums in Santa Fe, particularly the one dedicated to Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. Santa Fe is known for its beautiful sunsets, so pick among the downtown restaurants with a rooftop for enjoying the Mother Nature’s nightly show. Popular choices include the Bell Tower at the La Fonda, Coyote Cantina and Thunderbirds Bar & Grill. 10. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ Petrified Forest National Park is 200,000 acres filled with amazing natural beauty, including the muted-colored hills and valleys of eroding rock in the Painted Desert. The park’s north entrance is located right off I-40/Route 66 almost halfway between the Arizona towns of Chambers and Holbrook. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, the park is the perfect roadside attraction stop offering incredible scenic views and an abundance of history. With a small fee, you can enter the park and drive a short loop (a couple of miles) through the Painted Desert. There are overlook areas with parking along the way. Another attraction on the loop is the Painted Desert Inn, which dates back to the 1920s with a restaurant and lodging for weary travelers. Today the historic inn is restored and open for exploring or buying a souvenir. Want to cool off? Enjoy an ice cream cone from the store on the lower level. Also along the loop is a small monument to Route 66 since this section of I-40 literally runs on top of the historic road. Once you reach the end of the loop you can double back to resume on I-40 or continue on and explore some of the Petrified Forest. A short 10 minute drive away is Newspaper Rock. This archeological site features over 600 rock carvings known as petroglyphs. The carvings were made by ancestral Puebloan people who lived in the area between 650 and 2,000 years ago, according to the NPS. Visit here for a helpful interactive map of the park. Entrance into the park comes with a small fee, but it's free to stop and take a break at the Painted Desert Community Center. The center has restrooms, picnic areas, gift shop,a cafe, and gas station. Side note for fans of the midcentury movement, famed modernist architect Richard Neutra was part of the team behind the visitor center's design. If your road trip will include several national parks or any of the more than 2,000 federal recreation areas in the U.S., its worth buying an "America the Beautiful" pass. Pricing for the pass varies depending on your age and military status. For more information on the program, visit here. 11. Meteor Crater, Winslow, AZ The best preserved impact site in the world is located on the outskirts of Winslow, Ariz. The creator was created 50,000 years ago when a meteorite hit the Earth. Today, you can see and learn all about the impact site at Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum. At a mile wide and as deep as the Washington Monument is tall, the crater is an amazing sight to behold. In addition to seeing the actual crater, the museum is filled with related exhibits, including an overview of how NASA used the site to train astronauts. 12. The Town of Williams, AZ How about an entire town that’s a roadside attraction? Look no further than Williams, Ariz.! Route 66 was literally the main street of downtown Williams and the town has fully embraced this past and the roadside attraction tradition. When the sun sets, the neon comes on, transforming the town to its yesteryear glory. Get a burger and milkshake at Cruiser's Cafe 66, find a souvenir among the many shops, and watch a comedy cowboy show performed nightly in the main intersection. In the camp of unusual roadside experiences is the Poozeum in the heart of Williams. Yes, you read that right - a museum of poo. It’s not really what you think, though. This tiny attraction is actually dedicated to the very real study of fossilized dinosaur poop, called coprolites. Coprolites are able to reveal facts about dinosaurs, such as diet, behavior and the environment. The museum, which is free, boasts the largest certified coprolite collection in the world, often loaning its exhibits to science museums. In addition to its Route 66 history, Williams was also a railroad town. Located just an hour south of the Grand Canyon, this history is kept alive with train rides to and from this amazing natural wonder. 13. Los Angeles, CA Okay, so this is really a whole destination rather than a single attraction because Route 66 rolled through Los Angeles all the way to the Santa Monica. Along the way, it travelled through two communities known around the world - Beverly Hills and Hollywood. The city of Beverly Hills in an effort to promote its own tourism placed historic Route 66 signage along its sections of the Mother Road, according to the city's official information. The signage mirrors the city's shield-shaped logo. Click here for historical background, to see the signage design and Route 66's path. Other sections of Route 66 along Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard are denoted with beige historical markers. The amount of attractions and sights near or along Route 66's historic path through LA are so numerous they warrant their own blog post. And, some are obvious choices, such as the Walk of Fame sidewalk that honors members of the entertainment industry. The Walk of Fame runs along numerous streets including Sunset Boulevard, which had a section on Route 66's path. The equally famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre, known for movie premiers, events and a collection of celebrity foot and hand prints immortalized in concrete stands right on Route 66's path. Theater is now called the TCL Chinese Theatre. Graumen's Chinese Theater, now TCL Chinese Theater, on Hollywood Boulevard In Beverly Hills, there is, of course, Rodeo Drive, lined with high end stores like Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Stroll along the drive and check out the beautiful window displays and incredible luxury cars that cruise slowly by. Be sure to a take a selfie next to famous orange horse statue constructed of prisms by artist Richard Orlinski. This area is busy, but parking is fairly easy - lots of garages. In the tradition of Route 66's unusual roadside attractions is Hollywood Forever cemetery. Located on Route 66's orginial path through L.A., this cemetery is the final resting place of major stars from yesterday and today. Hollywood Forever is also frequently used for funernal scenes in television shows and movies. The cemetery office will even give you a map to find celebrity graves. At first thought, this all seems creepy until you realize these famous folk knew exactly how the cemetery operates. They want their fans to come and visit their final resting place. And, some of the gravesites are sites to see! So, who's there? Judy Garland is and fans leave red slippers, rainbows and other Wizard of Oz related items at her mausoleum. Across the grounds is a gravesite in honor of Toto. The grave of actor Burt Reynolds' includes a bust of him, which overlooks the cemetery's pond and fountain. Rocker Johnny Ramone of the band Ramones is immortalized in statue playing his guitar. The list of Hollywood notables buried there is long! But, the cemetery is also for the non-famous, as well. As with any final resting place, certain rules and decorum are expected to be followed. Around the corner from Hollywood Cemetery and just over a mile from Route 66 is Paramount Pictures, which offers a wonderful studio tour. Tours includes exploring large street scene backlots and walking through sets for current television shows, such as "Matlock" with Kathy Bates. Areas across the studio were, and still are, used in productions. One of these includes, Lucy Park, named for Lucille Ball (her office for Desilu Studios, which she co-owned with her then husband, Desi Arnez, was on the park). During the tour you'll also see the famous "Forrest Gump" bench and numerous other props and memorabilia, especially from its popular franchises. The best part of the tour, however, are the entertaining histories and facts shared by the guides. Paramount has a 100-year history, so there's plenty to see and learn. 14 & 15 End Points, Wilmington, NC & Santa Monica, CA If truly driving coast to coast between NC and CA, then be sure to add the ending points to your attraction list. I-40 stretches between Wilmington, N.C. to Barstow, Calif., but the original Route 66 went all the way to Santa Monica on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica honors this historic distinction with special markers and related sites along the route. For a great summary, check out this list by the city's travel and tourism arm. In my opinion, the best marker to visit is the sign in the middle of the Santa Monica Pier. Surrounded by carnival rides and games, this marker is by far the best selfie spot with a Route 66 marker. There is also an official End of the Trail" sign just up the street next to the visitor center. It's up against the building, so its doesn't make for a great picture. Additionally, stop by a Visitor Information Center and pick up a special Route 66 commemorative certificate for traveling the route's path. For center locations, visit here. The Atlantic coast town of Wilmington, N.C., doesn’t have a specific marker like Santa Monica, but it does have a sign noting the mileage (2,554 miles) to reach Barstow. Once I-40 was completed the end point cities both noted the distance between them on green milage signs. The Raleigh News & Observer has a well-done article about the N.C. sign's rocky history, including its theft several times. If looking for an attraction in Wilmington, visit Battleship North Carolina, a.k.a. BB55 (a naming classification meaning its the 55th battleship built by the U.S. Navy). BB55, the most highly decorated World War II American battleship, is permanently moored in the Cape Fear River adjacent to downtown Wilmington. The restored battleship is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and open daily for guided or self-guided touring. Another interesting attraction just a few miles from 1-40 are Venus fly traps growing in the wild at the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden in the Wilmington suburbs. This is notable because these “meat eaters” only grow naturally in a 75- to-100 mile region surrounding the city and nowhere else in the world. The park’s natural vegetation is beautiful and a great spot for nature photography. Informational signs explain about Venus fly traps and the unique habitat they require to thrive. It’s a short walk from the parking lot along a paved path to an open area where the Venus fly traps grow. Centennial Events and Resources Centennial celebrations are planned throughout 2026 beginning with the national kick-off on April 30 with a multi-day event featuring concerts, a classic car show and more in Springfield, Mo., "The Birthplace of Route 66." Don't be confused, yes, Route 66 starts in Chicago, but its catchy name was born in Springfield. For more on that history, check out this story by Springfield's history museum. Other special events and features honoring the centennial include: AAA Route 66 Road Fest – June 27-28, Tulsa, Okla. Classic cars and unusual RVs; interactive exhibits; vendors from across the country; and mainstage shows, concerts and special guest speakers. Family activities include a virtual reality areana and a custom-built miniture golf course highlighting famous Route 66 roadside attractions, such as giant the Blue Whale found in Catoosa, Okla. Route 66: The Main Street of America – Feature length documentary film by John Pagett premiering on Sept. 3 in Chicago and then rolling on to more than 40 screenings in cities along Route 66 until its final Los Angelos show in November. Pagett is an award-winning filmaker who has traveled the length of Route 66 dozens of times to produce two prior films heralded by Route 66 fans and historians. Route 66 Rewind – Google Arts & Culture in partnership with the National Trust for Historical Preservation has created a virual roadtrip expereince. "Drive" the length of the Mother Road behind the wheel of a classic car and visit notable sites as they are now and recreated with the use of AI. Plus, historical background about these sites and how Route 66 helped shape the nation. P66 Rallye – First ever, travelling Porsche-focused rally and public festival visiting cities and towns along Route 66 from Oct. 10-23. Each day begins with a Cars and Coffee expereince and every stop includes large art installations, live music, curated vehicle builds and more. Expereince the P66 Rallye as an event visitor or sign up to be among the drivers. For a complete list of events, activities and resources visit the Route 66 Centennial Commission website. Beyond Route 66: There's So Much More to See! America's interstates, highways and byways are dotted from coast-to-coast with attractions, and sites rooted in the same spirit of those found in Route 66 cooridor. For instance, not far off I- 85 in High Point, N.C., is a 40-foot tall chest of drawers, which honors the city's furniture heritage (a pair of giant socks hanging out of a drawer is a nod to the area’s textile industry). Transport yourself to a Baravian City with a visit to the small town of Helen. Tucked among the Georgia mountains, Helen's downtown was completely transformed in the 1960s to bring in tourists and revive a sturggling economy. It worked! Today, Helen is a hugely populor destination and home to America's longest Octoberfest celebration. Along I-75 is the birthplace of what's now called, KFC, in the eastern Kentucky town of Corbin. Order a bucket of chicken and step next door to the historic Sanders Cafe and Museum complete with dioramas and memorabilia from the original motor court restaurant. Travel to southern Kentucky and take an undergound boat ride through Lost River Cave in Bowling Green. Or, for an even more extensive underground experience, visit nearby Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the longest known cave system in the world. Head to Lookout Mountain, Tenn., to explore Rock City, home to natural rock formations you can walk through, gardens, waterfalls and paramic views of seven states. Plus, gnomes everywhere! View of seven states from the Rock City Not far from I-70 is Casey, Ill., home to a collection of the “World’s Largest” attractions including a pitchfork, rocking chair and mailbox. Near Alliance, Neb., is "Carhenge," an installation designed to look like England’s Stonehenge except made entirely of 39 cars. Further West, you can literally drive-thru a redwood tree with a 21 feet diameter in Leggett, Cali. Or, slide down a giant radio flyer wagon measuring 12 feet tall and 27 feet long in Spokane, Washington's Riverside Park. Curious about these attractions and those near your future travel destinations? Visit Roadside America, one of the best online resources for the country's weird, wacky and wonderful attractions. This story is the final installment of a series highlighting some of the historic, kitschy and beautiful sites to see when driving coast-to-coast along 1-40 and Route 66, aka the “Mother Road.”

