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Rodney Smith Jr., of Huntsville, Alabama, was recently profiled by KMBC for his generous donation to two 11-year-olds who fulfilled his 50 Yard Challenge in Gadsden, Alabama. Ja’Torrian Taylor and Tevin Rice, founders of TJ & JT Mowing Service, completed Smith’s challenge to mow 50 yards for the elderly, veterans, and people unable to care for their lawns for free.

“I’m heading down to Gadsden right now. These are good, hard-working kids that deserve some gratitude,” Smith, known as “The Lawnmower Man,” told KMBC. Smith had been told that Taylor and Rice were sharing an old lawnmower that a neighbor had donated to them.

When he arrived, he gave both teens a mower, a blower and a trimmer for their hard work, hoping they’ll use their new equipment to expand their business. “Giving these boys lawn equipment is teaching them discipline,” Smith said. “If they tell someone they are going to mow a lawn, they need to mow the lawn.”

“Remember, this is not the end; it’s just the beginning,” Smith added. “This could be the beginning of a successful lawn service.”

Smith’s commitment to taking care of people’s lawns started in 2015, and the following year he went viral for helping a 93-year-old woman who could no longer mow hers. The photo of Smith and the woman received over 1 million likes.

Five years ago, Upworthy profiled Smith for setting a bold goal of mowing lawns for free in all 50 states. His goal was to promote his initiative that “provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers, and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources, and/or money to manicure their yards.”

As part of this goal, he created the 50 Yard Challenge, which has been a smashing success.

As of May 2023, 4,588 pre-teens and teens are participating in this challenge across the United States. If everyone completes the challenge, that will bring the total number of lawns mowed for free by Smith’s Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service to 229,400.

Kids and teens can take part in the challenge by sending them a photo holding up a sign that says, “I accept the 50 Yard Challenge,” and in return, they’ll receive a white Raising Men/Women shirt along with shades and ear protection to get started. For every 10 lawns cut, they will get a new color shirt.

• 10 lawns earn an orange shirt

• 20 lawns earn a green shirt

• 30 lawns earn a blue shirt

• 40 lawns earn a red shirt

• 50 lawns earn a black shirt

After completing the challenge, the child or teen will receive a mower, a blower, and a trimmer, just like Ja’Torrian Taylor and Tevin Rice from Alabama.

Smith’s story is an incredible example of how one good deed from a kind-hearted person can lead to an outpouring of kindness across the country. It also teaches young people the values of giving back and self-discipline as well as the entrepreneurial spirit.

Learn more about Smith’s nonprofit and donate at Weareraisingmen.com.

This article originally appeared on 6.23.23

Southern food is beloved by many, and those of us raised on it just consider it dinner, not a special cuisine. But since Southern food is pretty geographical, there are plenty of Americans who haven’t had the opportunity to try authentic Southern food. There are a few soul food restaurants that get it right sprinkled across the country, but all are not created equal.

Since Southern cooking isn’t available throughout all of America, it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s not a staple across the pond. Josh Carrott, author of “Once Upon A Time in Carrottland,” runs the YouTube channel Jolly, where he has people try new foods. He decided to invite a group of British schoolboys to try a few Southern staples. The boys are in year 9 in England, which means they’re between the ages of 13 and 14.

Since Carrott isn’t Southern, or even American for that matter, I can’t say how the food was prepared. What I can say is that my very Southern grandmother would give the sausage gravy preparation the side eye, but other than that, it looked as authentic as possible.

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The boys were served biscuits that were perfectly golden, and there was immediate confusion. Apparently biscuits are flat and hard in England, so the boys were sure they were being served scones. It only took one bite for them to come around to the idea of the buttery fluffy delight that is the Southern biscuit. But the taste test for the biscuits wasn’t over—Carrott mixed up some white sausage gravy and smothered the delicious bread.

None of the boys were eager to try a meal that many Southern households eat regularly.

“Let’s call it interesting for now. I’m not going to make a judgment,” one boy says.

“It looks like a chopped-up ferret,” another lamented.

To be fair, if you’ve never seen biscuits and gravy, it doesn’t look instantly appealing, but once you try it, the dish suddenly looks amazing every time you encounter it moving forward. Maybe it isn’t everyone’s favorite thing, but being able to drive through a Whataburger and grab it to go brings me childlike joy.

After trying everything offered, all of the boys agreed that the Southern food was delicious, including the sweet tea. Several of them said they preferred it over their British hot tea—no one tell their parents. It feels like it would be as shocking as finding a Southerner who prefers unsweet tea. You can watch the entire video below.

