Hartman said, “My story begins when I got my first guitar when I was 12. I knew my grandfather made it, but that was about it.”

In 1978, Hartman’s sister gave him her harp mandolin, and his uncle gave him an 8-string ukelele, both made by Hartman’s grandfather, Carl Larson.

Hartman said, “All of them were like new. They probably hadn’t been played since 1920. We had all three hanging on the wall.” 

Recently, the group lost a member, Joan Ausbury, who passed away unexpectedly in her home. Ausbury was an avid quilter and volunteered at Gazebo Valor Quilters of Huntley, making quilts for veterans. 

“I’ve had five celebrations,” he said. “Some with my family and others friends.”

A committee of Sun City residents organized a celebration.

Homer said, “I have started molding chocolate treats for Easter. Chocolate bunnies are on sticks; pretzel rods are dipped in chocolate and covered with candy pastel confetti. I have made a small white chocolate basket filled with all edible goodies: chocolate bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans. There are bigger versions of the baskets also.”

Five years ago, Genny and Derek Knight joined Norwex Independent Consultants. “Improving the quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes is our mission and passion,” according to the Norwex flier.

At the Village of Huntley Farmers Market March 8, the Knights explained various products of Norwex Inc.

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.

Ben Manibog, Chair of the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC) and President of the RV Travelers Club said, “I believe there are several things we are doing to make this a special event for our community. Club Crawl is the first Sun City community-wide event solely organized by a subcommittee of the CCPC, backed by the team at First Services Residential, and supported by our Board Liaison Bill Niemasz.”

Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently fulfilled a request from his daughter.

“My daughter has a glass coffee table. She is tired of seeing the dust on it as the sunlight streams through the window and the fingerprints and smudges,” he said.

Stucki said, “As a child, I always had a pet. I got my first cat as a little girl from my uncle. They had a litter of kittens. I had to pay twenty-five cents for the kitten. My very own first pet. I named her Sky.”

“I lived in the city of Chicago. I never went camping. I never went hunting. I never went fishing. Then I was sent to Vietnam, where I lived outside for eight months,” he said. 

Ptak’s best friend got drafted, so he decided to enlist.

Leopold has always loved sports. She played field hockey for four years in high school.

“It was hard to graduate and leave that behind,” she said. “I enjoyed playing for those four years. I got married soon after high school. Harry got drafted, and we were in Germany for two years.”

Pettrone said, “I find there is a need for people with Parkinson’s and their caretakers to get support. Joining our group can provide you with a sense of community, emotional support, and practical help, which can significantly improve your quality of life.”

“Two or three German officers came to the door,” Metz said. “They allowed my mother to go to the bakery downstairs to get some food, but they held my father.”

Here in Sun City, many neighborhoods have a weekly game of Bunco.

Jan and Steve Burnett play a lot of Bunco. Jan said, “Because of the game’s popularity in the neighborhoods, not everyone could participate in the weekly game.”

Her initiative was to connect her students with pen pals. She looked to Sun City residents to help with this project. 

St Clair said, “Sun City residents have vast experiences to share with our students.” 

“My purpose in life is to help you find the love, peace, and joy of knowing who you really are,” she said.

Nelson is a speaker, workshop coach, and author. Her book, Journey to Awakening: A Guide to Finding Your True Self, is a comprehensive guide that helps you let go of life’s biggest misunderstandings and live abundantly in its most profound truths. It’s about finding answers and discovering joy.

Vito Benigno, a member of the Civic Committee, is chairing the event. He emphasizes, “We hope that residents participate in the forum. The Civics Committee is committed to arranging non-partisan programs that benefit all residents of Sun City, ensuring a fair and balanced platform for all candidates. With our non-partisan approach, we believe events like this provide information that helps shape our community’s future.”

Growing up, Caraher watched Nancy Dickerson, a pioneering TV newswoman, report on John F. Kennedy. “I thought, I want to be a part of that,” remembers Caraher. 

Author Gayle Soucek shared her knowledge of one of Chicago’s famous residents and his store with Sun City residents. Soucek is a historian and freelance editor with over a dozen books and numerous magazine articles.