Latest news with #Scotts
Elle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
The Duke's Return in 'The Gilded Age' Causes Problems for Bertha and George
Spoilers below. Power and influence are desirable in any era. Bertha Russell follows in the footsteps of other ambitious matriarchs to ensure her daughter Gladys has a golden future in The Gilded Age. Unfortunately for Gladys, this means she is being pushed into an engagement with a man she doesn't even know, all because he is a duke. It isn't a done deal yet, and her father, George, has reservations about this match. Now that he knows his wife has been making deals behind his back, he might be more inclined to play the hero card to save his daughter from marital misery. It isn't only Gladys who is stuck in a romantic quagmire. Aurora Fane attempts to maintain normalcy despite her husband's bombshell divorce request in the season premiere. One matter Aurora helps resolve is establishing who the mistress of the Van Rhijn/Forte household is; if only she could settle her personal strife with this much ease. It is a busy time on East 61st Street as Ada continues her temperance quest and the Scotts visit their sick daughter Peggy, accompanied by a very handsome doctor. For a brief second, Bertha thought she had woken to the nightmare of Gladys eloping with Billy Carlton. Luckily for her, all Gladys did was flee to the Carlton home in the middle of the night. Mrs. Carlton (Victoria Clark) thinks she can reason with Bertha, but when that fails, she pulls rank, reminding Bertha that her great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence. Bertha would concede if this were before the Opera Wars victory; now, she reminds Mrs. Carlton that a duke is in the picture. It is somewhat ironic that the British aristocracy triumphs over someone with a storied American legacy like this. George is blissfully unaware of this drama while attempting to make his lofty goals happen. A meeting with JP Morgan (Bill Camp) doubles as a quick rundown of George's recent victories (like saving the Metropolitan Bank) and why he thinks he is the man to connect the entire country with an ambitious railroad scheme. Even with George's wealth, he will need investors. Luckily, he saved JP from losing a fortune and can use this to leverage support. George is as skilled as his wife in getting what he wants, which makes them unstoppable when they are on the same page. However, he didn't foresee the fiery battle under his roof. 'Isn't this a lovely welcome home?!' George quips when he is caught in the middle of his wife and children. Larry continues to do everything he can to support his sister, including showing her the gossip item in the newspaper that says Gladys is engaged to Hector, the Duke of Buckingham. Bertha says she can't control what they write, yet it has her fingerprints all over it. Not only that, but the duke is on his way to New York. When they are alone, Bertha plays the protective mother card to George; all she wants is to give Gladys everything. The last thing she wants is for this to be 'wrecked by Billy Carlton.' She says Billy's name like a curse word, but George reminds her that he told Gladys she could marry for love. Bertha counters this as she is building their daughter a golden life, which is more important than a hasty promise. Despite their opposing sides, they find common ground in a long overdue kiss. The following day, George tries to reason with his daughter that while he disagrees with Bertha's methods, she offers Gladys 'an astonishing opportunity.' Gladys has zero desire to become a Gilded Age influencer and wants to be her own person. It isn't game over for Billy because George promises to hear Billy's case for marriage. It should be no surprise that Gladys is not backing down from what she desires because she has grown up with parents who refuse to take no for an answer. Charles Fane is making an early case for villain of the season (or, at least the biggest asshole) thanks to his approach to getting a divorce. It is quite spectacular how awful he is. If only he had a mustache to twirl. Several weeks have passed since Charles blew up his marriage, and Aurora continues to stand her ground. If she files for a divorce, she will lose her entire social standing. When Charles stops at the house to collect some clothes, his lack of sympathy for the exile Aurora faces is galling. Aurora reminds him about the charity benefit event they are hosting, but he is very DGAF about the endeavor and emphasizes that their relationship is over. When Aurora recounts this exchange, Agnes, Ada, and Marian suggest she go ahead with hosting duties, excusing Charles's absence by saying he has an illness. Much to her sister's annoyance, Ada is still going hard on the temperance quest (including asking their staff to sign the pledge) and asks if