Once winter starts to wane and days grow longer, it's time to tidy up the yard and prepare for spring. One of the most confusing tasks is when to prune woody flowering perennials. Cut back for new wood and preserve old growth - what does it mean? In simplest terms, not all woody perennials follow the same schedule for blooming, which impacts when they can be pruned. So, let's break down how to prune new vs. old growth perennials with quick and easy tips. Radio Red Autumn Sage plants with new wood growth in full bloom make a perfect bedding boarder. Old Growth Perennials “Old growth” or “old wood” flowering plants bloom on the year’s previous growth. These perennials develop their flower buds for the next year shortly after blooming in the current year. In even simpler terms, a plant produces beautiful blooms, they fade and new ones begin developing but don’t bloom until the growing season rolls around again next year. For this reason, any pruning of an old growth shrub in the late winter or early spring will cut off the buds for the current season. That equals no spring or summer flowers. Pruning these plants for reshaping and/or controlling growth needs to happen immediately after blooms fade. Endless Summer hydrangea sprouting on old wood growth. Examples of old growth plants include azalea, forsythia, oakleaf hydrangea, and big leaf hydrangea such as Endless Summer.  In addition to poorly timed pruning, buds on old growth plants are also susceptible to damage during extreme winter weather. Even after the weather warms, those buds aren’t necessarily safe. A false spring can lure a plant to push out its buds, which will suffer if a late cold snap comes along.  Keep in mind, pruning old growth plants isn’t required for its vitality and health. The plant will continue to grow and bloom just fine without pruning. If space isn’t an issue, then let the plant be as it is and enjoy its natural growth pattern.  Pruning is necessary if you want to maintain a certain shape, however. Removing any dead and broken branches can happen at any time. Nothing will bloom on a dead branch, anyway.  New Growth Perennials “New growth” or “new wood” plants form their buds in the spring, the current growing season. These plants can be safely pruned anytime in the fall, winter or early spring without risk to any flowering.  Generally, it's just simpler to annually prune new growth plants in late February and early March alongside other yard tasks in prep for spring. Plus, leaving new wood plants as they are during the fall and winter provides nice structure and visual interest to a yard during the winter.  After pruning, new branches will push out in the spring. Flower buds grow on those new branches (new wood) and then bloom during the summer and into the fall. Some flowering new wood plants include butterfly bush; sage varieties, such as black and blue salvia and radio red autumn sage; limelight and other smooth hydrangeas; and panicle hydrangeas such as Annabelle.  These hardy plants thrive after pruning and are reliable, colorful additions to any yard. Many, such as butterfly bushes, are such prolific growers they can handle major pruning. In general and especially for hydrangea, aim for pruning no more than about 30% of the plant’s total height in order to maintain structure and stability. This is commonly called the “one-third” rule. Work in small increments as you prune so you don’t cut too much off at a time. You can always cut more, but you can’t instantly grow more! Although it's not generally recommended to prune midseason, in hot planting zones, such as 9A - 8A in the southeastern U.S., limelight hydrangeas may benefit from a mid-to-late summer trim.  The plant’s early summer blooms grow so big they eventually flop over from their own weight. Additionally, the petals burn in the hot July and August sun. With conservative pruning comes another round of fresh, white upright blooms. If anything, it's a nicer aesthetic to have fresh blooms vs scorched brown ones. What are Reblooomers Not to throw a wrench in things, but some perennials bloom on both new and old wood. These “rebloomers” are actually old wood plants that have been selectively bred to bloom twice in a growing season.  Blooms emerge in the spring and again later in the summer. Proven Winners, a major plant supplier found at practically every garden center, sells varieties of azalea, lilac, indian hawthorne, clematis, weigela and even a hybrid hydrangea that will bloom twice in a season. Another popular garden center brand, Monrovia, also offers reblooming hydrangeas. The Proven Winners and Monrovia websites both detail their rebloomers, as well as other plants they sell.  According to Proven Winners, rebloomers should be pruned the same as old wood hydrangeas. Monrovia advises deadheading spent flowers and pruning out any dead or weak stems in the early spring.   Pruning 101 For a deep dive on pruning tips, such as shearing, thinning, handling a hedge, preventing disease and more, check out this article by the University of Maryland Extension Service.  Land grant universities, such as the University of Maryland, are home to extension offices that focus on research and education on just about any topic related to gardening, agriculture and conservation.  Specifically, these offices are part of the Cooperative Extension System, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Extension offices are a wealth of free information and services for everyone from farmers to homeowners.  Websites for various extension offices often feature encyclopedia-like details on regional plants. For example, the N.C. State University Extension has a Gardener Plant Toolbox featuring pictures and details for more than 4,600 plants that grow in and around the state. If you can’t find the answer to your gardening question online, call or email your local extension agent. Now that you know how to prune new vs. old growth perennials with confidence and where to find even more information when questions arise, happy gardening!

Springtime in Key West is a tropical delight. Mild temperatures mean warm days and comfortable nights — perfect weather to see the sights, eat the delights and explore the city.  Key West is a tiny tropical island, just four miles long and two miles wide, and the last in the chain of the Florida Keys. Don’t let its small size fool you, Key West is big on things to do. Historic museums, water and outdoor activities, cultural events, live music, delicious food and drink, and the list goes on. There is truly something to match everyone’s interest and taste. When planning a trip to Key West, focus your stay and activities in the historic Old Town area to reap the most of what the city has to offer. The heartbeat of Old Town is Duval Street, a 1.2 mile long road that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean side of the island to the Gulf side. Lining the street is a mix of restaurants, bars, retail, art galleries and more. Although Duval is considered Old Town’s “Main Street,” there are still additional things to discover from historic locations to beautiful beaches when you venture off onto the intersecting side streets. So, read on and take note of the top things to do in Old Town Key West. Key West: Historic Homes and Museums The Hemingway Home & Museum  — Nobel Prize winning author and journalist, Ernest Hemingway, made Key West his home for about eight years and wrote many of his most famous works while there. Visitors can experience his home and the grounds through a self guided tour and/or a guided group tour (included in the ticket price). The historic home is situated on a lush shady lot that evokes a tranquil island feel. The home is filled with memorabilia from Hemingway’s life and decorated with original furnishings. Another highlight are the nearly 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats that live on the property. These unusual felines are descendants of Hemingway’s polydactyl cat, Snow White.  Open Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. No reservations, walk-ins only. Self-guided tour plus optional 20-30 minute guided tour. Guided tours start every 30 mins. More information . Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters  — The history of this naval lighthouse dates back to the 1800s (this is not the island’s first lighthouse). Located on the highest point in Key West, climb its 88 stairs to the top and enjoy views of the island and 15 miles across the nearby turquoise-colored sea. The Keeper's Quarters Museum explores what life was like for a lighthouse keeper. To manage expectations, the lighthouse is inland, not along the shoreline. The lighthouse is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active military and children. Admission is good all day.  More information. The Harry S. Truman Little White House  — The Little White House is the perfect stop for anyone interested in presidential and modern U.S. history. Built in 1890 as living quarters for U.S. Naval officers, the historic site served as a functioning White House when President Truman conducted official business during vacations (he also recuperated there after his heart attack). The Little White House was the site for summits and enacting important executive orders. In addition to Truman, the home was used by multiple presidents including Eisenhower, Kennedy and Clinton. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Guided tour lasts 30 min . Time reservations not needed. Tickets available online. Discounts for bundling with other attractions. More information. Key West Museum of Art & History at the Customs House  —   This museum is located in the popular Mallory Square area and housed in the island’s former Customs House. The building first opened in 1891 and also housed the post office and federal courthouse. Today, visitors can learn more about Key West’s evolving history and culture through exhibits on the first two floors. For instance, learn how oil baron Henry Flagler made a railroad connecting Key West to mainland Florida a reality. The Customs House is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.(last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active military and children. Admission is good all day. More information .  Tennessee Williams Museum  — Tennessee Williams, one of America’s most celebrated playwrights, was a long-time resident of Key West. Housed within Williams' home, the museum features a plethora of information about his work and his life, particularly in Key West. On display are signed works, playbills, historic photos with notables (particularly actors and actresses in his plays) and newspaper articles. Unlike the Hemingway house, there is very little of Williams’ personal belongings on display. The entire museum is basically two rooms. If you are a fan of his work (and the movies of his work), then you’ll enjoy the museum. Otherwise, it's underwhelming compared to the Hemingway experience. The museum is part of a collection of attractions by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Self-guided tour. Walk-in tickets available or reserved in advance online. Discounts and free admission for special groups, such as active veterans and children. Admission is good all day. More information . Mother Nature's Big Show: Sunset Watching in Key West Enjoying the sunset in Key West is a nightly ritual and practically a requirement when visiting. Frankly, there’s hardly a bad spot for seeing the sunset, but some are more regaled than others.  Mallory Square and Sunset Pier  — The most popular, hands down: Mallory Square and Sunset Pier. As the afternoon hours countdown, crowds of people start gathering and finding their spot for the big show, so get there with time to spare.   Mallory Square is a large, wide plaza at the end of Duval street and right on the water. A collection of street performers, vendors and live music, help pass the time until sunset. On the water, boat owners and charters cruise by and pause to watch the sunset from aboard.  Connected to the square is Sunset Pier, behind Ocean Key Resort. Sunset pier has a single bar railing with bar stools right on the water, as well as a large, wide pier filled with tables and chairs. Between both is a bar and a small outdoor stage for live music. Get a drink, find a chair and don’t move until sunset or you’ll be standing the whole time. Once the sun sets, the crowd clears out pretty fast. Update: Beginning in late April 2025 a 45 foot section of Mallory Square was closed while structural damage along the sea wall is assessed. The public can still come to the square and enjoy the beautiful sunset, but all activities and viewing are pushed back from the water's edge. To see what section is closed, visit the city's chamber of commerce site . Edward Knight Pier   — Located at the end of White Street on the Atlantic side of the island, the Edward Knight Pier is huge, extending a quarter mile over the water. Thanks to the extension, the pier is a nice place to enjoy unobstructed views of sunrise and sunset colors across the water. Throughout the day, the pier is also a popular place to simply enjoy the ocean and watch boats coming and going. The pier is made of concrete with zero shade, so it really heats up on hot days. The pier is dog and bike friendly. Sand in Your Toes: Key West Beaches Key West has beautiful beaches, but some are better for the views than relaxing in a chair or on a towel. Here’s a rundown on options when the ocean is calling. Fort Zachary Taylor Beach   — For that just right experience where you can do it all, visit Fort Zachary Taylor Beach. The beach, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf come together, is within a 54-acre park that includes a large shaded forested area and a sunny beachfront. If you don’t want to sit in the sun, then relax under the palms and other trees that are close to the shoreline.  Bike, drive or walk into the property (small admission fee based on mode of transportation and number of people) and then find your spot on the sand. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent chairs, umbrellas and even snorkeling items (although the water is still pretty cold in the spring).  They do not rent towels, but they are available for purchase. Be sure to bring water shoes or flip flops because this is a coral beach with a mix of sand and coral pebbles of varying sizes. There are large bathrooms, lockers for rent, and a cafe on site. Being able to change out of a suit into other clothes is a nice perk, especially if you are going from the beach to a restaurant. The park has picnic tables, grills, and trails for biking and walking. It is a beautiful area to explore. The paths follow along the ocean, the moat outside historic Fort Taylor and through denser parts of the forest (you might see an iguana). The park, including all of the grounds, beach and Fort Taylor, is a National Historic Landmark. The fort is named for U.S. President Zachary Taylor, and dates back to the mid 1800s. The fort’s history includes serving as a Union stronghold and headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s East Gulf Coast blockade squadron during the Civil War. Today, the remains of the fort and its museum can be toured. It also has the largest collection of Civil War cannons in the U.S. Open daily, 8 a.m. – to sunset. Fort, open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Cafe and beach rental stand open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plenty of parking. More information . Higgs Memorial Beach  — Higgs is a public beach and waterfront park on the Atlantic Ocean. Available amenities include volleyball, snorkeling, pickleball and a playground. Rentals are available for beach chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards and more.  