MY SUN DAY NEWS
Marking a 175th anniversary, otherwise known as a demisemiseptcentennial, is akin to celebrating a half birthday, creating an excuse for fanfare between the traditional milestones. So, as we look back at Huntley’s 175 years, along with traveling its well-known roads, let’s take a few side streets, and immerse in the town’s history, celebrity, mystery, and oddity, those things you find when you step off the beaten path.
Yesterday, our 22 year-old son drove off to start a new life in Kansas City, MO.
In his car was not much more than his clothes, a guitar, and a crock pot.
As our Illinois summer inches into autumn, it’s time once again to talk about corn. Especially with a boy or girl heading into a new season of their life, like high school or college.
As in: “If you were corn, what kind of corn would you be?”
“It’s a new season,” Travelers 16-inch softball team manager John Pickelman told the squad, gathered at the third base dugout at Veterans Memorial Field. The second night of the first round of Sun City Softball League 16-inch playoffs was about to begin as the Travelers, seeded third, took on the sixth seed Coyotes Aug. 18. A good-sized crowd filed in to watch the contest, but the Coyotes came away with a 12-8 win. Tourney play for the eight teams, double elimination format, continued the next two weeks, leading up to the best-of-three game championship series September 10 and 11, and if necessary, September 14.
“It’s a new season,” Travelers 16-inch softball team manager John Pickelman told the squad, gathered at the third base dugout at Veterans Memorial Field.
The second night of the first round of Sun City Softball League 16-inch playoffs was about to begin as the Travelers, seeded third, took on the sixth seed Coyotes Aug. 18. A good-sized crowd filed in to watch the contest, but the Coyotes came away with a 12-8 win. Tourney play for the eight teams, double elimination format, continued the next two weeks, leading up to the best-of-three game championship series September 10 and 11, and if necessary, September 14.
A committee of resident volunteers teamed up to organize an exciting day for Sun City pet lovers, all to support animals in need. The upcoming Sun City Pet Expo will take place on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Outdoor Pavilion. The event is entirely free and open to the public, featuring a wide variety of family-friendly activities, demonstrations, and opportunities to support local animal welfare organizations. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome to join in on the fun.
Huntley First Responders and the Huntley American Legion Post 673 are preparing an event on Sept. 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks on 9/11, 2001. The Huntley Fire Protection District (HFPD), Huntley Police Department and the Huntley American Legion Post 673 will combine to host an event at 10 a.m., at the Veterans Monument at Huntley’s Town Square. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be at HFPD Station No.1, located at 11118 Main Street, at the apparatus floor.
Huntley First Responders and the Huntley American Legion Post 673 are preparing an event on Sept. 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks on 9/11, 2001.
The Huntley Fire Protection District (HFPD), Huntley Police Department and the Huntley American Legion Post 673 will combine to host an event at 10 a.m., at the Veterans Monument at Huntley’s Town Square. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be at HFPD Station No.1, located at 11118 Main Street, at the apparatus floor.
August is fading fast. Mild as it has been, the heat still feels like vernal. With all the rain, the humidity hasn’t subsided. But for all the hallmarks of late summer, the slowly changing sundown still heralds the end. Spooky season is around the corner as you, no doubt, have seen in any retail space. The brisk way we race to the next holiday without savoring the here and now. When I saw All Hollow’s Eve decor the moment I turned down a Target aisle, I recoiled like a vampire to a cross. Way too early! If we must concede, let’s at the very least watch some creepy fare that are part of the sunny times.
Recipes are the key to any success that I have in the kitchen. Whatever I cook, regardless of how many times I have made the dish before, I always have a recipe. I view a recipe in the strictest sense as something that I simply must follow as I bake or cook. My skill set doesn’t allow for any deviation. Recipes recently allowed us to enjoy delicious baked parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes, sloppy joe sandwiches and key lime cheesecake. Our family has enjoyed scrumptious meals thanks to purpose-driven recipes.
Jim and I are big fans of bocce ball. It is the only sport Jim doesn’t totally suck at. Nothing matches the thrill of seeing the bocce ball zig zag its way down our newly renovated bocce courts. It is also a great time to relax and chat between throws with friends and neighbors. During a recent game, our friend Lucy nonchalantly mentioned that her son and his two cousins own a Mexican restaurant. We told Lucy we would like to review it, and she said she hoped it would be a good review. That’s when Jim said, “it depends how well you play today.” Only kidding… We checked their menu online and a few days later we ventured out to Primos Locos in Elmhurst.
