Huntley High School seeks Sun City mentors for Global Academy programs

Dr. Meghan Bagby, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Huntley High School, is asking for Sun City residents to consider volunteering in an important role for Huntley High School Students in their focused Global Academies programs.

Bagby said, “We are hoping to get residents who can transfer their knowledge and skills to our students. We offer programs in engineering, fine arts, global, and medical fields.”

Skin cancer: The misconceptions of belief in tanning the skin

If you grew up in the 50s and 60s, you might have enjoyed the challenge of developing an intense dark-tan look added to your skin. You probably even thought that this “healthy tan” made you look like Annette Funicello or Sandra Dee from the Beach Boys’ movies. Unfortunately, like the unhealthy aspect of smoking during those same years, there was “no warning sign” posted anywhere informing you otherwise.

Pickleball and tennis clubs must compromise on sharing courts

There appears to be a long-running contention between the Pickleball and Tennis clubs ever since the Pickleball Club was established in Sun City back in 2006.

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.

The 8 best superfoods to help seniors live long lives

The National Council on Aging (NCOA), in its April article on older adults’ unique nutritional needs for health excellence, sites their choice of 8 superfoods.

“The term (superfoods) refers to whole, minimally processed foods that are nutrient dense. Most superfoods are plant-based, but not all.” The NCOA continues, “What’s one of the secrets to aging well? It starts with the foods we put on our plate every day. A balanced diet, filled with superfoods, can help older adults maintain healthy cognitive (thinking process) function and strong bones, and even prevent chronic (long-lasting) disease.” These foods contain healthy vitamins, fats, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds that have been found to promote good health and prevent illness and disease.

What prompted her to start fundraising?

Kroot said, “I decided to start fundraising in 2003 when my cousin’s wife died of breast cancer. I sent out emails asking for donations. The first year, I raised $300 with little effort. I thought that with more effort I could raise more.”

Remembering Hermann Faubl: Feb 8, 1942 – May 2, 2023

Herm Faubl started writing History Highlights at the end of 2012 and gave us about 10 years of dutiful writing and research that kept our past alive.

Clowning around

Pat Henning, Sun City resident, is a member of the Sun City Band that performed in the recent ‘Under The Big Top’ concert. Henning said, “A circus needs a balloon lady to make it complete. A friend of mine in a group I work with told me her daughter makes balloon animals, as well as magic so I was very happy when she called me and I was I’m able to arrange a plan for her to join our concert. When I saw her come, dressed in a cute clown-type outfit, I thought this is just perfect. And she was a hit.”

Stingrays presented 9th-year charity auction

The Stingrays Swim Club recently announced their 9th year auction celebrated by their charter club’s members and guests. Nick Koplos once again served as Master Auctioneer on Saturday, May 13. All present were invited to enjoy the afternoon’s exciting venue of activities! This year’s first club chosen charity was “Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County,” which builds affordable housing for families in greatest need. Our second club chosen charity was “Wings,” which provides independence for adults and children escaping violence and abuse.

Prairie Singers prepare for their spring show with new director at the helm

Sun City’s Prairie Singers welcomed their new director, Denise Caliendo, with a beautiful table set, ‘Welcome’ cake, and some other sweet treats.

What brought her to Sun City?

Caliendo said, “I got to know the members working with them last October to prepare for them for the holiday concert. I was asked to be the director here this year and I started in March.”

A bugs life for this Sun City resident

Biff Smith, a Sun City resident, caught the bug love.

As a Volkswagen connoisseur, he catalogs the value of one of the oldest nameplates in automotive history still in use today. This all began when Smith’s wife, Nan, enrolled in a lifestyle presentation of Kiddieland. Kiddieland was an amusement park located at the corner of North Avenue and First Avenue in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Ten of the most valuable fruits you should eat weekly

According to EatingWell, here are 10 fruits packed with a huge amount of health benefits! Backed by researchers and other experts in the dietary field, the following fruits are known to increase your fiber count, as they boost your body with crucial antioxidants and vitamins.

Strutters dance down memory lane June 7

The Strutters will be performing on Tuesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 7, at 7 p.m. at Drendel Ballroom celebrating their 20th anniversary. Dancing, romancing, and more, the Sun City Strutters will be delving into two decades of memories.

Nancy Kutska, General Manager of the Strutters said, “The Sun City Strutters started offering tap with Jackie Cesarone in 2003. The group added ballet in 2004 with Mary Wyatt and jazz in 2007 with Valarie Stroud.”

Stress relief & laughter

These days, most of us are suffering from an enormous amount of stress. Let’s, therefore, take a look at one enormous relief treatment for this uncontrolled anxiety. Mayo Clinic, in its Healthy Lifestyle/Stress Management article, states the following mostly unknown information about the benefits of laughter. While a good sense of humor can’t cure all health issues, the positive effects of laughter appear to be increasing in number!

