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.  

“I would bake cupcakes for his birthday every year,” Geary said. “One year, he wanted to surprise his wife Gloria on her birthday and asked if I would make centerpieces and I said, ‘yes.’”

Samuelson, who first became an agriculture reporter for WGN Radio in 1960, died at age 91 March 16 at his Sun City home. Funeral services were held April 9 and April 10, at DeFiore Funeral and Cremation April 9 for public visitation and the funeral service at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church.

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.”

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.”

The Sun City Birdwatchers Club, led by President Amy Sanecki, met Feb. 3 at Prairie View Lodge. Several shared their thoughts on their interest as they worked on bird-themed jigsaw puzzles, Bingo and other games.

For the past two decades, she has been keeping history alive at Sun City.

One of the first active projects involves Nicholas Wedoff from the school’s Career and Technical Education Department and the Sun City Model Railroad Charter Club. The groups are currently collaborating on a model of the Huntley Square project for the club’s permanent display. Additionally, students are manufacturing custom components for train cars using high-tech tools.

For Dollear, the world is a stage, and sometimes that means wearing giant floppy shoes. He draws inspiration from the uplifting work of Dr. Patch Adams.

Dollear said, “I participate in organized clowning trips all over the world. The clowning is a tool for emotional relief. The trips have taken me to Italy, Central Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, and other places. I usually do magic on these trips.”

But Viravec hasn’t always known about her green thumb.

His Sun City story starts in 2003.

The area for the ninth annual Rutland CBC, held Dec. 27, stretched to Pingree Grove in the south, Burlington-Hampshire in the west and east to Carpentersville.

She is the eleventh generation of the illustrious Cornell family tree. She recently received a published book that contains the genealogy of the Cornell family. 

The Sun City Theatre company decided to play a role.

Paulette Carrion, a Garden Club member said, “The Garden Club has been decorating the lodges for 25 years. Since the tradition began, the number of trees and tablescapes has grown from an original three to 18 trees, three fireplaces, an atrium bar, and many tables and buffets you see decorated today. The Shalom Club contributes by providing the many Hanukkah decorations you see in both lodges.”

Marsha Natkins, one of the committee chairs, said, “This tradition goes back fourteen years. I have two other co-chairs who have helped organize this event. Julie Shank handles publicity and Joey Begora recruits greeters for each home showcase. The greeters help with the flow of traffic and answer questions.”

Pat Janiga, Janet Andersen, Sharon Melbye, Gerry Saia, Linda Rizza, Nedra Reeves, Kathy Wendhack, Dawn Leonard, Bernice Wills, Sharon Rainey, Jesus Villa, and Janet Kargol were ready and dressed in their holiday attire. Their participation reflects Sun City residents’ strong community pride and support for local events, inspiring others to join in. They put on their reindeer headbands, identifying themselves as volunteers, and went to take on tasks at the cookie-decorating station, snacks and beverages sales, and three craft projects.

La Pelusa said, “In the beginning, we didn’t have a budget or funds to buy the materials that were needed to make the wooden toys. Construction was still underway at Del Webb, and the scraps of lumber were left on the curb; they were being discarded. We were told that we were welcome to take the lumber. That was our beginning.”

Pat Bosi, Pat Cox, Kenn Ellis, Duane Fontana, Todd Kane, Adrianne Kaplan, Jill McCarron, Bill Niemasz, Bob Olesen, Nedra Reeves, Alex Schank, Rita Schank, Mike Shortridge, Gayle Smolinsky, and Ken Such volunteered their time and spent two days at the school, where students interviewed them.

Hughes said, “The sales office was located at the Outlet Mall in 1999. I had been living in Rockford for 35 years, and I was considering moving to a retirement community. My sister had moved to Palm Desert, but I had misgivings about moving there. Then a friend told me about an ad for a job in Huntley in the Chicago Tribune.”

Waller High School, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, is recognized for its college preparatory and vocational programs. The school eventually became Lincoln Park High School. The graduating class of 1962 had 165 students.

“Her stunning beauty took me aback. I saw her for the first time at a Salvation Army worship meeting in Chicago playing the tambourine. Her name was Yaneth, and I thought of her often.”

Fuqua said, “I was an average student. I could have done better scholastically. However, my focus was on sports. I was captain of the team in cross-country, wrestling and baseball.”