The Sun City Stingrays Swim Charter Club recently channeled the ultimate spirit of American grit to honor the nation’s historic semi-quincentennial. The club launched an aquatic challenge on April 25, rallying its members to collectively swim and water-walk a monumental 250 miles. Crushing that initial milestone with waves of enthusiasm, the determined athletes refused to slow down, instantly resetting their sights on a second goal.
The Sun City Stingrays Swim Charter Club recently channeled the ultimate spirit of American grit to honor the nation’s historic semi-quincentennial.
The club launched an aquatic challenge on April 25, rallying its members to collectively swim and water-walk a monumental 250 miles. Crushing that initial milestone with waves of enthusiasm, the determined athletes refused to slow down, instantly resetting their sights on a second goal.
It was one of those days when we were caricatures of ourselves. On a hot afternoon, my husband and I waited in line for coffee at our favorite little locally owned coffee shop. As we age, our coffee orders get more and more pretentious: Now we throw in “oat milk” or “half sweet” or “do you have a light roast?” at the barista, hoping she’ll notice that her customers are truly discerning coffee consumers. (She never seems impressed.) Anyway, we’re ordering our pretentious drinks when I see my husband carefully punching in his card number on his phone. “What are you doing?” I asked him.
It was one of those days when we were caricatures of ourselves. On a hot afternoon, my husband and I waited in line for coffee at our favorite little locally owned coffee shop. As we age, our coffee orders get more and more pretentious: Now we throw in “oat milk” or “half sweet” or “do you have a light roast?” at the barista, hoping she’ll notice that her customers are truly discerning coffee consumers. (She never seems impressed.)
Anyway, we’re ordering our pretentious drinks when I see my husband carefully punching in his card number on his phone.
“What are you doing?” I asked him.
I suppose you might gaze at a wicker laundry basket and ponder all the ways it suggests “family” to you, but my basket says “family” in a way that might not occur to you. That’s because I keep an old wicker laundry basket on the patio, and I fill it not with laundry but with garden weeds until I figure out what to do with them next — compost, or yard-waste bag for disposal? But before the basket gets full enough for me to make that disposal decision, it gets visited daily by the latest addition to the family.
I suppose you might gaze at a wicker laundry basket and ponder all the ways it suggests “family” to you, but my basket says “family” in a way that might not occur to you.
That’s because I keep an old wicker laundry basket on the patio, and I fill it not with laundry but with garden weeds until I figure out what to do with them next — compost, or yard-waste bag for disposal? But before the basket gets full enough for me to make that disposal decision, it gets visited daily by the latest addition to the family.
For 45 years, Sun City resident Rob Dombro dedicated his life to scientific research. As a research chemist, he split his lengthy career among the petroleum, polymer, and environmental industries, with milestones taking him from the Chicago area, to Clinton Iowa then to Springfield Illinois. Today, Dombro has exchanged his lab coat for a paintbrush, channeling that same lasting passion into a vibrant second career in photography and water media.
For 45 years, Sun City resident Rob Dombro dedicated his life to scientific research. As a research chemist, he split his lengthy career among the petroleum, polymer, and environmental industries, with milestones taking him from the Chicago area, to Clinton Iowa then to Springfield Illinois.
Today, Dombro has exchanged his lab coat for a paintbrush, channeling that same lasting passion into a vibrant second career in photography and water media.
Bocce Ball is a sport which has a rich tradition and is thriving in Sun City. According to local Sun City Bocce Ball Club enthusiasts, Bocce Ball was developed in its current form in Italy. Bocce is derived from the word “bacio” which means to kiss, which is what you try to do when you roll the Bocce balls. Bocce Ball has been documented as early as 5200 B.C. in Egypt. Bocce is the third most popular sport in the world after soccer and golf. An estimated 25 million people in the US alone play Bocce Ball.
Bocce Ball is a sport which has a rich tradition and is thriving in Sun City.
According to local Sun City Bocce Ball Club enthusiasts, Bocce Ball was developed in its current form in Italy. Bocce is derived from the word “bacio” which means to kiss, which is what you try to do when you roll the Bocce balls. Bocce Ball has been documented as early as 5200 B.C. in Egypt. Bocce is the third most popular sport in the world after soccer and golf. An estimated 25 million people in the US alone play Bocce Ball.
The artistic genius of Sun City residents will take center stage this fall at the third annual Colors of Sun City Gallery Exhibition. This two-day event, put on by the Pencil and Palette Charter Club, showcases the amazing talent right in Sun City. The exhibition will take place in Prairie Lodge, occupying the Fountain View, Birch, and Cedar rooms, on Saturday, September 19, from 1-5 p.m., and will continue on Sunday, September 20, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is completely free, though voluntary donations are accepted.
