Surprise / SCW FEB 2026 by The Grand Season

FROM THE EDITOR

February is here and that means love is in the air! It also means the Valley of the Sun is gearing up for the Waste Management Open, and football fans are preparing for the Big Game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.

The best thing about Valentine’s Day is the opportunity we have to tell the people in our lives that we love them. This month’s issue of The Grand Season has content to help you love those in your life well.

The Grand Season is excited to be celebrating our 25th year of business during 2026. Our business would not be possible without the incredible support of our advertisers. One advertiser we’d especially like to thank for our years of success is Leolinda Bowers, of Leolinda Realty. If you are looking to buy or sell a home this year, make sure to contact her at 623-9375701.

Thank you for your support of The Grand Season and our advertising partners.

Have a great month!

Melissa Whitton Editor/Associate Publisher

Ronnie & Tom

INSPIRE

THE GREATEST GIFT

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Lao Tzu

We love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving.

Friedrich Nietzsche

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

Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.

Rabindranath Tagore

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

Oscar Wilde

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

Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be.

Khalil Gibran

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.

C. S. Lewis

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

Mother Teresa

Don’t forget to love yourself.

Soren Kierkegaard

Answers

1. Who was the first Canadian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?

2 What is the home of the Greek gods?

3. Which language is the second most spoken in Canada?

4. Which explorer sailed around Africa to discover a trade route between Europe and India?

5 What is the name of Elle Woods’ Chihuahua in “Legally Blonde”?

6 In what year was the original Pac-Man video game released?

7 What is the name of the town where “Hart of Dixie” is set?

8. Which popular fruit has seeds on the outside?

Arts & Crafts Show

Jesse Olmedo,

James Barlow, MD Victoria Phan, PA-C

Jillian Goldney FNP-C Anna Koester FNP-BC

During Hollywood’s Golden Age, movies had their own royalty with queens such as Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow, Merle Oberon, Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, to name some. They were major influences on women’s fashion. Garbo was eloquent, while Harlow was brassy but sexy. When Hepburn and Dietrich wore pants, it suddenly became alright for all women to wear pants. They were melodramatic to a fault, playfully sexy, or downright bawdy.

The current leading ladies are a lot different than the glamorous stars whom the major studios literally created and promoted.

For example, Zendaya, 29, started her career by lending her voice to three films before appearing in seven major films. When she became Spider-Man’s leading lady in four films, she also became Tom Holland’s love interest offscreen as well. The engaged couple have completed their fourth “Spider-Man” movie.

But Zendaya didn’t stop there. ... She has “Dune: Part Three” coming on Dec. 18 and “Shrek 5” out in June 2027. She also has extensive TV credits, including the upcoming third season of “Euphoria.”

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

2. From Joshua 10, the sun stood still while Joshua’s army destroyed what people? Amorites, Midianites, Egyptians, Philistines

3. How old was Abram when God changed his name to Abraham? 12, 17, 40, 99

4. From Genesis 9, who saw a rainbow in the sky? Adam, Moses, Noah, Abraham

5. Who was David’s oldest brother? Jonah, Eliab, Joel, Agrippa

6. From 1 Samuel 2, how many more children did Hannah have? 5, 10, 15, 20

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FLASHBACK

1. Who wrote and released “Forever in Blue Jeans”?

2. Which group wrote and released “Catch Us if You Can”?

3. Who wrote and released “I Won’t Back Down”?

4. Which artist released “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”?

5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “I realize the way your eyes deceived me, With tender looks that I mistook for love.”

LOVE APPRECIATION

Do you appreciate your spouse every day? If you want your relationship to make it for the long haul, then you will learn that big gestures are nice, but it’s the little things that count. Never let an opportunity pass you by to tell someone how much they mean to you. If you need ways to help you appreciate your spouse more, then these ideas are sure to assist.

1. Say you love them every day.

Some people need to know how much they are loved and appreciated daily. As they pass you by, take time to tell them how you feel.

2. Leave love letters around your home. If you want to show how much you appreciate your spouse, why not leave little love letters around the house. Using sticky notes are a great way to put messages for them to find.

3. Offer massages.

Nothing feels better after a long day than a back and neck rub. You can take turns massaging each other’s feet, necks, and backs. It’s an excellent way to release tension from stress and feel the loving touch of the one who holds your heart.

4. Listen and communicate with them. The best thing that you can do for your spouse is to listen and effectively communicate with them. Don’t interrupt them when they’re trying to tell you about their day. Listen to every word they say,and validate their feelings.

5. Be playful.

Never lose that playfulness that you had with your spouse from the

start. Help them cook dinner, put on some great music, and take a quick dance around the room.

