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May 2026
Let the Concert Begin An Iconic Star and a Night We’ll Never Forget Seeing a live concert by a performer you love is a magical experience. Sharing it with people you love can make unforgettable memories. As we mark National Concert Day on the first Tuesday of May, I’m remembering a concert I saw with my friend Tammy. Tammy is a gifted singer and pianist, my longtime voice teacher, a close colleague for nearly 20 years, and a dear friend, and I wanted to do something special for her. We both love hearing live music, and she’d given me a memoir by Broadway icon Patti LuPone as a gift. So, Fred and I surprised her with tickets to a Patti LuPone concert for her, her husband Jim, Fred, and me. The venue was Tammy’s alma mater, Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, Tammy’s hometown, and a community known for supporting the performing arts. Many concerts are in huge venues where we sway in a sea of humanity, a beer in one hand and a cellphone in the other. But the concert hall that evening was special … big enough for a star of Patti LuPone’s caliber, but with an intimate feel and clear sightlines from every seat.
The star took the stage with calm assurance and an understated look, wearing a glittery black pantsuit. After a brief intermission, she tore the roof off, garbed in classic diva style in a long, soft- white gown, slit up the side, flowing behind her to the floor. It would have been easy for this Broadway legend to deliver a highly embellished performance, with a full orchestra and elaborate costumes. But she was accompanied on stage by only three musicians, and every choice she made was about simplicity. In keeping with the show’s name, “Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes,” she performed pop and show tunes from her childhood and teens in the 1950s and 1960s and throughout her stellar career as a Tony and Grammy award-winning artist. She was very intentional in explaining why each song was important to her, and letting the music do the rest of the talking. It was an amazing evening. We loved it all … except we were left wanting more. We would have been happy if the show had gone on for another two hours. In a stroke of serendipity, the trip was special in other ways. We visited Tammy’s mother, the original holder of the nickname Bunny before my sister and I conferred that endearment upon each other as kids. That visit turned out to be Tammy’s last time with her mother before her passing.
I love that flush of anticipation before a concert begins.
WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning- Workshop or call (757) 351-4017.
People sometimes assume that for a gift to be special, it has to involve a three- week jaunt across three continents. But no: I’m a firm believer that if you find something meaningful to celebrate with people you care about, you can make a special occasion out of just one show.
–Geneva N. Perry, Esq.
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A COMPASSIONATE COURSE CORRECTION 5 DAYS THAT COUNT
A Day to Nurture Relationships Without positive connections with others, we risk losing our sense of self. Schedule a day to connect with friends and loved ones, ideally in a fun or pleasant setting that will help everyone accentuate the positive. A Day to Self-Refine Self-care is essential. Whether it’s a long walk, a nice massage, or a trip
Remember all the New Year’s resolutions you didn’t keep?
to the gym, use this day to do things that help you feel better physically and mentally. A Day to Reimagine What inspires you? Have you dreamt of writing the next great American novel or taking up painting? Schedule a day to explore any interests you’ve been thinking about. A Day to Refocus Did you miss hitting your goals last month? Whether you’re concerned about budget balancing or body reshaping, setting aside a day to take stock of your successes and shortcomings will help you sharpen your approach as you head into next month.
With the mid-year point of 2026 somehow only a few weeks away, it’s common to look back at all the enthusiasm we brought into January and feel a sense of disappointment. If you think you’ve missed the mark so far this year, here are five days to put on your monthly calendar going forward to help refresh your joy. A Day to Reset When was the last time you gave yourself an entire day of no chores, no errands, and no demands to fulfill? If it’s been longer than you can remember, try to schedule one day to do absolutely nothing except things that rest your mind and body.
CAMPING WITH COMFORT AND CLASS NATURE’S NIRVANA
Amenities Galore in Massachusetts Located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Normandy Farms is an idyllic spot to explore between Boston and Cape Cod. The site offers (among other things) four pools (including two outdoor Olympic-size ones); a Creative Arts Center featuring arts, crafts, and yoga; a 20,000-square-foot lodge; and a 1.5-acre onsite dog park. A Taste of Wine Country Comfort A Sonoma Valley mainstay, the River Bend Resort in Forestville, California, connects camping and RV enthusiasts with the refined tastes of wine country. This family-friendly destination includes a general store, an arcade, nearby vineyards, and plenty of opportunities
When we were kids, the idea of camping likely conjured images of pitching a tent, “roughing it” with rationed food, crossing our fingers for decent weather, and potentially being half-eaten by bugs. Well, times have changed. Although adventures in the great outdoors have always been fun for folks who want to connect with nature without everyday conveniences, the world of camping (and, these days, RVing) has evolved to where a trip can feel more like time spent at a luxurious rural resort than in makeshift housing in the woods. Here’s a look at three locations that offer a more comfortable camping experience than anything you may have encountered in your Scouting days.
for movie nights, horseshoe games, and nighttime stargazing. Respite Near the Zion River Southwest Utah is home to both the Virgin River and Zion National Park, two sites accessible through a stay at the Zion River Resort in the town of Virgin. From bus rides to and from the national park to gemstone mining, the resort offers campers and RVers an eclectic journey through one of the country’s most memorable regions.
