Sun City resident and English pen pals once again reunite after decades of letters

After more than 60 years of exchanging letters, pictures, and making audio tapes, two lifelong pen pals — a Sun City resident and an English woman from Stockport — were able to once again reunite in person, rekindling a friendship that began in 1964. Though this isn’t their first face-to-face meeting, it marks a meaningful new chapter in a bond that has withstood the test of time and distance.

Sun City resident Jane Conley and Marlene Middleton of Stockport, England began their correspondence as teenagers. What started as simple exchanges about music, school life, boyfriends, and their future aspirations gradually grew into a deep and lasting friendship.

Tall Oaks Tennis Club secures USTA support for red ball pilot program

The Tall Oaks Tennis Club has scored a major win, securing support from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to launch a red ball tennis pilot program. Thanks to the efforts of club president Duane Fontana, the USTA has provided the club with new equipment to help introduce its members to the sport in a more accessible and enjoyable way.

“If we go back maybe seven, eight years ago, I saw that the population of Sun City was getting older and a lot were getting injuries or they can’t do what they used to…I had shoulder surgery so I understand now. So, I said, ‘There’s got to be a way that I can make it easier for older people or people that have injuries to do this.’ So, I came up with this brilliant idea that if I had a slower ball and a smaller court, it might make it easier for the older people,” Fontana told My Sun Day News.

Disregard for no-fishing rule causes stir among some Sun City residents

The tranquility of those who reside on Lilly Lane in Neighborhood 36 has been disrupted by a growing number of individuals who are ignoring a no-fishing rule at the nearby area pond. This blatant disregard of the policy is causing concern among residents and management alike, raising questions about respect for community guidelines and the potential impacts on the environment and safety.

McHenry County’s Community-Owned grocery store to open for business in May

McHenry County’s first community-owned grocery store, Food Shed Co-op (2390 Lake Shore Drive), will finally celebrate its “Opening Day” in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on May 15, at 9 a.m.

As previously reported, the idea for the co-op was first conceived in 2014 by an organized collective of McHenry County residents that calls itself the McHenry County Food Cooperative. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last July to celebrate the initial construction phase of the grocery store.

Anticipation builds as plans unveiled for haute Italian eatery in Huntley

Last January, the Village Board approved a resolution expressing Huntley’s intent to sell the former village hall building located at 11704 Coral Street. Per the resolution, the building would be sold to a private developer subject to a redevelopment agreement for the conversion and expansion of the existing office building into a restaurant use.

At the direction of the village board, staff have been in the process of finalizing a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Redevelopment Agreement with True North Properties, Inc. to accommodate the conversion of the former village hall to a restaurant use.

Fast food may need to slow down as drive-thrus come into question

Plans for a Tacos Jerez Mexican Restaurant are being finalized to take over the former Burger King building located at 12262 Route 47. With the new business anticipating the utilization of the existing dual drive-thru lanes, it can make one wonder if the increase in traffic and congestion really makes the convenience worth it.

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the only way many food establishments thrived was through drive-thrus since indoor seating areas were shut down. According to a CNN article, drive-thru sales hit $133 billion in 2022, which was reported as a 30% increase from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Huntley BOT unanimously approves Gilberts boundaryline agreement renewal

Back in January 2004, the Village of Huntley approved a boundary agreement with the Village of Gilberts.

According to the Jan. 11 Village Board meeting agenda packet, the agreement established the jurisdictional boundary for both planning and annexation purposes with it set to expire in 20 years.

Fond farewell

Having worked for the Village of Huntley since July 2006, Executive Assistant/Special Events Manager Barb Read is set to conclude this chapter in her life in preparation for retirement come mid-January.

“My family is spread over three states and this grandma just wants to spend more time with my kids and grandkids. I have worked for municipalities for about 28 years and full-time totally for 44 years — it is time,” Read told My Huntley News.

Village approves ordinance amending Hennig Rd. gross vehicle weight rating

At the Jan. 11 Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved all consent agenda line items including an ordinance that will amend Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Restrictions for traffic on Hennig Road.

According to the Village Board meeting agenda summary for line item 5.8, the Village Board previously approved Ordinance (O) 2022-04.21, which updated truck weight roadway restrictions throughout Huntley. Before the approval of that ordinance, a limited number of roadways had posted weight restrictions, with the remaining roadways being labeled as “undesignated” or having had a 12,000 pounds or less GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Restriction).

D158 Board of Education to discuss possible abatement options at upcoming meeting after passing 2023 tax levy

Following a public hearing at the Dec. 21 Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) Board of Education (BOE) meeting, board members agreed in a vote of 7-0, to adopt the 2023 tax levy.

HAPL Holiday Basket Fundraiser going on now

This year’s annual “Holiday Basket Raffle” has been announced by the Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) Friends Foundation, which will be running from Nov. 17 through Dec. 14.

The Foundation has carefully curated baskets that include an enticing assortment of items, ensuring there is something for everyone, according to a press release statement.

Should older residents worry about getting the Covid and flu vaccines at the same time?

In a January public communication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it was explained that one of their real-time vaccine safety monitoring studies — referred to as the Vaccine Safety Datalink — had picked up a small and uncertain risk of stroke for older adults who received a dose of Pfizer’s bivalent Covid-19 vaccine and a high-dose or adjuvanted flu shot on the same day.

