Surprise / Sun City West - March 2023

FROM THE EDITOR

If your life is anything like mine, the last month has flown by! Just as I recovered from the chaos of the Super Bowl and Phoenix Open—it’s time for Spring Training, March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter!

Recently, I’ve realized when I get busy, I lose sight of my best self. Instead of being patient, I get a little short. This version of me usually shows up in fullforce while I’m at Costco. During my last visit to Costco, my mood changed due to the shirt the person standing in front was wearing. It read:

Dear person behind me, the world is a better place with you in it! Love, the person in front of you.

Immediately, my brain and body reacted to this kind sentiment—my heartrate seemed to slow, and I didn’t feel as irritated at the long check-out line. Instead, I reflected on how one act of kindness can truly change a person’s life.

I hope practicing kindness is one of your daily goals, but if you need additional ideas on how to be kind to others, this month’s The Grand Season is chalked full of great ones.

Thank you for your support of The Grand Season, and our advertisers!

Happy Easter, Melissa Whitton

Editor/ Publisher

1. Where is the Prado Museum located?

2. What is the only country that the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass through?

3. What does the Latin phrase “tempus fugit” mean?

4. What is another name for the division sign?

5. How long did it take singer Bob Dylan to write the big hit “Blowin’ in the Wind”?

6. How many times on average does a ruby-throated hummingbird flap its wings in one second?

7. Which movie features the line, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal”?

8. Which novel features four children named Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy?

9. What is Joey’s famous line in the sitcom “Friends”?

10. What is a common name for the pinna in human anatomy?

INSPIRE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Audrey Hepburn

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.

Princess Diana

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.

Theodore Isaac Rubin

Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.

Tommy Lee Jones

The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

Aesop

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

Barbara De Angelis

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Mark Twain

I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.

Lady Gaga

Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with the people the same happiness.

Khalil Gibran

Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

Albert Schweitzer

Together we can change the world, just one random act of kindness at a time.

Ron Hall

SMALL THINGS

Little things go a long way

When we think of random acts of kindness, we usually think about how we can brighten a stranger’s day. But little acts of kindness can go a long way in helping us create a stronger marriage too.

It’s easy to let life get in the way and slowly erode our relationship. We start to take our spouse for granted, because he doesn’t demand our time and attention the way other responsibilities do. But just as small, seemingly insignificant things can break down our bond, the right ones can help us create a stronger marriage.

Here’s a list of small acts to inspire you:

1. Draw a heart on the steamy bathroom mirror while your spouse is in the shower

2. Get up early and make breakfast for your husband

3. Clean your wife’s car

4. Tell your spouse something you appreciate about him

5. Call your spouse unexpectedly during the day just to say “I love you”

6. Give your spouse a scalp massage

7. Watch your husband’s favorite show or sporting event with him

8. Arrange a guy’s night for your husband

9. Surprise your spouse with a warm towel as he finishes his shower

10. Create a playlist of songs you and your spouse enjoyed listening to when you were dating

11. Make a list of all the things you love about your husband and leave it on his pillow

12. Ask your wife about her day and listen with interest

13. Make lunch for your wife

14. Do one of your husband’s chores for him

15. Leave a Post-It note on the steering wheel with a nice message

16. Tell your wife something you admire about her

17. Give your wife a neck massage

18. Read a book your wife has recently read and discuss it with her

19. Get ready as if you’re going out for a party, just to greet your spouse at the end of a long day

20. Surprise your spouse with a small gift “just because”

21. Tell your spouse your favorite memory of the two of you together

22. Prepare your husband’s favorite dinner

23. Compliment your spouse

24. Hide a love note in your spouse’s wallet

25. Give your spouse a back rub before bed

26. Help your husband with a project he is working on

27. Print photos of you and your spouse and place them around a bedroom or bathroom mirror

28. Give your spouse a hand or foot massage

29. Text or e-mail your wife throughout the day to let her know you are thinking of her

30. Plan a date or getaway with your spouse

SNACK

POPCORN

Popcorn is over 5,000 years old.

Popcorn is the official state snack of Illinois.

Americans eat abut 17 billion quarts of popcorn a year.

Popcorn can reach up to 3 feet in distance when popping.

In 1949, popcorn was temporarily banned from movie theaters for being too loud of a snack.