The bathrooms and showers were renovated in 2024. There is also an oceanfront restaurant and ample parking. The beach is flanked by two piers: the Reynolds Street and Knight pier at the end of White Street. Open daily, 6 a.m.- 11 p.m. Rest Beach  — This small, narrow beach is located next door to Higgs and the Knight pier entrance. Don’t expect any amenities beyond a picnic table, but it won’t be as crowded either. Open daily, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. South Beach  — South Beach is a small beach located at the end of Duval Street in a touristy area with lots of restaurants, shops and accommodations, including the Southernmost Beach Resort . It’s also just around the corner from the Southernmost Point marker, a popular picture spot (more on that later).  Although you can rent a beach chair, go somewhere else to sit on the beach or put your feet in the ocean if you want peace and quiet. This is a busy area and not the prettiest. Although a public beach, priority is given to resort guests for lounge chairs. Southernmost Beach Cafe , which is part of the resort, is located on the beach and a popular place for drinks and especially breakfast. Beachgoers also benefit from the cafe's live music. There are no restrooms at South Beach, except in the cafe or other restaurants. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Smathers Beach   — Although located in the New Town rather than the Old Town section of Key West, Smathers Beach is just too big to leave off the list. At ½ mile long, it’s the largest public beach on the island. The beach runs parallel to Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway and a large sidewalk used for biking and exercise. Parking is available along the road, but usually with a small fee per hour. Restrooms available. Food trucks during popular times. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Bathrooms close at 6:30 p.m. Key West Hidden Gems Key West Garden Club and West Martello Tower  — The Key West Garden Club has turned a fortification dating black to the War of 1812 into its home and a tropical paradise. Club members have thoughtfully created a variety of unique spaces that incorporate the remains of the fort’s brick walls. There are water features, a butterfly garden, ornamentations and shaded places to sit and watch the ocean. An extra special spot is the walking meditation labyrinth (also the site of a regular yoga class). Because of the fort’s design, this area is atop a small hill and the view of the ocean is gorgeous. When biking Key West this is a wonderful place to stop and cool down (cold bottles of water are for sale). It’s located on Atlantic Blvd. next door to the popular Higgs beach.  Open daily, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. except Christmas and New Year’s Day. No entrance fee, but a small donation is welcome.  More information . The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservancy  — Experience a tropical paradise of birds and 50-60 butterfly species from around the world. I’ve been to numerous butterfly habitats, but never with this many active butterflies and species variety. It was a wonderful experience watching them flutter all around. The habitat is within a glass-enclosed, climate controlled dome-like structure. It’s filled with tropical plants and flowers, as well as a water feature and a resident pair of pink flamingos, Rhett and Scarlett. There is a viewing area for watching butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and plenty of staff on hand to answer questions. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entrance, 4:30 p.m.). Hours vary for major holidays. More information . Tours of Old Town Key West Walking Tours   — A fun and popular way to take advantage of Key West’s small size and flat topography is a walking tour. There is a tour to match just about everyone’s interest — food, drink, history, architecture, culture, etc. And, there are plenty of guided tour companies to provide the experience. If you'd rather do a self-guided tour, consider the Key West Art & Historical Society's Historic Marker Tour . The tour features over 120 sites with audio descriptions and vintage photographs. There are also numerous themes to explore such as the island’s cigar industry, maritime heritage, military history and architecture.  More information . For simply a nice walk along the water, then explore the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk along AB Marina. The seaport is spread over 20 acres so there is always something interesting to discover — gorgeous yachts, fishing boats, shops, galleries, places to eat, attractions and more. More information . Ride Along Tours — If you're not up for walking, check out a ride along tour. For the instance, the Conch Tour Train is an open air, mini "train" that offers an hour long tour of Old Town along with other perks, such as a free guided walking tour and admission to the Sails and Rails Museum . Or, you might prefer the 90 minute "hop on, hop off" experience provided by Old Town Trolley Tours . Both tours, along with some other attractions, are owned by the Key West-based company, Historic Tours of America, which is why some popular activities can be bundled. How about riding along by water? There are charters, floating tiki bars and more if you want to enjoy the sites aboard a vessel. For instance, Lagerheads Beach Bar and Watersports offers tours onboard the Rum Runner, a small pontoon party boat (up to 16 passengers). Choices include visiting a sand bar and ship wreck site for snorkeling and a sunset cruise, Side note, Lagerheads has its own (small) beach and cafe. Chair rentals are $10 for the day. The Fury company offers a huge assortment of water tours and activities for small and large parties. Glass bottom boats, dolphin cruises, sunset cruises with live music, jet skies, parasailing and more. Crowds wait for sunset along the edge of Mallory Square and by boat. Looking for some adventure off the island, then consider Dry Tortugas National Park . Visiting the island, which is about 70 miles off the coast of Key West, is a popular, day-long adventure for snorkeling and touring the historic Fort Jefferson. The park is a collection of seven coral reef islands. A tour company will charter you by ferry or seaplane. Passes and fees are managed by the National Park Service. For anyone considering, this tour, keep in mind the outer moat wall is closed for repairs until 2026. More information . Food and Drink Tours — Plenty of companies offer tours around Old Town with a food and/or drink theme. For a one-stop experience to learn all about Key West's signature spirit, tour the Key West First Legal Rum Distillery . Your tour guide will explain Key West's association with rum and the distillery's unique salt cured, barrel technique. All tours include a free sample tasting. Tours are free and last about 15 minutes (no reservation needed). It's the perfect choice if you don't have two-to-three hours for a more involved tour that crisscrosses the city. The distillery also has mojito-making classes, a rum bar and a gift shop (they sell rum cakes, shirts and other spirits). To help you pick your favorite rum, complimentary tastings are offered. The distillery is perfectly located a couple of blocks from Mallory Square, on Simonton Street between Duval and the Historic Seaport. More information . An Eye on the Creative — If you love art, then you'll love Key West and discovering its creative side from the numerous art galleries to the beautiful architecture. Whether during an official tour or not, one of the fun things to notice when exploring Old Town are the baluster designs, murals and other sculpture installations . "Catfish" sculpture near South Beach. Balusters are the support pieces for a porch railing. Key West is known for its distinct baluster designs, which are found on all kinds of homes and businesses. Old Town Key West was designated a historic district in the 1970s. As a result, architecture mandates are in place that prevent residences and businesses within the district from altering original structures and colors without permission. The result? Much of what you see is exactly as it was years ago, including balusters with unique designs that often have a special meaning. For instance, the balusters at the former home of the 1940's jazz musician, Theodore "Fats" Navarro, features a trumpet design. Key West inspires creativity and the city embraces it. Throughout Old Town are large, vibrant murals by a variety of well-known artists including Rick Worth an Robert Wyland . The "Wyland Wall" is a depiction of marine life painted in the Seaport. This large mural joins others the artist has painted across the country to bring attention the beauty and importance of marine life and, for Key West in particular, its coral reef. Worth's murals capture the people and life of the city. For instance, near the Blue Heaven restaurant is Worth's mural featuring a day in the life of Key West's Bahama Village neighborhood featuring actual residents. Two popular Key West sites: a beautiful mural and scooters! Dispersed across the city are all kinds of public art installations, such as the Mallory Square sculpture garden featuring the bronze busts of people important to Key West history. Adjacent to Mallory Square, in the corridor between the gift shop and the indoor dining room of the El Meson De PePe restaurant, are large-scale replicas of Mario Sanchez's painted wood carvings. The carvings depict vignettes of Cuban Key West life. A collection of his original work is next door in the Key West Museum of Art & History. Where and What to Eat & Drink in Old Town Key West Best Dinner with a View Latitudes (Fine Dining)  — Dining at Latitudes is an elegant, tranquil experience where the sunset is as much of a star as the food. Although not in Old Town, Latitudes is just too special to leave off the list. Latitudes is located on Sunset Key, a nearby resort island. Dining guests who aren’t staying on Sunset Key must take a ferry over. Diners gather at the ferry's assigned dock in the historic district, check in with the host and enjoy a relaxing 10 minute ride over.  Guests are seated outdoors overlooking the ocean at umbrella-shaded tables covered with white linens and adorned with tasteful place settings. The area is surrounded by lush landscaping and fire torches. Lighting is kept low and romantic. Best of all, every table has a perfect sunset view.  For dinner, I had an arugula and radicchio salad with grilled pineapple, spiced candied hazelnuts and a maple curry vinaigrette followed by a seared grouper with a spiced Cuban black bean sauce, chorizo, green apple jicama slaw, and yucca fries. Everything was plated beautifully and tasted even better than it looked. Perfection! Conch Republic Seafood Company (Casual)   — Conch Republic is a large, vibrant restaurant and bar located in the historic Key West Seaport. The food is delicious, generous in portion and comes with a side of picturesque marina views. On nice days, the restaurant rolls up the garage door-like openings along its perimeter, so guests can enjoy Key West breezes and the variety of watercraft coming and going in the marina. The Conch Republic prides itself on “dock to dish” fresh seafood and it did not disappoint. My bacon wrapped, crab stuffed shrimp with a BBQ glaze and pineapple salsa was so good! Best Mojitos Tropicado Mojito Bar  —  Key West is famous for Mojitos thanks to Cuban influences and a long association with key lime and rum (the drink’s main ingredients). For one that’s delicious, as well as presented beautifully, visit the Tropicado.  The bar is part of the upscale La Concha Hotel in the heart of Duval Street. The bar's wooden accents combined with dark greens and gold come together for a modern take on Caribbean decor. Sit at the bar or relax in the comfortable lounge-style seating. During happy hour, expect live music, but don’t expect a rowdy crowd — that’s not the Tropicado. Instead, you'll find a low-key, refined vibe. You can also enjoy some Latin-inspired tapas to go along with your drink.   Best Outdoor Live Music   El Meson De PePe  — Live music opportunities abound throughout Key West, especially along Duval Street. El Meson De PePe is fun and unique for its location and Cuban sounds. The restaurant, which focuses on Cuban and Caribbean food, is located right on Mallory Square. Its outdoor patio bar includes a live band and plenty of room for salsa dancing or just sitting and listening. It's the perfect place to enjoy before and after sunset. Best Bar Sloppy Joe’s   — This bar is famous, especially for its association with Ernest Hemingway, who was a longtime patron. Today, it’s what you’d expect from a beach town bar — its busy, packed, the drinks are served fast and the music is live. The bar honors its Hemingway past with a look-alike contest. January 2025 marked the 44th year for the contest. Photos of past and current winners hang on the “Papa” (Hemingway’s nickname) wall.    Best Rum Runner Speakeasy Inn & Rum Bar — Key West was a rum smuggling epicenter during prohibition and those involved were known as “Rum Runners.” The drink named for those rebels is a delicious mix of rum and fruit liquors and juices. Similar to mojitos, pretty much every restaurant and bar serves a rum runner, so really you can find “the best” all over town. The rum bar at the Speakeasy Inn is small, laid back and void of any pretense whatsoever. With hundreds of rums to choose from, it serves rum runners and other rum drinks that are well-made and tasty. It’s also well positioned on Duval Street near other popular spots, such at the Southernmost Point and the Hemingway House.  Be sure to notice the second floor baluster design that cleverly features the shape of bottles among hearts and diamonds — stealth advertising during prohibition that this was a place to drink and gamble. Best Breakfast Blue Heaven  — This spot is well loved. Why? It offers a combo of delicious food served in an eclectic, fun outdoor setting. Although inside seating is offered, dining alfresco under a canopy of umbrellas and trees feels very Key West. Despite its popularity, we only waited a few minutes to be seated. Maybe the time seemed short because once your name is added to the waitlist, you can relax across the street at the restaurant’s shaded outdoor bar and music annex.  Breakfast items are served well into the afternoon. A favorite is shrimp and grits featuring “pinks,” a.k.a. pink Key West shrimp. The restaurant is also known for its banana bread and key lime pie (more on that later).  Taste isn’t the only sense that will come alive at Blue Heaven. There is so much take in among the artwork, live music and homespun decor. During our visit, tucked around one corner, was an art show featuring paintings of chickens and roosters. There were live ones roaming around, too. Classic Key West!  Best Breakfast Runner Ups  Sunny Eggs  — This small, French-inspired cafe and bakery offers a wonderful sit down breakfast, which is served all day. My favorite dish is the Palm Breakfast, which is two organic eggs served your way, with bacon, roasted tomato, roasted potatoes, avocado slices and toast. If you are in a rush and need something quick to go, the baked goods, both savory and sweet, are pure perfection.  Moondog Cafe & Bakery   — Moondog features straight-forward breakfast offerings, such a quiche, a breakfast burrito, and steak and eggs. Also a large selection of benedict and omelet options. Moondog’s charm is rooted in its vibrant decor featuring colorful furnishings and large murals with a Key West theme. When the weather’s nice, request a table on the front porch. Best Key Lime Pie  Key limes are embedded in Key West culture. Historically, fishermen used them to prevent sickness and to tenderize conches for eating and flavor all kinds of recipes (a practice still used today). Probably the most beloved dish starring this little fruit is key lime pie. Frankly, you can probably buy a slice every 50ft when walking Duval Street. And, everyone has their own preference - super tart vs mild, firm vs soft, meringue topping vs whipped - so here’s a few and enjoy discovering "the best" for yourself.   