Culture Archives - Page 12 of 23

2HAX13F Book boat, floating library Epos in the port of Bergen, Norway.

“The Book Boat:” How Locals Saved a 60-Year-Old Floating Library in Norway

We previously ran an article featuring some of the world’s most unusual bookstores, and the venue we’re highlighting today certainly qualifies as a unique place to acquire reading material. For decades, the 80-foot Epos — called Bokbåten in Norway, which is Swedish for “the book boat” — operated as a floating library, biannually visiting around […]

M4Y5GC The Haines Shoe House is a shoe-shaped house in Hellam Township, Pennsylvania. This roadside attraction is on the Lincoln Highway.

Home Sweet Home: Unusual Houses Across the World

What does “home” mean to you? For some, it’s a place to spend time with loved ones while making family recipes, celebrating holidays, and putting children’s artwork on refrigerators. For others, it isn’t a physical location at all, but rather a feeling, person, or memory. And looking at the list of houses below, it’s clear […]

two women walk their dogs and communicate. Dogs are friends

Dogs Need Friends, Too: How Socializing Can Positively Affect Your Pup’s Health

Dogs are man’s best friend, but it turns out they need their own furry friends, too. A recent study conducted as part of the Dog Aging Project found that a canine’s social support network has the greatest influence on health outcomes, surpassing factors such as finances, household stability, and the age of the owner. The […]

City view of beautiful Medellin Colombia

A Colombian Neighborhood Was Ranked the Coolest in the World — Check Out the Top 10 List

How hip is your zip? Time Out recently released its sixth annual ranking of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. The publication polled over 12,000 people to compile a shortlist, then worked with city editors and local experts to narrow the selections down, creating a final ranking by considering factors like community and social ventures, […]

Scene of the harbor of the island with some small boats moored. Livadia, the port and main village of Tilos island with the whitewashed traditional architecture houses and the beach with the crystal clear sea water. Telos is a small Greek Mediterranean island in the Aegean Sea part of the Dodecanese islands with a population of 780 inhabitants near the Turkish coast. In late 2018 Tilos became the first island in the Mediterranean to run exclusively on wind and solar power, a green self-sufficient island, an initiative funded by the EU for green energy from renewable sources protecting the natural environment. Tilos island, Greece on November 17, 2021 (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

How the Tiny Greek Isle of Tilos Became the World’s First Zero-Waste Island

Unlike Corfu or Santorini, Tilos likely hasn’t popped up in your social media feed. But the tiny Greek municipality in the Aegean Sea has made a big name for itself: It’s the world’s first zero-waste island. Tilos accomplished this monumental feat in early July after two years of efforts by local authorities and community members, […]

Traditional Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving holiday celebration party. Flat-lay of friends or family feasting at Thanksgiving Day festive table with turkey, pumpkin pie, roasted seasonal vegetables and fruit, top view.

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Products to Host the Most Memorable Gathering, From Party Games to Decor

When it comes to holidays, Thanksgiving has it all. In one wonderful day, we get the opportunity to practice gratitude, enjoy delicious food, and gather with the people we love. If you’re hosting the feast on Nov. 23, you’re likely already in the planning stages: picking out party games and deciding whether to go traditional […]

Countdown to Christmas: Advent Calendars for Everyone in Your Life

Christmas is fast approaching, and if you’re planning on counting down the days to the Dec. 25 holiday with an Advent calendar, now is the time to pick one (or two or three) out. Advent, derived from the Latin word for “arrival,” is the four-week period beginning on the nearest Sunday to the feast of […]

Inside the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: What to Expect, How to Watch, and More

The iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has sparked joy for nearly a century, serving as the perfect accompaniment to a holiday gathering. This year, the festivities kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 23, and will air live on NBC and Peacock. The historic event has something for everyone, including larger-than-life balloons, majestic floats, cheery […]

Meet Snow Graffiti Scott: Artist Creates Stunning Window Displays Inspired by Holiday Movies — Exclusive

The holidays are officially here, and with them comes the return of charming decor on city streets, sidewalks, and storefront window displays. Among the people bringing that Christmastime magic to life is Scott Wilcock — or the “Bob Ross of snow graffiti,” as some call him — who has taken social media by snowstorm with […]

Meet the California Girl Scout Troop That Brings Members of the Deaf Community Together

It’s a little-known fact that Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, was hard of hearing for much of her life. Now, more than a century after she started the enduring nonprofit, there’s a Girl Scout troop in Orange County, California, that’s carrying on her legacy in more ways […]

100 Unique, Artistic Mailboxes Embody Community in an Island Town — Exclusive

In picturesque Bainbridge Island, Washington, a small town just a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, lush forest flora and ocean sunsets aren’t the only scenic vistas residents and visitors enjoy. More than 100 quirky, artistic, and often deeply meaningful mailboxes line the neighborhoods’ streets. Brothers Jim and Dick Strom turned a 1948 Packard sedan into […]

There are many nicely wrapped gifts with different colored ribbons Hands of an anonymous person are putting one gift on the table

Nice News’ 2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone on Your List

You’ve heard the old saying “It’s the thought that counts” — typically offered up off-handedly following the receipt of a less-than-thrilling present. But did you know the aphorism is actually backed by research? Dig into the science of great gift giving, and then put your thinking cap on as you peruse Nice News’ annual holiday […]