June is finally here. It’s hard to believe we’re almost half-way through 2025. While the temperatures are rising, I’m certainly happy the traffic is decreasing. While driving Bell is definitely less nerving this time of year, I find myself wanting to escape the heat and head to Northern Arizona.
Since so many in our community have headed to their summer homes, now is the time for you to enjoy a little slower pace, and perhaps invest more in those friendships that you may have not had time for. Or, it might be time to finish up home improvement projects that have been placed on the backburner due to a busy social calendar.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the father’s and grandfather’s reading The Grand Season this month. I hope you have a great June and enjoy the slower days of summer as much as you can!
Remember, staying hydrated is critical for an enjoyable summer.
Melissa Whitton Editor/Associate Publisher
INSPIRE REACH FOR THE STARS
Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln
The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others. Robert Baden-Powell
Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel toward what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much.
William D. Hoard
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.
Marcus Aurelius
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
Dalai Lama
Until you are happy with who you are, you will never be happy with what you have. Zig Ziglar
Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.
Helen Keller
Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.
Denis Waitley
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
Charles Spurgeon
Our patio structures will not warp, twist or rot! These products look like real wood and are durable and solid. They’re maintenance free, are available in 7 baked enamel colors and come with a lifetime limited warranty We install various sizes of interior faux beams to add custom touches in your home. The beams are available in various stains, patterns, and can be painted. We offer K-6 seamless and half round raingutter in 30 baked on enamel colors. We also supply and install custom radiused gutter for rounded entryways.
YOU FIND HAPPINESS
It’s no question that everybody wants to be happy. And because the United States continues to decline on the World Happiness Report each year, the quest for finding true happiness can seem a bit hopeless at times. Just because numbers show the average rate of happiness in the country is declining, doesn’t mean your individual happiness should as well! Here are several steps to add to your routine to find true happiness.
1. Experience life
Have you had your eye on a pair of designer shoes that seem to promise everlasting happiness? Well, not to burst your bubble, but research shows that the happiest people in life spend more money on experiences than on material things. Instead of buying the shoes, go for a concert ticket instead.
2. Practice gratitude
Having an attitude of gratitude is a powerful action to use against all the negativity in the world. Try writing down three things you’re grateful for every night. This habit could be just what you need to achieve inner happiness.
3. Connect with others
Among your friends on social media, how many of those people do you see on a regular basis? Studies show that taking time to truly connect and spend time with others face-to-face increases happiness levels.
4. Lend a hand
Even though going out of your way for someone can seem tedious at times, science tells us that helping others plays a significant role in your overall happiness.
5. Live in the moment
Many of us are so focused on what happened yesterday or what’s going to happen tomorrow or next week or in 15 years, rather than taking the time to focus and enjoy today. Take a moment, right now, to just be still and breathe.
6. Be kind to yourself
Despite how busy you are, it’s important to take some time to be kind to yourself. Exercise and get your body moving even just a little each day, and aim to get a decent amount of sleep. Be patient with yourself when you make mistakes.
1. The ball used in Gaelic ball-and-stick sports like hurling, camogie, rounders and shinty is known as what?
2. Happy Chandler, Commissioner of Baseball from 1945-51, served two separate terms as governor of what U.S. state?
3. In 1994, Conchita Martinez became the first female from what country to win the Wimbledon singles title?
4. Jimmer Fredette, 2011 NCAA Division I men’s basketball scoring champion, played for what college team?
5. Name the Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback who won a national championship in 1997 and the Heisman Trophy in 2001.
6. The Northern Star Award, presented annually to the top athlete in Canada, was formerly named after what athlete, referee and sportswriter?
ANSWERS: 1) A sliotar. 2) Kentucky. 3) Spain. 4) The Brigham Young University Cougars. 5) Eric Crouch. 6) Lou Marsh.
It’s easy to make custom art for your walls. If you find an image that you like, or have a great digital photo, simply take it to a copy shop and have it printed in a large format. Then you can frame it and hang it on your wall.
Great ways to remove stuck labels: nail polish remover (NOT for use on plastics), WD-40 oil, soaking in hot water, rubbing alcohol.
When shopping for printers these days, make sure you take a peek at the cost of replacement ink cartridges. Some are more expensive than others, and your use could make a printer that looks like a great deal a not-so-great deal.
It’s worth a reminder now that picnic and barbecue season is in full force: The best tablecloths, especially on a windy day, are fitted single sheets. Simply fit the sheet over a standard picnic table and it’s in place and ready. The elastic at the corners keeps it from flying away. You can look at thrift and discount stores for fun patterns or just plain colors!
GROWTH FOLLOW YOUR PUP
Our lives have become so hectic. We worry about where we need to be tomorrow, stress over what we didn’t accomplish yesterday and are too distracted to be fully present now. If our canine companions could talk, they would advise us to live in the moment by following five strategies.
1. LIVE YOUR PURPOSE
Dogs understand that their purpose is to be our loyal friends and protectors. Are you clear on what your purpose is in life? Determine your priorities. Let your purpose shine in everything you do as a friend, parent, artist or whatever drives your passion.