Kermit’s Key Lime Shop   — A tart, firm pie with a dab of whipped topping. Traditional and delicious. Kermit's also have a variety of other key lime treats, such as cookies and pie slices on a stick that are dipped in coconut dark chocolate. Best Key Lime Pie Runner Ups Blue Heaven  — If you like meringue, then this is the pie for you. Blue Heaven’s key lime topping peaks at least four to five inches high. Cuban Coffee Queen  — Serves a nice traditional slice that pairs nicely with a shot of their freshly roasted Cuban coffee. Key West Pie Co .  — This shop offers a mini, and very portable, whole pie, which is a nice option to a regular slice.  Best Neighborhood (non-tourist) Dining Experience El Siboney Restaurant  — There’s a reason people say, “Eat where the locals go.” El Siboney exemplifies this adage. It’s a no frills place, with straight up excellent Cuban food served in a comfortable, family environment. My recommendation is the slow roasted pork with rice and a side of black beans and a fried plantain. More please! Eaton Street Seafood Market  — The stars of this casual market and cafe are the fresh caught fish, shrimp and crab from local fishermen. Want a grilled or blackened fish sandwich? Walk over to the display case and pick out a fresh catch from that morning. Your fish will be cooked perfectly and served on a ciabatta bun with coleslaw and plantain chips.  Eaton Street has a large selection of sandwiches, as well as tacos, salads, fresh catch plates, and fried shrimp plates. My favorite was a fried Key West pink shrimp sandwich with a bowl of stone crab chowder. Get your order to go or enjoy the outside seating.  Best Conch Fritter Conch Shack   — Order at the Conch Shack's walk up counter and wait a few minutes for hot, fried fritters that are a Key West tradition. Conch is a marine mollusk. It's tough, which is why it's tenderized by mallet and often marinated in lime juice for cooking. Conch fritters, to me, are akin to a hushpuppy that’s softer and chewier.  The ones made by the Conch Shack have just the right blend of conch, spice and dough. For added brightness, squeeze the lime slice over the fritters and then dip them into either the shack’s key lime aioli or spicy sauce. The food stand only has outdoor seating, which is perfect for people watching along Duval Street. The seating area is super small, so you might want to enjoy your fritters as you walk to Mallory Square for the sunset.   Best Conch Fritter Runner Up Mangoes — Known for its Caribbean cuisine, Mangoes prepares delicious conch fritters. Order a side of their tomato-based conch chowder for the perfect compliment. Mangoes is a large restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (big streetside patio). The courtyard lounge surround a huge banyan tree. Mangoes is located in the "Pink Triangle" section of Key West, which is the 700 and 800 blocks of Duval St., an area popular for LBGTQ+ nightlife. Key West = Conch Republic Key West has more associated with conch than just fritters. It's actually tied to the city's adopted alter ego — the Conch Republic. In 1982, the U.S. Border Patrol set up a blockade on the road connecting Key West to the mainland. The blockade caused headaches for locals and affected tourism, so as symbolic protest, the city "seceded" from the U.S. and proclaimed itself the Conch Republic. This act is annually celebrated with The Conch Republic Independence Celebration , a 10-day, spring-time festival . And, throughout the year, Conch Republic flags hang at homes and businesses across the city. Getting Around Old Town Key West Forget the rental car and opt instead for walking, biking, golf carting or scootering around Old Town. The area is flat, easy to navigate and everything is close to each other. Old Town is especially bike friendly with paths, dedicated lanes and shared lanes (the speed limit is low and drivers are respectful).  Some hotels, such as the La Concha, and vacation rental properties offer complimentary bikes. If yours doesn’t, there are plenty of rental options for bikes and other transportation modes. If you’d rather uber, there’s always one nearby and they arrive quickly within minutes. Final Notes for Visiting Key West Southernmost Point Marker — No trip to Key West is complete without an obligatory picture at this landmark noting the U.S.' southernmost point. Located on the corner of Whitehead and South streets in Old Town, the marker is basically a giant concrete shaped buoy with the ocean behind it.  Keep in mind, this is a popular thing to do and there’s always a line of people waiting their turn. The line moves fairly fast, but get there early to avoid longer midday lines. If you don’t mind not  having the bright blue ocean as your backdrop, then stop by in the early evening for your picture when the crowd has cleared. Let's Celebrate — Key West likes a party, festival and big event. In addition to the Conch Republic's Independence Celebration, the city hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including Hemingway Days, Mystery Writers Fest, sailing regattas, artisan markets, the Mile 0 music festival, Pride Fest, Earth Day, Tennessee Williams' birthday, and so much more. A newly added — and immediately popular — event is Just a Few Friends Key West , honoring Jimmy Buffet. The beloved musician, who lived in Key West for 30 years, died in 2023. The celebration is a collection of events over Labor Day weekend. A big highlight is the Second Line Parade and Party in the Park . The parade is in the tradition of a New Orleans' style funeral procession where a brass band leads family members (the first line) followed by friends (the second line). And, thousands of parrot-head friends turn out each year! The week also includes music, margarita strolls, food events and more. Proceeds benefit local charities. Feathered Friends — If you don't like chickens and roosters, then Key West is probably not for you. They roam freely around the city, including wandering into outdoor restaurants. Why? In the 1800s, Cuban settlers brought chickens and roosters to the island for food and cockfighting. In the 1970s, cockfighting was made illegal and the roosters were released. Today, they are a cultural symbol of Key West and protected from harm by city ordinances. The animals keep to themselves just like birds, squirrels and other wildlife you might see in a community. Key West International Airport  — If traveling by plane in and out of Key West, take note that the airport is very, very small. Don’t let the size fool you into thinking you can show up close to your boarding time and avoid any problems.  We were advised to add extra time because things “come up.” Also, the waiting area is small and fills up quickly, so if you don’t want to stand the whole time, arrive early. There is a small snack market and a coffee shop, but no commercial food chains typically found in an airport  Weather and Pricing  — December through April is considered the high season in Key West, so prices for airfare and lodging will likely be higher during these months. The higher price tag, however, is worth avoiding the blistering higher temps of the summer months or the fall’s rainy hurricane season. We visited in early March (the peak of high season) and expected big crowds, but that wasn't our experience. We got around the city easily and never struggled to find a place to eat or visit an attraction.

She was a scandal. Pouty lips, rumors of wild unladylike behavior and, of course, all that money. Broadway torch singer Libby Holman married into the wealthy R.J. Reynolds family at the height of the Great Depression, but her story was anything but a dream come true. Tragedy, whispers and innuendo followed her throughout her life. Libby’s story is like a film noir screenplay. All the ingredients are there including wealth, passion, intrigue and, most importantly, a suspicious death. Libby, along with a suspected lover, was indicted for the death of her young husband, Zachary “Smith” Reynolds, but the whodunnit remains unanswered today. Zachary "Smith" Reynolds, his wife Libby Holman and the Reynolda estate. From the N.C. Department of Cultural and Natural Resources website Was it murder, an accident or suicide are explored in “Zach & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet,” a special exhibit at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, N.C., until Dec. 31. Reynolda was Smith's family home and where he lost his life. The exhibit, along with a tour of the estate is an intriguing deep dive into this shocking story. A Small City with Big Money Smith’s death was a national scandal in the 1930s and the public hung on every headline and newsreel, especially with Libby’s subsequent indictment. The backdrop was Winston-Salem, a small, Southern city that benefited from tobacco and textile money. At its heart, Winston (locals always drop the Salem part) and its residents aren’t that different now as they were then. It’s a polite town where people smile at strangers. Residents enjoy low-crime, a high level of education and live among beautiful tree-filled landscapes in the heart of N.C.'s piedmont. The arts are appreciated and volunteerism thrives. It was never a place where you’d imagine its most influential family rocked by a possible murder. The Reynolds-produced cigarette brands, Salem and Winston, were even named after the city. I lived in and around Winston for decades and knew about the suspicious death at Reynolda, the family’s estate. But, the murder happened so long ago, I didn’t know about the key players in great detail, especially one. Then, I happened to wander into an antique consignment shop just a few miles from where all the action happened. Tucked among old lamps, toys and costume jewelry, I spotted the cover of a book. It featured a dramatic caricature of a woman clad in a long, hot pink dress. Her hair was dark and wild, her lashes extra long and her lips big and brazen. I read the back cover and realized this was all about the wife and possible murderess of the Reynolds heir. I bought the dusty book, “Dreams that Money Can Buy: The Tragic Life of Libby Holman” by Jon Bradshaw , and read it within days. At the time, I wondered how this incredible, headline-grabbing story had remained unsolved and dwindled away. Yes, it happened in the 1930s, but the elements of the case, the setting and everyone involved are fascinating. Fred Koester's 1960 poster of Libby Holman on display in the Reynolda House exhibit. The same image was used on the cover of Jon Bradshaw's 1985 book about the torch singer. Reynolda: Luxury Among Nature Smith’s father, Richard Joshua Reynolds, grew up on a tobacco farm in Virginia. After college, he settled in Winston and built his empire, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. He married Katharine Smith and together they had four children: R.J. Reynolds Jr. (Dick), Mary, Nancy and Smith. The family lived downtown, not far from the tobacco factories. As the hustle and bustle of city life wore thin, Richard and Katharine decided to seek refuge among nature and the result was building Reynolda. Katharine bought large tracts of land just outside the city and construction soon followed. The gracious mansion has sixty rooms, including eight bedrooms, many with an adjoining sleeping porch (important plot point!). Arial view of Reynolda estate in 1927 showing main house and the adjacent gardens and village. Photo from the Reynolda House Museum of American Art Archive. Recreational activities on the Reynolda estate included swimming, golf, horseback riding and tennis. I imagine hunting and shooting were probably regular activities, as well. As a child, I knew an elderly woman who said she attended a party at Reynolda and on that particularly raucous night the “blind” for shooting deer on the front lawn was an upstairs window. Who knows if it's true, but it's a great story, especially knowing it was after another rowdy party at Reynolda that Smith met his untimely death. Player Number 1: Daredevil Smith When viewing the Reynolda House exhibit about the murder – complete with news articles, artifacts and historic pictures – its clear Libby and Smith were forces of nature. Maybe tragedy was bound to happen after two such people collide. Zachary "Smith" Reynolds in January 1931, just six months before his death by a gunshot wound to the head. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. As explained in the exhibit, Smith was nicknamed “Camel” as a child since he was a year old when the cigarette brand was launched. The moniker didn’t last long and was replaced with the more apt “Daredevil Smith.” The young Reynolds wasn’t interested in school. Adventure and flying filled his days. Smith earned a pilot’s license at 16 and was the youngest transport pilot in the nation. He flew all over the world as he logged a 17,000 mile solo-trip from England to China in 1931. Smith mastered flying stunts, aeronautical mechanics and shared his aviation passion with his older brother, Dick. The brothers were well known among aviators – even loaning planes to the likes of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. A pioneer in aviation, the city’s small airport is named in Smith’s honor. Player Number 2: The Dark Purple Menace Elizabeth “Libby” Holman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a well-off family. “Born into” is the key phrase. The year of her birth, the family lost its fortune when her paternal uncle embezzled a $1 million from the family stockbroker business. Her family struggled, but Libby, an ambitious and adventurous woman, rose above it. Libby Holman in a University of Cincinnati yearbook photo. From the Cincinnati Public Library (chpl.org). She eventually was cast in the chorus of a popular Broadway show and began to rub elbows with New York’s rich and famous. The city was Libby’s playground in the 1920s and '30s. She wasn’t a conventional beauty, but she had that special something that drew others in. With her deep, throaty voice, Libby appeared in numerous hit Broadway shows and was an ideal torch singer known for songs such as “ Moanin’ Low ” and “ Body and Soul .” Libby, credited as the first woman to wear a strapless evening gown, had a dramatic and seductive presence on stage. Theater critic Brooks Atkinson referred to her persona as a “dark purple menace.” Libby Holman portrait by Sarony studio to promote the 1928 musical "Rainbow" next to a 2023 reproduction of her dress by Jenna Sais Quois Designs. Holman is credited as the first woman to wear a strapless evening gown. Black and white photo provided to Reynolda House exhibit by Boston University's Howard Gotlieb Archieval Research Center. The Ways and Wanes of the Heart Libby was actually in a tumultuous lover/friend relationship with Lousia d'Andelot Carpenter Jenny, heir to the Du Pont fortune, when she first met Smith. He watched one of Libby's stage performances and his infatuation was instant. For Libby, cupid’s arrow didn’t strike just yet. Smith chased after Libby relentlessly, but in addition to Louisa, he had another obstacle in his way – his wife. Smith was married to Anne Ludlow Cannon, whose family founded the Cannon Mills textile empire, also in N.C. The two had married hastily as teenagers on Nov. 16, 1929. Although Smith had pursued Anne, it seems the wedding was at her father’s insistence. “The