Tinker came into Mary and Al Novak’s life when Mary retired. Mary said, “She only weighed half a pound when we got her.”

While the event is always a success, this year’s picnic featured a special milestone that highlights the lasting impact of this club.

Newman began with a modest desire to help by walking dogs, but her dedication quickly deepened when she recognized a critical behind-the-scenes need. Her passion for animal welfare began nearly two decades ago. She started volunteering in 2007 at the Colorado Humane Society.

“I got hooked,” Newman recalled. “The more you volunteer, the more you want to give of yourself.”

“I cover everything from breathing techniques and foundational poses to focused exercises for joint health, balance, and muscle tone. Each chapter is designed to help you move with confidence and purpose,” he said.

But Fatigato has another role, too. Last Halloween, he stepped in and brought Mickey Mouse to Grandma, Grampa & Me’s traditional Halloween party. Fatigato has brought delight to children’s lives for 20 years, giving them the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“There was a clear need for fitness tailored specifically to neurological challenges,” says Osborn, who helped advocate for the program.

The GG&Me spring event proved to be more than simply a craft workshop; it displayed the Woodchucks’ mentorship. The Woodchucks Charter Club supplied not merely the physical tools and materials but also the expert-level patience to teach young children the fundamentals of woodworking.

Elected in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, holds a special place in the hearts of the Midwest travelers. Born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on September 14, 1955, the Holy Father’s roots are firmly planted in Illinois. He grew up in the south suburb of Dolton and attended school at St. Mary of the Assumption on the far south side, making this international pilgrimage feel like a visit with a local hero.

Nancy Kutska said, “This year’s performance is special. The show is dedicated to the group’s founder, Jackie Cesarone, who passed away last July, and to Mary Wyatt, who passed on March 17. Mary was the Strutters’ Artistic Director and Ballet instructor for 14 years.”

Dino Micheli, Communications Secretary, shared that the Sun City Veterans Club has supported Veterans Path to Hope since its founding in August 2022.

In 2001, two Sun City residents started a plan that has encouraged hundreds of Sun City residents to volunteer and share their skills and knowledge with the students in School District 158.  

Organizers have listened to feedback from last year’s packed house and are re-arranging the space to ensure more room for everyone to move, mingle, and meet new neighbors.

Shannon Smith, Sun City Lifestyle Assistant, said, “On Tuesday, April 21, Superintendent Jessica Lombard and CFO Mark Altmayer will host a special presentation in the Drendel Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.”

For many, the image of martial arts is one of high-flying kicks and explosive power, but for a growing number of seniors, the Korean art of hapkido is a preferred path to aging with strength and purpose. Hapkido emphasizes coordinated power instead of brute force, making it uniquely accessible to older adults. Emphasizing circular movements and redirecting an opponent’s energy allows practitioners to maintain effective self-defense skills without undue stress on aging joints.

Janiga is the granddaughter of Edmond Michel, the visionary inventor who revolutionized the construction industry with the creation of the first portable electric handsaw. Janiga lovingly refers to him as “Pepere.”

The committee values feedback from community members.

Smolinski’s path to leadership actually began in the newsroom. “I graduated from Bowling Green University with a degree in journalism and public relations,” she noted. Initially, her career focused on writing, but her ambitions soon evolved. “I did do some writing, but I became interested in helping my community,” she said, marking the start of her public service journey.

When he admitted his lack of knowledge to the shop veterans, he says that they joked, “Good. We won’t have to break any bad habits.”

David Applegate, Club Member and project coordinator, said, “Club President Dale Svoboda, then the vice president, observed that no new buildings had been built in many years and that visitors would ask from time to time if any part of the layout represented a real town.”
The layout’s architecture and businesses were purposefully made to evoke 1950s America. This era represented a unique transition where steam locomotives remained in service alongside emerging diesels, allowing members to operate both with historical accuracy.  

Gruber found his artistic identity while attending Hirsch High School in Chicago. He said, “I earned the nickname ‘The Art Guy.’ Although my father was a businessman who first wanted me to go into business, he always supported my creative dreams. He even built me a custom art table to help with my work.”