This article originally appeared on 6.22.23

Anthony Edwards‘ play during the 2024 NBA playoffs has led to some comparisons to Michael Jordan. To be clear, there haven’t been people explicitly saying that Edwards is the second-coming of arguably the greatest player of all time, but there are things in his game that look a lot like the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards legend — Jamal Crawford, in particular, noticed something while he was on the call for a Minnesota Timberwolves game against the Phoenix Suns.

Not everyone is buying this, though, like Edwards, who really wants people to stop doing this. And prior to Game 4 of the Wolves’ series against the Denver Nuggets, Charles Barkley begged basketball fans to not compare the two.

“Please, America, please stop the Michael Jordan stuff,” Barkley said. “This guy’s had one good playoff run. I think he’s gonna be a great player, he’s a really nice kid, we root for him, we want him to be…”

Barkley was cut off by Shaquille O’Neal, who asked if Edwards is close to Jordan, to which he replied “hell no.” Even when Shaq specifically asked if he is close to where Jordan was at 23 years old, Barkley wasn’t sold.

“I love Anthony Edwards,” Barkley said. “Do not do that.”

Kenny Smith then chimed in and made another common comp for Edwards, saying “his body type, and the way he plays, to me, reminds me more of D-Wade, young D-Wade, when he was carrying that team when he had Lamar Odom and he was going through the playoffs for the first time.”

There is an abundance of reality competition shows. But when you think of the music wing of this programming niche, American Idol remains the dominate household name. Whether you’re watching to cheer on a hometown budding star, judges panel (Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie), or special guest cameos, producers of the show intend to keep it that way following the show’s recent renewal.

On May 10, in a collaborative post on Instagram between ABC and the show, they revealed the news with a graphic labeled: “We will be back for a new season.”

The excitement spilled over into the post’s caption which read: “Keep the stage lights on because #IDOL will be back for another season on ABC and Stream on Hulu.”

However, when the show returns, it will be down a judge. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live back in February, Katy Perry announced her exit and according to Billboard, the search to replace her is still on.

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for ‘Idol,’” she said. “I mean, I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying, Jimmy? I want to go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”

The Eastern Conference semifinals series between the Knicks and Pacers will return to New York all knotted up at 2-2 after Indiana defended homecourt with an emphatic 121-89 Game 4 win.

After three straight hard fought games, the series finally produced its first blowout as the Pacers jumped on the Knicks from the opening whistle and never let New York get into the game, leading by 20 after the first quarter and as many as 40 in the fourth.

It was a combination of stout defense and explosive offense that got the Pacers rolling, with Tyrese Haliburton continuing his trend of hot starts from Games 2 and 3, scoring 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting (4-of-10 from three) in just 28 minutes of action.

Haliburton had plenty of help, with TJ McConnell putting up another big two-way performance, hounding Jalen Brunson on defense and producing 15 points and 10 assists on the other end.

Just about everyone got in on the fun for the Pacers, as Pascal Siakam had 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, Myles Turner had 13 on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting afternoon, and Obi Toppin chipped in 14 off the bench, including the third quarter exclamation point with a reverse alley-oop finish from McConnell.

It was a genuinely incredible Pacers performance on both ends of the floor, as they shot 56.8 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from three, compared to 32.9 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively, from the Knicks. New York finally looked like a team that was banged up and had been playing its main guys a ton of minutes all playoffs, as they just could not create anything on offense or keep the Pacers from getting whatever they wanted on the other end.

The Knicks will hope this was a blip on the radar and they can find their energy again back in New York, while the Pacers are hoping they’ve worn down the Knicks and now have the advantage in the series. We’ll find out in Game 5 on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT.

In 2023, every musician on planet Earth seemed to have made a comeback. That trend bled well into 2024. From Nsync (and Justin Timberlake) to No Doubt, pop music fans have been quite spoiled.

But there is still one act missing from the rolodex of returns—Shawn Mendes. However, the wait could be over. Yesterday (May 11), the “Heartbeat” singer was spotted on the streets by fans. After asking Mendes for a quick photos they couldn’t help but ask about the status of his next studio album.

“[Its] coming soon,” he said. “Actually, we just finished it like 10 minutes ago.”

Mendes’ last release, Wonder, will celebrate its fourth anniversary this coming December. Not to sound harsh (but speaking on behalf of his supporters for a moment) it is about damn time he made his way to the booth.

In March, Mendes teased an unreleased song but that has yet to formally announced or uploaded to any streaming services. So, his fans are primed and ready to support. Following Mendes’ abrupt 2022 tour cancellation, in his base’s eyes he has a lot to make up for. The less he can do is drop something to hold them over until the full length body of work is ready.

