Peoria / Sun City - February 2023

February is here and that means love is in the air! This month’s issue of The Grand Season is focused on helping you love those in your life well.

While writing the content for this issue, I was reminded of what 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says about love:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

This month, I hope you have the opportunity to slow down and intentionally impact someone’s life by sharing your love.

Thank you for your support of The Grand Season and our advertising partners. Let love guide you!

Melissa Whitton Associate Publisher

DATE YOUR MATE

Keeping your love growing takes time. Most experts say the best way to keep your relationship fresh is by going on regular date nights with your spouse—whether you’ve been together one year or 50!

According to research, couples who have a monthly date night, foster stronger relationships and are 14% less likely to break up. Other findings from the research show couples who participate in date nights experience the following benefits:

Improved Communication

Couples are less distracted by other responsibilities, giving them the chance to talk about important topics and mutual pursuits and goals.

More Novelty

Couples in long-term relationships become used to each other and can grow bored in the relationship, taking one another for granted. Date night adds excitement and novelty

to the connection which leads to more satisfaction in the relationship.

Heightened Romance

Date nights can help rekindle the romantic and sexual spark in the relationship when couples engage in intimate and romantic outings together.

Stronger Commitment

Date nights solidify your coupleness and the connection just the two of you share. It makes you feel more committed as you strengthen communication and romance. Going out together signifies to other people as well, that the two of you are a committed couple.

Stress Relief

Stress is one of the main culprits of relationship conflict that can threaten your closeness. Going on date nights gives you an outlet for relieving stress, as it allows couples to step away from the challenges of daily life. During date nights, couples can

provide love and support to one another that is also stressrelieving.

Here are some ideas to start up your date night routine:

1. Put your singing skills on display and share your favorite songs with your partner at a karaoke bar.

2. Go to a comedy night or an improv show.

3. Go to a bookstore and browse the travel section. Plan your dream vacation together.

4. Make a bonfire outside (with or without friends) and drink hot cocoa.

5. Pick a room in your house to repaint. Get creative with a color that you wouldn’t normally choose.

BIBLE TRIVIA

1. Is the book of Nahum in the Old or New Testament? Or neither?

2. From Leviticus 19:25, the fruit of a newly planted tree must not be eaten until which year? Is it the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th?

3. What was Bathsheba doing on the roof when David first saw her? Was she bathing, praying, singing or hiding?

4. Samson’s strength was correlated with what part of his body? Was it his heart, chest, hair or legs?

5. Job suffered from what physical affliction? Was it deafness, boils, blindness or coughs?

ANSWERS:

1) Old 2) 5th 3) Bathing 4) Hair 5) Boils

1. Who sang the chart-topping song, “Seasons in the Sun” in 1974? Bonus points for knowing what the song is about.

2. Name the group that recorded “The Love You Save.”

3. Who released the popular version of “Wild Thing”?

4. Which Kool & the Gang song was selected for inclusion in the National Recording Registry?

5. Name the song that contains these lyrics:

“It’s hard for a back street affair to be easy, For each hour of happiness there’s two hours of pain.”

Fine Fittings Fine Fittings

HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS

Will Harrison Ford ever slow down? The 80-year-old superstar has completed “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” due June 30. Then he steps in for the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross in “Captain America: New World Order,” due May 3, 2024. July 2024 brings “Thunderbolts,” where Ford will reprise the role of Thaddeus Ross.

His Paramount+ Western series “1923’ will run for two seasons, eight episodes each. You’d think Ford would take time to spend his $300 million enjoying time with his wife, Calista Flockhart, and his children!

But his 77-year-old co-star, Oscar winner Helen Mirren, is no slouch either. Both “Golda” (as in Golda Meir) and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” with Zachary Levi, hit screens this March, followed by “Fast X” and “White Bird: A Wonder Story” this May.

FLASHBACK ANSWERS

From pg. 14

1. Terry Jacks. The singer is dying and is saying goodbye to family and friends.

2. The Jackson 5, in 1970. It stayed at the top of the soul charts for six weeks. Michael Jackson was 12 years old at the time.