booze is behind Charles' cruelty. Aurora wishes this were the cause, while Agnes says it would be better if Charles were dead (one can only hope!). One thing Aurora does help with is the question of who is in charge at 61st Street. Bannister can't get a straight answer from the sisters, but Aurora insists they follow Ada's orders. No doubt, Agnes will still make her voice—and objections—heard. However, it is now the Forte home. Later, at the benefit, Agnes and Ada are on hand to support Aurora at her lowest moment. Everything is fine until Charles arrives with his new mistress. It is his way of forcing Aurora's hand, but the public humiliation is extreme because everyone from Mrs. Astor to Bertha clocks his brazen entrance—and the woman on his arm. I cheered when Agnes emphasized that she no longer sees Charles as family: 'I'm not your Aunt Agnes anymore.' It is all go at the Forte home as Peggy's parents, Arthur (John Douglas Thompson) and Dorothy Scott (Audra McDonald), came as soon as they received the letter about their daughter's illness. There is a disagreement between the couple about which door to use, with Arthur insisting they use the front entrance and not the servant's one—they go through the front. Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) is in attendance as Agnes's family physician refused to see Peggy because of her race. Agnes apologizes for how her doctor behaved, as this is not how she was raised. Arthur questions her surprise because the practice among white physicians to be bigoted is common. After the Scotts find out that Dr. Kirkland thinks it would be safer for Peggy to stay where she is (they need to act fast so she doesn't get pneumonia), the couple returns home for now. Dorothy is grateful that their daughter is working in such a welcoming home (good thing she didn't have to interact with Armstrong!) and doesn't think Arthur should blame Agnes for society's ills. During Dr. Kirkland's follow-up visit, he recalls trips to Peggy's father's pharmacist when he was younger and how they cracked his world open when he saw potions getting made. There is a spark between them, which Marian notices when she brings Peggy a copy of the Christian Recorder featuring Peggy's novel extract. Peggy mentions she is behind on her work, and while she is improving, Dr. Kirkland advises that she take it easy. He is eager to read her words, which is the way to any writer's heart. Peggy is in demand! Her cousin Athena's women's group would like her to speak at an event in Newport about her experiences (including the Tuskegee piece she wrote last season). Athena has invited Peggy and her parents to stay, which is an exciting opportunity—plus, the sea air is restorative. Dorothy doesn't even finish telling Agnes the news about Newport before Agnes says that Peggy can have as much time as needed. Dorothy mentions that this attitude is not what they usually receive on Fifth Avenue, and while Agnes has particular attitudes about wealth, she is more liberal in other areas. Only last week, Agnes mentioned her support of the suffrage movement. It isn't quite 'I don't see race,' but Agnes veers towards this sentiment when she says that all she believes in is good manners. Arthur notes that good manners are not the cure for two and a half centuries of slavery, and The Gilded Age takes place less than 20 years after the Civil War ended and the abolition of slavery. Arthur is also frustrated that it took the household too long to realize how sick Peggy was. Here, Agnes finds common ground in how parents worry about their children during illness. She recounts the time Oscar had typhoid when he was 10 and she thought he was going to die. The Scotts part with Agnes on good terms, and with a much-needed reminder that civil rights will not be brushed to one side. Jack continues to work on the clock presentation downstairs in the Forte home. Like everyone else on staff, he voices his concerns about signing the temperance pledge, other than Armstrong (Debra Monk), who signs immediately. Jack asks if it only means no drinking in the house or everywhere, and the answer is the latter. Mrs. Bauer (Kristine Nielsen) rightly points out that asking them to work hard and then dictating what they drink in their free time is unfair. At least they know Agnes will fight their corner. Now that Larry wants Jack to attend the pitch meetings, Jack is nervous about dealing with businessmen. Larry stops by to check on Jack's preparations and asks if he has a suit he can wear. When Jack says it no longer fits, Larry insists on taking him to his tailor as part of his investment. Later at the fitting, Larry gives Jack a few tips about how to dress as a gentleman. Larry says Jack needs to aim for "understated elegance.' Quiet luxury is far from a new trend. Of course, Larry also stops by the Fortes to steal a moment alone with Marian. When they have a brief window of privacy, he passionately kisses her and says he loves her. Marian tells Ada about this declaration (her aunt is thrilled), but is still cautious about the whole thing thanks to her spotty track record. Ada also asks if Marian will sign the pledge, but Marian does not see anything wrong with wine at dinner or the staff having a beer on their time off. Agnes jokes that Ada will ask the duke next, and Ada says maybe she will. 