2. BE PRESENT
When dogs are with you, they are with you; they are not multitasking. We should be as considerate as our dogs. Put down the phone, turn off the computer and focus on the people around you. Listen, reflect, ask questions and share your thoughts in more than a short tweet.
3. BE CHILDLIKE
When out for a walk, dogs take interest in every person, animal or object he meets. As a child, you had a similar sense of wonder, everything was new and worth investigating. Notice the beauty around you and try something new today!
4. BE PLAYFUL
Dogs never tire of playing fetch, rolling in the grass or playing tug-of-war with his rope toy. When is the last time you played just for the sake of it? Move your body, dance, sing, throw the ball, have fun and do not be afraid to look silly.
5. DO IT NOW
Humans think if we work 10–12 hours a day, someday we will slow down and enjoy life. That sunset is happening now. Your family members need to be told they are loved now. Our dogs would tell us that life is short, and we should enjoy the present!
FAMILY-RUN
•Want to finish “The Look” of your landscaping?
•Want to protect yourself and your pet’s feet from burning cement?
1. Is the book of Malachi (KJV) in the Old or New Testament or neither?
2. Which king was stricken with leprosy because he disobeyed God’s command and burned incense on a holy altar? Uzziah, Solomon, Joab, Petra
3. From 1 Kings 19, what prophet experienced an earthquake while standing on a mountaintop? Paul, Ahab, Andrew, Elijah
4. Who was the first woman to be ashamed of her lack of clothing? Eve, Anna, Pilate’s wife, Miriam
5. In Acts 9, what dressmaker was restored to life by Peter’s prayers? Naomi, Priscilla, Lydia, Dorcas
6. Where did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? Sinai, Bethany, Tarsus
Bethany
1. Name the recording artist born David Goldstein. Hint: He also writes musicals and has penned songs for the Drifters, Dolly Parton and several others.
2. Which Creedence Clearwater Revival song was used in the film “The Big Chill”?
3. “With a Little Help From My Friends” was released on which Beatles album?
4. Who wrote and released “It Might as Well Rain Until September”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “Each day I live, I want to be a day to give the best of me.”
Dinner and a Movie!
411 CHOICES
Despite how down in the dumps you may be, social scientists say happiness makes life more fulfilling and provides a sense of belonging. Best-selling author, speaker and Harvard grad, Shawn Achor says, “Our daily decisions and habits have a huge impact upon both our levels of happiness and success.” Research continues to support facts that a positive mental attitude will help you overcome any obstacle you may encounter.
The things that definitely make us happy (% increased happiness)
2. What is the name of the ghost that haunts the girls’ bathroom at Hogwarts (“Harry Potter” series)?
3. Which decisive battle ended the Revolutionary War?
4. What is the pseudonym of the author Eric Arthur Blair?
5. Which of the national parks is the most visited in the United States?
6. Which medical series is based at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital? 7. What is the capital of Denmark?
8. In which state is Glacier National Park located?
9. Who was the first vice president to die in office?
10. What are elements like neon, helium and radon called?
G & A ROOFING
FLASHBACK
2. “Bad Moon Rising,” in 1983. Other songs featured on the sound track included “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Joy to the World” and “The Tracks of My Tears.”
3. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” in 1967. It ranked No. 311 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. Joe Cocker released a cover a year later.
4. Carole King, in 1962.
5. “One Moment in Time,” by Whitney Houston, in 1988. It was written as a promotion for the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics. The song charted around the globe, topping charts in the U.K., West Germany and the U.S.
1. Rupert Holmes, of “Pina Colada” fame.
BEVERAGE CLUB STOCK UP FOR SUMMER
SUMMER MASH UP
Ingredients
2 parts Maker’s Mark®
Bourbon
1 part DeKuyper® Triple
Sec Liqueur
1 part Orange Juice
1 part Pineapple Juice
1/4 parts Grenadine
Garnish Pineapple Wedge
Garnish Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
Shake well with ice and pour into serving glass.
Garnish with pineapple wedge and cherry.
PEACH TEA
Ingredients
1 part Maker’s Mark®
Bourbon
1/2 part DeKuyper®
Peachtree® Schnapps
Liqueur
Iced Tea, Unsweetened
Garnish with Peach Slice
Instructions
Fill tall glass with ice.
Add Maker’s Mark®
Bourbon and DeKuyper®
Peachtree® Schnapps
Liqueur. Top off with unsweetened iced tea. Garnish with peach slice.
SUMMER MINT COOLER
Ingredients
2 parts Maker’s Mark®
Bourbon
1/2 part DeKuyper®
Mixologist Collection
Muddled Mint Liqueur
1/2 part Simple Syrup
1/2 part fresh Lemon Juice
Lemon-Lime Soda
Garnish with Mint Sprig
Garnish with Lemon Wheel
Instructions
Shake all ingredients except soda with ice and strain into serving glass with fresh ice. Fill with plain soda or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with mint sprig and lemon wheel.
