MY SUN DAY NEWS
Every year at this time, Sun City gets a little spooky, as seen with Suzanne Eck’s home, which is “haunted” by specters, witches, skeletons, pumpkin heads, and other ghastly creatures.
I cried at my desk at the office today. Twice. Crying in a cubicle is a tricky feat because someone is usually on the other side of the flimsy wall. No matter how hard I try to cry silently, it’s inevitable for one large intake of breath to escape, or a gulp, or some other distressing sound that will cause one of my cubicle mates to say, “Hey — you okay over there?”
As I write this, my garden is still standing — though some might say it’s standing on borrowed time.
Some might glance at my wilted, withering wasteland of defunct flowers and “tsk” at my tardiness in cleaning things up, but to my way of thinking, those tsk-ers are dead wrong. To my way of thinking, an Illinois garden only arrives at its true calling in late October, when the colorful flower petals are long gone and the seeds cluster atop the dry, crispy stalks.
Sun City’s Veterans Memorial Field’s season continued on three Monday nights as ladies took to the diamond to continue their interest in the sport. Sue Meyers of Sun City organized the Sun City Women’s 14-inch Softball Group for its second year. The group is open for Sun City residents only.
Sun City’s Veterans Memorial Field’s season continued on three Monday nights as ladies took to the diamond to continue their interest in the sport.
Sue Meyers of Sun City organized the Sun City Women’s 14-inch Softball Group for its second year. The group is open for Sun City residents only.
On the calendar for some Sun City residents is the thirteenth annual flower show, hosted by the Huntley Area Lions Club. This year, it returns as an evening dedicated to local creativity and community support. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, running from 7-9 p.m. at Huntley High School. This year’s showcase promises to deliver professional design demonstrations and opportunities for audience members to win beautifully styled floral creations.
On the calendar for some Sun City residents is the thirteenth annual flower show, hosted by the Huntley Area Lions Club. This year, it returns as an evening dedicated to local creativity and community support. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, running from 7-9 p.m. at Huntley High School.
This year’s showcase promises to deliver professional design demonstrations and opportunities for audience members to win beautifully styled floral creations.
As soon as the clock struck 10 p.m., the baseball season came to an end for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans Oct. 10. The Sox suffered a 2-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians to fall three games to two in the American League Division Series. The Cubs had their season ended 10 days earlier with a 4-1 loss to San Diego in the NL wild-card round.
As soon as the clock struck 10 p.m., the baseball season came to an end for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans Oct. 10.
The Sox suffered a 2-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians to fall three games to two in the American League Division Series. The Cubs had their season ended 10 days earlier with a 4-1 loss to San Diego in the NL wild-card round.
To his neighbors in Sun City, he is Bob Begora. But as winter approaches, a transformation takes place. Begora’s natural beard is bleached a snowy white, an international North Pole driver’s license is tucked into a velvet pocket, and he steps perfectly into the role of Santa Claus. For 14 years, he has mastered this craft – bringing smiles to the faces of numerous children and adults alike — and this season, he needs his neighbors’ help.
I checked my Chicago Cubs allegiance at the door, at least for a few hours on a late September Tuesday afternoon. A group of about 30 Chicago White Sox baseball fans, mostly Sun City residents, gathered at the Village Inn restaurant to witness a game few thought was possible six months ago.
I checked my Chicago Cubs allegiance at the door, at least for a few hours on a late September Tuesday afternoon.
A group of about 30 Chicago White Sox baseball fans, mostly Sun City residents, gathered at the Village Inn restaurant to witness a game few thought was possible six months ago.
For many adults, a lasting passion is discovered entirely by accident. For Sun City Huntley resident Robert Supernaw, a wet Florida afternoon, the tight quarters of a motorhome, and a box of plastic bricks changed everything. Long before he started assembling plastic wheels and gears, Supernaw had an opportunity that grown men envy and children only dream of.
For many adults, a lasting passion is discovered entirely by accident. For Sun City Huntley resident Robert Supernaw, a wet Florida afternoon, the tight quarters of a motorhome, and a box of plastic bricks changed everything.
Long before he started assembling plastic wheels and gears, Supernaw had an opportunity that grown men envy and children only dream of.
David Rochlitz, a Sun City resident and Special Olympics Master Swimmer, has a rigorous three-team training regimen that brought him national success. His passion for the water culminated in late June 2026, when he traveled to Minneapolis to represent Illinois at the highest level: the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Rochlitz’s journey in the water began when he first started swimming at five years old in outdoor pools with family and friends.
David Rochlitz, a Sun City resident and Special Olympics Master Swimmer, has a rigorous three-team training regimen that brought him national success. His passion for the water culminated in late June 2026, when he traveled to Minneapolis to represent Illinois at the highest level: the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.
Rochlitz’s journey in the water began when he first started swimming at five years old in outdoor pools with family and friends.
They say variety is the spice of life. That is why when we do our articles, we don’t review Chinese, Chinese, Chinese, or Italian, Italian, Italian restaurants all in a row. We try to shake things up and spice it up. What better way to spice things up than with a Mexican restaurant. We accidentally came across the El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant in Fox River Grove and wanted to give it a try.