Popcorn kernels are 4% water, which causes popcorn to pop when heated up.

In the 1800’s, popcorn was eaten as a cereal with milk and sugar. The world’s largest popcorn boil weighed about 5,000 lbs.

Jet Plasma Treatments!

FLASHBACK

Answers on pg. 18

1. Who most famously released “Lady Sings the Blues” and when?

2. The smash hit song ”I’m Still Standing” was released on which Elton John album?

3. Which song was the first to rank as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100? When was that?

4. In 1953, Elvis Presley recorded a double-sided record with “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.” Who was the record for?

5. Name the late 1970s song that contains these lyrics: “Too many long conversations and no one is hearin’ a word.”

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

FLASHBACK ANSWERS

From pg. 16

1. Diana Ross, in 1972. The song was on the double soundtrack album for the film of the same name, a biopic about singer Billie Holiday.

2. “Too Low for Zero,” in 1983. The song became a big hit, thanks in part to the boost it got with a quirky, dance-heavy MTV video.

3. ”Poor Little Fool,” by Ricky Nelson, in 1958. The first thing Billboard ranked, however, wasn’t records, it was sheet music, in 1913. Records weren’t listed until 1936.

4. His mother, as a birthday present. Presley paid $3.98 for the recording fee.

5. ”Dancin’ Shoes,” by Nigel Olsson, in 1978. Olsson got his start in England with the Plastic Penny band and eventually collaborated with Elton John, Neil Sedaka, Rod Stewart and several others on numerous albums.

The VA is gearing up to spend $30 million on case managers to support homeless veterans for two years beginning this October. The case managers will assist with searching for and obtaining permanent housing and troubleshooting barriers to keeping that housing, such as poor credit histories, overdue rent, legal problems and more.

The VA goes by the Housing First philosophy: The veteran needs the stability of housing before taking additional steps to improve quality of life. If you know someone who is a homeless vet, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AIDVET (877-424-3838) or visit www.va.gov/ homeless

If you know someone that is likely to be homeless soon, help them not wait until the last minute. Have them reach out for help now. Veterans can also go to your closest VA medical center. While you’re there, ask about Community Resource and Referral Centers (CRRCs) and their list of contacts who have the resources to help.

1. Is the book of 4 John (KJV) in the Old or New Testament? Or neither?

2. In Romans 10, what body part does Paul call “beautiful” on those who bring the good news? Is it hands, mouth, heart or feet?

3. Who died after getting his long hair caught in a tree and being found by enemy soldiers? Was it Absalom, Joash, Ahaz or Asa?

4. From Matthew 22:14, “For many are called, but few are _______.” Is it worthy, chosen, winners or liked?

5. What caused the death of Job’s children? Was it famine, flood, windstorm or beheading?

FOOD

CARROT CAKE COOKIES

Ingredients FOR COOKIES

3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks)

butter, softened

1 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extraact

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 c. packed shredded carrots (from 2 medium carrots)

3/4 c. unsweetened shredded dried coconut

1/2 c. raisins

2 c. old-fashioned oats

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE

1 c. powdered sugar

1 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

4 tsp. milk

1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º and line a baking sheet with parchment. In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then add vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture until wellcombined. Stir in carrots, coconut, raisins, and oats and mix until just combined.

Scoop 1” rounds of dough onto baking sheet. Bake until golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool. Make glaze: Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until combined. Drizzle glaze over each cookie and let harden before serving.

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:

February Winners!

Grand Prize Winner

Elaine Billingsley Waddell

Winners of Movie Tickets

1. Maday Santos, Avondale

2. Kirk Harrison, Goodyear

3. Carol Thompson, Litchfield Park

4. Marty Hopwood, Peoria

5. Bill Kirk, Sun City

6. Gloria Nordyke, Sun City

7. Dianne McDonald, Sun City West

8. Nancy Evans, Surprise

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

Answers to February Puzzle Name

___

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 March 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 April issue of the Grand Season.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL (623) 594-1630

IMPACT

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

You can be kind without ever saying a word

1. Smiles are irresistible. Don’t hesitate to smile warmly at friends, family, colleagues and even... strangers.

2. Write hand-written thank-you notes. The notes don’t need to be an essay and people love to receive them. It’s the personal touch.

3. Pay it forward - When you are in a coffee shop, maybe you could buy a coffee or cake in advance for the next customer that comes in.

