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Symphony Orchestras Reinventing Themselves
Trivia: Which historic ship sent the famous distress call “SOS... we have struck iceberg” in 1912?
RetireHub
December 03, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Wednesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on Symphony Orchestras Reinventing Themselves, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Charles J Thayer Harrison Steele’s long-awaited sailing sabbatical is derailed when the unexplained murder of a young bank auditor pulls him into an investigation with no clear motive. As he continues toward the Caribbean, he rescues an abandoned teenage girl and crosses paths with a mysterious Italian woman, drawing him deeper into a web of secrets. What began as a simple voyage quickly becomes a high-stakes journey into possible undercover operations—and something far more dangerous. |
 | By: Melissa McClone Six years ago, Carly Bishop’s heart was shattered on Mount Hood. Now, she’s back for Christmas, but one person complicates her plans to survive the holidays without joy, feeling, or family traditions: her late brother’s best friend, Jake Porter. He remembers the girl she was, and the only one who might tempt her to believe in second chances. |
 | By: Maryann Miller Homicide detectives Sarah Kingsly & Angel Johnson are unlikely partners in the racially charged city of Dallas. Still, they do the job. That's what good cops do. This time, they're up against a most surprising killer. "Few readers will anticipate the closing twist." Publisher's Weekly |
Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
Thanksgiving has now come and gone - the day when families unite, turkeys surrender, and retirees everywhere prepare for the annual spectacle known as “Watching the Younger Generation Try to Cook.” Sit back, relax, and enjoy a humorous look at traditions in my household.
Some people spend 30+ years perfecting the Thanksgiving turkey. Four years ago, we tried to hand down the traditional Thanksgiving Day preparations to the next generation. I thought it went over beautifully, but after one dose of preparations, the future generation returned the tradition back to me. If I remember correctly, I was told “That was really hard!”
My husband and I had our annual disagreement about preparing and serving too much food. I am Italian – is there really such a thing as “too much food”? I think not. Yes, we have way too many appetizers – I admit that. But shouldn’t everyone have their favorite dish available to them on a holiday? Then when dinner is served, everyone is already stuffed. Yep, that is how it goes every year. Too bad.
Speaking of food - Nothing says “family togetherness” quite like someone trying a new recipe they found on the internet at 2 a.m. This year, on the buffet table, there was a huge bowl of ambrosia. I love a good serving of ambrosia but have never had a portion that tasted anything like I remember as a kid. I had no idea where that dish came from so, I asked out loud “Who made the ambrosia?” Everyone turned around and said “your husband”. What? When did he prepare that? I asked him, and he said “While you were sleeping.” Ooops. I hesitated to try it but OMG, it was fabulous! Needless to say, I had more than one serving. My oldest son said next year we only need to make that dish and we could forget the turkey. In reality, that is the only leftover I indulged in all weekend. Good job, honey!
My DIL made her traditional brownies – one tray just for me, the other tray to serve. Oh, yes, I indulged in those over the weekend as well.
One perk of retirement is that we now control the remote… or so we think. I like to binge-watch The Brady Bunch on Pluto because their holiday shows are so memorable. I lost (again) to football. I guess when you have a husband and three sons that is a battle I am bound to lose every time.
Every family insists on a Thanksgiving picture, which goes roughly like this:
Someone can’t find their glasses.
Someone else blinks like they’re signaling SOS.
A grandchild makes a face that will live forever in the family album.
The person in charge of the camera sets a timer and sprints into position, arriving just in time to look mildly panicked.
But hey - everyone in attendance is all in the photo, and that’s what matters… or so we tell ourselves when we see the results. The photo tradition tugs at my heart with a tear in my eye because my middle son lives in Florida and cannot make it home for the holidays. In a small place in my brain, it really is not a “family” photo when one of us is not in attendance. It makes me sad.
We also have one of those tablecloths that everyone signs on every holiday or birthday gathering. We have only been doing it for four years, but it is starting to make an impact as we see the sections start to build.
This year at the dinner table, the family suggested we try a new tradition for our Christmas Eve meal. Everyone wants a “breakfast-for-dinner” buffet. They remember as kids waking up on holiday mornings, and my making French Toast stuffed with Mascarpone – a family favorite. So, we decided to have a new Christmas Eve dinner menu: French toast, scrambled eggs, the waffle maker set up for individual servings, a pound of bacon per person, sausage, toast, bagels and English muffins. Maybe this will be the start of a new tradition!
After coffee and clean-up everyone rolled out of the house and into their cars for the trek home. As I sat on my couch with my husband, I thanked the Lord for being so blessed. Truly blessed.
I hope everyone had someone or something that made them smile over this holiday weekend.
Feel free to email me at [email protected] and tell me what made you smile this Thanksgiving weekend. I’d love to hear.
Now onto Christmas shopping!
Have a great week.
Joanne
How was this week's Dear Joanne column? |
On this day in 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa. The groundbreaking surgery marked a new era in modern medicine, proving that replacing a failing human heart was possible and offering hope to patients with advanced cardiac disease. Although the patient lived only 18 days, the procedure paved the way for the lifesaving heart transplants performed today.
Symphony Orchestras Reinventing Themselves: Bridging Tradition with Today’s Audience
Classical music — particularly symphony orchestras — has long been associated with grand concert halls, formal dress, and a mostly older audience. But in recent years, many orchestras are rethinking that image, reinventing themselves to stay relevant, accessible, and vibrant in today’s fast-changing world. Their goal? To keep the music playing while welcoming broader, more diverse audiences.