The Sun City Lions Club is teaming up with the Lions Illinois Foundation to bring a valuable health service to Sun City. Carol Didricksen, Lions Chairperson and a Sun City resident, shared, “Since 1965, Illinois Lions have traveled throughout the state offering free vision screenings to the public. Today, it includes retinal screening and hearing screenings in their Mobile Screening Unit. Trained technicians staff it.”
The Sun City Lions Club is teaming up with the Lions Illinois Foundation to bring a valuable health service to Sun City.
Carol Didricksen, Lions Chairperson and a Sun City resident, shared, “Since 1965, Illinois Lions have traveled throughout the state offering free vision screenings to the public. Today, it includes retinal screening and hearing screenings in their Mobile Screening Unit. Trained technicians staff it.”
Looking for a fun way to spend a Tuesday afternoon with your neighbors? Mark your calendars for September 22, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Drendel Ballroom is hosting Anybody’s Guess, a lighthearted afternoon of Sun City fact and fiction. The event organizers will be sharing some fun, surprising statements about Sun City Committees and the community.
Youth learned the basics of pickleball as the Sun City Pickleball Charter Club hosted an event on National Pickleball Day at Tall Oaks courts August 8. The event was held in cooperation with Sun City’s Grandparents, Grandchildren, and Me group. “This is the third year we have offered it and it grows every year,” Sun City Pickleball Club President Pam White said.
Youth learned the basics of pickleball as the Sun City Pickleball Charter Club hosted an event on National Pickleball Day at Tall Oaks courts August 8. The event was held in cooperation with Sun City’s Grandparents, Grandchildren, and Me group.
“This is the third year we have offered it and it grows every year,” Sun City Pickleball Club President Pam White said.
Now that title usually applies to music, songs and the like. However, I feel it can work in many contexts. Movies are the best example. And studios and the people who run them don’t seem to know which is which. The prevailing theory is that CEOs running the movie industry are from the Silicon Valley set, tech bros who only see the world through algorithmic optimization. When, in fact, the public don’t want to be pigeonholed into carefully curated boxes. That isn’t to say all tech companies are that way, shoutout to Letterboxd and MUBI. It has been a problem for a while, especially this summer.
Companionship is often an important part of our lives. We are innately social creatures that benefit from interaction with others. The companionship that we crave may come in the form of a spouse, a family member, a neighbor or a pet. Someone who will listen to our problems and celebrate our successes. The knowledge that someone cares for us reduces feelings of loneliness, increases our happiness, gives us a sense of purpose, and lowers our stress level. These all have both mental and physical health benefits. Companions encourage and enable us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Ads that you see on social media are like betting in Las Vegas. Everything looks good on the internet until you “throw the dice.” Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. It’s a real “crap shoot.” We were very skeptical since we’ve been burned in the past, with restaurants that looked totally different when we went there. We found a restaurant that we thought was a sure “bet” because it had an item on the menu that Nancy hasn’t had in 40 years, a deep-fried panzerotti. With this in mind, we decided to “roll the dice” and head out to Pasta Mia Pizzeria and Pastaria in Bartlett.
As summer winds down and the back-to-school season picks up, I’m feeling pulled in more directions than ever before.
For decades, model railroading has captured the imagination of creators and dreamers, turning tiny tracks into worlds of wonder. On Thursday, August 27, the Model Railroad Club at Sun City Huntley is inviting residents to step behind the control panel and bring these miniature wonders to life. Hosting its open house from 6-8 p.m. at the Millgrove Building (13400 Sun City Blvd), the club’s “Give the Trains a Try” event delivers a hands-on opportunity to operate the trains.
For decades, model railroading has captured the imagination of creators and dreamers, turning tiny tracks into worlds of wonder. On Thursday, August 27, the Model Railroad Club at Sun City Huntley is inviting residents to step behind the control panel and bring these miniature wonders to life.
Hosting its open house from 6-8 p.m. at the Millgrove Building (13400 Sun City Blvd), the club’s “Give the Trains a Try” event delivers a hands-on opportunity to operate the trains.
In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States and 175 years of Huntley History, 425 American flags have been displayed since Memorial Day weekend at the Ruth Family Freedom Silo, located at 11718 Reed Road (corner of Reed Road and IL-47), creating a tribute visible to all who pass by. “It’s been outstanding,” Huntley American Legion Post 673 Sons of American Legion (SAL) Squadron Commander George Lewerenz said of the response.
