When Joe Alengo signs on to his radio program, “Big Swingtime” on Huntley Community Radio, he might say something like, “If you like what you hear, be of good cheer! Tell a friend and let him capture the rapture.”

September 11 marks the 15th anniversary of the attacks in 2001, the day Americans watched in horror as a sunny Tuesday morning was violently disrupted by coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and a fourth hijacked plane that crashed near Shanksville, Penn.

Helen Hays likes to tell people her birthday is “Christmas in July,” better known as July 25. This year, Hays turns 99; she’ll celebrate with a family gathering, but she knows she’ll have a little celebration with her friends from her Bridge Club, too.