'He's English. His Loyalty is to the queen and to the bottle. Not necessarily in that order,' Agnes replies. It is another top-tier delivery from Baranski. At Aurora's party, more cracks in Billy and Gladys's union begin to show. Bertha tells Billy's mother that if their engagement is to go ahead, George will ruin Billy's career and they can cut Gladys off. The party is buzzing with talk of Gladys already being engaged to Hector, and Billy freezes when he goes to talk to George. Perhaps he doesn't love Gladys enough to put everything on the line. Theirs is not the only forbidden love story at this gathering, as Oscar reunites with former lover John Adams (Clayborne Elder). The latter wants to know why Oscar has not come to him for help after his financial collapse and inability to find new clients who will invest with him. John still believes in Oscar, offering to write a check to kickstart Oscar's future because John would do anything for him. Later on in the privacy of Bertha's bedroom, sex is the last thing on her mind. Instead, she continues to push the importance of ensnaring the duke. Because the news of the engagement (that she definitely planted) is public, if the wedding doesn't happen, Gladys will be branded a failure. George wants to know if he has a say in this, and Bertha draws a solid line between the house and his railroad empire. She will keep out of his business if he does the same. Bertha claims she has told him everything, but there is the small matter of what Bertha promised the duke in exchange for his coming to the opening night of the Met in the season 2 finale. The following night, George learns his wife has been lying to him when Hector turns up with his lawyer at the Russell home so they can work out the details. Here, George thought they were simply having dinner together. Now, Bertha says, George knows everything. George often has the look of a serious man, but the fury is written all over his face at his wife's deception. Gladys can barely keep it together as Billy has just reneged on his proposal, choosing his prospects over fighting for her. Larry is on hand to give her a much-needed hug, but George's promise that he will take care of the duke offers Gladys some hope. However, George's word might not withstand his wife's ambition. The Russells' winning dynamic is experiencing unchartered waters.
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Natural product 'stops' dandelions sprouting on your lawn for good
Having a lawn overrun with dandelion weeds can truly be one of the most irksome aspects of gardening. These particular lawn pests can ruin the look of your immaculate turf when they pop up uninvited. Moreover, they're hardy little blighters that can flourish all year round, especially in the spring and summer months. Despite many garden enthusiasts finding them a nuisance, dandelions do offer some surprising advantages for your garden's ecosystem. Their deep taproots are brilliant at mining nutrients from the soil up to the surface, enriching the earth and increasing nitrogen levels for neighbouring plants. However, for those keen on curtailing the growth of dandelions, there's a natural and effective remedy – and it isn't vinegar or baking soda. The turf experts over at Scotts point out that corn gluten can "prevent the germination of dandelion and large crabgrass seeds by releasing amino/dipeptides (proteins) into the soil, starving the roots of water," reports the Express. Corn gluten is a great way to stay one step ahead of those pesky dandelion weeds before they turn into a real headache. Interestingly, researchers at Iowa State University stumbled upon the fact that cornmeal gluten worked as an herbicide during disease-related studies by sheer fluke. Corn gluten meal (CGM), a dusty residue from milling corn, has been used for ages as a supplement, but also doubles up magnificently as a green fertiliser and weed inhibitor, says Linda Naeve, urban agriculture specialist at Iowa State University. She explained: "Besides its high protein content, CGM also contains 10% nitrogen by volume, making it an excellent, natural, slow-release fertiliser for lawns. It promotes thicker lawns, resulting in fewer places for weeds to become established. "During the past 10 years, CGM has gained national attention as being the first effective 'organic' herbicide." It's important to remember that cornmeal gluten is only potent against seeds and not mature plants. Moreover, for peak effectiveness, the corn gluten should contain at least 60% protein. Applying corn gluten is a straightforward five-minute job that's best done when the soil is damp and rain is on the horizon within two days of application. For those dealing with substantial areas, opting for a spray version can simplify the process. To keep up the defence, reapply every four weeks or after heavy downpours throughout the growing season.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire barman creates signature cocktail for The Open inspired by his gran
