I’d admit, this is one of my favorite times of the year! There’s something about the decorations, music and memories that make me smile. While many people dream of a white Christmas, I personally prefer the warm glow of a cactus dressed up in holiday lights.
While the holidays for many are celebrated with football, food, friends, family and faith, for other’s, is a difficult reminder of loss and loneliness. My hope this Christmas is as you’re preparing for your holiday gatherings, you won’t forget to keep an eye out for those who might need an extra dose of encouragement or an invitation to celebrate with your family and friends.
Regardless of what your holidays look like, I hope you enjoy each moment by focusing on what you have— not what you don’t. Also, if you’re looking for last minute gifts, please support the advertisers who make each issue of The Grand Season possible.
Here’s to wishing you a magical Christmas, Hanukkah and a Happy New Year!
Melissa Whitton Editor/ Associate Publisher
STRANGE BUT TRUE
Cotton candy was invented in 1895 by candy maker John C. Wharton and dentist William Morrison, who called it “fairy floss” and sold thousands of servings at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. It was renamed “cotton candy” in the 1920s by Josef Lascaux—another dentist—who sold the saccharine confection to his patients.
In 1674, the Women’s Petition Against Coffee claimed the beverage was turning Britishmen into “useless corpse[s]” and proposed a ban on it for anyone under the age of 60.
The plot of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” was partly inspired by the collision of holiday store decorations.
Eugene V. Debs ran for president in 1920 while serving a prison sentence in Atlanta Federal Penitentiary for his protests against World War I. He still captured nearly 1 million votes.
In a study by the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation, the scent women found most arousing was Good & Plenty candy mixed with cucumber.
Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter getting stuck to the roof of your mouth.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the U.S. capital for the shortest period of time, a mere day, on Sept. 27, 1777.
Aretha Franklin’s voice was declared a “natural resource” of the state of Michigan.
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Answers on pg. 44
1. What is the name of the necklace that Rose throws into the sea at the end of “Titanic”?
2. Where was the ancient city of Carthage located?
3. What are the names of the FBI agents on “The X-Files”?
4. Who wrote the short story “The Gift of the Magi”?
5. When was the United Nations organization created?
6. What is the addictive substance in tobacco?
7. Which president signed into law the Sherman Antitrust Act?
8. What is the lightest of metallic elements?
9. What is the name of the half-man, half-bull creature that inhabits the Labyrinth?
10. What is challah?
1. In a 1978 NFL game known as the “Holy Roller,” what Oakland Raiders quarterback intentionally fumbled the ball forward, leading to a touchdown that gave the Raiders a 21-20 win over the San Diego Chargers?
2. Greek basketball star Andreas Glyniadakis was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2003 NBA Draft, but his only career NBA action consisted of 13 games in 20062007 with what team?
3. Gymnast Catalina Ponor, who won three gold medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, competed for what country?
4. Wide receiver O.J. McDuffie played his entire NFL career from 1993 to 2001 with what team?
ANSWERS: 1) Ken Stabler. 2) The Seattle SuperSonics. 3) Romania. 4) The Miami Dolphins.
Fine Fittings Fine Fittings
INSPIRE HOPE WARMS THE SOUL
Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.
Vaclav Havel
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
Joseph Addison
There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.
Orison Swett Marden
We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
If it were not for hopes, the heart would break.
Thomas Fuller
Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.
Elie Wiesel
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Albert Einstein
Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.
Robert H. Schuller
FLASHBACK
Answers on pg. 36
1. Who wrote and released “Stuck in the Middle With You” in 1973?
2. What were the names of Bob Seger’s three bands over the years?
3. Mr. Mister had two songs that went to No. 1 on the charts. What were they?
4. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” was a chart topper for which group?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Well, you can rock it, you can roll it, Do the stomp and even stroll it.”
YOU
A LASTING GIFT
The holidays are the most demanding time of the year! Because of those demands, we often are overwhelmed and are short with those we love the most. This season, make it a point to choose your words with care—especially when you’re emotionally and physically exhausted. The greatest gift you can give to those you love this season is words of affirmation.
Viktor Frankl may have put it best when he said:
“If we take man as he is, we make him worse. If we take man as he should be, we make him capable of what he can be.”
In her book called Balcony People, Joyce Landorf Heatherley differentiates between two types of people: balcony and basement.
Basement people evaluate others. With their critical judgments of people’s words and actions, they tear away at others’ souls.
Balcony people, on the other hand, affirm others. They cheer others on and energize them with their affirmations.