UNNECESSARY NOISE
Ingredients
1 1/2 parts Maker’s Mark®
Bourbon
3/4 parts Aperol® Aperitif
Absinthe
1 dash Rhubarb Bitters
1 splash Dolin® Blanc
Vermouth De Chambrey
Garnish Orange Zest
Instructions
Rinse a martini glass with a little absinthe and ice, stir and let sit and bind to the glass. Fill a shaker with ice, add the Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Aperol, bitters and vermouth. Stir gently. Discard the ice and absinthe. Strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a strip of orange zest.
THE BEST MEDICINE
Happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. Indeed, scientific studies have found that happiness can make our hearts healthier, our immune systems stronger, and our lives longer. If you need some extra motivation to get happier, check out the ways happiness has been linked to good health.
1. Happiness protects your heart
Love and happiness may not actually originate in the heart, but they are good for it. Researchers have found that happiness predicts lower heart rate and blood pressure. In the study, participants rated their happiness over 30 times in one day and then again three years later. The initially happiest participants had a lower heart rate on follow-up (about six beats slower per minute), and the happiest participants during the follow-up had better blood pressure.
2. Happiness strengthens your immune system
Do you know a grumpy person who always seems to be getting sick? That may be no coincidence: Research is now finding a link between
happiness and a stronger immune system.
In an experiment, 350 adults volunteered to get exposed to the common cold. Before exposure, researchers called them six times in two weeks and asked how much they had experienced nine positive emotions—such as feeling energetic, pleased, and calm—that day. After five days in quarantine, the participants with the most positive emotions were less likely to have developed a cold.
3. Happiness combats stress
Stress is not only upsetting on a psychological level, but also triggers biological changes in our hormones and blood pressure. Happiness seems to temper these effects, or at least help us recover more quickly.
4. Happy people have fewer aches and pains.
A recent study asked participants to rate their recent experience of positive emotions, then (five weeks later) how much they had experienced negative symptoms like muscle strain, dizziness, and heartburn since the study began. People who reported the highest levels of positive emotion at the beginning actually became healthier over the course of the study, and ended up healthier than their unhappy counterparts.
5. Happiness combats disease and disability
Happiness is associated with improvements in more severe, long-term conditions as well, not just shorter-term aches and pains.
STRANGE BUT TRUE
To preserve the quality of the U.S. Constitution, on display in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., its protective cases contain argon gas and are kept at 67° Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 40%.
The world’s largest chocolate bar weighed 12,000 pounds.
While digging up stones to build a house in 1885, Australian miner George Harrison found gold ore near Johannesburg, beginning the South African gold rush.
In terms of galactic years, the sun is around 20.5 years old.
In the 1800s, ducks were called “arsefeet,” as their feet are so close to their posteriors.
Painting designs and pictures on fingernails isn’t just a modern trend. It was a familiar practice with the Incas, many of whom sported eagle motifs on their nails.
During the 1904 Summer Olympic Games, American athlete George Eyser won six medals in a single day, including three gold and two silver, in the vault, parallel bars and rope climbing competitions ... with a wooden prosthetic left leg.
LOVE HAPPY WIFE
Happiness plays a vital role in the quality and durability of marriage. When both partners are personally happy, they bring emotional stability, positivity, and resilience to the relationship. This foundation
helps couples navigate challenges and deepen their bond.
One key aspect is emotional regulation. Happier individuals handle stress better and respond to conflict with patience and empathy, reducing the risk of escalating arguments. A balanced emotional environment fosters open communication and mutual support, strengthening the relationship over time.
Happiness also shapes perception. In a positive state, partners tend to notice each other’s strengths instead of flaws. This perspective encourages gratitude and appreciation, which are essential for marital satisfaction. The more appreciation is expressed, the more valued each partner feels, reinforcing emotional connection and happiness.
Shared happiness deepens intimacy. Enjoying activities together—travel, hobbies, or daily routines—creates positive memories and a sense of unity. These shared moments serve as emotional anchors during difficult times.
Still, happiness in marriage isn’t constant. Life brings stressors like financial strain or health issues. Couples who prioritize emotional wellbeing, both individually and together, are better equipped to manage hardships. They seek support, communicate openly, and collaborate on solutions.
In essence, happiness is both a cause and result of a healthy marriage. It fosters closeness, communication, and lasting satisfaction. Though no marriage is free from challenges, happiness—cultivated through self-care, respect, and shared joy— helps sustain a strong, resilient partnership.
AAA SENIOR PLACEMENT AZ
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.
LEOLINDA BOWERS
AFTON
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ANAPOLIS
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BRIDGEFORD
BRIDGEFORD BROADMOR
CAMERON
CAPISTRANO
CAREFREE CASTILLO
CHANDLER
CHANDLER CHANDLER
CHANDLER
SUN CITY WEST
PROPERTIES ON THE GOLF COURSE
SUN CITY WEST
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12632 W REGAL DR 15302 W DOMINGO LN
12612 W REGAL DR 13315 W PROSPECT DR 17407 N 130TH DR 14629 W HERITAGE DR 13252 W POMEGRANATE DR
19606 N TRAIL RIDGE DR 13637 W GARDENVIEW DR 14606 W HURON DR
