24 JUNE 2026 that I know the purpose behind. I am grateful for all of the lives I have gotten to be a part of through the baked goods I make,” Owner Grace Cahill said. “From weddings to multiple years of birthday parties, or even the baked goods being sent to those needing to be thought of on a special occasion.” While there’s no storefront just yet, that hasn’t slowed Grace down. The company operates through custom orders and a growing presence at neighborhood pop-ups and markets around Scottsdale and Phoenix. Grace only recently decided to turn her longtime passion into a business after settling in Arizona. The move itself was inspired by the state’s lifestyle and strong sense of community – something she says she’s already felt in full force since arriving. “I love how supportive and connected everyone is. There’s a strong appreciation for local businesses, and people really show up for each other,” she said. That sense of connection is also what fuels her favorite part of the job. It’s not just about baking, it’s about being part of people’s stories. Whether it’s a wedding cake, birthday cupcakes, or a box of cookies sent to brighten someone’s day, each order carries meaning. And for Baked by Grace, that’s what makes the work so rewarding. Of course, running a business comes with its challenges. Building a name in a new city and juggling the behind-the-scenes demands of entrepreneurship can be tough. But with each satisfied customer and repeat order, the foundation continues to grow stronger. Grace said that custom orders are a major focus, and flexibility is key. Looking ahead, the goal is simple: keep growing, keep baking, and keep connecting. With plans to expand participation in markets through summer and fall, there will be even more chances for Arcadia residents to get a taste. Learn more on Instagram @bakedbygrace.co By Mallory Gleich If you’ve spent time strolling through Valley farmers markets or scrolling Instagram feeds lately, you may have spotted a new name making waves in Arcadia’s dessert scene: Baked by Grace. Run by a baker whose roots began in Iowa, Baked by Grace started with a simple idea: create delicious desserts that help people celebrate life’s big and small moments. From custom cakes to cupcakes and cookies, everything is crafted with a focus on quality ingredients and flavor. “I love baking anything, especially orders Arcadia sisters create suds and smiles Bringing homemade charm to every celebration By Kylie de Best Nicole Larsen and Katlyn Miller, like many others, have long been dissatisfied with conventional body care products and even high-end soaps and washes not delivering the promised results of hydration and nourishment. In fact, they often found those soaps left their skin feeling drier than before. Determined to create something better, they crafted their first bar – and, loving the results, soon founded Rose Marie Apothecary. The business debuted in 2023 with a mission to be more intentional about the ingredients people use both inside and outside of their bodies. While first starting as a hobby, they were encouraged to keep going after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from family and friends they gifted to and finding how much everyone loved incorporating the soaps into their daily routine. In 2024, the vision officially came to life, and Rose Marie Apothecary grew into the woman-owned, sister- owned small soap batchery it is today. The inspiration for the name came from a combination of Nicole and Katlyn’s middle names, paired with the word “apothecary” to show the thoughtful and intentional care these products bring. The body and bath essentials are created in small batches, which began in Nicole’s kitchen and soon expanded into a dedicated home workspace. Today, the duo is building a full studio where each product is carefully made and every new design is dreamed up with intention. While conventional products are often formulated with high water content and minimal amount of highlighted ingredients like shea butter, Rose Marie believes in using high quality, sustainably sourced ingredients while keeping the formulations simple and purposeful. Every oil, butter and clay is selected with care to bring hydration and benefits to the skin. Many of their artisan soaps are inspired by the beauty and spirit of the Valley, featuring designs like Arcadia Orange, Valley of the Sun, Arizona Monsoon, and Sonoran Bloom. They are constantly creating new designs inspired by landscapes, moments, and people around them. “We love the creative outlet it provides and the opportunity to share that creativity with others who value handmade products,” Nicole said. “There is something meaningful about turning simple ingredients into something beautiful and then seeing those products become part of someone’s daily routine or a gift shared with intention.” Nicole and Katlyn are excited to grow the product line, prepare for the launch of their subscription-based soap service, expand new retail spaces, and create even more designs inspired by the people, places, and moments that bring joy and connection into everyday life. Rose Marie Apothecary products can be found online and in-person at boutiques Sip and Shop and 85 Local. rosemarieapothecary.com Nicole Larsen and Katlyn Miller are the duo behind Rose Marie Apothecary. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICOLE LARSEN Grace Cahill Baked by Grace prepares custom cupcakes and desserts with its small-batch “bakery” kitchen. O Op pe en n S Su un n- -M Mo on n- -T Tu ue es s 1 11 1a am m- -9 9p pm m W We ed d- -T Th hu ur rs s 1 11 1a am m- -9 9: :3 30 0p pm m F Fr ri i- -S Sa at t 1 11 1a am m- -1 10 0p pm m • Dine in • Patio Service • Sat-Sun Brunch menu with drink specials • Happy Hour Specials • Pickup Orders T Tr ry y o ou ur r f fu ul ll l c ca at te er ri in ng g s se er rv vi ic ce e: : 6 60 02 2- -3 30 00 0- -7 71 13 33 3 Safety guidelines are being followed. Thanks for your support! 4144 E. Indian School Road | teepeemexicanfood.com teepeemexicanfood.com | 602-956-0178 602-956-0178 ENJOY YOUR ENJOY YOUR TEEPEE TEEPEE FAVORITES! FAVORITES!