6. Smile when they look at you.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to say nothing, but instead offer them a look that says it all. When your lover looks at you, grin. Not just any smile, but you want a smile so deep and genuine that it lights up your eyes.

Never let a moment pass you by where you don’t show the one you love how much you care. You’re not promised tomorrow, and life is but a vapor that can quickly be gone. Make sure that if tomorrow never comes, they know how much you loved them.

1. Name the Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, known as “The Heater From Van Meter,” who had his No. 19 retired by the Cleveland Indians in 1956.

2. What U.S. city was awarded the 1976 Winter Olympics but then had to back out after voters rejected using state tax revenues to support the Games in a 1972 referendum?

3. Florida-based sports radio personality and podcaster Jon Weiner is better known by what professional name?

4. How old was Julia Hawkins when she became the first female runner in her age category to record a time in the 100-meter sprint when she ran at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games?

Bob Feller. 2) Denver. 3) Stugotz. 4) 105 (her time was 1:02.95).

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LOVE YOURSELF

In its simplest form, loving yourself comes down to your actions. More specifically, loving yourself is about consistently carrying out actions that feel aligned with your core beliefs.

If you merely tell yourself that you’re working on loving yourself, but you’re a workaholic, drug abuser, existing on less than three hours of sleep per night, secretly resenting yourself for breaking that person’s heart a few years ago, and living off of fast food and energy drinks, well, you’re going to be sending a different message to your body through those actions.

You are the only one who can take care of you, so create habits in life to refuel your soul. Try these simple ideas as you start caring for yourself:

Move often

When you move you allow the various forms of energy in your body the space to shift around. If you spend all day sitting in front of a computer (or TV), then your creative, emotional, sexual energies tend to get trapped in your body. So instead of sitting in an office chair or couch, get up and move as often as you can.

Limit the junk your brain consumes

Just like your body feels grumpy if you feed it awful things consistently, so too does your mood suffer when you feed your mind garbage. Seek to fill your time with positive entertainment, and delete the continual feed of negativity.

Invest in your sleep

You spend roughly a third of your life sleeping, so you might as well get good at it. The way we sleep can either deprive us and deplete us, or it can energize and uplift us.

Be intentional in how you spend your time

Enforce real boundaries in your life so that you carve out time for the things that matter the most to you. Say no to people you don’t like spending time with. Spend time with your favorite people on a regular basis. Carve out time in your calendar to make time for fun, lightness, and playfulness.

Make time for rest and relaxation

Between all of your healthy meals, optimized sleep habits, and playfulness, you want to make sure you’re also allowing yourself the time and space to breathe and relax. Take naps when you feel like it. Rest and relaxation are vital to loving yourself.

Spend time alone

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or married, one of the best ways that you can cultivate a loving relationship with yourself is to regularly spend some time alone.

DINING GUIDE

FOOD

WINE SLUSHIE

INGREDIENTS

1 c. sugar (less for a sweet wine, more for a dry wine)

1 1/2 tsp. citric acid

1/4 tsp. matcha (green tea) powder

1 bottle wine

3 c. water

DIRECTIONS

Blend sugar, citric acid, and matcha powder into a food processor for 1-2 minutes. Pour mix into large bowl. Add wine and water. Stir well. Freeze for 3 hours before serving.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

INGREDIENTS

8 oz. bittersweet chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped, plus chocolate shavings

30 regular-size marshmallows

2 c. heavy cream

DIRECTIONS

In large bowl, combine chocolate, marshmallows and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Microwave on High 2 minutes; stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth (if not melted after 2 minutes, microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between). Let cool to room temp, about 45 minutes. Once mixture is cool, whip remaining cream in bowl until soft peaks form; transfer 1/2 cup to small bowl for topping. Refrigerate. Stir half of remaining whipped cream into cooled chocolate mixture until fully incorporated, then gently fold in the rest. Spoon into eight 4-ounce ramekins. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours and up to overnight. To serve, top with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with shaved chocolate, if desired.

SHAMELESS

Doing the right thing isn’t always easy—and nowhere is it more apparent than in the wellness world. Every day we’re bombarded by headlines warning us about the latest thing that’s slowing killing us.

Best advice? Put energy toward big-picture goals like following a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and taking care of your mental well-being. When it comes to the following habits, drop the guilt and focus on what matters.

Diet Drinks

Juice, sodas, and teas made with zero-calorie sweeteners were once touted as healthy, magically calorie-free alternative to sugary beverages. Then came the backlash: Scary studies linked artificial sweeteners to cancer, heart disease and unhealthy gut bacteria.

