Author Archives 
-
It is the season to think big for a good cause
Toys for her grandchildren: Check. Presents for her children: Check. An autoclave for Guatemala: …? Okay, that last one isn’t really on Rose Cimarusti’s Christmas list (and it’s a little harder to check off than a scarf for a friend), but this N.33 resident is trying to raise $3,500 in donations this holiday season, nonetheless, to afford Big Bertha, a Field Sterilizer, or autoclave, to aid in Refuge International’s help to impoverished Guatemalans.
-
Strutting into Christmas
Kick off the holiday season the week after Thanksgiving with the Sun City Strutters and special guest performers the Prairie Voices in the second annual holiday season performance, Christmas Is Coming.
-
Enlisting your help
For the last three years, Sunflower Garden Club member Nancy Frank, N. 23, has helped honor our armed forces members at holiday time by coordinating a patriotic display of Sun City resident-supplied photos of currently enlisted family members.
-
Service with a smile
“We give our customers value and service with a smile,” says Mike Akiti, who co-owns the newly opened Butler’s restaurant with his identical twin brother, Lui.
-
Making History
You could say that Sun City resident Fred Leznek of Neighborhood 18 has a “thing” for history. But after viewing his intricate and perfectly-crafted collages that will be on display in Prairie Lodge for ten days, from April 18th to the 28th, you may also add that he has a thing about art history or art and history. Nothing will take you back to the Middle Ages, Ancient Egypt, Native America, or many other popular time periods quite like Leznek’s detailed, colorful, and thought-out collages that prove a picture is worth a thousand words. And, in this case, hundreds of years.
-
Fighting cancer with Bingo
In 1999, Marianne Ricciardi’s son, Pat, was diagnosed with a serious and rare form of pediatric bone cancer, Ewing’s sarcoma, right after his 22 birthday. Given only a 35% chance of survival, Pat and his family consulted all the leading specialists. When they finally performed surgery, Pat’s tumor was the size of a cantaloupe.
-
Take fitness sitting down
Sun City is an extremely active community, especially when it comes to fitness. But there’s a lot of people who don’t or are unable to exercise but wish they could.
-
Better health is only a few strokes away
As people age and find their mobility limited, or perhaps are recovering from an injury or surgery, is there an activity that they can enjoy and reap health and fitness benefits from without risk of injury or discomfort? Yes, says Jack Bolger, coach of the Stingrays, who has been in aquatics as a competitor, water polo player, life guard, and coach for more than 50 years, and the answer lies under the water, or at least in a pool.
-
Shamrocks, shenanigans, and … the Old West?
Fun, fun, fun, and more fun! That’s what the yearly St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Club plays are.
-
Tap into better health
“You keep your mind and your body active, you’re going to have a better quality of life as a mature adult,” says Sandy Oldham (N. 12), who volunteers her time as tap teacher of Hoofers and Hunks tap group, among a range of other dance classes.
-
Mind matters
Over the past 40 years, Rose Hamann has filled many roles in the Recovery International Discovery Meetings for Mental Health. She began attending the group meetings in Chicago in 1971 as a member, by referral from her doctor, and in the intervening years has been an assistant group leader, volunteer, and for approximately the last 20 years, a group leader, both in Chicago and, for the last five years, in Huntley.
-
Soul Solutions
In today’s society, much emphasis is placed on the body’s physical health. But what about another kind of health—spiritual health? Reverend Matthew (Matt) Meyer, of N. 2, founder of the Spiritual Health Club, knows the paramount importance of this “other” kind of health.
-
State program lends tech items to people with disabilities
“It’s one of the best kept secrets in Illinois,” Lynette Strode, the Device Loan Coordinator of the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), says with a laugh, “even though we have tried to promote our program.”
-
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
The Sunflower Garden Club is proud to present the first Housewalk to be held in Sun City. The holiday-themed housewalk, A Winter Wonderland Housewalk, takes place on Thursday, December 9th from 3 till 7 p.m.
-
V is for volunteer of the year
“I want to give back,” Maureen Berg of Neighborhood 7 says. “I never dreamt I would get an opportunity like that.” Maureen, who has been blind since 1996, after she was severely injured in an auto accident in Woodstock, IL, has, for the last eight years, volunteered her time at school District 158 with CSO, Community Student Outreach, a program started by Sun City residents Bob Hurrie and Dick Evans to provide volunteers to D-158 for whatever support the school District, students, or teachers need.
-
Affairs of the Art
If you are looking to add some pizzazz into your day or even your home, the biannual Affair of the Arts art show offers entertainment, beauty, and fellowship in a wooded setting at The Shores of Turtle Creek in Spring Grove on Sunday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and 57 million more Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. November is National Diabetes Awareness month, a time when the American Diabetes Association spreads awareness about the disease and the seriousness of its complications.
-
The Bird Lady
Jess Chipkin (N.22) is known in her neighborhood as “the bird lady.” When her neighborhood had its own newspaper, she contributed a Q & A on birds. Her corner-lot home is replete with an array of sparrows, doves, finches, blue jays, robins, cardinals, and woodpeckers that come to snack at her birdfeeders.
-
Home clean home
The weather is warming, the birds are singing, and the dust bunnies and cob webs are blowing around with the fresh breezes. Spring cleaning can be daunting.
-
IBS
Everyone gets stomach upset. Not everyone has IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). April is IBS Awareness Month, when organizations like IFFGD (International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) spread public awareness about IBS.
-
Line 63?
If you filed your own taxes this year, you may have overlooked a new credit on the 1040 form. This credit is called the Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credit and is located on line 63. It requires that you attach schedule M.