Here’s a tough question: Are you a balcony or basement person?
Never forget, you have the power to encourage someone to achieve greatness. There are people in your life that need you to believe in them—your children, spouse, employees and even your boss. Below are a few suggestions you can do to help them build self-confidence and summon the courage to overcome challenges:
1. Develop a genuine rapport with them by showing them that you are totally invested in their success.
2. Challenge their abilities while giving them the tools and support they need to succeed.
3. Offer sincere encouragement about their capabilities when you see them struggling or getting down on themselves.
Never underestimate the impact of encouraging others. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”
Jesse Olmedo, MD
James Barlow, MD Victoria Phan, PA-C
Brigitte Sledge, DO
DINING GUIDE
BEVERAGE CLUB
CELEBRATE THE SEASON
Winter Sea Breeze
Ingredients
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. grapefruit juice
2 oz. tonic water
Pomegranate seeds
Cranberries
Mint leaves
Directions
1. Mix together the vodka, grapefruit juice, and tonic water in a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the drink mixture.
3. Garnish with the pomegranate seeds, cranberries, and mint and serve.
Eggnog Cocktail
Ingredients
4 oz. full fat eggnog, plus extra for garnishing
Spicedcrushedcookies,
2 oz. spiced rum
1 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. dark rum
1/2 oz. eggnog syrup
Cinnamon sugar
Freshly-ground nutmeg
Directions
1. Wet the rim of a glass with the extra eggnog and dip it in the crushed spiced cookies.
2. Mix the spiced rum, vanilla vodka, dark rum, eggnog syrup, and 4 oz. of full fat eggnog in a cocktail shaker.
3. Pour the mixture into the rimmed glass.
4. Garnish with cinnamon sugar and freshly-ground nutmeg and serve.
Salted Caramel Martini
Ingredients
Chocolate syrup
Caramel syrup
2 oz. Bailey’s caramel liquor, plus extra for garnishing
Kosher salt
2 oz. salted caramel vodka
1 oz. chocolate vodka
1 oz. dark creme de cocoa
1/2 oz. half and half
1 oz. salted caramel syrup
Dark choc. shavings
Directions
1. Line the interior of a martini glass with the chocolate and caramel syrups, and place it in the freezer until the syrups harden.
2. Rim the glass with the extra Bailey’s caramel liquor and kosher salt.
3. Shake the salted caramel vodka, chocolate vodka, dark creme de cocoa, half and half, salted caramel syrup, and 2 oz. of Bailey’s caramel liquor in a cocktail shaker and pour into the garnished martini glass.
4. Garnish with the shaved dark chocolate and serve.
Dinner and a Movie!
SENIOR NEWS
SAVING MONEY IN 2025
By Matilda Charles
In a few weeks, those of us on Social Security will be getting approximately 50 extra dollars in our monthly benefit. Minus the $10 increase in Medicare Part B, that brings the average increase down to $40 per month.
How shall we spend our windfall?
If food prices are going to come down after the recent election, it won’t be instantly. We need to continue to shop carefully and get the best possible deals for our dollar. Look for senior discount days, coupons, loyalty perks and, yes, the food bank.
If you can spring for a Walmart+ membership ($98 per year, minus $20 if you’re also an AARP member), each time you shop you can end up with rewards dollars added to your account for buying certain products. Look for other benefits such as free shipping, discounts on fuel if your local store has a gas station, access to
the TV streaming service Paramount+, prescription delivery and a lot more.
For the first time in 15 years, the membership cost of AARP is going up in 2025. The new price of $20 will take effect after your current membership expires. If you extend your membership now, it will be at the current rate. Meanwhile, take advantage of AARP’s savings and discounts on a wide variety of products and services, ranging from dining out; insurance; travel, including car rental and vacation packages; gym memberships; and so much more.
Ask your cable and internet provider for a reduced fee. It could be that by dropping down one plan level, you could save considerable money by cutting out the channels you never watch anyway.
Additionally, investigate Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help with fuel and heating costs, one of our biggest expenses. Start by calling the Community Action Agency in your state or the Area Agency on Aging.
Need a quick batch of cookies? Keep a box mix of cake on hand. Instead of the listed ingredients, add two eggs and a half-cup of oil to the mix. Mix and shape, then bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. They are really good, and you can get pretty creative.