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Tales of Yesteryear’s Terrifying Titans PREHISTORIC POWERHOUSES
TAKE A BREAK
Bloom Cinco
Comic Derby Emerald Gemini Graduation Lily Memorial Mother
If “The Flintstones” were a factual time capsule and not a cartoon, there’s a strong chance ol’ Fred would have witnessed a giant crocodile attacking a T. rex. As scientists worldwide have discovered, dinosaurs were not the only intimidating
Renewal Veterans
NO-BAKE LEMON ECLAIR CAKE
animals in the distant past. If you could travel far enough back, you might be surprised to learn how massive certain living things once were. Let’s explore two examples of why humans should feel lucky to live in the here and now. Chronicles of the 9-Foot Clam In modern times, clams are relatively tiny and, depending on your culinary preference, pretty tasty. However, anyone today who enjoys them with butter would have more than a mouthful with the Platyceramus . This giant prehistoric clam was more than 9 feet in diameter and large enough to swallow a person whole. Fortunately, the chances of a monstrous clam consuming you are nonexistent. Even if they still existed, you’d have to dive very deep to encounter them. Secrets of the Savage Swamp Slayer Crocodiles in modern times probably should be avoided, but nothing … not even the fiercest dinosaurs on the block … was more dangerous than their prehistoric ancestor. Known as the Deinosuchus , this four-legged hunting machine was up to 40 feet long and terrorized other living beings on land and sea. How vicious were they? Based on studies of fossils uncovered in the sands of time, researchers believe these giant crocodiles often targeted large dinosaurs as prey. If a T. rex struggled to overtake this creature, just imagine how we’d fare!
Ingredients
• 1 box graham crackers, crushed • 2 (3.4-oz) boxes instant lemon pudding • 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1 (8-oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed • 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/2 cup lemon juice • Zest of 1 lemon
Directions 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant lemon pudding mix and milk. 2. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken. 3. Fold in the thawed whipped topping until smooth. 4. In a separate bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and zest. 5. Add the lemon mixture to the pudding mixture, stirring until combined. 6. Layer graham crackers on the bottom of a 9x13-inch dish. 7. Spread half the lemon pudding mixture over the graham crackers. 8. Repeat steps with another layer of graham crackers and the remaining pudding mixture. 9. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Inspired by DelectableRecipe.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Magic of Live Music: Taking in a Concert by a Broadway Legend
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Measured Mindsets for the Months Ahead
Tranquil Travels Beyond the Tent
No-Bake Lemon Eclair Cake
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Giant Beasts of Bygone Eras
A Journey Across Timeless Sands
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THE CAMEL CHRONICLES Humps, Horizons, and Google’s Desert Vision
Google Street View allows us to experience parts of the world that were confined to textbooks and movies just a few years ago, but the methods used to create these visuals are just as compelling as the sights they produce.
Google had many reasons to enlist Raffia for this critical mission. In addition to boasting the largest oasis in the United Arab Emirates, the Liwa Desert was home to settlers during the Late Stone Age. The area’s sand dunes reach heights of up to 40 meters, and visitors have called the desert views “majestic.” Before Raffia’s journey, many of these sights were reserved only for residents and tourists who had the opportunity to see them in person. Thanks to this intrepid camel, an internet connection, and a desire to explore new territory, you can now experience this beautiful scenery for yourself. As Google noted at the time of Raffia’s trek, “We hope this collection
Just ask Raffia the camel.
In 2014, Google strapped a Street View Trekker camera to Raffia’s back as she walked through the Liwa Desert, located 150 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi. Raffia dutifully captured images of the desert, cited by Google as “one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world,” in ways previously unattainable by road or street.
gives you a glimpse of what it may be like to travel the desert as caravan merchants have for the past 3,000 years.” So, check out the unforgettable views of the Liwa Desert online … and thank Raffia for giving humanity a hand (or hump)!
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