The Bramble in the Rough, created by Scott Dunlop, 21, from Prestwick, will be the Serve of the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush next month. A barman from Ayrshire has won a competition to create the Serve of The Open. Scott Dunlop, 21, from Prestwick, triumphed in the contest to craft a unique cocktail that reflected "the rich heritage and character" of the world's oldest golf championship. His creation, the Bramble in the Rough, was inspired by his grandmother Helen, who now lives with Alzheimer's. Aged 79, she shared her passion for foraging with Scott during his childhood, when they used to pick brambles along the hedgerows at Old Prestwick Golf Course - the home of The Open which was first held there in 1860. The Bramble in the Rough features 40ml Ben Lomond Scottish Gin, 25ml homemade bramble and woodruff syrup, 20ml fresh lime juice, 100ml soda top, two sprays of 20 per cent saline solution and a meringue garnish. Scott said: 'My grandmother was such an influential figure in my life when I was growing up. We used to pick brambles to make jam. My fingers would be stained purple, and I would have scrapes from the nettles. 'She called it character building – I'm not so sure – but they are memories that I will cherish forever, and it is what inspired me to fall in love with bold seasonal flavours. It is true that sometimes in the rough you find something unexpectedly brilliant. 'Growing up in Prestwick, golf was always in the background. The town's historic ties to The Open and the sense of tradition it carries really inspired me. Like Portrush, there is this incredible historical connection with golf. 'Brambles in the Rough combines those cherished memories with the wild beauty of Portrush. 'It is a love letter to the salty sea air and dramatic scenery of the Northern Irish coast, using foraged brambles and finished with a saline mist to evoke the North Atlantic breeze and a meringue garnish to echo the white cliffs.' As Serve of The 153rd Open, Scott's creation will be available at the competition which takes place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland next month. Hosted by Ben Lomond Gin, the official gin of The Open, saw mixologists and bar tenders from across the UK put their skills to the test to craft a unique cocktail. Scott was crowned winner by an expert panel of judges which included the celebrated Northern Irish chef Paula McIntyre, sports broadcaster Di Stewart and Joanne Carlin, head of sponsorships at Ben Lomond Gin. They praised Scott for the care and thought that had gone into the development of the serve, his bold use of flavour and his ability to capture the landscape and the character of Portrush. Scott honed his bartending skills at Scotts in Troon, where he worked for nearly two years before moving to Aberdeen to study applied sport and exercise science at university. He is now bar manager at The Albyn in Aberdeen where he is known for his inventive approach to flavour and storytelling through mixology. Scott added: 'I have been fortunate to work alongside so many talented mixologists and I have enjoyed learning the art of flavour creation. 'To have my cocktail served at The Open, an event I've admired since I was a child, is surreal. It's a pinch-me moment and I know my grandmother would be proud.' John Grieveson, chief marketing officer at Loch Lomond Group, owner of Ben Lomond Gin, said: 'The Open is one of the biggest milestones in our calendar, providing us with a global stage to showcase the adventurous spirit of Ben Lomond Gin. 'To us, a great serve is not just about the ingredients, it's about the story it tells and the feelings it evokes. 'With its rugged terrain, rolling dunes, and dramatic coastline, Royal Portrush offers boundless inspiration. Scott's creation captured that perfectly and we are looking forward to sharing Brambles in the Rough with fans at this year's Open.' The Open is the oldest golf tournament in the world and the sport's original championship, which brings together professional players from across the globe to compete for the coveted Claret Jug. This year's championship, the 153rd Open, will be held at Royal Portrush from 13 to 20 July.
