Day Trippers Travel Group

Recently, members of our group took a trip to Fountain Hills Arts & Crafts Festival, then took a nice late afternoon boat ride on the Desert Belle Cruise at Saguaro Lake. We were picked up at the Cottonwood main parking lot under the flagpole, enjoyed a bus ride to our destination, and enjoyed all the…

The Special Christmas Bows

Jacqueline M. Ruffino-Platt When I lived in Northern Virginia and was driving around one morning, I noticed a craft store had just opened in our vicinity. My creation for some fine crafts was in my mind. Bow making, floral and wreath designing, centerpieces for tables, decorating homes for the holidays, homemade gifts for family and…

Memoirs from ‘Mama’ (Katy Reed)

Kathleen Ismael, IronOaks Reflexology That Little Christmas Tree For years and years I’ve had a large tree The smell of the pine remains with me! Popcorn strung by the children— Cranberries and paper chains made with glee. Beautiful ornaments hung on the tree. Pretty lights strung around and around, Old-fashioned birds, bells, and tinsel Would…

In Passing – December 2024

Joyce Caroline Anderson Joyce Caroline Anderson, 90, passed away on Oct. 7, 2024, in Sun Lakes, Ariz. She was born to her parents Hazel and Ernest Miller on Dec. 21, 1933, in Leonia, Idaho. Joyce’s life was characterized by her beautiful spirit, her deep love for her family, and a consistently positive attitude that touched…

Word of the Month: Gerund

David Zapatka Reader Luz Stella Perotti wrote, “I had a SPLENDID time reading that one (Splendor). It is one of my favorite words.” While reading a fiction writers evaluation team’s comments about what makes a story successful, I came across these sentences, “Successful: tight writing, sharp dialogue, creative use of language, vivid imagery, a surprising…