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April 26, 2025

Welcome back to The Weekender, where you’ll find a batch of our top stories about culture and the way we live today.

This week, Gayle King, Blake Lively and other celebrities, athletes and activists mingled at the Time 100 Gala, and our reporters were there to capture the scene. We’ve got expert advice to get your kitchen in order, as well as a recipe that might cure your next hangover. And, in the wake of the pope’s death, Jason Farago, a culture critic, took a close look at Francis’ favorite painting, a Caravaggio that made use of a technique called chiaroscuro — “light-dark,” in Italian. “That’s art’s whole function: to cast light on what is too often in shadow,” Jason writes.

Elias Williams for The New York Times THE RIGHT TRACK Watch the seasons change in one of New York City’s last wild places — an abandoned rail line that could become the city’s next tourist destination. →

Krista Schlueter for The New York Times PARTY REPORT We went to the Time 100 Gala, where contemporary artists were honored alongside champion athletes. See the photos. →

Philip Cheung for The New York Times THE HUNT In Los Angeles, a young family wanted a house to grow into. Would $800,000 be enough? →

Bobbi Lin for The New York Times CALCULATOR Are you getting enough protein? Let’s find out. →

Sasha Phyars-Burgess for The New York Times IN DEFENSE OF 'JOURNALING' Suleika Jaouad’s new book is a master class in personal writing. Here’s why it’s a worthwhile habit. →

Mauro Magliani/Getty Images CLOSE READ Jason Farago, a culture critic, showed us why this painting was the pope’s favorite. →

FROM ACADIA TO ZION Planning a visit to one of the popular national parks this summer? Use our guide. →

Amir Hamja for The New York Times PLAY ALONG The Frick needed a new piano. Watch, listen and guess which one they chose. →

Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet VOWS Peek at the very fitting wedding celebration of “New York Nico,” who documents iconic characters in the city, and Naomi Jenny Otsu. →

Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Prop Stylist: Kristine Trevino. SPRING CLEANING Make the most of your kitchen space with our tips for organizing your cupboard, fridge and freezer. →

Warner Bros.; Disney; Joseph M. Schenck Productions SEEING DOUBLE Duplicating actors is one of cinema’s most enduring tricks. Here’s how moviemakers have done it over the years. →

David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. HANGOVER CURE? There’s no true salve for the morning after a big night, but this easy recipe gets close. →

Thanks for reading. For more culture and lifestyle stories from The Times, click here.

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This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller and Kellina Moore.

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