Findings have been inconclusive, and the truth is somewhere in the middle, says Adrienne Youdim. MD. Don’t have more than one of these drinks a day. She says: recent studies have linked two or more diet sodas a day with a higher risk

for stroke and heart disease among postmenopausal women. There no research showing a few diet sodas a week will harm you—especially if they help you kick the much worse habit of drinking sugary drinks.

Consumimng Carbs

“Carbohydrates” has become a dirty word, with trendy diet cutting out carbs almost completely. The problem is, that’s extremely impractical. Carbs are the body’s top source of fuel, and the federal dietary guidelines for Americans recommends that 45-65 percent of daily calories come from carbohydrates. Without carbs, we’d have no energy, and we’d miss out on nutrients.

A smarter strategy: Focus on reducing refined carbs and simple sugars (like white bread, pasta, and sweets) rather than cutting out all carbs—a group that by the way, includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Your Afternoon Nap

There are few pleasures greater than the mid-afternoon snooze.

Society frowns upon napping. It would be taboo at most working places, and at home we often see it as lazy and unproductive. Certainly, needing a nap could signal that you’re sleep-deprived, and unexplained sleepiness might be a warning of an underlying health problem.

But for most people, naps are a helpful way to catch up on lost hours of shut-eye. Short snoozes can have immediate benefits too. Research suggests that 30-minute power naps can improve concentration and energy.

Mindless Screen Time

Sitting has been dubbed the new smoking, with links to obesity and other health problems—especially when TV is involved. And spending lots of time on social media has been associated with mental health and sleep problems. However, we all need ways to escape from the pressures of daily life. Checking Instagram or binging Netflix can fit the bill, as long as it’s done in moderation and not causing harm to your personal and professional life.

Dinner and a Movie!

SWEET NOTHINGS

Looking for something sweet, witty or a little flirtatious to write to that special someone? Jotting your ideas down on paper in a little sweet note may be just enough to let that person know you’re thinking of them.

Here are several sweet love note ideas and suggestions for how to complete each note.

When I Think of You...

Whenever I think of you, I just can’t help but smile. Falling in love with you is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ve never been happier in my life. I know this feeling will last forever.

Having You in My Life...

Having you in my life makes each day a little brighter. I can’t wait to wake up in the morning because I know you’ll be there. I think of you often throughout the day, and I rush home from work, so I can be close to you again.

Sometimes at Night...

Sometimes at night, I lay there listening to the rhythm of your breathing because it fills me with happiness to know you’re there. Snuggling up to you brings me a sense of contentment that I never knew before. Knowing you love me as much as I love you brings me peace and joy.

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was in love with a man. She loved him so much that she wrote him a love note and tucked it into his lunch. He’s reading it now.

The Things You Are...

The things you are: protector, lover, friend, confidante, the love of my life and my entire world. The things I need beyond you: nothing.

No Matter What’s Coming...

No matter what’s coming in my day, I always know it will be a good one because at the end of it I get to see your smile. Tedious meetings? Boring busywork? None of it matters because I’ll soon be in your arms. Thank you for being my vacation from the rest of the world.

L-O-V-E...

Let’s talk about how much I love you. Oh, if only you knew the lengths I’m willing to go to prove my love to you! Vastly better than any other partner, you are. Everyone can see how much I adore and love you.

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DATE NIGHTS

SHAKE IT UP!

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in the “dating rut?” Try these ideas for some fresh date nights:

Host an indoor picnic – Serve dinner on a picnic blanket laid out in the living room. Open a bottle of wine with some favorite finger foods.

Be tourists for the day – Go sightseeing around your city. Stop inside places you often pass but never go into.

Bowling – Bowling is an old-school date idea with a casual, relaxed feel. It not only makes a fun date, but also makes a great first date.

Bingo – Playing bingo is more fun than you might think. Find a local community organization, buy your cards, and get ready to shout “Bingo!”

Drive-In – Another old-school date idea that’s making a comeback of late. There’s something so cozy about watching a movie at the drive-in.

Recreate a memorable date –Think of a favorite past date, something that means something

Learn a new activity together –Take a dance or photography class or learn how to play shuffleboard.

Visit the Aquarium – Aquariums are a great place for a date. Take a leisurely stroll while you survey the sea life.

Take in amateur night – Visit a local bar, club, or coffeehouse and watch the amateurs display their talent. If you’re adventurous, get up there and try it yourself.

Visit your local ballpark or stadium – Get tickets to a professional game or cheer for your hometown favorite.