The 2024 NBA Draft order is finally set after the Draft Lottery on Sunday afternoon saw three teams jump up into the top-4, headlined by the Atlanta Hawks landing the No. 1 overall pick despite having just a three percent chance coming in.

While the 2024 Draft isn’t particularly strong at the top, there is still talent to be had and teams will have to put in the leg work to make sure they’re finding the right talent and fit in the first round. A number of teams will get multiple cracks at a first round selection on Wednesday, June 26, with the Wizards (2 and 26), Spurs (4 and 8), Blazers (7 and 14), Jazz (10 and 29), Pelicans (17 and 21), and Knicks (24 and 25) all having a pair of first round picks at their disposal.

The second round, which is now on a separate day — Thursday, June 27 — will only have 28 selections after Philadelphia and Phoenix forfeited their second round picks due to tampering violations.

2024 NBA Draft Order

First Round
1. Atlanta Hawks
2. Washington Wizards
3. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn)
4. San Antonio Spurs
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Charlotte Hornets
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto)
9. Memphis Grizzlies
10. Utah Jazz
11. Chicago Bulls
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston)
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State)
15. Miami Heat
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. New Orleans Pelicans (via Los Angeles Lakers)
18. Orlando Magic
19. Toronto Raptors (via Indiana)
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee)
22. Phoenix Suns
23. Milwaukee Bucks (via New Orleans)
24. New York Knicks (via Dallas)
25. New York Knicks
26. Washington Wizards (via LA Clippers)
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
28. Denver Nuggets
29. Utah Jazz (via Oklahoma City)
30. Boston Celtics

Second Round
31. Toronto Raptors (via Detroit)
32. Utah Jazz (via Washington)
33. Milwaukee Bucks (via Portland)
34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Charlotte)
35. San Antonio Spurs
36. Indiana Pacers (via Toronto)
37. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis)
38. New York Knicks (via Utah)
39. Memphis Grizzlies(via Brooklyn)
40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Atlanta)
41. Philadelphia 76ers (via Chicago)
42. Charlotte Hornets (via Houston)
43. Miami Heat
44. Houston Rockets (via Golden State)
45. Sacramento Kings
46. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana)
47. Orlando Magic
48. San Antonio Spurs (via Los Angeles Lakers)
49. Indiana Pacers (via Cleveland)
50. Indiana Pacers (via New Orleans)
51. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
52. Golden State Warriors (via Milwaukee)
53. Detroit Pistons (via New York)
54. Boston Celtics (via Dallas)
55. Los Angeles Lakers (via LA Clippers)
56. Denver Nuggets (via Minnesota)
57. Memphis Grizzlies (via Oklahoma City)
58. Boston Celtics (to Dallas via Charlotte)

When you think of Donald Glover, music might be the last time to come to mind. However, the Mr. And Mrs. Smith actor hasn’t abandoned that creative lane just yet.

Fans of his work as Childish Gambino are in luck. According to the multifaceted entertainer, he still has two more project in him, the first of which, Atavista, is set to hit streaming platforms soon.

According to NFR Podcast, the forthcoming project is set to be released on tomorrow (May 13) and contains a total of ten songs. The platform revealed that Atavista currently features one credited guest appearance by Young Nudy. Continue below to view the full speculative tracklist and artwork.

If the titles seems familiar to you, that’s because they are.

Back in March 2020, the songs were initially shared on Gambino’s website as part of the album, 3.15.20. However, the body of work, which featured Ariana Grande, Kadhja Bonet, 21 Savage and Ink, has apparently since been scrubbed from the site. But based on rumors, the songs have undergoing creative updates.

Tracklist

1. “Atavista”
2. “Algorhythm”
3. “Time”
4. “Psilocybae (Millennial Love)”
5. “To Be Hunted”
6. “Sweet Thang”
7. “Little Foot Big Foot” Feat. Young Nudy
8. Why Go To The Party
9. Human Sacrifice
10. “Violence”
11. “Final Church”

Artwork

The 2024 NBA Draft will not have anywhere close to the same fanfare as the 2023 edition, as there is not a consensus top guy, much less generational prospect like Victor Wembanyama. As such, the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery arrived with far less hype than last year’s Wemby sweepstakes, but for the teams that struggled this year, it is still the event that can provide some early offseason optimism.

Ahead of Game 4 between the Pacers and Knicks in Indiana, the top of the Draft order was officially set as the ping-pong balls were drawn and the full order was revealed. While there wasn’t a lot of anticipation, there were a bunch of surprises for this year’s lottery as three teams — the Hawks, Rockets, and Spurs — all jumped into the top-4 with the Wizards.