3. The Troggs, in 1966. Their name came from Troglodytes, who were cave dwellers. The Wild Ones version of the song in 1965 didn’t chart.

4. ”Celebration,” in 1980. It was their only song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

5. ”Any Which Way You Can,” by Glen Campbell, in 1980. The song was the title track of the film.

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• Reduce mold and moisture accumulation in the winter

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Answers on pg. 26

1. Which band sang the theme song to TV’s “Friends”?

2. What is the only bone in the human body that isn’t attached to another bone nearby?

3. What is the setting for the “Anne of Green Gables” novel series?

4. Who plays the lead role in the sitcom “Mr. Mayor”?

5. Where are the Spanish Steps located?

6. How long did the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, orbit the planet?

7. Which restaurant chain advises customers to “eat fresh”?

8. What is the only form of energy that can be seen with the human eye?

9. With which animal do humans share 98.8% of their DNA?

10. Which movie features the famous line, “I see dead people”?

SWEET TOOTH

1 box cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks butter), softened

3 c. powdered sugar

3 tbsp. heavy cream

Chocolate-Covered Cake Balls

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch kosher salt

2 c. white chocolate chips

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

4 tbsp. coconut oil, divided Sprinkles, for decorating

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9”-x-13” baking pan with cooking spray. Prepare cake mix according to box instructions and spread evenly into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool then break cake into small crumbs.

In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until smooth, then add sugar and beat until combined. Add cream, vanilla, and salt and mix until smooth. (Add more cream if frosting is too thick.)

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir cake crumbs into frosting, then form mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Place on a prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

In a deep-sided heatproof bowl, microwave white chocolate and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in 30 second intervals until melted. Repeat process with semisweet chocolate.

Dip chilled cake balls into melted chocolate, shaking off excess chocolate. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until hardened, 15 minutes.

A Message from Sue Royer

“I was born and raised in inner city Chicago, the sixth of eighteen children with fifteen brothers. Being the oldest daughter, I was always a caregiver which I believe influenced me to pursue work in the healthcare industry. Today, I have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Years ago, I volunteered for hospice and knew immediately that helping seniors was my calling. I was soon employed by hospice but I felt something was missing. I realized it was the limited time I was able to spend with my clients. Having my own business allows me to provide the intimate hands on service needed in our community. I am committed to our seniors throughout their lives and I thank the community for the opportunity to serve.”

Sue RoyerDirector

About Us

Since 2002, AAA Senior Placement AZ has been offering FREE services helping seniors find safe, affordable and loving assisted living. When it becomes too difficult for you or your loved ones to safely manage daily living and/or manage medical needs, call Sue Royer for help navigating the many options available.

We are specialists in all levels of assisted living care resources with referrals to Arizona’s best:

• Group Homes

• Assisted Living Communities

• In-Home Primary Care Physicians

• Home Health Care Therapy

• Transportation

• Private Duty In-Home Care

• Respite Care

• Alzheimer’s Care

• Memory Care

• Hospice

• Support Groups

Assisted living resources accepting:

• Private pay

• Arizona Long Term Care-ALTCS

• Medicaid

• VA Benefits

6 Reasons You Should Call

AAA Senior Placement AZ

• We are well known and respected in the medical community.

• All clients are given a thorough assessment to determine proper placement needs.

• There is never a fee charged to the senior or their family for our service.

• We are NOT contractually bound to any outside business. This allows us to serve our clients with only their interests in mind.

• Years of knowledge and experience in the field of senior care.

• AAA Senior Placement AZ is family owned, allowing us to give you quality, personalized service.

Dinner and a Movie!

Solve the crossword puzzle and mail it in for your chance to win a $50 Restaurant Gift Card and 4 Movie Tickets. Answers to the clues can be found in this month’s Grand Season Ads.

Sponsored by:

January Winners!

Grand Prize Winner

LuAnn Dahl Sun City West

Winners of Movie Tickets

1. Catalina Elias, Avondale

2. Gina Ravenscroft, Buckeye

3. Donna Sanders, Goodyear

4. Marcelline Cerato, Glendale

5. Patricia Kampe, Peoria

6. Gary Hobbs, Sun City

7. Lynn Dionne, Sun City West

8. Dallas Madden, Surprise

If you have a question about the puzzle, please call 623-594-1630 ext 3070.

