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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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Sun City in Huntley
 
News & Features Columnists Editorials Hang Your Hat Obituaries My Huntley News

March 22, 2012

Columnists

Cooking with the Geezer: Apple Pan Walnut Cake

This week’s recipe comes from N-33 neighbors, Eileen and Dave Liebhart. Here’s what Eileen wrote to me.

Another option for electrical power

Our electric bill shows up each month from ComEd and we pay it. Since we have been in Sun City, we have enjoyed a consistent supply of power. We have been impressed as to how quickly ComEd gets power restored after storm outages. Of course, we “manage” our electrical usage by turning off lights when not in use and employ other power-saving techniques as we can.

House Security

As most of you now know, there have been about 12 break-ins in Sun City in the past year. These have been daylight events where the front door was forced open and money and jewelry were taken. In an earlier column we suggested that the short screws holding the latch plate to the doorjamb be …

Getting Started with Computers

Times change, and people change with them. Almost everywhere you look today, someone is using a personal computer. First introduced in 1975 as a kit, the PC is now over 35 years old.

Fixing a wobbly chair

This is the 10th year the Woodchucks have opened the shop to the community to repair furniture and other wooden objects. This event, appropriately named Ask the Woodchucks, is held twice a year in April and in October. 25 to 35 woodchucks donate a day of their time to repair furniture for residents of Sun City. The most common item repaired is a wobbly chair. We typically fix 18 chairs each time the event is held, or 36 chairs per year.

Ask an Angel: February 23, 2012

I have been hearing more and more stories about seniors getting “scammed” by con artists. How can I be more aware of what is going on regarding this?

Good to the last drop

Each morning, the routine seems to be the same. I rise before Sue and get her the first cup of coffee. There is an unwritten rule in our house. No communication transpires before she has her first cup of coffee. There have been very few times in our 41-year marriage that I have broken that rule. When I did, I paid for it.

Laughter by Paul: February 23, 2012

Three elderly gentlemen were talking about what their grandchildren would be saying about them fifty years from now.

The retirement state of our state

Did you have an opportunity to hear Gov. Pat Quinn deliver his State of the State speech before the Illinois Assembly earlier this month? The commentary that followed was quite critical, asserting that the Governor missed the most critical issues – Medicaid and government pensions. “I felt like I was listening to a game of fantasy government,” said Tom Cross, House Minority Leader. Apparently, the big issues will be addressed by the Governor in a follow-up speech later this month.

A “special” dinner at Francesca’s Campagna

Recently, my wife Judy and I celebrated our 51st anniversary dining out with a few friends from the days when we were just teens. Joining us were Larry and Joy, married 54 years, Jim and Judy K., married 50 years, and Bob and Judy S., both widowed and now engaged to be married. This made the occasion even more special.

Cooking With The Geezer: Meatloaf or Meatballs

Our special recipe is another treasure from Emma Burns of Neighborhood 33. Emma invites you readers to make use of this great soup. Thanks, Emma, for contributing to the column.

What’s Up, Mac?

Many Sun City residents have asked Computer Club members, “What is a Mac?” It is not just a big hamburger, and it’s also more than just a computer. If, when you hear “Apple” you think of a fruit, or the words “Safari,” “Snow Leopard,” or “Lion” make you imagine the continent of Africa rather than computers, you’re not alone. These words all also reference Apple (formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) in one context or another. For instance “OS X Lion” is the newest version of Apple’s operating system – an upgrade from “Snow Leopard” – that uses the latest “touch pad” and “swipe” technology as well as the more conventional mouse and keyboard.

Surge Protection for your electronics

Every year, we add to our homes more electronics that are vulnerable to power surges. You probably added another device this Christmas. Some of the devices I am talking about are computers, the circuit boards in your refrigerator, oven, microwave, dimmer switches, your TV, DVD player, garage door opener, and the GFI outlets (Ground Fault Interrupt outlets in your bathroom and kitchen). The repair bill for a single surge on an unprotected house can exceed $10,000.

Ask an Angel: February 9, 2012

Q. I was just released from the hospital, and I wonder if my bill is on the up and up. How do I make sure I didn’t get overcharged for things, or even more, get billed for things I didn’t use?

Laughter by Paul: February 9, 2012

Jane had just become a widow and needed to put an obituary in the paper about her late husband, Bubba. She called the newspaper and asked, “How much does it cost to put an obituary in the paper?”

My Favorite Free Smartphone Apps

A recent survey commissioned by Consumer Cellular (www.consumercellular.com), a leading provider of cell phones and cell phone plans to Boomers and the exclusive cell phone plan provider for AARP members, demonstrates that seniors and Boomers are becoming smartphone savvy and use their cell phones to connect with friends and family more than ever before. Ninety percent of the respondents indicated they taught themselves how to use the smartphone.

A “fresh” look at Biaggi’s

Recently, I had the pleasure of enjoying a gourmet meal served “family style” at Biaggi’s Restaurant in Algonquin. The Sun Day owners hosted the evening for regular contributors to the newspaper. Previously, I had dined at Biaggi’s, but never in this style. Eighteen of us were served at one long table. Along with our beverages, homemade focaccia bread with olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese was placed on the table.

Honey, the dishes are not getting clean; we need a new dishwasher

Several Woodchucks have reported lately that their dishwashers have not been getting the dishes clean, and there is water on the floor inside the dishwasher that does not drain properly.

The roots of America’s pastime

Who Invented Baseball? Some say Abner Doubleday. Others say the New York Knickerbockers, the first organized team. Still, others say Albert Spalding or Henry Chadwick. As we all get cabin fever while winter assaults us from all sides, why not “think warm” with a glimpse into the origins of baseball, our national pastime?

Ask an Angel: January 26, 2012

After reading last month’s article, I realized that I have to take some action steps with my medications. I know that I leave mine on the counter so that I can see them and remember to take them. Do you have any safe and practical tips to help me manage my medications?

Laughter by Paul: January 26, 2012

Two old guys were sitting in the park talking when the subject turned to getting older. The first guy said, “Women have all the luck when it comes to getting older.”

Table talk at Kobe

Recently, 19 women from Neighborhood 33 joined together for lunch at Kobe’s Japanese Steak House. I asked them to participate in a short review of their outing. Each person was given a form to complete at the conclusion of their visit.

Cooking With The Geezer

The following recipe comes from one of our dear neighbors and a terrific cook, Emma Burns. It’s not too big a surprise to find out that Emma’s an expert in the kitchen, when you consider she’s Italian and learned from the best in her family. The surprise comes when you find out that the recipe has nothing to do with her Italian heritage.

Smart Phones

Each Christmas season, the movie “A Christmas Story” is played for everyone to enjoy. Most of us remember the days when a Daisy “Red Ryder” BB gun or American Flyer was the gift to have under the tree. This year every kid age 6 or older was more likely to have been looking for a smart phone. Over the 2011 Christmas weekend, 3.7 million Android phones were registered, and 108 million iPhones were sold in 2011 throughout the world.

Annual Preventative Maintenance

As we start the new year of 2012, it’s appropriate to remind all residents of some preventative maintenance that should be done at the beginning of the year. Skipping this simple and inexpensive maintenance could result in hundreds of dollars of repairs in the future.

5 money saving tips for 2012

Happy New Year! Let’s hope 2012 proves to be a frugally prosperous year for us all. While we ponder what our New Year’s resolutions will be for the ensuing year, here are a few money-saving ideas that may get you off to a good start.