That meant the Pistons, Hornets, and Blazers all dropped out of the top-4, making for the second year in a row that Detroit has fallen to 5th with the best odds at No. 1. Meanwhile, the Raptors dropped out of the top-6, meaning they will send the Spurs the No. 8 overall pick as part of the Jakob Poeltl trade.

The Hawks ultimately won the lottery, making for the first time they’ve ever done that, and they now head into a fascinating offseason armed with the top overall pick.

Full 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Results:

14. Portland Trail Blazers (via Golden State Warriors)
13. Sacramento Kings
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston Rockets)
11. Chicago Bulls
10. Utah Jazz
9. Memphis Grizzlies
8. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
7. Portland Trail Blazers
6. Charlotte Hornets
5. Detroit Pistons
4. San Antonio Spurs
3. Houston Rockets
2. Washington Wizards
1. Atlanta Hawks

As a Colorado resident, one of the questions I’m most often asked is, “Do you ski?” but generally in the form of a statement rather than a question – “So, you ski?”

When I answer honestly, “No, not really, I think it’s expensive/a hassle/too much of a commitment,” I am met with many confused stares. But I don’t sweat it because although I live and travel amongst some of the best ski mountains in the country, not skiing doesn’t stop me from enjoying the winter months.

In fact, being a non-skier visiting a ski town during the winter (or any time) has its fair share of perks. While everyone else is busy on the slopes, I can eat, drink, shop, hike, hot tub, snowshoe, and relax with a massage (or two). More to the point of this piece, outside of ski season the rates are better, the activities are less crowded, and you get an entirely different experience with mountain towns.

Which is just what I did on a recent trip to Northern Utah and Park City. While it wasn’t ski season yet, I spent ample time exploring the area outside the world-class skiing and snowboarding it’s known for.

So, if you are a non-skier like me – or want to diversify your next ski vacation – here is what I recommend in Park City and Northern Utah.

WHERE TO STAY:

The phrase “Northern Utah” encompasses a large area. From Salt Lake City to the Wasatch Mountains, Provo, and Ogden – but for our purposes here, I’m referring to the famed SLC-area ski resorts, including Park City, Solitude, Snowbird, Deer Valley, and Alta. I stayed in Park City and Alta during my last trip, and this is where I recommend booking:

Stein Eriksen Lodge — Park City, UT

Stein Eriksen Lodge is classic Park City. The authentic European luxury ski lodge is the sort of resort you never want – or need – to leave. The 180 rooms, many apartment-sized with fireplaces, balconies, and private hot tubs, all offer majestic views of the surrounding mountains and the exceptional service that has made Stein Eriksen the longest-running Forbes Five-Star Hotel and Spa in Utah. Named after famed skier Stein Eriksen, the lodge was the first luxury property in Park City, and it remains one of the best options for a luxurious ski – or no ski – vacation in Utah. I stayed in a large suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a full kitchen, enjoyed food and drink on the property, and was lulled into pure bliss during a massage at the award-winning spa.

Book here. Prices vary quite a bit, from upper $ 400s in the off-season to over $1,000 per night in the high season.

Snowpine Lodge — Alta, UT

Just 28 miles from Salt Lake City and steps away from the Alta Ski area in the breathtaking Little Cottonwood Canyon is the 4-star luxurious Snowpine Lodge. The ski-in/ski-out lodge is perfect for hitting the slopes but offers plenty for the non-skier alike. I loved spending time on the balcony of my mountain-view room before heading to The Gulch Pub for drinks with a view (it’s a common theme). The on-site Stillwell Spa is historic and luxurious, with traditional spa treatments along with a grotto with a plunge pool, oxygen bar, and Therabody Recovery Air Boots available. I especially enjoyed the basement game room with a pool table, books, board games, and several arcade games for guests to enjoy.

Book here. Prices vary from $189 in the offseason to over $1,000 on the weekends during the high season.

EAT AND DRINK:

Glitretind Restaurant

Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Eriksen Lodge is an award-winning seasonal fine dining restaurant with incredible Deer Valley views. The traditional dining room is nostalgic, and the food is top-notch. Known for its extensive wine list and knowledgeable sommelier, Glitretind is a treat when visiting Park City or Northern Utah. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, reserve a spot at Stein’s Famous Sunday Brunch at Glitretind, an extravagant spread during Sunday ski season. For a unique dining experience, head outside to the Stein Alpenglobes for a panoramic mountain view while you dine.

For dinner, the first courses start at $16, and the mains at $32 and up.

