We all know the benefits of owning a pet. They include:

• lower blood pressure
• fewer doctor visits
• reduced risk of depression
• decreased loneliness
• increased activity
• better self-care
• greater mental acuity
• reduced stress

Research shows that that most of these benefits hold true whether you have a dog, cat, fish or even a snake or tarantula.

Moving to an independent living or retirement community is a big decision. You’re full of questions that you want answered before you take the next big step.

Forget the sport of kings, bocce is the sport of emperors. Combining strategy, competition, light exercise and, usually, food and drink, the sport has been popular since Egyptians played it in the age of the pharaohs.

We asked residents of Sugar Hill Retirement Community why they chose to live here. In no particular order, here are some of their answers.

If you’re kicking around the notion of making a move to a senior living community, think about what’s important to you. Then ask yourself if those same things are important to your prospective retirement community.

Transitioning to a senior living community can be stressful if you allow it to be. It’s certainly a process, but that doesn’t mean it must be painful. To start, help yourself by selecting the proper time to start your adventure at your new home in a fresh, vibrant community.

The oldest summer resort in America does the season right. Any day of the week, you can enjoy fishing in Lake Winnipesaukee, shopping downtown, or swimming at Allen Albee Beach.

Every summer, we are so eager to bask in the rays of that golden orb that we forget it can be dangerous...at least until that first painful sunburn.

You exercise, eat right, and avoid stress. Surely, you’re doing everything you can to ensure future good health.

Perhaps not. Although those are the big 3, there are other factors in wellness.

Can someone guess your personality after discovering your favorite alcoholic beverage? Find out here.