4. When you see a homeless person, think about how you might be able to help them in some way. Buy a nutritious lunch.

5. That thing you’re going to sell—why not give it away for free?

6. Send flowers to someone unexpectedly.

7. Hold doors open. Even for people who are a little further away from the door than usual.

8. Pay compliments to those you meet.

9. Does someone owe you money? Forgive the debt.

10. When a person is talking to you—really listen to them.

11. Ask a neighbor if they need help.

12. Tell your loved ones that you love them. Regularly.

13. When you are served in a shop, bar, restaurant etc, make eye contact and sincerely thank the employee for their help.

14. If you know that someone is particularly busy, offer to take their dog for a walk.

15. When a thought of generosity arises within you, act on it. Don’t hold back.

16. Take a friend to dinner.

17. Stand up for others.

18. Stop complaining.

19. Standing in line? Let someone go before you.

20. Tell someone that they look nice.

21. Volunteer some time to help a charity or perhaps a homeless shelter.

22. Stop speaking ill of others. Let your words be kind.

23. Think of the people in your life...what help do they need with chores or tasks? Don’t wait to be asked.

24. Be the calm voice in a stressful situation.

25. Donate to your favorite charity.

26. Teach your grandchild something you wish you knew at that age.

27. Encourage someone to pursue their dream.

28. Say, “Please” and “Thank You.”

FREE STAINLESS SINKwith purchase of FULLGRANITEKITCHEN

COUNTERTOPS Expires: 4/15/23

HERE’S A TIP

If you find that you have small scratches in your wood furniture, try this old trick: Rub a walnut over dings to cover them up. Or find a matching brown crayon, rub it lightly into the scratch, and finish with a hair dryer held 10 inches away for about 10-15 seconds. It melts the wax of the crayon, and then you can buff it with a soft rag. Any excess is swept away and the color remains.

Fine Fittings Fine Fittings

1. Nicknamed “The Great Imposter,” this man’s stunts included posing as baseball and basketball players, umpires, officials, the San Diego Chicken and a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader during the 1970s and ‘80s. Who is he?

2. Brothers and businessmen Ozzie and Daniel Silna purchased what American Basketball Association franchise in 1974, then relocated the team and changed its name to Spirits of St. Louis?

3. What Florida State Seminoles defensive back was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft, but left football in 2012 to become a neurosurgeon?

4. Name the team that finished its 13th and final Major League Baseball season with a record of 20-134 in 1899.

The

FACTS

STRANGE BUT TRUE

Iceland has the largest population of green-eyed people in the world.

The cable car is the only moving National Historic Monument in the world.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

When a man noticed that his food supply was mysteriously diminishing he set up a webcam, only to discover that a woman had been living in one of his closets — for a year!

In 2013, Belgium created five limited edition stamps that smelled and tasted like chocolate.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs will fake a sneeze for play and communication purposes.

Nintendo was founded in 1889 as a playing card company.

Not only can you be right-handed or lefthanded, you can be right or left eared and eyed.

An Arizona man didn’t realize he was a big winner at a Las Vegas slot machine because its lights and buzzers never went on. Fortunately, an investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board resulted in a happy ending and the bestowal of the gentleman’s $230,000.

Solution on page 43

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

• 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.

MR. CLEAN

FAST & FURIOUS

Everyone hates to clean, but everyone loves a clean house. Is there a best way to clean your house fast? Follow this step-by-step guide to make the most of your time and clean your house fast.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

FROM PAGE 37

1. Clean the whole house, not one room at time

Pick one task and do it in every room in the house.

2. Clear the clutter

Go room to room and pick up the clutter.

3. Dust and vacuum

Begin dusting and vacuuming.

4. Wipe mirrors and glass

Wipe mirrors and glass with one damp microfiber cloth, followed by one dry cloth.

5. Disinfect countertops and surface areas

Disinfect countertops and surface areas, particularly the ones that might deliver germs to people’s fingers and faces.

6. Focus on tubs, sinks and toilets

Spray cleaner on the kitchen sink then on bathroom sinks, tubs and toilets. Then start scrubbing.

7. Sweep, then mop

Sweep the kitchen and bathroom floors. Start mopping from the farthest corner of the room and move backwards towards the doorway.

SUN CITY GRAND