Sun City book club reaches milestone

The only thing better than reading a book is talking about them with others. Book clubs provide motivation to read stories you perhaps may not have read otherwise. They also provide you with an avenue of community, and an opportunity to meet and connect with people.

The Neighborhood 26 Book Club reached a milestone this April.

Sun City board spends $225,000

The Sun City Board authorized the spending of nearly $225,000 on upgrades to parts of the Prairie lodge at the April 26th Board meeting.

On the write path

Marcia Elke shares the journals she wrote in a book she published, ‘Our Journey of the Heart…and Soul,” documenting her life with her husband, Bill, as he fought heart disease.

Bill Elke was diagnosed with heart issues at the age of 35. Marcia, his wife said, “Bill was in denial thinking he was invincible.”

Sun City Concert Band to perform carnival of songs this May

The Sun City Concert Band Charter Club will perform “Under the Big Top” this May.

Richard Chay, Concert Band Charter Club President said, “The Sun City Concert Band will perform, ‘Under the Big Top’ in May. There are two shows: Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 6, at 1 p.m. in Drendel Ballroom.”

Sun City family member’s music shines on Lana Del Ray album

Diane Flanagan’s granddaughter, Erin Flanagan, and her husband Aljosha (Josh} Konstanty, often visit from Kassel, Germany. Erin met her husband while in Germany for an exchange year. They married on August 20, 2020, during a COVID-19 lockdown, with their family and friends celebrating their nuptials over Zoom.

Josh, or Aljosha Konstanty, is known professionally as AK. Josh is a music composer and songwriter and has previous successes. He primarily releases his music independently, without a label.

This has led to multiple successes.

Self-care

Amidst all of the turmoil being felt in the world today, seniors have to be ready to encounter any physical and emotional difficulties that might arise for them. Everyday Health and Dr. Travis Westbrook, PhD, a Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University Clinical Psychologist gives us advice.

He states “Sometimes we really have to ‘lay our foot on the gas pedal’ when it comes to taking care of ourselves.” The following are 11 tips from Dr. Westbrook and other experts to help us all weather changes in the spring climate and our health.

St. Mary’s celebrates St. Joseph’s

On March 19, St. Mary’s hosted a St. Joseph table celebration.

‘I loved being a Marine’

Richard Christie, a Sun City resident, always wanted to be a Marine.

“I enlisted at the age of 17 and was sent to boot camp in San Diego. It was the first time I had left North Dakota, my home,” he said.

Christie’s fellow Marines in the camp were all from California, and he was the youngest. He finished Boot camp and was sent to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, which has found itself in the news recently.

The value of HOPE, part II

We can all HOPE for outdoor temperatures to indicate an early Spring this year. This is the meaning of HOPE that something will happen, as we usually have a good reason to think that it might. Sometimes, however, the HOPEFUL situation may seem more unlikely to occur.

Lions Club: ‘We serve Huntley’ top cause

The Huntley Area Lions Club traces its history for more than 20 years as being part of the Huntley community since its days as the Lions of Sun City. The civic group now has about 45 members.

Lions Club current Co-President Mary Meyer explained some of the main projects.

New tennis style taking over Sun City

Tennis can be played at any age and it is great for physical and mental health. According to Tennis Industry Association, U.S. tennis participation grew by 1 million players in 2022 with more than 23.6 million playing the sport–the third consecutive year that the sport has seen an increase. Since the start of 2020, tennis has seen an increase of 5.9 million, or 33 percent, since the start of 2020.

Charter Club Expo 2023!

On March 7, Sun City residents turned out in droves for the annual Charter Club Expo where club members were eager to show off the unique features of their clubs.

Consumer Showcase brings big smiles to Sun City

The Sun City Community Association of Huntley, Inc., hosted a Consumer Showcase event March 23, at Prairie Lodge.

Here to serve

Marilyn Berendt and her husband Bill have collectively volunteered for over 40 years in the Sun City community. Both were elected to a position on the Sun City Board of Directors to represent the residents. Berendt said, “Bill left the board on December 31, 2016, and I took a position on the board on January 1, 2017.”

Berendt served on the board for six years, serving her last year as the President of the Sun City Board, which ended on December 31, 2022.

Sun City residents share favorite places for nutritious meals

Proper nutrition is vital for good health no matter how old we are. However, cooking meals from scratch every day can be difficult for anyone, and senior citizen meal planning needs to ensure that nutritional needs are met.

Sun City residents do have alternatives to making that meal every day. Just minutes from their front door, residents can take advantage of various dining options, including meal prep kits delivered to their door.

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