Nancy Perry Graham EDITOR
Brand-New, Just for You
The most exciting day of each month for me, as a child,
was the day Jack and Jill magazine arrived in our mailbox.
I’d disappear into my bedroom, where I’d spend hours
reading stories, doing puzzles, and immersing myself in a
world created exclusively—or so it seemed—for me.
As I grew up, the magazines I read changed as I
changed—McCall’s (recipes to make with Mom, and Betsy
McCall paper dolls!), Tiger Beat (my brothers read Mad ),
Cosmo, Working Woman—but my reason for reading them
didn’t: They spoke to exactly where I was in my life. They
engaged me, inspired me, made me think. And they always
gave me something to look forward to.
That’s what we want this magazine to do for you. Our
goal is to help you feel your best—physically, financially,
mentally, spiritually. To encourage you not simply to
dream but to fulfill those dreams.
In that spirit, with this issue we are introducing a more
contemporary, colorful design—with new multimedia
elements—that reflects the passion, energy, and positive attitude of our readers. Here’s what you can look forward to:
A SPOTLIGHT ON VALUE Our new You First page highlights five ways you can enrich your life right now, by
pointing you to seasonal deals plus meaningful leisure
pursuits that show you value isn’t always about money.
Clara Gunn, the winner, for
distributing food to the needy,
of AARP THE MAGAZINE’s Inspiration Vacation contest (brought
to you by Beaches Resorts and
The Sandals Foundation), won
a trip to Jamaica, where she
worked with students at the
Boscobel Primary School.
CLASS ACT
EAS Y-TO-FIND INFO We’ve put your favorite topics in
distinct sections—news, health, money, travel, and personal
growth—that address what matters most to you: feeling
great, saving money, finding purpose, and having fun.
EXCITING NE W COLUMNIS TS In addition to our popular
consumer watchdog Ron Burley and value-travel strategist
Peter Greenberg, we welcome six new contributors: Dr.
Mehmet Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show; money expert Liz
Weston; Mindless Eating author Brian Wansink, Ph.D.,
who heads up the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab;
modern-manners maven Peggy Post; Jane Pauley, who
hosts a monthly segment on the Today show called “ Your
Life Calling”; and Chris Gardner, whose inspirational life
story was the basis for the movie The Pursuit of Happyness.
S TORIES FROM AND ABOUT YOU Leading off our new The
Best of Your Life department—about family, friends, food,
and personal fulfillment—will be our Imagine If… page,
with true tales from readers who have dared to achieve
their lifelong dreams.
And it doesn’t stop there. I’d like to chat with you regularly, across the digital garden hedge. So pour a cup of
coffee and go to aarp.org/magtalk to share your thoughts
about the magazine, your lives, your hopes and challenges.
I’ll meet you there—and I can’t wait to know you better.
