Photos by Nanci Blog

Bruce Springsteen didn’t ease into the moment—he detonated it. Standing center stage at Newark’s Prudential Center on April 20, 2026, in front of 19,000 fans, Springsteen turned what could have been just another stop on a tour into something far more urgent: a call to conscience wrapped in the language of rock and roll. For an artist whose career has been defined by chronicling the American experience—the working class, the restless, the hopeful, the disillusioned—this wasn’t a departure. It was a sharpening. “The America I love,” he said, pausing just long enough for the weight of the words to settle, “the America that I’ve written about for 50 years… is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous administration.” The arena didn’t erupt right away. It absorbed. Then came the roar. Springsteen has always understood something many performers don’t: that a concert crowd isn’t just an audience—it’s a temporary community. And on this night, he leaned i...

  This winter was, without a doubt, the BEST we’ve had in a long time—at least for those of us who love being on skis (sorry to the winter skeptics out there!). Volunteering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports made the season fly by. I spent most weeks out on the mountain 2–3 days teaching adaptive skiing, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. I first started teaching at Mount Ascutney back in 1987 alongside Laura Farrell, the founder of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Even during the years I stepped away from skiing, I stayed connected by helping with special events. Three years ago, I returned to the slopes—and I haven’t looked back. These days, Pico is my home mountain, where Vermont Adaptive is based. It’s amazing to see how much the program has grown—now offering year-round recreation for EVERY BODY, with programs at Pico/Killington, Bolton, Sugarbush, and now Stratton and Bromley as well. One of the highlights of my winter is every Wednesday from January through March at S...

  Islet of Vila Franca do Campo Today is our last day on São Miguel. We fly back to Lisbon tomorrow and then fly back to Boston the day after. Our Portuguese adventure is winding down. After a hearty buffet breakfast at the Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel in Ponta Delgada, we meet our local guide at the mini-bus and off we go for Vila Franca do Campo. Remember Vila Franca do Campo from yesterday. Vila Franca do Campo was the capital of the archipelago and the most important Azorean settlement until 20 October 1522, when a violent earthquake hit the area. 5000 people were killed during the earthquake and subsequent landslide. Because of the destruction at Vila Franca do Campo, the capital of São Miguel was transferred to Ponta Delgada. Our first stop is a view of the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo . Situated opposite the town of Vila Franca do Campo, about 1km from the coast, the islet is a result of the crater of an ancient submerged volcano.  It's become a heavily vi...