Up, up and away – Take a hot air balloon ride. Glide over the roof tops pointing out sights of interest or just enjoy floating on air.

When you are finished pan frying something, add a bit of water to the pan and put it back on the still-warm burner while you eat. When you come back to clean up after dinner, the pan drippings will slide right off!

For pastry cooking, try grating frozen butter into the flour. It cuts in better and will stay cool longer.

Freshen stuffed animals by securing a few in a pillowcase and adding a fabric softener sheet. Put in the dryer on low heat for 20 minutes, then remove and brush out the fur if necessary while still warm.

Schedule important doctor’s checkups, like your annual physical and dental cleanings, in the same month each year, so you will know when they are coming up.

If you’ve been decluttering as a part of your New Year’s resolutions and you came across old pairs of eyeglasses, know that you can donate them to any Lions Club in your area. They redistribute the glasses to those who cannot afford them. You don’t have to know the prescription, and they take reading glasses too!

INVEST IN YOURSELF

Self-love is not about being happy all the time or having everything figured out—it’s about learning how to care for yourself consistently, even on difficult days. Practicing self-care means intentionally supporting your emotional, physical, and mental well-being so you can show up as your best self. The following steps highlight simple yet meaningful ways to build self-love:

1. Recognize and accept your emotional state

No one is happy all the time. Nor are they positive or the best version of themselves every day. An important part of self-love is holding yourself to reasonable standards. You must acknowledge that some days will be better than others, and that it’s totally okay to have an off day, or week or slump period.

2. Take time for yourself

As great as it is to be around people and to socialize, it’s super important to take time for yourself so that you can evaluate your emotional state and dedicate some time to self-care. A lot of people have the tendency to stretch themselves thin between daily life and social obligations. It’s not selfish to prioritize alone time so that you can focus on self-love, it’s a non-negotiable step of your selfcare routine.

3. Exercise

Physical activity is tied to our moods as well as our physical and mental health. A key part of self-care is maintaining your physical health so that your body is functioning properly and serving you. Exercise can boost endorphins and help us relieve all the stress that builds up in life.

4. Eat right

Paying attention to your diet is an important part of self-care, because it contributes to how you feel as well as your energy level. Eating foods like fatty fish, nuts, leafy greens and foods high in antioxidants (blueberries, acai berries) is great for your body and can help your brain functioning.

5. Forgive yourself

This means embracing self-compassion. We all make mistakes. Life moves on and so should you. Embracing self-compassion will allow you to reflect on your actions with kindness, empathy and support, which will allow you to forgive yourself for whatever happened.

TIME FOR A CHANGE?

By: Matilda Charles

Now and then, not too often, but sometimes, you hear that audible click and come to the realization that you need to change doctors.

Maybe it’s because once again you don’t feel like your doctor is really listening to your concerns. Maybe it’s because once again tests are ordered without you getting a clear explanation about why they’re necessary. Maybe it’s because your health concern doesn’t seem to be getting better. Maybe it’s because you see the

physician assistant (PA) when you expect to see the doctor. Or, maybe it’s just because you have a gut feeling you should go elsewhere.

Whatever the reason, if the time comes to make a change, it won’t be easy if you’ve been with your current doctor for a long time.

Your first step, once you’ve decided to do this, is to “interview” another doctor. You’ll need to call around to see who’s taking new patients or inquire among friends for

recommendations. Then, check out the doctor online with reviews by other people. Look at Healthgrades (www.healthgrades. com). Or, do an online search with the doctor’s name.

Be sure the doctor is in your insurance network and make an appointment. Go in with a written list of questions and make notes.

When you find a doctor you’d like to see in the future, you’ll need to have your records transferred from the old doctor.

And that’s where I part company with advice I was given. I’m told that it’s best to transfer your records to a new doctor before you go to the first appointment. You’ll need to decide for yourself. My preference was to meet the doctor first before records were transferred, and to not let the current medical practice know I was leaving until I was certain.

If you find the right doctor, the difficulty will be worth it.

FLASHBACK

Answers from pg. 14

1. Neil Diamond, in 1979. The single was first released on his “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” album the year before. Tommy Overstreet released a country cover in 1979.

2. The Dave Clark Five, in 1965. They were the second British band to appear on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and would eventually appear 17 more times. The Beatles only appeared on the show four times.

3. Tom Petty, in 1989, on his “Full Moon Fever” album. It topped the rock chart for five weeks.

4. Pat Benatar, in 1980.

5. “Paper Roses,” by Anita Bryant, in 1960. The song was Bryant’s best success, going to No. 5 on the charts in the U.S. but reaching No. 1 in Canada.

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