wedding of Anne Cannon and Smith Reynolds was celebrated at midnight in York, S.C. There were no witnesses except the bride’s father and a policeman,” was how a 1931 "Time" article described the nuptials after Smith’s death. Nine months after the wedding, the couple’s daughter, also named Anne, was born in August of 1930. Smith and Anne’s union was brief and unhappy. With his sights now set on Libby, Smith flew Anne to Reno where she resided for six weeks to establish residency in order to get a quickie divorce. At the time, Nevada had loose divorce laws, so women, especially those of means, stayed on glorified ranches, enjoying horseback riding and other pursuits, until their divorce was official. For Anne and Smith, that date was Nov. 23, 1931. Six days later, Smith quietly married Libby. Seven months later Smith was dead. The Longest Night The Reynolda House exhibit includes a film noir-style short film, “The Longest Night,” that outlines in detail the events surrounding Smith's death. Along with the film is a map of the crime scene "sketched" on the floor and onto the wall. The longest night happened on July 6, 1932. Libby and Smith were hosting a birthday party for a friend. From the main house to the boat house, the guests drank, enjoyed canoeing on the lake and partied all day. Libby had one too many drinks and Smith was annoyed. Among the guests were Albert “Ab” Walker, Smith’s childhood best friend turned personal secretary. Supposedly, a drunken Libby leaned into Ab while standing at the boathouse porch railing. Some party-goers believed she kissed him, others weren’t sure. The party wrapped up and the only remaining guests were Ab and Libby’s Broadway friend, actress Blanche Yurka. Smith and his still-drunk wife retired to the sleeping porch of the main bedroom. The two argued. Then, the house was quiet, but not for long. Around midnight, a night watchman heard a muffled gunshot. Libby awoke her guests with screams. Hysterical, Libby said she woke up and saw Smith standing over her with a gun to his head and then – boom – he shot himself. The group rushed Smith to the nearby hospital where he died four hours later. He was only 20 years-old. The coroner declared it a suicide. Death of Zachary "Smith" Reynolds Shocks the Nation For a little while the matter of Smith’s death was closed. But, the tide slowly turned. The evidence didn’t add up and law enforcement officials declared Smith was killed by a “person or persons unknown.” Of the twists and turns in the case, it was revealed Libby was pregnant, which was considered a possible motive for murder. Smith wouldn’t inherit his fortune – almost $30 million – until he turned 28, but his heir would gain all the riches upon his death no matter his age when he died. To put in context, $30 million then is the equivalent of over $500 million today. The narrator for a Hearst Metrotone newsreel in the exhibit declared that Smith’s death “shocked the nation'' and Libby was “cast in the most dramatic role of her life.” Assistant Solicitor McMichael appeared on camera to assure the curious public of two things: “truth be known” and “justice done.” In early August came the charges. “LIBBY HOLMAN AND WALKER INDICTED FOR MURDER” blazoned across the top of the "New York Daily News" and publications throughout the country. Libby claimed she had no memory of what happened other than waking up just before seeing Smith shoot himself. She also claimed Smith had brandished guns and threatened to hurt himself before. Others who had known Smith brought up similar dramatic claims. The crime scene is mapped out in the exhibit and it's easy to see how a suicide didn’t make sense to law enforcement, especially the bullet’s trajectory. Smith, according to Libby, was standing, but the downward path of the bullet also cut a hole into a screen door six feet above the floor. Other puzzling facts included smeared blood on the bathroom door. Did someone try to clean up? And, Smith was left-handed, but the bullet entered his right temple. That seemed odd, too. Other questions included the whereabouts of the gun and the nature of Libby and Ab’s relationship. Were they in cahoots? Was Ab the real father of the baby? It was all juicy stuff and the public couldn’t get enough. Shocking Reversal of Fortune Libby appeared at her bond hearing looking forlorn and shrouded in black including a veil over her face. Things didn’t look good for Ab and Libby. Libby Holman at her bond hearing in August of 1932 after being indicted for her husband's murder. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Libby’s father, an attorney, proclaimed his daughter’s innocence. It’s a “dastardly frame-up,” he said according to a “Time” article about the indictment. Some speculated Libby was targeted for her wild, theater lifestyle and Jewish heritage. Then, in the most stunning turn of events, Smith’s uncle and guardian, William Reynolds, requested the entire matter be dropped. Even though the family did not believe Smith killed himself, William cited the lack of conclusive evidence for a conviction and the fact the ongoing scandal had dragged on long enough. Indeed, charges were dropped. It’s an enduring mystery. No one will ever know if Smith died by murder, accident or suicide. Adding to the ongoing intrigue was gossip that Ab supposedly said he would take to the grave what he knew about the night of the murder. Ab waffled between claims he never said those words and that he was misunderstood. The Aftermath Six months after Smith’s death, Libby gave birth to Christopher Smith “Topper” Reynolds. There was much legal wrangling about Smith’s inheritance, especially considering he had two heirs. In 1936, the issue was settled with $7 million going to Topper and $10 million to his daughter Anne, according to the “New York Times," which covered the legal matter with great focus. Libby Holman and son Christopher "Topper" Reynolds, 1933. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Tragedy followed Libby for the rest of her life. Failed relationships with both men and women and more death, including Topper's in a mountain climbing accident in 1950 at age 17. Libby married two more times and was in a 10-year relationship with the Hollywood acting legend Montgomery Clift. She returned to her singing career in the 1950s and '60s and was actively involved in political causes, including being an early supporter of Martin Luther King, Jr. Libby committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in 1971. She was survived by her sons, Timmy and Tommy, whom she adopted in the late 1940s. Under his siblings’ direction, Smith’s portion of his father’s inheritance was used to create the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The non-profit has poured millions of dollars into improving the lives of North Carolinians since its inception 80 years ago. No surprise, where there's scandal, there’s Hollywood waiting to tell the story. Two movies came out rather quickly after the death of Zachary "Smith" Reynolds: “Sing, Sinner, Sing” (1933) and “Reckless” (1935). Robert Wilder’s 1946 novel, “Written on the Wind,” was also loosely based on Smith’s death and adapted into a 1956 movie of the same name starring Lauren Becall, Dorothy Malone and Rock Hudson. See The Exhibit And How the Reynolds Family Lived Although much about Libby and Smith is discussed here, there is so much more to learn and see in the exhibit and throughout Reynolda House . The home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and worth a visit on its own. From the well-appointed main hall to the study where President Truman took a short nap, Reynolda House provides a glimpse into another era. Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, N.C. Admission is $18 per person and includes the exhibit and the house (see the sleeping porch!). Free admission is offered to select groups, such as children under the age of 18, students and military personnel with ID. For more information about a day trip to Reynolda House and other entertaining activities at the Reynolda estate, click the "Things to do in Winston-Salem" tag and check out, "Visit Historic Reynolda for a Day of Retail Therapy, Delicious Food and Recreation."

Tucked across North Carolina among tall trees and beautiful landscapes are 19 giant wooden creatures that have propelled the state into a “Troll Hunting” hub.  The trolls are the brainchild of Danish artist Thomas Dambo and made entirely of locally-sourced natural and reclaimed materials, such as twigs and discarded wine barrels and shipping pallets. Dambo describes his work as the “intersection of art, nature, storytelling, and recycling.”  His trolls - standing anywhere from 15 to 60 feet tall - are found around the world including Singapore, France, Mexico and across the United States. Dambo designs his trolls and their backstory poems with such detail their personalities come to life and offer a snapshot into their world. For example, a tired mother troll resting, but keeping one eye open on her children. Dambo introduced his first trolls in 2014 and the public’s infatuation with the creatures has grown into a world-wide phenomenon, many fans calling themselves “Troll Hunters.” The Dambo Troll Hunters Facebook page has 185,000+ followers who actively post pictures of themselves posing with trolls and post comments about their favorites and more fandom topics. In November 2025, N.C. welcomed two Dambo exhibits. “Trolls: A Field Study,” is a traveling exhibit of 12 playful "baby trolls” (they only stand 7 to 9 feet tall) at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The baby trolls are on display until Feb. 17, 2025, and then depart for the South Coast Botanic Garden in California. Spread across N.C.'s Piedmont region is “The Grandmother Tree,” a permanent exhibit and Dambo’s most recent work. The installation features a family of seven trolls - mom, dad and their children. Five trolls are in Raleigh and then one in both Charlotte and High Point. This installation also includes an interactive game component. The fairytale-like backstory of these seven trolls is their job to protect a special, ancient tree (The Grandmother Tree) with a location unknown to everyone but them. Each troll has a necklace with a special symbol - a clue to finding the tree.  When someone finds all seven trolls and their necklace symbols, they can then go to thomasdambo.com/trollmap  and click on the location of the exhibit to reveal a special online decoder for the symbols. Decode each one and the location of The Grandmother Tree is revealed.  Dambo's troll installations are incorporated into their surroundings in a way that feels natural, as if they actually live and play there. For example, “Mama Mimi,” a 25-foot tall troll in Jackson Hole, Wyoming's Rendezvous Park, is seated on the bank of a pond with one leg stretched out over the water, creating a natural bridge for troll hunters and park visitors (generally, though, climbing on the trolls is not allowed and noted by signs). Public engagement is an important aspect of Dambo’s work and he encourages the public to capture their troll-human moments and submit them for possible inclusion on his social media. If you have a fun picture or video with a troll to share use fanart@thomasdambo.com  and include your name for credit in case it's posted. Mother Strong Tail taking a rest in Raleigh, NC's Dix Park Dambo’s work isn’t limited to trolls and wood. He’s used recycled plastic, milk crates, cardboard, stereo equipment and even a car for his special type of sculpture. The subject matter that springs from his imagination has included a giant wolf climbing out from under a parking lot, a castle for ducks built in the middle of a lake and so much more. If you're too far away for an in-person experience with Dambo's artwork, visit thomasdambo.com/works and explore his entire collection worldwide. The installations are organized by category and year. You can also use the Trollmap on Dambo’s website. Designed like a pirate’s treasure map, each X corresponds to a specific installation. Click on the X for a poem about that specific troll plus pictures and more details. Super fans may be interested in his coffee-table book, “Trash, Trolls and Treasure Hunts,” which chronicles the creation of Dambo’s first 100 trolls with stories, poems and pictures. Fun tidbit, Dambo and his crew used over 250 tons of scrap wood to build the trolls featured in the book. Happy troll hunting!

Jack Smith Park in Cary, N.C., is the perfect microcosm of what I look for in a “little adventure” outdoors – entertainment, creativity and natural beauty. The park has all the typical parts you’d expect like brightly-colored playground equipment and nicely landscaped green spaces, but what’s not typical are the art installations. The towering whirligig sculptures of Vollis Simpson, a farmer/machinist turned folk artist, comprise the park's delightful centerpiece. If you've ever played with a pinwheel, then you understand whirligigs – toys and objects that move, or rather whirl, by wind power. The park’s three whirligigs, standing at least 20 to 30 ft each, are painted in bold, contrasting primary colors. One whirligig looks as if it's covered in a bouquet of flowers, but are actually textured circular sculptures and fan blades of various sizes painted in dynamic patterns. Each one spins independently when the wind blows. My favorite of the three whirligigs features a pipe-smoking farmer working a well pump as a little bird looks on. Simpson was commissioned to create the park’s whirligigs and clearly this one is a nod to the site’s past as a working farm. The farm's history was also the inspiration for an installation along the park’s walking path. William Moore, a sculptor from nearby Pittsboro, N.C., created a flock of sheep that resemble the Suffolk breed that were once raised on the land, according to park signage. The sheep are crafted of cement and painted with the breed’s distinctive markings – a black face and legs. Moore’s sculptures are beautifully done in a modern style. The flock is separated into three pods that look natural along the edge of the park’s large grassy field doing what sheep do – grazing, looking around and scratching their side. The installation is intended to be interactive and every time I visit the park, children run down the hill to climb and sit on sculptures. Jack Smith Park is located in southeastern Cary as the area starts to turn less suburban and more rural. The park is small, well-maintained and nestled among trees that provide shade along parts of the walking path that winds around the entire park. For families, there are plenty of activities all close to each other, including a splash pad with several water features, playgrounds designed for different ages and a 10ft tall climbing structure. Plus, there’s a large covered picnic area. Down the hill is a wide field that's perfect for frisbee and soccer. The main area of the park is a short drive toward the back of the property. At the park’s entrance is a dog park with separate areas for large and small breeds. Jack Smith Park, like all other parks, is designed to connect us with nature and find enjoyment. I love that the art installations add to the park’s cheerfulness and escapism. Maybe the imaginative work of Simpson and Moore will help inspire park visitors, as well. If you like Simpson’s whirligigs, the most impressive collection is the two-acre Vollis Simpson Park in Wilson, N.C. Simpson lived on a farm in Lucama, which is just outside Wilson. The downtown park features 30 of Simpson’s large-scale whirligigs. The city also hosts the annual Whirligig Festival every November celebrating art, music and food. To learn more about Moore’s work, visit the Chatham Artists Guild or his personal site for Rock Rest Studios .