Crisp winds have been rushing through the trees at night with my window has been open. The weather, both day and night, has been the best it has been in ages. Perfect to listen to leaves dance across shingles and pavement. However, you must admit it can be slightly unsettling to hear that and nothing else. The early evening cricket chatter giving way to…what exactly? With that in mind, I started listen to a song by Dusty Springfield that felt appropriate. And like the lyrics, I am here to meet together and see movies.
I’m 77 years old, and I’ve noticed that keeping track of my health has almost become a full-time job. Between my primary care doctor, cardiologist, eye doctor, and a few other specialists, it seems like I’m at a medical appointment every other week.
In May, as I was working in my yard, I found a plastic Easter egg among our boxwood. Hidden a few weeks earlier, the small snickers bar contained inside was a deliciously unexpected sweet treat. Spring blooming bulbs, hidden in the ground months before they bloom, offer beauty and fragrance after a long cold winter. Because of their small size, bulbs are easier to plant, come in a variety of colors and are low maintenance.
Letters for the week of October 22.
Sun City Theatre’s fall musical has it all: jealous stepsisters, a grand ball, a lost shoe, and a fairy tale romance with a handsome prince. This adaptation of Cinderella sets the familiar story of the unlikely princess to a beautiful musical score from the famous composer-lyricist duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
In my own home, I am queen of the castle. Duchess of the Dwelling. Empress of the Estate. I’m a full-grown adult with a degree and a career. I drive my own car. But when I go up to visit my parents, who are in their 90s and live in an apartment for seniors, it’s like I’m a kid again. It’s confusing, especially because now, our traditional roles are not as clear cut. In fact, they’ve been flipped on their head.
In my own home, I am queen of the castle. Duchess of the Dwelling. Empress of the Estate.
I’m a full-grown adult with a degree and a career. I drive my own car. But when I go up to visit my parents, who are in their 90s and live in an apartment for seniors, it’s like I’m a kid again. It’s confusing, especially because now, our traditional roles are not as clear cut. In fact, they’ve been flipped on their head.
Of all the many lessons my father taught me, the most valuable one that I live by every day may be his lesson about “acquired taste.” I’m sure you know that term — the process of learning over time to like something that you found distasteful when you first experienced it.
Of all the many lessons my father taught me, the most valuable one that I live by every day may be his lesson about “acquired taste.”
I’m sure you know that term — the process of learning over time to like something that you found distasteful when you first experienced it.
As the adult children and grandkids are back to work and school, things are getting back to seriousness. Reading “The New York Times” the other day, you would believe that there is no joy in the world at this moment. And, in some ways, that would seem to be correct. Doomscrolling over social media can be a daunting exercise that can leave you drained and unmotivated. However, I have been trying to look at the positive in life more. So, in a bid to not fall into a complete existential crisis, let’s put the drama away (for now) and focus on more comedic efforts.
Bruce Goettsche (pronounced Getchy), of neighborhood 13B, and his wife, Debbie, moved to Sun City in September 2025. Goettsche retired from pastoral ministry earlier that year after 43 years serving the same Bible-teaching church in La Harpe, Illinois. Before he left, he officially passed the spiritual mantle to his son, Rick, who joined the church staff as Associate Pastor back in August 2006.
Bruce Goettsche (pronounced Getchy), of neighborhood 13B, and his wife, Debbie, moved to Sun City in September 2025. Goettsche retired from pastoral ministry earlier that year after 43 years serving the same Bible-teaching church in La Harpe, Illinois.
Before he left, he officially passed the spiritual mantle to his son, Rick, who joined the church staff as Associate Pastor back in August 2006.
Baseball memories for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans began flowing as freely as the champagne when both teams clinched MLB playoff spots at about 4 p.m., Sept. 24, aka “Terrific Thursday”. The teams advanced to the postseason together, as the Cubs were 89-73 record and the White Sox 84-78, for the fourth time in their histories, the first since 2020 (COVID shortened year) and since 2008 in a full season. Both The Cubs and White Sox won National and American League wild-card spots, respectively. The Cubs clinched with a 2-1 win over Miami and the White Sox’s 9-1 win in Kansas City, so they were in the first best-of-three round.
Baseball memories for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans began flowing as freely as the champagne when both teams clinched MLB playoff spots at about 4 p.m., Sept. 24, aka “Terrific Thursday”.
The teams advanced to the postseason together, as the Cubs were 89-73 record and the White Sox 84-78, for the fourth time in their histories, the first since 2020 (COVID shortened year) and since 2008 in a full season. Both The Cubs and White Sox won National and American League wild-card spots, respectively. The Cubs clinched with a 2-1 win over Miami and the White Sox’s 9-1 win in Kansas City, so they were in the first best-of-three round.
