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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | APRIL 2023 | | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | APRIL 2023 | 67 67 From Courtney, the publisher: I've been making friends in Sun Lakes for over 25 years. I've performed in plays with talented residents, traveled to Vegas with the fun crew, and enjoyed meals with many others. One Sun Laker found a place in my heart and I considered her a grandma, mom, and best friend. About 10 years ago, she reached out after sending in her monthly Lifestyles article, asking to meet me for lunch. We met at Bob's Big Boy and the connection was instant. She was blunt and worked blue, just like me. Over the next decade,we grew close. During the pandemic, we made a decision to see each other once a month, knowing that tomorrow is promised to no one. We talked about our kids, our pasts, our joys, our sorrows. We laughed and cried and cursed. She was sweet and sassy. She taught me to let other people pick up the check — that it was a gift to them. She taught compassion, saying, "You just never know what someone is going through. You just never know." She shopped at the Dollar Store and changed out the plastic flowers on her porch every season. She adored her dog and worried about her family. She called me the first of the month to tell me how much she loved the Lifestyles. And when she fell and went to the hospital, I went to see her. I joked with her and made her laugh. I told her to get better and we'd go to Oak Glen Steakhouse for lunch. She nodded her head. Then she waved at me to leave. The next day she passed and I was gutted. I miss her every day. So for the secret contest this month, in honor of my dear friend Barbara, I want you to invite someone out to lunch - and let them pick up the check, telling them it's your gift to them. (Not really, but that would make her laugh.) Now back to the Get the Joke stuff: To win a free dinner, find the ad, article or just weird, out-of-place, completely made-up (and hopefully funny) item in this month's Lifestyles. When you find it, fill out the box and email it to sunlakesnews@yahoo.com before noon on the sixth of the month (or drop it off in the Main Clubhouse). If you are the first correct guess chosen at random, you will win a free dinner. Congratulations to this month's Dinner Winner: BARBARA L-SEMIC Please call Kelly in the Admin. Office for your Sun Lakes Restaurant dinner. The Irish Setters and Wolfhounds are not happy to be excluded from your ad photo. Maybe that's why business has been slow. No one likes to be forgotten. Just me sayin'. Barbara C. Add a couple of sections to the Hat Store, like Christmas & Halloween. Business will possibly pick up. Emily P. While funny, I think they would sell well. My 100% Irish mom actually used food dye and dyed her little Maltese green one year. She was head of the recreation department for our town and the dog was in the parade. Nora B. Sounds great, but what about for cats, fish and hamsters?!? Jeanne V. I have an Irish Wolfhound, and he loves wearing hats! If you have one available, I think a hat with a chinstrap would be great… He is pretty fast when he feels like running, so it needs to be attached securely! Laurie W. A green hat on our Irish Setter, Clancy, would look great on St. Patty's Day, don't you think? Gerry P. How about hats for cats? This is discrimination! I want my hat to be in style - this is Sun Lakes after all. Barbara L-Semic I enjoy looking for the joke! Mike S. your comments: GET THE JOKE! I found the joke! Resident name (first & last): ________________________________________ This was the joke: _______________________________________________ Comments (we LOVE your notes - about anything!): _______________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Send your entry to sunlakesnews@yahoo.com or drop it at the Main Clubhouse SECRET CONTEST… IMPACTFUL BOOK: Last month I asked what book had an impact on you. One book that I read post college and was influenced by was "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying." It, while fun, also had some profound truths that reminded me throughout my career that smarts and hard work, though important, often are less of a factor in getting ahead than one would hope. Victor G. The book that had the greatest impact on my life, other than the Bible, is "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Norman Vincent Peale. It definitely shaped my approach to my career in Customer and Patient Relations. Jeanne V. Last month's joke:

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