Breasts. Boobs. Ta-Tas. I can go on, but hopefully that gets any shyness out of the way. Breasts are everywhere. They’re beautiful, practical and sometimes annoying and kind of silly, especially when jogging. Breasts are also at risk for developing cancer. But, thankfully, we have modern medicine and tools to help catch breast cancer early and beat it. When it comes to women with dense breasts, though, things get confusing. A debate is swirling if dense-breast care should routinely include an ultrasound screening along with a mammogram. Why? Because dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissues than fatty tissue, which makes detecting cancer with a mammogram more difficult. Even with 3-D mammograms–the best type available–dense breast tissue can obscure cancer. In fact, mammograms alone miss approximately one-third of breast cancer in women with dense breasts, according to The Brem Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to breast cancer education and early detection. Trying to wade through the complex breast-density debate, is confusing for women. It has been for me. A good place to start is with these questions: • What are dense breasts? • How do you find out if you have dense breasts? • How does breast density affects imaging? Dense Breasts and Imaging Ultrasounds are typically used as a secondary, follow-up step when something suspicious is seen on a mammogram. For women with dense breasts, there’s a push among health advocates for ultrasounds to be a first-step screening along with mammograms. Cancer detection in dense breasts improves by over 55 % when screened with both mammography and ultrasound, according to Brem. And why is that? Consider these facts about imagining and breasts gathered from Brem, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Breasts consist of three types of tissue: 1. Glandular tissue (lobes and ducts used in milk production) 2. Fibrous tissue (also called connective or supportive tissue) 3. Fatty tissue. All non-fatty tissue is called fibroglandular tissue. In a mammogram: 1. Fatty tissue appears clear . 2. Fibroglandular tissue and anything else present in a breast, such as calcifications and cancer, appear white . 3. In a fatty-tissue breast, a white spot of potential cancer is more noticeable. 4. In a dense breast, a white spot of cancer can blend in and be difficult to spot. In an ultrasound: 1. Everything appears white except a potential spot of cancer. 2. Cancer stands out as black or dark gray and is easier to see. With all these facts, someone might think an ultrasound alone is a good screening choice– wrong. An ultrasound is NOT a substitute for a mammogram, but rather a supplemental tool. Mammograms are the gold standard in detection and ultrasounds are not perfect. For example, ultrasounds, unlike mammograms, can miss tiny calcium deposits, which are an early sign of cancer. And, ultrasound results are less accurate on women with very large breasts. How to Know if You Have Dense Breasts Breast density can only be determined through a mammogram, not by touch and feel. The FDA updated it regulations in March 2023 to require mammography facilities to inform women of their breast density level. Some states already had similar regulations in place, but by Sept. 2024 all states must comply. Results will include a woman’s Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) density classification (there is also a BI-RADS 0-6 numbering system that's used to describe findings on a mammogram). Developed by the American College of Radiology, the four BI-RADS density categories use letters and go from least to most dense as follows: A – Almost all fatty tissue B – Scattered areas of dense fibroglandular breast tissue C – More areas of glandular and connective tissue (described as heterogeneously dense) D – Extremely dense The new mammogram reports are thoroughly explained on the American Cancer Society’s website . The reports will include: 1. A BI-RADS breast composition classification 2. Whether a woman’s breasts are either “dense” or “not dense.” 3. For those with breasts classified “dense,” the report will state: “Dense tissue makes it harder to find breast cancer on a mammogram and also raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Your breast tissue is dense. In some people with dense tissue, other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers. Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation.” What’s the Dense Breasts Debate All About? There is consensus in the medical community, including the American Cancer Society, about the following: • Dense breasts are common • Women with dense breasts are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer • Cancer is harder to spot in dense breast tissue • Ultrasounds along with mammograms can catch cancer earlier The debate centers on questions, such as cost effectiveness, cost versus survival benefit, and unnecessary subsequent testing. There is also a call for more research to assess these questions further. On the American Cancer Society’s website, the organization acknowledges the benefits of extra imaging, such as ultrasounds and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), especially in high-risk cases. Also, there's concern that for women with dense breasts and no signs and symptoms of cancer an ultrasound screening could “show findings that are not cancer” and “lead to more tests and unnecessary biopsies” that aren't covered by insurance. The question of dense breasts and additional screening is currently under review by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF ), an independent group of health experts that make “evidence-based recommendations” about preventive services. The USPSTF has the following included in a draft recommendation statement dated May 2023 on its website: "Nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer and means that mammograms do not work as well for them. Women are generally told by their clinician that they have dense breasts after they’ve had a mammogram. These women deserve to know whether and how additional screening might help them stay healthy. Unfortunately, there is not yet enough evidence for the Task Force to recommend for or against additional screening with breast ultrasound or MRI. We are urgently calling for more research on whether and how additional screening might help women with dense breasts find cancers earlier." When I first read this statement, the words “not yet enough evidence” jumped out at me. What also jumped out, was the large “in progress” banner that stretched across a corner of the website page about the draft recommendation. This topic isn’t new. For example, the first USPTF draft recommendation I found was dated 2016. And, the language was basically the same as the current statement. So, there's still not enough evidence since 2016? The USPTF is just one group looking at the issue. What about all the other scientists, researchers and health professionals out there? When will the medical community reach a conclusion? And, meanwhile, how many women with dense breasts are missing the early-detection window? Update! As of April 30, 2024, the USPTF published its " Final Recommendation Statement " on breast cancer screening (Note the sections in bold): "Nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer and means that mammograms may not work as well for them . Women are generally told that they have dense breasts after they’ve had a mammogram. These women deserve to know whether and how additional screening might help them stay healthy. Unfortunately, there is not yet enough evidence for the Task Force to recommend for or against additional screening with breast ultrasound or MRI. We are urgently calling for more research on whether and how additional screening might help women with dense breasts find cancers earlier. It is important to note that all women, including those with dense breasts, should be screened starting at age 40. While we call for more research, these women should talk to their clinicians about their options for follow-up testing so that they can get the care that’s right for them." I stand by my previous statements. How is there still not enough evidence? Extra Imaging for Dense Breasts Can Hinge on Cost A big factor in the dense-breasts care debate is the medical bill. Specifically, who pays it? Having a routine, preventative breast ultrasound is not covered by most insurance companies and it's an expensive out-of-pocket cost. To combat this, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Brain Fitzpatrick introduced the bi-partisan Find It Early Act in December 2022 and then again in May 2023. The bill would require insurance plans to cover additional screening and diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasounds and MRIs, for women with dense breasts or at a greater risk for cancer. High-profile journalist Katie Couric, who revealed she has dense breasts, is putting her star power behind the bill after her own breast cancer diagnosis. “Breast cancer is treatable, and 99 % of women who are diagnosed early survive," said Couric when the bill was introduced. "That is why everyone needs to get screened. The Find It Early Act is a critical step toward improving access to these life-saving screenings." Couric’s isn’t exaggerating. Of women diagnosed with early-stage cancer that has not spread beyond the breasts, 99 % survive it, according to data from the Office of Women's Healt h with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What Can Women with Dense Breasts Do Now? Numerous organizations, including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, squarely place only BI-RADS categories C and D in the dense breast column. I pulled out my mammogram reports for the past several years and found it frustrating. I was classified with a BI-RAD C one time and then a B several subsequent times. Plus, one report included a long paragraph stating I "may" have dense breasts. Huh? My point is that it’s all a little mind numbing and confusing. There are so many studies and varying opinions. And, breast density can change with age and other factors. What are women with dense breasts or "may" have dense breasts supposed to do? I’m not a medical professional, just a woman who wants to understand the best choices for my health. I’m learning just like everyone else. Here's what I do know. We all have a unique combination of factors that go along with a BI-RADS classification, so what’s right for one of us may differ greatly from another. We have to advocate for ourselves, talk to our doctors and stay informed. The breast density-care debate is certainly going to continue in the medical and political community. While they’re still debating, here’s some suggestions of what women with dense breasts can do in the meantime: • Regularly have a mammogram without fail. • Perform regular self-breast exams. • Choose a 3-D mammogram, which is better for dense breasts since it provides a fuller picture of the entire breast than a traditional 2-D mammogram. • Check with your insurance company about coverage since 3-D mammograms cost more and the difference may be out-of-pocket. • Keep your annual mammogram reports with your breast density information. • Know your family medical history and any potential risk factors for cancer. • Talk to your doctor to assess your risk and if you should seek additional imaging. • Check with your health insurance company to see if you have coverage for additional imaging based on your breast density. • Check with an imaging facility and find out the costs of an ultrasound screening. • Write your legislators in support of the Find It Early Act. • Exercise, get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet. • ALWAYS advocate for yourself! For more information about dense breasts, women's health and breast cancer, including symptoms, visit these sites: Susan G. Koman DenseBreast-Info American Cancer Society Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center The Brem Foundation Office of Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services *Breast cancer ribbon image from Freepick.com

Mount Pleasant, S.C., a bedroom community of Charleston, is anything but “sleepy.” Great views, great drinks and great adventures are ever present and easy to find. Although a large area with typical suburban sprawl, the community still offers plenty of historic sites, waterfront views, places to convene with nature, and lively spots for food and drink. Follow these tips to curate your perfect day in Mount Pleasant from sunrise to sundown. Vicious Biscuits Get up and get out early so you can beat the crowd at Vicious Biscuit. This fast-casual spot is hugely popular! The creative and award-winning biscuits and breakfast offerings are delicious and will fill you up. Carb loading for sure! My favorite is The ‘Mater, a buttermilk biscuit with fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese and bacon jam. A southern delight! The Fat Boy buttermilk buscuit with fried chicken, signature pimento cheese and hot honey is also a delicious crowd favorite. There’s seating inside and on a covered patio, but it fills up quickly. Avoid the queue by ordering your biscuits to-go online. If you're in Mount Pleasant after Labor Day, then the crowds are really not a problem until later in the week. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and the Ravenel Bridge With your belly full of biscuit, you might want to work off some calories or at least take a stroll. Tighten your laces and head to Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park and Pier . Located at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge, the park offers the perfect spot for a morning walk while taking in the water views. Bonus–there’s ample parking! The park’s pier has a wide, flat walkway that’s 1,250 feet long and stretches out into the Cooper River. The pier runs almost parallel to the underside of the bridge, so you can really appreciate this engineering marvel (and the shade it provides). On select summer evenings the pier hosts live bands for “Dancing on the Cooper.” The pier’s River Watch Cafe and Gift Shop offers snacks, ice cream, milkshakes and sandwiches. Plus, clean bathrooms! The cafe/gift shop also has fishing passes and related gear. FYI, keep Fido at home, no pets allowed at the pier. The park includes a playground, a memorial dedicated to veterans, and an additional paved walkway that makes a loop around a grassy lawn. While visiting Waterfront Park, keep your eyes open for the 4-foot replicas of oyster shells decorated by various artists. My favorites were "Bell Diver" by Philip Hyman and "Tangled in Enchantment" by Zoe Hyman. The oysters are part of “Art on the Half Shell,” a curated initiative by the Town of Mount Pleasant. If you want to the see all the shells in the community, then check out the town's online guide . If the weather isn’t too stifling, check out the views from the Ravenel Bridge by foot or bike. Access to the bridge walkway is near the park. The views are incredible–the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point, downtown Charleston, Fort Sumter National Monument, activities on the Cooper River and the bridge itself. The Ravenel is the third largest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. The supports take the shape of giant sails–it’s truly beautiful and an incredible feat of architecture and engineering. The bridge is 2.5 miles long and has a sloping incline to reach the middle. In the summer, it can be extremely hot and windy on the bridge. I recommend stopping halfway at the “sails,” taking gorgeous pictures and then doubling back. Be sure to carry water. Historic Old Mount Pleasant For quaint Southern charm, head to Mount Pleasant’s Old Village Historic District . The area, part of the National Register of Historic Places, features lovely homes, views of the water, and streets shaded by large oaks dripping with Spanish moss. If you've worked up an appetite, visit the lunch counter inside Pitt Street Pharmacy (an actual working pharmacy) and enjoy a grilled cheese, hot dog or another lunch counter favorite. My go-to treat is a Coke float with vanilla ice cream. The pharmacy, which opened in 1936, is rich on nostalgic charm complete with vintage signs and décor. Another dining choice along Pitt Street is the Gala Bakery featuring desserts, coffee, and full menu of other options. Indoor seating is available, but on a nice day the bakery's front porch and outdoor courtyard are lovely. For a more refined sit-down, make a reservation at the The Post House , a small, historic inn and restaurant. The building, which dates back to the 1800s, was updated in 2020 featuring a beautiful, modern take on the coastal-tavern look. Also on Pitt Street is the Wine Shop and the "Out of Hand" collection of boutiques featuring women's clothing, gifts, décor, and floral design. The Pitt Street merchants are part of the historical business district, an area included in the The Mount Pleasant Historical Commission’s Old Village Tour . The online tour map is easy to follow. Informative historical markers are also placed throughout the district. Alhambra Hall is among the tour locations. Take your lunch counter milkshake to-go, and drive just a few blocks to this historic building that was once a dance hall and now serves as a recreational facility for the town. Behind the hall is a wide, grassy lawn–a nice spot for walking dogs, having a picnic and enjoying views of Charleston Harbor. There are only a few benches, so bring a picnic blanket if you want to relax for a little bit. Across the street from the hall is a shady playground. There's ample parking available. One of my favorite spots in the Village District is Pitt Street Bridge and Pickett Park . The bridge, which once connected to Sullivan’s Island, now ends in the middle of the water providing beautiful views in every direction. In this area, the waters of the Cove Inlet and Charleston Harbor come together. The paved greenway is lined with palm trees and leads to a pier. The area is popular for walking, biking, fishing, crabbing and photography. Along the way are park benches if you want to sit and enjoy the views. It’s worth a visit, but don’t expect any shade and parking (along the edge of the road) is tricky. The sunset views are gorgeous. Shem Creek Waterfront The waterfront area of Shem Creek is the perfect spot for a Margaritaville-kind of afternoon or evening. A collection of restaurants and bars line the banks of Shem Creek. If you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins may swim by while you’re enjoying some fried shrimp and a creative cocktail. We checked out the restaurant, Saltwater Cowboys , for drinks and starters. The chilled, crab dip appetizer–the owner's family recipe–hit the spot! I have a weakness for fried green tomatoes, so I had to try those, too, and my tastebuds thanked me. The Shem Creek area also includes a boardwalk that extends into the marsh and past fishing boats for gorgeous views. It’s a great setting for sunset pictures. Shem Creek is also a popular spot for renting kayaks and setting out on boat tours and fishing charters. Patriots Point and Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina If you love military history, then Patriots Point Navel & Maritime Museum is a must. The centerpiece is the U.S.S. Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier. Inside the Yorktown and on its flight deck is a collection of aircraft and informative historic displays about various battles and war-time events. Walk through the maze-like belly of Yorktown to learn all about life at sea. Everything from the officer’s quarters to the kitchen and everything in between, is preserved to look just as it did when in service. In addition to the Yorktown, Patriots Point includes a museum about Medal of Honor winners, a submarine, and a destroyer. There is also an immersive Vietnam War exhibit, which is set up like a base camp with a mess hall, observation tower, helicopter, patrol boat and more. Expect to spend several hours on the Yorktown if you plan to explore the entire ship. Plan to spend at least a half day if you also want to explore the other Patriots Point exhibit areas. The inside of the Yorktown is hot and humid. Be sure to bring water and a snack. The only food is via vending machines. Patriots Point requires paid parking. Next door to Patriots Point and just a short walk along the waterfront boardwalk, is the Charleston Harbor Fish House within the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina . For expansive views of downtown Charleston and the harbor, beeline to the rooftop Bridge Bar at the Fish House. This is another perfect spot for pictures–the Ravenel Bridge and the Yorktown to the right, downtown Charleston straight ahead, Fort Sumter National Monument to the left, and the many boats and yachts docked below or jetting by. Walking along the marina boardwalk is my favorite way to enjoy the water views and the beautiful boats. During my last walk, a pod of dolphins were just a few feet away corralling fish among the docked boats. If you aren’t going to Patriots Point and therefore, don’t park in its lot, you’ll have to buy a parking pass to the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina lot. The restaurant provides parking vouchers with a meal purchase. Charleston Water Taxi The ferry service by Charleston Water Taxi is one of the easiest and best ways to get an on-the-water experience without devoting a lot of time or money. Keep a look out for dolphins while on board, they like to come by to say “hello.” The taxi runs a route among four stops–Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston, the South Carolina Aquarium, Patriots Point, and Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. Taxis operate between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., revisiting stops every hour. A one-way pass for a single ride is $10 (children 3 and under are free). The best deal is an all-day pass for $14, which allows you to hop on or off as much as you want. No advanced reservations needed. Strollers can fit in the boats. Ride the taxi for an enjoyable trip around the harbor or use it as a quick and easy way to see sights near the drop off points and avoid the hassle of re-parking a car. The entire loop is about four miles. Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens The drive into Boone Hall Plantation is gorgeous as you travel under the huge branches of Live Oaks lining each side. Founded in 1681, a visit to Boone Hall is a historical look at life on the grounds then and now. Activities include various self-guided and guided tours of the main house, the surrounding estate buildings, the gardens, the butterfly pavilion and the farm. I enjoyed the landscaped grounds as much as the historic talks and exhibits. The gardens are skillfully designed and beautifully maintained. The guides and educators do an excellent job outlining the history of the plantation, especially the lives of its residents from the enslaved people to the plantation owners. You'll also learn about the evolution of the main house (four have stood on the footprint) and the industry tied to the resources from the adjacent marsh creek. In the 1800s, Boone Hall produced around 4 million handmade bricks and was the largest producer in the low country. The Black History in America exhibit is housed in the nine original slave dwellings. Each cabin exhibit centers on a specific timeframe in black history from slavery to modern times. On the Boone Hall website it states: "The discussion of slavery is often difficult, but it is an important topic that must be discussed openly and honestly whenever plantation life is addressed. At Boone Hall Plantation we believe there is a responsibility to present the history of slavery in an accurate and educational manner each day in a way that pays honor and respect to that history and the progress of Black Americans." Boone Hall also has a live, outdoor theater presentation about Gullah culture presented by direct descendants through storytelling, dance and song. The Gullah people are descendants of Africans enslaved on plantations in the low country regions of South Carolina and Georgia. Boone Hall is one of the oldest continuously working farms in America. For the farm tour, you ride in a wagon that's pulled by a tractor. The wagon's seats are padded and comfortable. The tour travels the entire estate (over 700 acres) and takes about 30 mins. It was a relaxing ride and the guide's insights are interesting. The heat index was in the upper 90s during my ride, but I was still comfortable. The wagon has a canopy and the tour path includes shaded, wooded areas. It's still a good idea to bring water, though. The indoor spaces, such as the main house, are air conditioned. The Butterfly Cafe offers snacks, hot dogs, premade sandwiches, ice cream and drinks. You can sit indoors or under the covered outdoor front patio. My only complaint about the cafe is how dark it is inside. Not very inviting. The cafe has a nice selection of Boone Hall products, such as hot pickled okra, marinated artichokes, honey and a variety of pickles. You can buy fresh, seasonal produce from Boone Hall's roadside market on Highway 17, which is just around the corner from the main entrance to the plantation. Palmetto Islands County Park Palmetto Islands Country Park is a wonderful way to enjoy Mount Pleasant's natural beauty. The 943-acre, public park is just a 5 minute drive from Boone Hall Plantation. For a $2 fee, you gain entry to a park so lush it feels more like a nature preserve. The park offers a multitude of recreational options. During my visit, I walked the marsh boardwalk to Nature Island, followed the Story Walk path, and went to the top of the 50-foot Observation Tower overlooking the marsh and a tidal creek. Story Walk is perfect for families with curious children. Along the path are permanent fixtures, each one featuring a "page" of a story about a tree changing with the seasons. The story engages readers with requests, such as blowing a kiss to make the leaves blow away. Another learning opportunity is the Phone Tour. You can hear details about your current location in the park by scanning the QR code or dialing the number on the phone tour sign. At my stop, I learned more about salt marsh vegetation and wildlife. The park has a total of five paths/trails. Each is clearly marked with color-coded, diamond-shaped signs affixed along the way. Path surfaces include wooden boardwalks, asphalt pavement and loamy soil. Other park features include a multi-age playground, large grassy fields, picnic shelters with volleyball nets nearby, kayak launching areas, fishing and crabbing docks, and the Splash Island Waterpark. Visitors can also rent paddleboats and bicycles. Rentals are reserved at the Park Center building. The center also has a snack bar and restrooms. Besides drink machines at the picnic shelters, the snack bar is the only option for snacks and drinks. Please remember, just because this is a public park doesn't mean it's free of alligators. There are ponds around Park Center and near part of the Big Toy Playground. Gators could absolutely live there, just as the warning signs state. The park is a nice option for appreciating the low country's beauty while getting some exercise or gathering with friends and family. And bonus–lots of shade! This is a municipal park with some wear and tear. But, I noticed several newly built picnic tables, so it looks like the weather-worn areas are being addressed. Palmetto Islands and Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park are among the Charleston County parks and facilities that include community centers, pools, piers, beach parks, campgrounds, trails and more. For community information and more ways to spend a day in Mount Pleasant, check out the town's official website .

You don’t need to spend hours or lots of cash to create a visually interesting and frightfully fun serving table for your next Halloween party. Follow these quick tips for transforming your table faster than a werewolf appears in a full moon. Stick with a Theme A table looks best if there is a consistent theme in both story and color. The idea is to avoid too many elements and only use what makes sense to tell your spooky story. Also, you'll be adding serving dishes and trays to your table, so a consistent theme keeps everything from looking overcrowded. My favorite table story is a witch's lair where she brews her concoctions. For the look, I use green and purple accent colors against a black base. Then, I add a small bird cage, a fake crow (witches always have a pet), lots of skulls (victims!), a caldron, "potion handbooks" and "potion bottles." Here are some other ideas: • Screaming for the Screen – Use a movie as inspiration. For example, for "Friday the 13th," place "Jason" masks on the table along with foam "weapons," such as an axe or machete. From classic horror and sci-fi to modern slasher and suspense, the movie options are practically endless. Plenty of family-friendly options too, such as "Harry Potter" and "Hocus Pocus." • Skin and Bones – Spread fake skeleton parts and "dismembered" rubber hands, ears, fingers, etc., across your table. Pull out a length from a gauze roll and dip areas into red food coloring or color with a red Sharpie marker. Be sure to position these unrolled sections like a ribbon running across the table and curling around table items. Add "bloodied" fake knives and cutting instruments, as well. • Haunting Words Come Alive – Look to macabre literature, especially by Edgar Allen Poe. Bring to life the dark imagery of his work, such as the "Raven" and "Tell-Tale Heart." Plus, there's so much grim imagery of Poe himself. • Area 51 – Go all in on aliens and UFOs. Little green men figurines and alien-related items and decorations are so easy to find, even at the dollar store. • Creepy Critters – Place plastic or rubber bugs, millipedes, snakes and spiders in different sizes and colors across the table. • Pumpkin Parade – Showcase all kinds of fake pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in different sizes and styles. • Haunted House – Decorate your table with items that look old or antique and stretch fake spider webs among them. Haze a mirror with soap or baby powder to make it look extra dusty and old. Elevate Decorations For an Eye-Catching Table Tables look best with decorations on different visual planes for the eye to explore. So before you place a tablecloth, create at least two levels in the center of your table. Follow these tips: 1. Raised Centerpieces – Create raised platforms by placing a shoebox, an upside down bowl or whatever you have on hand. Make sure it's sturdy enough to support your decorations. 2. Different Heights and Shapes – It's okay if the raised areas are different shapes and sizes. The differences will look more interesting overall. 3. Keep it Relaxed – Place a tablecloth over the raised platforms, but be sure to slightly pull and gather the fabric around the platforms. The fabric should gently fall around these areas. This tablecloth is the "base layer" for the final table covering. 4. Table Platform Options – In addition to, or in place of, raised platforms under a tablecloth, use your decorations to create height on top of the table cloth. My favorite choices are books and faux books. By the time September rolls in, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods roll out Halloween-themed storage containers and nesting boxes designed to look like books. Stack them up and top with a Halloween decoration. Layer Fabrics For A Striking Visual Effect Although a classic look, Halloween parties aren't the time for covering your table with only a single white tablecloth. Instead, use fabrics with texture and monotoned patterns in layers to create the perfect Halloween vibe. Here are steps for creating the look: 1. First Layer of Color – For covering the entire table and the raised platforms, pick a tablecloth in black (my preference) or any Halloween color, such as green, purple and orange. Another fantastic option is red, which looks especially creepy under layers of black. If white is all you have, don't fret, it will work fine since it's only a base layer. 2. Layer Fabrics On Top – The key to this look is covering part of the base tablecloth with accent layers of smaller, fabrics placed across the table at different angles. These layers shouldn't cover the entire table, just the majority of the center from one side to the other. 3. Arrange the Layers Loosely – Just like the base tablecloth, gather some of the fabric around the raised areas in the center of the table to make it look relaxed. You can also gather some fabric into a long, loose roll and then wind around the base of the raised areas. I did this with a runner that had a lacey, spider-web pattern. 4. Get Creative with Fabric Choices – I prefer the monotoned look of an all-black table. To create visual contrast, I use fabrics that vary in texture and type of material. But, as mentioned previously, a base tablecloth that's a different color from the top layers looks great, too. Fabric remnants work well for the accent layers. For instance, I used three different black fabrics: a flocked, spiderweb pattern; a sheer; and part of an old costume that looks like zombie rags. If the remnant has rough edges, then all the better for creating an eerie look. Want to make your own layers? Use what you have! For example, cut an inexpensive black, cotton bed sheet or an old costume into small sections and then tatter and fray the edges. Use What You Have Before you rush out to the store, look around your home for items to help decorate your table. For my table, I used left over St. Patrick's Day bead necklaces to represent a potion flowing out of a plastic caldron for my witch's lair theme. In our attic, I discovered antique glass a relative had collected and used those as potion bottles. Maybe you have some of these items tucked away in your home: • Old-looking books. • Glass bottles in dark colors. • Antique or ornate silver and pewter decor, such as goblets, vases and mirrors. • Small, aged metal and wooden boxes (open and fill with Halloween items, such as fake spiders or eyeballs). Be Creative With Lighting Lighting is the simplest and fastest way to turn so-so table decor into something extra special. Try out some of these ideas: • Mini String Lights Create Depth – Mini, battery-powered string lights, especially the extra small "fairy lights," in orange, purple or green look great on a table. Wrap the lights up around elevated areas and focal points, such as food trays, to create visual interest and depth. If your table covering includes a sheer layer, run the lights under it to help soften the look. • No Wax Worries – Combine a variety of battery-powered pillar candles and candle sticks with differing heights and styles. • Glow Sticks Grow Up – These handy soft lights aren't just for trick-or-treating. For an easy way to add accent color, strategically place small glow sticks under the tablecloth layers or drop into table-top Halloween decorations and containers. The effect is best when only one color is used. • Tried and True Votives – Battery-powered votives are super easy. Simply spread out on the table or place inside decorations such as plastic pumpkins and small glass containers. Votives with white lights work great, but those with orange, green or purple lights are even better. • Adjust Room Lighting – Switch out the bulbs in light fixtures and lamps for ones that are orange or purple. If you have a dimmable overhead light, turn it down. There are also specialty bulbs available that flicker. Get a Little Crafty If you have a little extra time on your hands, then try these two simple crafts that are perfect for decorating a Halloween party table. • Creepy Framed Images – Search the Internet for images that match your table theme. Print out and place these in distressed wooden or metal picture frames. Black-and-white, old-timey looking family portraits (those blank stares are freaky), are perfect as part of a haunted house theme. Images of apparitions and famous haunted houses also work. • Haunted Mansion Wine Bottles – Serving wine? Remove all of the labels and use a white paint pen to draw a spider web pattern on the bottles. Hope these tips and suggestions help you create a memorable Halloween party table. Enjoy!

