Larry Rostis, club president, said, “Even with everything opening up, at this time we probably won’t be able to set up the train at Prairie Lodge this holiday season. It takes a lot of manpower to move all the set up and do maintenance on the trains. Our membership has aged and we are not capable of lifting and transporting the boards and equipment.”

Adrianne Kaplan, Sun City resident, recalls a woman in her life that survived the Holocaust, Magda Brown. Kaplan thinks of a woman she grew up calling “Aunt.”

Sun City resident Cathy Kwon has the answers in her book “Cinderella the Next Chapter.”

More than 70 resident singers and musicians of Sun City Huntley will join together to produce some truly great choral music. This group has been a part of the entertainment activities of the Sun City community for more than 22 years.

Carol Smith, a Sun City resident, posted on the Wildflower Facebook page: “Buffleheads, robin, ringbills, cardinal, and loon… today in Sun City!”

The photographs and post generated many comments and interest from residents.

Bill Dollear said, “We need a bird watching group.”

Betty “Lulu” Lucille Winkelman celebrated her 109th birthday on April 3, 2022, with friends, family, and neighbors.

Duane and Nancy Fontana had their barndominium ground breaking ceremony with a gold shovel, gold balloons and gold champagne on Wednesday, March 16.

Pamela Bartholomew received a message from a funeral home. DeFiore Funeral Home said they had bouquets of beautiful flowers that families were hoping could be given to others to enjoy. This began one of the missions of the Red Geraniums (Sun City Garden Club), and their commitment to using the flowers that would be thrown away.

Romero said, “I woke up one morning and had a dream of capturing the music influence that came from our state Illinois. I wanted to showcase the creative spirit of Illinois.”

Hand said, “We filled up quickly, in a couple of days we had our limit of 100. I took down names and emails of those we couldn’t accommodate this time. I am hoping to do this again soon for the residents we couldn’t fit in.”

Mila said, “We decided to come to the United States in 1978 when the USA opened the borders. We were lucky. Seven of us left. My husband and I with our 3-year-old daughter, my mother, his parents, and my sister-in-law. We had a friend from Kyiv living in Chicago, and he took us in for 6 months. My husband was a Tool and Die Maker and found a job quickly. I became a nurse, getting a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Francis.”

Wordle is a simple online game that’s gained traction in the world and has captured Sun City residents’ interest also. It’s free, fun, and feverishly addictive.

Adams said, “I’m excited to share my passion for FUN ART with residents of Sun City.”

Do you ever wonder if there’s anything you could do with an empty wine bottle? Adams does.

Richard said, “I started playing the accordion. In the fourth grade, I started playing the organ, and in fifth grade, I joined the band. In high school, I was the lead percussionist. I played all percussions. I sang in the choir. I have perfect pitch.”

“You never forget your first love,” Bill said.

However, the relationship had a few twists and turns.

How different is the club now from its inception?

Chip Bell is in the exclusive club of men with real beards, and a white beard at that. But is he Santa?

Bell said, “I was working at Meijer’s and I was approached to put on the red suit. That was about nine years ago, and I have been professionally playing the part [of Santa] at shopping malls, stores, Lincoln Park Zoo, and private homes.”

Jackie Pokorny’s love for Christmas village scenes began as child.

Pokorny said, “I grew up with the tradition of having a Christmas village. I helped my mother assemble and set up the little plastic homes and stores under the Christmas tree and it always had a train circling the tree. A Christmas village was a must in our home. It’s struck me as being so beautiful.”

In front of the lodge, festive decorations set the scene for photos. As you enter the lodge at the reception entrance, a dove made by the Woodshop of Sun City sits on the table. The Woodshop celebrates the season by providing handmade toys to children. Woodchuck Rich Escallier said, “We’re going to deliver them to the food pantry.”

Bell said, “I have always sewed, I think I was in sixth grade when I started.”

Mark Schinler moved into SunCity in May 2019. He started playing pickleball in July 2019. And then, he was hooked.

Schinler has introduced a twist to Sun City’s Pickleball Courts. It’s called King/Queen of the Court, and it is a fun and competitive game variant for all levels. The pilot program started here in Sun City, and residents have taken to the new game. It quickly became a hit.

On November 1, the Sew N Sews presented 96 pairs of mittens, 180 hats, and 100 scarves to Grafton Food Pantry.