25 JUNE 2026 By Madalyn Paltzik Music performances, colorful artwork, and hands-on activities brought families together during Hopi Elementary School’s annual Arts Fair this spring. The event transformed Hopi’s campus into what Principal Anne Plenkovich described as “an evening of creativity, collaboration, and talent,” showcasing student work from across the school’s music and arts programs. Throughout the year, Hopi’s Art Masterpiece volunteers visit classrooms to teach students about influential artists and their unique styles. The Arts Fair serves as a culminating showcase for that work, featuring a gallery walk of K-5 artwork displayed throughout campus. “At Hopi, we truly love and celebrate the arts,” Plenkovich said. The event was organized by Chairs Kate Owensby and Cheri Pierce, alongside Art Masterpiece Chairs Jennie Baumgardner and Rachel McMahon, with support from the PTA, staff members, volunteers, and student helpers. Hallways and outdoor spaces were filled with paintings, mixed-media projects, and colorful displays as families walked through the gallery. The artwork reflected the lessons explored throughout the year and allowed them to proudly share with friends and family. The event also featured performances by nearly 200 student musicians involved in Hopi’s band, strings, and chorus programs, creating an energetic atmosphere. Attendees gathered to watch performers as they moved between exhibits and activity stations across campus. In addition to viewing artwork and performances, families participated in several interactive art stations inspired by famous artists and techniques. According to Pierce, students explored pop art inspired by Andy Warhol, created spin art inspired by Damien Hirst, and made bracelets from pipe cleaners. Pierce said one of the most popular additions was “a new crowd favorite;” a Lite-Bright-inspired station built from pegboard and colorful golf tees where students designed glowing creations of their own. The event combined visual art, music, and hands-on activities to create, as Pierce described, “an energetic and festive atmosphere.” Those attending the event also had dinner options, thanks to SoCal Vibrations, and dessert in the form of frozen treats from Frios Pops while exploring the campus exhibits and activities. Beyond showcasing student talent, the Arts Fair also highlighted Hopi’s community. Parent volunteers, teachers, and organizers worked together throughout the year to support arts programming and create an event that encouraged creativity and participation. “The Hopi Arts Fair remains a cherished tradition that highlights student talent, encourages creativity, and strengthens the sense of community that makes Hopi so special,” Pierce said. Hopi Arts Fair honors student expression with annual showcase By AJ Stone Emily Kodicek is making her voice heard – earning a third-place finish at the state-level Poetry Out Loud competition. As the sole Xavier representative and one of just nine finalists from across the Valley, Emily advanced to the finals at the University of Arizona, where her powerful recitations and stage presence set her apart. Poetry Out Loud, a national arts education program, invites high school students to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. The competition views poetry as an oral art form, relating it to the growth of popularity in rap music over the last decade or so. Emily found out about the competition through her English teacher Shannon Donaldson. “I was immediately interested,” Emily said. “I decided to compete, and I won the school competition and made it to regionals. I loved it so much last year that I decided to do it again and made it all the way to State, where I placed third.” She was inspired to compete through a collection of different passions, including acting, public speaking, and literature. Her love for poetry was only part of the reason she ended up pursuing this opportunity. “My acting and English classes, along with my prior public speaking experience – like lectoring at Most Holy Trinity Church – inspired me to enter Poetry Out Loud. It combined all of my passions into one competition,” Emily said. During the competition, three of the poems Emily performed were: Our Own Twelve Anti-Suffragist Reasons by Alice Duer Miller, O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman, and Songs for the People by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. “Each of the poems is unique and tackles different themes,” she said. She described Miller’s piece as a rhetorical poem that lists reasons why women should not vote while contradicting itself to convey the message that women should vote. Walt Whitman’s O Captain! My Captain! explores themes of grief, victory, and loss, and was written to commemorate Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. Harper’s Songs for the People , Emily said, focuses on unity, peace, and the power of music to inspire change. From political tensions to national mourning to the ideology behind world peace, Emily’s ability to interpret and perform these complex messages contributed to her success at the state level. All poems recited in the competition are required to be a part of the Poetry Out Loud America 250 Online Anthology, making sure that students are using established works. Whether it’s acting, poetry, English, or another form of creating, Emily blends stage presence with thoughtful interpretations to demonstrate the power of spoken word poetry. With a combination of passion and experience, she hopes to represent Xavier next year and aim for a first- place finish. Xavier junior takes third at State Poetry competition A Lite-Bright-inspired station was the most popular addition at this year’s fair. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOPI ELEMENTARY Emily Kodicek