In its early days, the Sun City Pickleball Club had to share time on two of the eight tennis courts at the formerly named Tall Oaks Tennis Center with members of the Tennis Club.

Despite negotiation efforts by past leaders of both clubs, there appeared to always be constant tension and controversy amongst pickleball and tennis players in Sun City, according to a My Sun Day News story from 2017.

Amazon Pharmacy introduces a program to provide unlimited prescription medications for $5 a month

Amazon just recently announced the arrival of a new Prime membership benefit from Amazon Pharmacy called RxPass.

The new program offers patients affordable access to commonly prescribed generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions, according to Amazon Regional PR Specialist Erica Duncan.

Santa Claus came to town!

Despite frigid temperatures, a good number of residents came out to celebrate a whole day of festivities during Huntley’s annual “Christmas on the Square” celebration that took place on Dec. 3.

Starting at 9 a.m., residents were able to shop around in the Kris Kringle Market located in the Fellowship Hall (11628 E. Main Street), with more activities becoming available as the day progressed.

D158 BOE fills vacant seat

The Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) made an announcement back in October that Board of Education (BOE) member Lesli Melendy was due to resign from her position on the board as a result of her and her family’s move to an area outside of Huntley.

McHenry County officials voice disapproval for IL House Bill 3447

For those unfamiliar with House Bill 3447 (HB 3447), one of its goals would be to reclassify small amounts of drug possession, including heroin and cocaine, from a low-level Class 4 felony to a Class A misdemeanor.

It’s a ‘Shore’ thing audiences will have a blast watching ‘Anything goes’

Tickets for the Sun City Theatre Company’s fall production of Anything Goes will once again go on sale starting on Oct. 17 and on Nov. 7 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Cedar Room located in Prairie Lodge/Fountain View.

D158 launches student helpline and anti-bullying resource

HUNTLEY — A brand new Student Helpline for all students and parents of Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) has been developed for individuals to have the opportunity to report instances of bullying, mental health concerns, and unsafe situations in schools, said the district in a press release statement.

The platform, which was customized in partnership with SmartSocial, allows for two-way communications between staff and students via text messaging.

Bright Program celebrates inauguration

On Aug. 23, the Pioneer Center for Human Services and the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) celebrated the inauguration of the Huntley Bright Program through a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which also included a multi-chamber mixer that was hosted by the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sun City resident grows pineapple in home

Sun City resident Bob Begora began to worry about the pineapple top he had planted in a small pot two years ago, as he noted not much progress had occurred in its growth.

Having been a wholesale produce buyer for major hotel chains for over 30 years, Begora has had the opportunity to experience the whole pineapple lifecycle through his visits to plantations in Hawaii and always had the idea in his mind to grow a pineapple of his own.

Local author wins 2022 bronze Independent Publisher Book Award

Women’s fiction author and former life coach Merida Johns took a leap of faith in 2017 when she decided to transition from publishing academic literature to writing fiction upon being challenged to do so by one of her colleagues during a conference call.

“The other [life] coaches and I were talking about how best to disseminate information about leadership and how to have a flourishing life and one of the coaches asked me about writing a book on leadership,” Johns said. “I really wanted to take the concept of leadership and positive psychology and self-awareness and flourishing lives, and I wanted to embody those concepts in stories looking at how ordinary folks, ordinary people, really face challenges.”

Retail coach to begin driving new business into community

As residents may already be aware, at the April 28 Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously approved a $47,000 one-year contract with a retail recruitment firm called The Retail Coach.

The Retail Coach states that they are “the nation’s premier retail recruitment, market analysis, and development firm that will assist in creating a retail recruitment and development strategy that will help drive new business to Huntley.”

From joke to reality, Panera may finally open in Huntley

Hamra Enterprises, the petitioner in charge of franchising certain restaurants and other establishments, has officially submitted a conceptual site plan and building elevations for the construction of the long-awaited Panera Bread restaurant.

Illinois Supreme Court appoints Kane County State’s Attorney to commission on elder law

The Illinois Supreme Court announced on April 12 that a new commission would be established to oversee ways in which state courts can better serve the needs of those in advancing years.

The Commission on Elder Law hopes to tackle the legal problems facing senior citizens not only by examining the role courts play in terms of guardianship cases but also in the Judicial Branch’s obligation to protect the legal rights of the most vulnerable populations.

Following the state supreme court’s announcement, on April 25, it was revealed that Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser had been appointed to serve on the Commission on Elder Law.

Huntley restaurants face off against economic woes and other pandemic-related impacts

Even as Illinois officials begin to report early signs of decline from the omicron surge, businesses across the state have had to continue modifying the way they operate just to stay afloat amid inflation of goods and services and staffing shortages.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, quit rates on the last business day of November increased to 3.0%, with the largest quit rates being seen in the accommodation and food industries.

Upcoming HAPL closure concludes construction

The Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) announced that from Dec. 31 until Jan. 24 they will be closed to prepare for the final stages of their two-year building program.

“Parts of the collection are being relocated, new equipment is getting set up, staff are moving into their new spaces, and the countdown is on to explore your FRESH, new library,” said the HAPL.

Proudly Serving the Community of
Sun City in Huntley

Michelle Moreno