In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States and 175 years of Huntley History, 425 American flags have been displayed since Memorial Day weekend at the Ruth Family Freedom Silo, located at 11718 Reed Road (corner of Reed Road and IL-47), creating a tribute visible to all who pass by.
“It’s been outstanding,” Huntley American Legion Post 673 Sons of American Legion (SAL) Squadron Commander George Lewerenz said of the response.
My summer vacation consisted of traveling for 10 days around Lake Michigan. Now that it’s over, all that remains from that trip are the photos I took, some sand in my shoes, and a mountain of laundry. One afternoon spent at the lakeshore stands out the most in my mind, but I don’t have a photo to remember it — and frankly, since I only have my memory to rely on, it’s started to take on a life of its own.
My summer vacation consisted of traveling for 10 days around Lake Michigan. Now that it’s over, all that remains from that trip are the photos I took, some sand in my shoes, and a mountain of laundry.
One afternoon spent at the lakeshore stands out the most in my mind, but I don’t have a photo to remember it — and frankly, since I only have my memory to rely on, it’s started to take on a life of its own.
Sixty years ago, my WIU creative writing professor made a comment that proved to be prophetic, both then and now in a flipped-on-its-head kind of way. And although he directed his comment to the female students, it struck home with me. He said: “If you’re a woman author submitting a manuscript for publication, use your initials instead of your first name, because the publishing industry is heavily tilted toward men. If publishers don’t know your gender, they can’t start judging until they read what you’ve written.”
Sixty years ago, my WIU creative writing professor made a comment that proved to be prophetic, both then and now in a flipped-on-its-head kind of way. And although he directed his comment to the female students, it struck home with me.
He said: “If you’re a woman author submitting a manuscript for publication, use your initials instead of your first name, because the publishing industry is heavily tilted toward men. If publishers don’t know your gender, they can’t start judging until they read what you’ve written.”
The Sun City Anglers Charter Club teams up with the Huntley High School Bass Fishing Team for joint educational and recreational events. Sun City Anglers Club President Frank Rowinski and High School Bass Fishing Coach Erik Lachel are leading the effort. Rowinski said, “This initiative intends to unite generations through a common passion for angling.” The partnership began with a rod-building seminar in Coach Lachel’s classroom, where the rods could dry safely.
The Sun City Anglers Charter Club teams up with the Huntley High School Bass Fishing Team for joint educational and recreational events. Sun City Anglers Club President Frank Rowinski and High School Bass Fishing Coach Erik Lachel are leading the effort. Rowinski said, “This initiative intends to unite generations through a common passion for angling.”
The partnership began with a rod-building seminar in Coach Lachel’s classroom, where the rods could dry safely.
It may seem hard to believe but another Sun City Softball Club season is gearing up for a big finish. About three weeks of regular season games remained when a good-size crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Field July 24 for the all-star game. Lumbarjacks manager Joe Gattone’s Patriots team took on Mustangs manager Pat Klatt’s Stars and Stripes team. A couple of hours of softball fun ended with Stars and Stripes winning 6-3.
It may seem hard to believe but another Sun City Softball Club season is gearing up for a big finish.
About three weeks of regular season games remained when a good-size crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Field July 24 for the all-star game. Lumbarjacks manager Joe Gattone’s Patriots team took on Mustangs manager Pat Klatt’s Stars and Stripes team. A couple of hours of softball fun ended with Stars and Stripes winning 6-3.
The Huntley Fire Department (HFD) and Huntley Police Department (HPD) softball teams came into the National Night Out Sun City softball First Responders clash having split the first 10 of the annual games. The HFD outlasted the HPD, 3-1, for its third straight win in the First Responders series and took a 6-5 lead in games won overall at Veterans Memorial Field Aug. 4. The event is organized by the Sun City Neighborhood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors group.
The Huntley Fire Department (HFD) and Huntley Police Department (HPD) softball teams came into the National Night Out Sun City softball First Responders clash having split the first 10 of the annual games.
The HFD outlasted the HPD, 3-1, for its third straight win in the First Responders series and took a 6-5 lead in games won overall at Veterans Memorial Field Aug. 4. The event is organized by the Sun City Neighborhood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors group.
We are in the final stretch of the summer, the dog days if you will. Although the weather hasn’t been as balmy of late, this is usually the time where we long for Pumpkin Spice Lattes and fall foliage. The stores certainly have been manufacturing that feeling with Summerween, another horrible marketing term meant to encourage rampant consumption instead of genuine interest. Why do we want the years to fly by without any sense of enjoyment?