Some people spend their retirement relaxing on the porch, but Sun City resident Dave McElwain prefers to keep moving and creating. McElwain recently unveiled his latest and most ambitious project: He has completely transformed his golf cart. For McElwain, the project brings his life story full circle. As a child, he devoted countless hours playing with trains, starting with a classic Santa Fe locomotive set. “It’s funny to me that my very first set was a Santa Fe,” McElwain said, “considering both my father and grandfather worked for the Burlington line in the town of Galesburg, Illinois. My father was a detective for them, and my grandfather worked in the roundhouse.”
Some people spend their retirement relaxing on the porch, but Sun City resident Dave McElwain prefers to keep moving and creating. McElwain recently unveiled his latest and most ambitious project: He has completely transformed his golf cart.
For McElwain, the project brings his life story full circle. As a child, he devoted countless hours playing with trains, starting with a classic Santa Fe locomotive set.
“It’s funny to me that my very first set was a Santa Fe,” McElwain said, “considering both my father and grandfather worked for the Burlington line in the town of Galesburg, Illinois. My father was a detective for them, and my grandfather worked in the roundhouse.”
In a community as active as Sun City, charter clubs thrive on the dedication of volunteers who quietly work behind the scenes to keep everything functioning properly. For the Sun City Woodchucks, the credit goes to the Jim & Jim team. Jim Vitte holds the wrenches, and Jim Jiran provides the logistics. Vitte said, “When parts and supplies are needed, I tell Jim Jiran. He provides the backup with the goods. We are the finely balanced team that keeps the shop running smoothly.”
In a community as active as Sun City, charter clubs thrive on the dedication of volunteers who quietly work behind the scenes to keep everything functioning properly. For the Sun City Woodchucks, the credit goes to the Jim & Jim team. Jim Vitte holds the wrenches, and Jim Jiran provides the logistics.
Vitte said, “When parts and supplies are needed, I tell Jim Jiran. He provides the backup with the goods. We are the finely balanced team that keeps the shop running smoothly.”
The Sun City Pickleball Club hosted its men’s division tournament at Tall Oaks Courts Sept. 18, which was the lone division held that day due to the weather. There were 55 participants and 35 volunteers, who contributed with cooking hot dogs to singing the National Anthem.
The Sun City Pickleball Club hosted its men’s division tournament at Tall Oaks Courts Sept. 18, which was the lone division held that day due to the weather.
There were 55 participants and 35 volunteers, who contributed with cooking hot dogs to singing the National Anthem.
Every milestone has a modest beginning. Sheri Cummings has a passion that would eventually capture a global title. It began with a single, childhood gift. “My parents gave me a tea set that had ladybugs on it for my fourth birthday, and I started collecting items that featured ladybugs,” Sheri said. Years later, that tea set remains the center of her massive collection. Today, she holds the official Guinness World Record for the largest collection of ladybug-related items, at 6,047 distinct pieces.
Every milestone has a modest beginning. Sheri Cummings has a passion that would eventually capture a global title. It began with a single, childhood gift.
“My parents gave me a tea set that had ladybugs on it for my fourth birthday, and I started collecting items that featured ladybugs,” Sheri said.
Years later, that tea set remains the center of her massive collection. Today, she holds the official Guinness World Record for the largest collection of ladybug-related items, at 6,047 distinct pieces.
We’ve all seen those ads on Facebook. Everything looks good and the prices seem fantastic. Some are legitimate, and others not so much. Case in point, Nancy and I are still waiting for our wind chines we ordered from a third world nation three years ago. Because of this, we decided to take Facebook ads with a grain of salt. But, we saw an ad for a restaurant in Geneva offering a Five Course Meal on Monday or Tuesday for $25 for lunch, and $30 for dinner. Nancy is very “frugal” and said, “we can’t pass this one up, what have we got to lose???” So, on we went to the Portofino Trattoria.
Mornings at our house, while filled with the excitement of the coming day, can also be a bit busy. There are chores such as laundry and dishes that need to be done and Annie, our beloved dog, also needs to be let out and fed. Completing all of this before heading to work can be a challenge. In an attempt to make mornings a bit easier, I start preparing the evening before.
The August Health Report detailed the online scoring tool of the American Heart Association Hear (AHA) that calculates a simple yet evidence-based score to determine heart health focusing on risk factors which users can control while including some they cannot.
Before I even begin explaining my situation, I want to say that I’m feeling guilty even writing this.
A group of 16 who have a shared interest in birds, donned binoculars, wore protective gear, and headed out to the Del Webb Sedge Meadow and Grove Nature Preserve Trail. It was one of the Sun City Birdwatchers Club regularly scheduled walks, on Aug. 26, and they attend such walks at area preserves. The Sun City Nature Preserve area’s three-fourth mile path has been improved as wood chips were added last year.
A group of 16 who have a shared interest in birds, donned binoculars, wore protective gear, and headed out to the Del Webb Sedge Meadow and Grove Nature Preserve Trail.
It was one of the Sun City Birdwatchers Club regularly scheduled walks, on Aug. 26, and they attend such walks at area preserves. The Sun City Nature Preserve area’s three-fourth mile path has been improved as wood chips were added last year.
