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How to Host a Game Night for Friends and Neighbors
A good game night isn’t about who wins—it’s about laughter, snacks, and shared moments that last long after the cards are packed away. Whether you prefer dominoes on the porch or a lively trivia round, here’s how to make your evening run smoothly.
Setting the Scene
Choose a space that feels open and comfortable, with good lighting and room to spread out a board or two. Keep things relaxed—no need for fancy decor. Simple classics like Rummikub, Dominoes, or Apples to Apples make for easy conversation while still keeping everyone engaged.
As for food, think effortless and tidy: a mix of nuts, cheese, fruit, or popcorn works well. A pitcher of iced tea or sparkling water nearby saves repeat trips to the kitchen.
Making It Welcoming
Invite people who enjoy a good mix of fun and conversation. Just a few friends around the table are all you need for good conversation and easy laughter. If some neighbors haven’t met before, start with an ice-breaker game or a round of TableTopics Conversation Cards before diving into the main event.
Little touches—a comfortable chair for everyone, prizes like cookies, or a short playlist of favorite songs—add warmth without effort.
At the end of the evening, choose the next host or game together. Rotating the location keeps things lively and gives everyone a chance to contribute their own favorite games. Over time, a simple evening can become the highlight everyone plans around.
💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Shared laughter only grows stronger when it’s passed along.
On Health
Healthy recipe: Easy Baked Tilapia
Helpful health resource: Online therapy covered by Medicare
On Finances
Useful financial product: New Stock Picks - Just $99 for New Members
Free tool to find a financial advisor for your situation: Find a financial advisor!
Legacy Spotlight
“The Lemon Tree”
From the life overview of Rita D., 77, Tucson, Arizona. Shared with permission.
When my husband and I first moved to Arizona, we bought a lemon tree that was barely three feet tall. The nursery clerk said, “Give it time.” He meant the tree, but it turned out to be advice for everything else too.
The first summer nearly did us both in—the heat, the loneliness, the way every errand seemed to require directions and patience. The lemon tree lost half its leaves, and I was ready to give up on it. Still, every morning, I carried out a pitcher of water to it.
By the second spring, tiny green buds appeared. A few months later, one single lemon—hard, bright, and sour. I took a picture, texted it to my daughter, and said, “Proof that stubbornness counts as faith.”
Now the tree’s taller than I am. Every winter, I make jars of marmalade for neighbors and friends. It’s my small reminder that growth happens quietly, often when we’re not paying attention—and that a bit of sour can still turn out sweet in the end.
***
What did you think of the above excerpt?
Three Things Worth Your Time
Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)
The Digital Public Library of America brings together millions of digitized photographs, manuscripts, maps, and books from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. It’s an excellent resource for exploring history, art, and culture from trusted institutions—all freely available to anyone online.
The Classical Station
A listener-supported radio station delivering classical music 24 hours a day, The Classical Station offers a soothing, steady background of artful music. Ideal for a relaxed afternoon or an evening at home, it provides calm sounds for reading, reflection, or simply winding down.
Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life
In this insightful guide, Ryan Frederick explores how the places we choose to live profoundly shape our health, happiness, and sense of purpose as we age. Drawing on research and real-life stories, he offers a thoughtful framework for evaluating where and how to live in ways that foster connection, well-being, and meaning. The result is a calm, practical companion for anyone reimagining what “home” can be.
Quick Poll (vote to see the anonymized current results)
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Capture Your Life Story: Today’s Daily Prompt
This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget. (Does your story deserve to be told?)
What was your favorite TV show growing up?
Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.
Getting help with capturing your story begins with a free Vision Meeting. In under an hour, we’ll reflect on your life’s work and define goals, themes, and style. Then our expert interviewers, writers, editors, and designers will craft your book—with your ongoing input—to preserve your story, wisdom, and legacy exactly as you intend.
Call 1-888-MEMGHOST or email [email protected] to begin a process clients describe as “meaningful,” “easy,” and even “a lot of fun.”
On Tech for Seniors
How to Safely Share Photos and Videos With Family Online
Staying connected with loved ones often means sharing photos and videos—grandkids’ birthdays, holiday dinners, and everyday moments worth remembering. But sharing safely is important, especially with so many platforms and privacy settings to keep track of. Here’s how to do it securely and simply.
Simple and Safe Sharing Options
If you want a quick, no-fuss way to share without worrying about who can see your photos, start with private, invitation-only platforms.
Google Photos lets you create shared albums where only people with the link (or those you invite) can view or add photos. You can also turn off link sharing entirely if you prefer tighter control.
Apple iCloud Photos offers shared albums for iPhone and iPad users. These can be restricted to certain contacts and don’t require social media accounts.
Amazon Photos is great if you already have an Amazon Prime membership. It offers unlimited photo storage and private sharing with selected people.
Tip: Avoid posting family photos on public social media accounts like Facebook unless you’ve set your audience to Friends Only and reviewed your privacy settings.
Adding Layers of Security
If you’re ready to take things a step further, there are a few ways to make photo sharing extra safe.
Private apps with strong privacy protection — Apps like Signal or Proton Drive use something called encryption. That just means your photos are locked so only the person you send them to can see them—no one else, not even the company that runs the app.
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) in your Google, Apple, or Amazon account settings. This simply means you’ll get a text message with a code before anyone can log in, adding a small but powerful safety step.
If you like to share family videos, YouTube’s “Unlisted” option keeps your videos off public search results. Only people with your private link can watch.
Think of these tools as a lock on your digital photo album — simple, invisible, and just there to make sure your memories stay in trusted hands.
On Travel for Seniors
Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Mediterranean Cruise - departing November 30, from $174
Unmissable American gem: Branson, Missouri, is a beloved senior travel destination known for its scenic Ozark Mountain views, live music theaters, nostalgic attractions, and welcoming small-town charm that blends entertainment with relaxation.
Unscramble
Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.
Today’s clue: Sketch show whose first season launched in ’75.
YASRTAUD HGINT LEVI
Want to Earn in Retirement?
Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.
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