Auto Blog
19-06-2025
- Business
- Auto Blog
Walmart is selling an ‘awesome' Scotts lawn fertilizer for 44% off, and shoppers say it's ‘the best on the market'
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Summer is the season for enjoying the outdoors, but it's also the season of brown grass that's been scorched by the sun. While this is often caused by too little watering, a browning lawn can also be a sign of low soil nutrition. The solution? A quality fertilizer. To that end, Scotts Green Max Lawn Food not only has rave reviews, but is currently on sale at Walmart for 44% off, dropping the price from $59 to $33. At a price that good, now is the perfect time to stack a few bags in your garage. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food, $33 (was $59) at Walmart Scotts has long been a leader in the fertilizer space, and the company's Green Max Lawn Food is the perfect example of why. This dual action formula is designed to provide deep lawn greening within around three days, thanks to the inclusion of the macronutrient iron, which is essential for a healthy, green lawn. It can be applied to grass of any type through the spring, summer, and fall, and it is guaranteed not to stain your driveway or other pavement. There's no waiting to go on the lawn after application, and the 16.67-ounce bag will cover an expansive 5,000 square feet. Reviewers attest to its quality, saying this 'excellent' fertilizer was a 'great buy.' One said that it delivers 'awesome results' and 'does the job every time,' and many reviewers related the compliments they now receive on their lawns. One shopper said, their grass is now so lush it 'looks like a golf course.' As one buyer put it, this is 'the best fertilizer on the market,' and many noted that they buy it year after year to ensure a fresh, green lawn all summer. For a limited time, Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is on sale at Walmart for just $33, so now is the time to stock up a stack in your garage. About the Author Nick Hilden View Profile
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Here are three major retailers that have closed Glasgow stores this year
As we reach the halfway mark of 2025, we've put together a list of several major retailers that have closed down or are closing down their stores in Glasgow. Brands, including Superdry and Michael Kors, are among some of the retail giants to have shut down their shops in and around the city already. Meanwhile, other retailers, including Scotts, have announced they are set to close down stores in the city. Here are three beloved retailers which have closed down their stores across the city, and two which are set to shut down their stores: READ MORE: Major retailer suddenly closed down Glasgow Silverburn store READ MORE: Global retailer suddenly closed down Braehead storeSuperdry's former store in Silverburn Shopping Centre, Glasgow (Image: Newsquest) One major clothing retailer recently closed down one of its shops in Glasgow's Silverburn Shopping Centre, and another one of its branches in Brahead Shopping Centre in Renfrew, Renfrewshire. On June 9, we reported how Superdry had shut down its Silverburn store. A sign on the venue's window revealed the devastating news. It said: "This store is now closed. You can continue to shop the full collection at Braehead Shopping Centre, Renfrew (Image: Newsquest) Meanwhile, on June 10, we revealed how the global retailer had also shut its shop in Braehead, near Glasgow. A spokesperson for the leisure facility confirmed the news to the Glasgow Times. In a statement, they said: 'Superdry is leaving Braehead Shopping Centre and we wish the staff well for the future." READ MORE: Popular retailer announced closure of Glasgow Fort storeClosing down sign on Tessuti (left), image of Glasgow Fort (right) (Image: Newsquest) Another retailer which is set to close down its store at Glasgow's Fort is Tessuti. The established and popular clothing seller will be closing its shop at the East End shopping complex. Signage appeared on the store's window recently, confirming the sad news. It read: "Closing down. Up to 70 per cent off." It is unclear when the store will be closing down. READ MORE: Retail giant announced shock closure of Glasgow Fort storeClosing down sign on Scotts store at Glasgow Fort (Image: Newsquest) On top of Tessuti, another big retailer announced it would be closing down its store at Glasgow's Fort as well. On June 9, we reported that the retail giant Scotts revealed the shock closure of its store at the centre. A sign was placed on the shop's window confirming the news; however, it is unclear when the store will close its doors. READ MORE: World-renowned retailer suddenly 'closed' Glasgow store READ MORE: Global retailer speaks out after closure of Glasgow storeMichael Kors former shop on Glasgow's Buchanan Street (Image: Newsquest) In April, we reported how a world-renowned fashion brand mysteriously shut down its shop in Glasgow city centre. Michael Kors, known for its luxury handbags, shut its shop on Buchanan Street. Following its shock closure, the retailer told the Glasgow Times that its store on the Style Mile was 'currently closed'.Size? former store in Glasgow city centre (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Mystery as popular Glasgow store suddenly 'closes down' In January, popular streetwear retailer size? suddenly closed its Glasgow city centre store. The brand pulled down the shutters on its shop on Royal Exchange Square on Saturday, January 18. It was never revealed why the retailer decided to close down its city centre store.