One of the biggest shifts is how orchestras present performances. Gone are the all-evening, formal concerts dressed in tuxedos and gowns. Instead, “pop-up” concerts in parks, community centers, and even supermarkets are becoming more common. These casual, bite-sized shows make classical music approachable — no need for formal wear or expensive tickets. In smaller venues or outdoor settings, observers often hear — for the first time — how strings rise, woodwinds whisper, and brass boom in their natural echo, sometimes making classical music feel fresher than ever.
Orchestras are also embracing modern technology. Many now stream concerts online, making them accessible to homebound audiences — a lifesaver in unpredictable times. Others partner with social media or release “behind-the-scenes” videos to show the human side of musicians: tuning instruments, rehearsing jokes in the dressing room, or arranging music late at night. These glimpses transform the orchestra from a distant institution into a relatable group made up of passionate individuals.
Programming is evolving too. Instead of focusing strictly on classical standards, orchestras are blending classical pieces with modern songs, film scores, and even contemporary pop hits. This helps break down stereotypes — and reminds people that orchestral instruments can deliver powerful emotion, drama, and joy in nearly any genre. One performance might pair Beethoven with a favorite movie’s soundtrack or showcase a new piece commissioned specifically for today’s audience.
Additionally, many organizations are investing in education and outreach. Workshops for children and teens, low-cost or free concerts for families, and “instrument petting zoos” where kids can try violin or trumpet make long-term connections. Music isn’t just being performed — it’s being shared as part of community life. By reaching out this way, orchestras are planting seeds of appreciation that could blossom for years to come.
Through these adaptations — casual settings, digital presence, modern programming, and community engagement — symphony orchestras are proving that classical music can still thrive. Their mission isn’t changing: to bring beautiful music to life. But the way they share that music is evolving — from grand concert halls to everyday places — inviting everyone to be part of the magic.
What Would Inspire You to Attend an Orchestra Performance? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How Do You Mostly Use Your Tablet?
It turns out most people reach for their tablets to stay connected — a full 54% of voters use theirs primarily for email, video calls, and social scrolling. Another 48% prefer their tablets as a cozy reading companion for books, articles, and news. Streaming came in at 16%, while 22% lean on their device for games and puzzles, and 5% use it for learning or classes. A final 19% chimed in with “Other,” proving tablets are still the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure gadget.
TOP COMMENTS
“Shopping!”
“ALL of the above! My tablet is my lifeline and goes everywhere with me. I have wet AMD and it's hard for me to see things on my phone.”
“I have a PC, 2 laptops and a phone. I don't need a tablet.”
“I do not have a tablet. My Mac and my iPhone fit all my needs. I love to read, from a book.”
“I use my iPhone for everything. No longer have a desktop or laptop and am considering a tablet. The eyesight isn’t what it used to be. 🙃”
“Use it to look up stuff especially when Googling for information. It's the only other device I own besides a phone, and the screen is a lot bigger, making it easier to see than the tiny screen on my phone.”
“Coloring on the Zen app and reading.”
“I don't own a tablet, nor do I want one.”
“I specifically bought an iPad mini so I could read books on Hoopla. I’ll look at mail or FB sometimes but generally use my iPhone for that.”
Moving with Pets? Here’s How to Make the Transition Smooth and Stress-Free
When you move — especially later in life — having pets makes the process a bit more involved, but with the right planning, it can go smoothly. Key first steps include updating your pet’s ID tags and microchip records, gathering all their medical and vaccination paperwork, and packing a “pet essentials” bag (food, water, meds, familiar toys/blankets) so they’re comfortable whether you travel by car or plane.
On moving day, it helps to keep pets in a secure, quiet spot — or with a friend — while the moving chaos unfolds, and if you can, prepare a new “home base” as soon as you arrive. Unpacking their bed, toys, and familiar items first helps pets adapt to the new surroundings.
Finally, sticking to their usual routine when possible — regular meals, walks, and comfort — and giving them time to settle in can ease anxiety. With thoughtful preparation and awareness of their needs, moving with pets can be a positive transition for the whole family.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Drip
Meaning: “Drip” is modern slang meaning someone’s stylish look or impressive personal flair — especially their outfit or accessories. It’s basically a compliment on having great style.
In a sentence: “Helen walked into bingo night with so much drip in her new scarf and matching earrings that everyone asked where she got them.”
Good News of the Day
Syrian Refugee Turns Gratitude Into Generosity — Weekly Meals for His English Class Go Viral
In Ohio, a Syrian refugee named Hazaa Alabdullah has captured hearts by bringing food for his entire English-class every week, sharing the warmth of his homeland’s hospitality with fellow learners and volunteers. The gesture, which started modestly, recently drew widespread attention after a volunteer posted a video of the kind act, inspiring admiration and solidarity from viewers across the country.
Alabdullah and his family resettled in the U.S. from war-torn Syria several years ago, and he’s used his time learning English to build new friendships and a sense of community — offering food in class as a simple way to express thanks and bring comfort to others. His acts of kindness and generosity are being celebrated as a touching example of compassion, cultural warmth, and the power of small gestures to build trust and connection.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which historic ship sent the famous distress call “SOS… we have struck iceberg” in 1912? |
The musical group Earth, Wind & Fire is named after elements connected to the founder’s astrological chart. Which founder was it? |
Which iconic 1960s roadside attraction in South Dakota is famous for its jackalope statues, free ice water, and quirky billboards? |
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