Grappa

Grappa is the place to be for history, ambiance, and great food on Main Street in Park City. Over 100 years old, the building was once home to a bed and breakfast, a bar, and a brothel – now a local favorite for regional rustic Italian dining since its opening in 1992. The three floors of dining, outdoor garden, and attentive service stand out before you even have a chance to skim the extensive menu. I ordered (and loved) the Lobster Fregola Sarda, a pasta with Maine lobster tail, wild shrimp, black mussels, calamari, and chorizo in a spicy seafood broth with expert wine pairings that I’ll be thinking about for weeks to come.

Starters for dinner begin at $16 and entrees at $42 and up.

Alpine Distilling Social Aid And Pleasure Club

Don’t leave Park City without a visit to Alpine Distilling Social Aid and Pleasure Club, conveniently located on Main Street. The award-winning distilleries social club is a vibe, with inventive craft cocktails made with Alpine Distillings’ multi-award-winning spirits. It was an honor to hear co-owner Sara Sergent, the most decorated botanical distiller in the country, walk through the distilling process before participating in the “Make Your Own Gin Experience.”

Deer Valley Grocery Cafe

Stop for lunch with a view at Deer Valley Grocery Cafe, a restaurant and gourmet deli set in idyllic surroundings (but isn’t everything here). The lakeside dining beckons visitors and locals to stay a while, enjoying local brews, fresh food, and friendly service.

The Gulch Pub

Utah liquor laws are notoriously… particular, let’s say. For example, while staying at Snowpine Lodge in Alta, liquor laws prohibited me as a guest from ordering a drink at the bar to take up to my room (but I could buy a bottle?). Usually, this would be a real bummer for me, but luckily, staying at the hotel bar to enjoy my drink, in this case, was an inspired choice. The Gulch Pub offers incredible mountain views, multiple seating areas inside and outside, and friendly bartenders making delicious cocktails. I loved watching the sunset with a “Sparkling Empress” made with Empress 1908 gin, elderflower liqueur, rosemary extract, fresh lime, simple syrup, and tonic.

EXPLORE:

Park City Main St.

When you think of the perfect quaint mountain town, the image you have in your mind is likely very similar to Park City Main Street. The historic main street in the old mining town is positively charming. Full of luxury shops, gourmet restaurants, exciting bars, the Sundance Film Festival, and three Banksy originals, a visit to Main Street is a must on a Park City visit. I recommend an afternoon shopping before heading into Alpine Distilling for a drink.

Burns Cowboy Shop

Visiting Burns Cowboy Shop in downtown Park City was a dream come true for a hat and Yellowstone lover like myself. The oldest same-family-owned Western shop in the world, Burns has been outfitting cowboys, Yellowstone cast members, and tourists alike since 1876. I opted to have a hat custom-made for me in-store, watching the artisan steam, crease, and shape his creation perfectly to my head in awe. Burns also offers in-store branding and accessories for your hat and other Western-inspired wear. It is truly an experience, not just a shopping trip.

Heber Valley Fly Fishing

You might be surprised that fly fishing is touted as an alternative to skiing, but you can cast your line and live out your A River Runs Through It fantasies in Utah throughout the winter months. If outfitted correctly (I recommend Wilderness Access Outfitters in Heber City), fly-fishing during the winter can be just as meditative and rewarding as any other month. The Provo and Green Rivers are world-renowned for fly-fishing and well worth the extra layers you’ll need to get into them in the colder months.

Snowbird Tram

Snowbird is a classic ski resort near Salt Lake City, up the breathtaking Little Cottonwood Canyon, but there is plenty to do there for non-skiers as well. Home to a 1.6-mile-long aerial tram, visitors can ride to the top of Hidden Peak and grab a bite at The Summit restaurant, traveling 2,900 vertical feet. I am admittedly not a heights person, and I did not take advantage of the views via the glass floor panels or the summer open-air ride above – but everyone who was not acrophobic was beyond thrilled. Head down the mountain for ample dining, lodging, and spa options at the resort.

Winter scenic rides start at $37 for adults during off-peak, $42 during peak times, and $47 on holidays.

Solitude Mountain Resort

Solitude Mountain Resort is another ski resort near Salt Lake City with plentiful offerings for a non-skier. When I visited in the fall, I enjoyed hiking the gorgeous and peaceful trails, and I can’t wait to get back during the winter to snowshoe, ice skate, and enjoy the Solitude Mountain spa before some après-ski drinks at Honeycomb Grill. Solitude also has a Nordic center with plenty of groomed cross-country ski trails if you want to dip your toe into some ski boots without the incline.