Inexpensive gift idea: A cute holiday coffee mug with a bar of chocolate, a packet of hot cocoa or instant coffee, a peppermint stick and a holiday pick. Place inside a gallon-size zipper-top bag, tie with a ribbon, then trim off the zipper-top, leaving just the plastic. Looks nice.
Inexpensive gift idea: On the front of an empty photo album or scrapbook, print out and arrange color photos of your recipient in a collage. Glue the photos to the front of the album and cover with a decoupage glaze, like Mod Podge. Let dry and glaze again.
When holiday cookie time comes, keep a plastic pitcher of hot water in the sink. Toss cookie cutters into it when you are done with them, so the corners are soaking. They really seem to only need a rinse and a quick brush-off afterward.
UnderNew Ownership
LOVE THRIVE
Prioritize your relationship.
December is one of the busiest times of the year for couples. Add in the art of balancing the expectations of a major holiday, combined with the financial impact of a rough year, can take a toll on even the strongest of relationships. This year, instead of focusing on what you need to do for others, take time to focus on building your relationship. Here are some tips to help you:
Change the routine
We’re creatures of pattern and comfort, but when things aren’t going so well it can be worse to go by the way you’ve always done things. Your yearly routine might actually be doing you more harm than good, especially if you are focusing less on quality time with each other and more on the
‘experience’ of Christmas. Rather than making plans to do the same mundane routine you always do, why not change things up and plan things you as a couple can look forward to.
Be a couple first
Socializing is a big part of the festive season, but if you neglect your relationship it will only drive a wedge between you. Rather than using the busyness of the holidays be an excuse to put your relationship on the back burner, use it as a time to rekindle your love and focus on spending real time together.
Communication is vital
Do an activity you both enjoy or recreate a special date night you had – by rediscovering what you
love about each other, it can make the festive time easier to handle. They say there is strength in numbers! Talking to your partner openly about what you both want to achieve this holiday season, as well as figuring out a schedule together, will allow you to be on the same page while avoiding any Christmas Day arguments about miscommunication.
Be grateful for the ordinary
Sometimes we have a certain vision in our head, but it doesn’t always work out; rather than magnifying things that are going wrong, focus on what’s going right. Meeting the holiday season with gratitude will only make it that much more magical, even if nothing in your life has changed.
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS
Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”) is telling fans who’ve been begging for another “Sherlock Holmes” film that they may get their wish soon. The first “Sherlock Holmes” film was in 2009 and grossed $524 million. Its sequel, “A Game of Shadows,” released in 2011 and grossed $543.8 million, which makes you wonder why they took so long. Jude Law will return as Dr. John Watson for this “threequel.”
Another “threequel” headed for theaters is “Jumanji 3,” with Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan returning. It’ll drop sometime in December 2026. Missing from that list is Nick Jonas, who is starring in the musical-comedy film “Power Ballad,” with Paul Rudd. The film follows a conflict between a rock star and a wedding singer.
RAIN GUTTERS
SUN SCREENS
FLASHBACK
Answers from pg. 17
1. Stealers Wheel. The Scottish rock group was only together for three years before disbanding. They reunited in 2008 long enough to begin producing a music video for the song.
2. Bob Seger and the Last Heard, The Bob Seger System and The Silver Bullet Band. His first real break came when “Katmandu” was used in Cher’s 1985 film “Mask.”
3. “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie,” both in 1985. The group netted Grammy noms in 1986 and 1987.
4. Poison, in 1988.
5. “At the Hop,” by Danny & The Juniors, in 1957. The Juniors, originally called The Juvenairs, were introduced to the song when it was known as “Do the Bop.” Concerned that The Bop dance craze was fading, the song was changed to “The Hop.”
1. Is the book of Zechariah (KJV) in the Old or New Testament or neither?
2. From Numbers 21:6, what repulsive creatures bit the Israelites in the wilderness? Scorpions, Fiery Serpents, Vipers, Ravens
3. Before the Tower of Babel, how many languages were in the world? 1, 2, 3, 4
4. From Matthew 7:7, Jesus said that we should seek, knock and ...? Adorn, Ask, Try, Inspire
5. Whose last verse is, “Remember me, O my God, for good”? Genesis, Matthew, Nehemiah, Hebrews
6. How old was Adam when he died? 30, 130, 430, 930
“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.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT ANSWERS
From pg. 12
1. Heart of the Ocean.
2 Tunisia.
3. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
4. O. Henry.
5 1945.
6. Nicotine.
7 Benjamin Harrison.
8. Lithium.
9 Minotaur.
10. A special bread in Jewish cuisine.
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