What’s scarier, being chased by a zombie or a family member saying, “I just invited all the neighbors over for Halloween,” and that’s the next day! Don’t fear, here are some quick and easy ways to feed the scary masses at your house that look anything but last minute. Main Bites Chicken Salad “Bug” Sandwiches Ingredients 2 teaspoons of dried tarragon 2 tablespoons pecan bits (if you can’t find the extra small bits, use chopped pecans) ½ cup sliced red, seedless grapes (also set aside extra grapes cut in half for eyeballs on each sandwich) ⅓ cup finely chopped celery stalks ⅓ cup light mayonnaise ⅓ cup nonfat, Greek yogurt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper Pinch of salt 1 pound of skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 2 breasts) Package of small dinner rolls Thin pretzel sticks Directions 1. Mix first 8 ingredients. 2. Boil chicken breasts. Once done, drain and separate with a fork so meat is shredded. 3. Add chicken to the ingredient mixture. Stir to coat well. 4. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill. 5. Slice dinner rolls in half. 6. Add a dollop of chicken salad to each roll. 7. After placing sandwiches on a platter, cut some grapes in half. For each sandwich, place one grape on the end of two toothpicks and push the toothpicks into the top of the sandwich so it looks like eyes. 8. Slide three pretzel sticks into the chicken salad on each side of the sandwich so it looks like legs. Get It Done Even Faster •Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts. Don’t use the skin. •Buy pre-made chicken salad. This is usually just chicken and mayo, so add in the extras, such as the pecans and grapes. Or don’t, and save even more time! Marinated Cheese with “Eyeballs” Marinade Ingredients ½ cup olive oil ½ cup white wine vinegar 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon dried basil 1 tablespoon parsley ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder (it’s a party after all, so go light on the garlic) 1 tablespoon chopped green onions or ⅛ dried minced onions 1 tablespoon jarred pimentos Get It Done Even Faster Skip steps above, and pick one of the following: • Mix 2-3 tablespoons of Italian seasoning with ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup of either balsamic or white wine vinegar. • Use jarred bruschetta topping with a balsamic glaze (available in ready-to-use squeeze bottles). • Top with canned, chopped fire-roasted tomatoes (drained), sprinkle with dried basil and garnish with balsamic glaze. Cheese Row Ingredients 8 ounce block of cheddar cheese 8 ounce package of cream cheese (reduced fat and Neufchâtel work well, too). Keep chilled. Directions 1. Combine marinade ingredients, stir vigorously and set aside. 2. Cut cheddar cheese into slices, about ¼ inch thick. 3. Cut the cream cheese block into two halves lengthwise and then into sections similar to the cheese slices. 4. In a shallow serving dish, alternate combining slices of cheddar cheese and cream cheese. 5. The slices will stand on one edge and form a long row. 6. Spoon marinade down the top of the row and serve. If you have time, divide the marinade. and use ½ on the cheese row and let the dish sit in the fridge for a few hours. When ready to serve, top with the rest of the marinade. 7. Across the cheese row, add ground black pepper to taste. 8. Serve with sturdy crackers (I like sea salt pita crackers). 9. Guests can easily separate their desired amount of cheese sections with the crackers, knife or small tongs. Get It Done Even Faster • Use a pre-cut block of cheddar cheese. • Don’t stress about the exactness of the cheese sections fitting together. It’s easy to make the cream cheese slices fit the size needed, plus the marinade covers the top of the row so it doesn't need to look perfect. Cheese Eyeballs Ingredients • Bundle (5-7 pieces) of semi-soft cheese, such as mini Babybel brand • Jarred, sliced green olives with minced pimentos (I used Spanish manzanilla olives) • Red gel food coloring Directions 1. Remove cheese from wax. 2. For each piece of cheese, use a melon baller or knife to scoop out a small divot in the center. 3. Place an olive with a pimento center in the divot. 4. Dip a toothpick into the food coloring. Then, in a few areas, drag the toothpick out from the olive to create the look of red eye vines. 5. Surround the marinated cheese and crackers with the “eyeballs.” Get It Done Even Faster • Skip the cheese eyeballs! If you want to add some flare quickly, place a few Halloween-themed cupcake picks into the cheese. Slinky Snake Breadsticks Ingredients 1, 14 ounce container of refrigerator pizza dough 3 tablespoons of bread dipping seasoning, such as the Delallo or Dean Jacob’s brands. 3 tablespoons melted butter 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese Few slices of pepperoni (I like the nitrate-free variety by Hormel Natural) Jar of marinara Directions 1. Cut dough into 6 inch sections by cutting the dough in two both lengthwise and across. 2. Roll each section between your hands and then place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment baking paper. 3. Make sure to form the snakes like they're slithering. 4. Shape the tail to a point and push down on the head slightly so it spreads out some and is larger than the rest of the body. 5. Brush with the dough with butter and sprinkle with the seasoning and parmesan. 6. Cut small, forked tongues out of the pepperoni slices and push one into the tip of each head using a toothpick. 7. Set oven temperature according to package directions, but reduce baking time to about five minutes since the snakes are small and will bake faster. 8. Serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping. Get It Done Even Faster • Use dough, such as the Jus-Rol brand, that’s rolled in paper in its container, so it's easier to manage. Keep the dough in the paper when cutting and only remove when forming the snakes. • Skip the tongue step. Pepperoni bakes to a dark color, so it's kind of hard to see anyway. Sweet Bites Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Squares Ingredients • Prepackaged Rice Krispie square treats (original size) • Milk chocolate melting wafers • Halloween sprinkles Directions 1. Remove Rice Krispie treats from wrappers. 2. In a microwaveable dish, melt about 1 cup of milk chocolate wafers in the microwave according to directions. 3. Once the wafers are melted, immediately dip one end of a treat into the chocolate covering about ¼ of the whole bar. 4. Place treat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. 5. Sprinkle on Halloween candy pieces. 6. Place the treats uncovered in the fridge to solidify chocolate. Better Brownie Bites No cooking here! Lots of fun ways to turn plain mini brownies into fun Halloween finger food. Components • Mini brownie bites from grocery store bakery • Icing bags (includes tips) in white and Halloween colors (or a container of white icing) • Halloween sprinkles • Bag of candy (candy corn, candy pumpkins, or small gummy treats such as eyes, bugs, and worms) Directions Option 1 : Top mini brownie with icing and Halloween sprinkles (I like using purple or green icing so the sprinkles, which are usually white, orange and black, stand out). Wilton makes decorating icing bags with a star tip for a no-fail way to apply the icing (a star and rounded tip are already attached to the bag). Option 2 : Make a small icing dollop on the top of the mini brownies. Then place a piece of candy. Looks best if the icing shows around the base of the candy. (I used candy corn and candy pumpkins with green and white icing). Candy Bites with a Little Something Extra This is a super, simple way to turn plain looking candy into a finger food treat for parties. Components • Mini Reese’s cups • Bag of candy corn or Halloween blend of M&Ms • Icing squeeze pack with a round tip in white (or a container of white icing) Directions 1. Remove mini Reese’s cups from their outer foil, but leave them in the paper wrapping. 2. Place a small dab or strip of icing on top of the cups. 3. Top with candy. Use either a single M&Ms or a piece of candy corn on its side. Use brightly colored M&Ms such as green, orange and purple. Drink Up! Slushy, Bloody Punch This versatile base for a party drink is a snap to make. It’s tasty as is and with alcohol added. Keep a batch in the freezer for whenever you need something to serve quickly. Ingredients 2 small (.13 ounce) packages of cherry or strawberry Kool-Aid 1 cup of sugar 1 quart of ginger ale 1 quart of water 24 ounces of pineapple juice (sweetened or unsweetened based on personal preference) Bag of gummy worms Serves about 15 punch cups (recipe is easy to double) Directions 1. Mix all ingredients in a tall container. 2. Split mixture into two gallon-sized freezer bags. 3. Place in the freezer. (I put the bags in the bottom half of a square, plastic food storage container before placing them in the freezer. This way, the bags are more manageable and the container will catch anything if the bags happen to leak). 4. Remove bags prior to the party and PARTIALLY thaw. (I place the bags – still sitting in the plastic food storage container – under a slow stream of warm water). 5. Once the mixture feels like it's getting soft, put it into the punch bowl and break apart the slushy ice with a knife or fork. 6. The mixture should be icy and slightly chunky. 7. If you want more fizz in the punch, don’t add the ginger ale before freezing. Instead, add just before serving. 8. For additional colorful creepiness, hang gummy worms over the side of the punch bowl and let a few float in the punch. 9. For an adults-only punch, add a couple shots of vodka. Get It Done Even Faster • Use a premade fruit punch, then add the pineapple juice and ginger ale. Freeze. • To save even more time, freeze a mixture of just ginger ale and fruit punch. Bloody Blueberry Martinis Ingredients 2 cups of a blueberry juice blend (I use a blueberry, blackberry and acai blend) ¼ cup of lemon juice fresh or from concentrate 2 cups blueberry vodka ½ cup of triple sec Fresh blueberries for garnish Serves 7-8 guests Directions 1. Mix all the ingredients, except the blueberries, in a pitcher. 2. Pour into an ice-filled strainer and fill martini glasses. 3. Drop in a few blueberries or add several to a cocktail pick. (For Halloween flare, I added a plastic witch finger and blueberries to my picks). Get It Done Even Faster • Buy drink mixtures that only require adding alcohol. For example, Stonewall Kitchen has a Pomegranate Cosmo Mixer that can be used for making three different kinds of drinks, including a non-alcoholic option. • Whatever you use as the base, make sure it has a dark reddish-purplish hue so it looks like blood. I hope these easy recipes and tips help you fix Halloween party food fast. Cheers to fun night and happy haunting!