Answers to January Puzzle

Mail puzzle with answers to: Grand Season Puzzle, P.O. Box 5474, Sun City West, AZ 85376

Questions about the Grand Season Puzzle? Visit www.thegrandseason.com for updates or call 623-594-1630 ext 3070.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES: Solve the crossword puzzle and mail it in to win. The answers to all crossword clues will contain all or part of a company name found in this month’s Grand Season ads. Must be 21 or older to enter the contest. Employees of the Grand Season or its advertisers are ineligible. When entering an advertisers’ name, there are no spaces, no LLC, or Corporations. Example: C & R Plus II would be entered into the spaces as: C&RPLUSII Entries must be postmarked no later than February 24th. A drawing will be held from all correct entries. One winner will receive a $50.00 Gift Card and 4 movie tickets, with a photo in our magazine. 8 winners will receive a consolation prize of a 2 movie tickets. Winners will be notified by phone, and prizes will be sent by mail. Winners will be announced in the March issue of the Grand Season.

(623) 594-1630

THE GREATEST GIFT

Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.

Helen Keller

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

Oscar Wilde

In the flush of love’s light, we dare be brave. And suddenly we see that love costs all we are, and all we will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.

Maya Angelou

There is no remedy for love but to love more.

Henry David Thoreau

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.

Voltaire

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

Dalai Lama

Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

Vincent

Van Gogh

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.

H. L. Mencken

James Barlow, MD Drew Reese, DO Hava Dodd, PA-C

Are you recently retired or unemployed, at loose ends and wondering what your next steps should be? If you’re looking for ways to help other veterans, here are some fun ideas.

As a place to start, ask if the Habitat for Humanity near you is building a home for a veteran. You might end up as a Habitat employee in charge of volunteer resources or running a Habitat ReStore full of building materials.

Look around online for organizations in your area that are raising and training service dogs for veterans. These puppies need to spend the first year of their lives in a loving environment to get them ready for their allimportant service dog training.

Volunteer on an Honor Flight. Keep an eye on the schedule in your area for the Honor Flights, those allexpenses-paid trips that take hundreds of veterans to Washington, D.C. They need volunteers for every trip to escort mostly elderly veterans to see all of their monuments and spend the day together.

FACTS

All of the world’s pandas are technically owned by China. The country leases them to zoos in an act called panda diplomacy.

Bananas get their curves by turning skyward as they grow, to absorb sunlight.

Fingers prune in water to give you a better grip.

Michael Buffer has made over $400 million from his trademark catchphrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

In the 2015 film “Jurassic World,” Chris Pratt’s character carries a stainless Marlin 1895 — the only firearm on Marlin’s website that’s rated for a T-Rex.

Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury’s overbite resulted from four extra teeth in his upper jaw. He refused to have them removed, however, for fear the surgery would affect his voice and vocal range.

Pentheraphobia is the fear of your mother-inlaw. There, folks, you now have an official name for it.

During a 1976 strike by Los Angeles medical doctors, the death rate decreased by 18%.

The only people guaranteed to get Super Bowl rings, regardless of a game’s outcome, are the referees, though their rings aren’t nearly as large or valuable as that of the players.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FLIRTY FIZZ

Ingredients

1 part Pinnacle® Original Vodka

2 parts Cranberry Juice

Splash of Club Soda

Garnish with Cranberries

Instructions

Mix ingredients and serve over ice. Garnish with cranberries.

BELLINI-TINI

Ingredients

1/2 parts Pinnacle® Pomegranate Vodka

4 parts Champagne

1 splash Grenadine

Instructions

In a champagne flute rimmed with sugar pearls, pour in vodka and champagne. Top with a splash of grenadine.

Ingredients

2 parts Pinnacle® Red Berry Vodka

1 part DeKuyper® Creme

de Cocoa White Liqueur

1 part Pinnacle® Chocolate Whipped® Vodka

Chocolate Shavings

Raspberries Instructions

Rim martini glass with shaved chocolate. Shake with ice, strain into prepared martini glass and garnish with raspberries.