Angling for a reel connection between generations

The Sun City Anglers Charter Club teams up with the Huntley High School Bass Fishing Team for joint educational and recreational events. Sun City Anglers Club President Frank Rowinski and High School Bass Fishing Coach Erik Lachel are leading the effort. Rowinski said, “This initiative intends to unite generations through a common passion for angling.”

The partnership began with a rod-building seminar in Coach Lachel’s classroom, where the rods could dry safely.

Sun City softball stars shine at all-star game

It may seem hard to believe but another Sun City Softball Club season is gearing up for a big finish.

About three weeks of regular season games remained when a good-size crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Field July 24 for the all-star game. Lumbarjacks manager Joe Gattone’s Patriots team took on Mustangs manager Pat Klatt’s Stars and Stripes team. A couple of hours of softball fun ended with Stars and Stripes winning 6-3.

First responders show softball skills at NNO

The Huntley Fire Department (HFD) and Huntley Police Department (HPD) softball teams came into the National Night Out Sun City softball First Responders clash having split the first 10 of the annual games.

The HFD outlasted the HPD, 3-1, for its third straight win in the First Responders series and took a 6-5 lead in games won overall at Veterans Memorial Field Aug. 4. The event is organized by the Sun City Neighborhood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors group.

The human microbiome, part II

Last month the Health Report reviewed the role of microbes and bacteria as part of the human microbiome which scientists are discovering performs complex and vitally important functions that keep us alive.

This is especially true in the human gastrointestinal tract where a vast community of trillions of bacteria and fungi inhabit every nook and cranny. These microbes mostly live in your lower intestine (the colon) and outnumber all the other cells in your body put together. They manage to live in partnership with us, surviving a hostile environment of darkness, high acidity and low oxygen while an ever-changing of liquid chemicals flow through them. These microbes mostly live in your lower intestine (the colon) and outnumber all the cells in your body put together.

Huntley gears up for National Night Out celebration, vintage softball uniforms featured

“We are excited to expand our Aug. 4 NNO celebration this year by welcoming area businesses to join in the community fun,” Police Chief Linda Hooten said. “The afternoon will begin with a friendly softball game at 3:00 pm in Sun City between the Huntley Police and Fire Departments, with players wearing vintage jerseys in celebration of Huntley’s 175th anniversary.”

One man’s matchstick is another man’s art

For Sun City resident Cesar Vega, art is a combination of creative expression and mathematical precision. Vega is a multimedia artist who immigrated from Peru in 1967. He has earned widespread recognition for his elaborate structural art, detailed sculptures, and vivid paintings.

His life began in his adopted homeland with a deep devotion to service and education.

Vega said, “After serving as a U.S. Navy veteran, I got a strong base in engineering at Roosevelt University.”

A ‘Fischer’ among students

For 18 years, Dolores Fischer has called Sun City home. Like many residents, she initially moved here for a personal reason; to be closer to her children and grandchildren. However, what began as a move centered around her own family quickly developed into a serious commitment to the wider community. Over nearly two decades, Dolores has had a profound effect on local education, transforming the lives of many students and molding the fundamental fabric of our neighborhood through her passionate leadership and firm devotion. Her voyage here actually began with a blueprint from her own family history.

“My parents retired at 55 and moved to the original Sun City in Arizona,” Fischer shares. “They loved Sun City and truly lived their best life.”

Sun City kicks off new volunteering initiative

To promote a thriving volunteer community, the Sun City Community Association of Huntley Board of Directors unanimously approved a new volunteerism goal on March 25. The centerpiece of this project is a cross-functional Volunteer Committee composed of staff, board leaders, and representatives from Lifestyles, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), and the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC).

Among those driving the effort are residents James Papak, Sheri Goldstein, and Amy Sanecki, as well as staff members Debby Seger and Liam Sullivan. The group is charged with breaking down barriers to resident engagement and creating implementable strategies to increase active participation—a mission that directly advances the Association’s wider Strategic Goal 5.

All-star softball game nears

The Sun City Softball League is preparing for the annual all-star game.

Birdwatching swoops into the lead at golf cart parade

The Sun City Birdwatching Club takes first place at this year’s competition.

Behind the seams

When the house lights dim and the stage illuminates, the actors’ garments command the audience’s attention. The genuine magic of these theatrical wardrobes begins months earlier.

Sun City residents Donna Scott and Carol Burgett are behind every flawless silhouette, historically accurate bodice, and quick-change seam, transforming fabric into living art.

Remembering Tinker

Sun City bids a heartbreaking farewell to a tiny neighborhood icon, Tinker the Chihuahua, who passed away on Sunday, May 3, at the incredible age of 17.

Tinker came into Mary and Al Novak’s life when Mary retired. Mary said, “She only weighed half a pound when we got her.”

Annual GG&Me picnic reaches new milestone

The annual Sun City Grandma, Grandpa, & Me (GG&ME) Charter Club’s picnic once again brought energy, laughter, and cherished memories to our Sun City community. This beloved tradition continues to be one of the highlights of the summer, bridging generations through shared games, food, and quality time.

While the event is always a success, this year’s picnic featured a special milestone that highlights the lasting impact of this club.

Pickleball proves fun for instructors, members

The Sun City pickleball season is in full swing, with lessons on all courts in the morning, for players rated 1.0 to 5.0 locally.

“The pickleball season is off to a fantastic start,” Sun City Pickleball Club President Pam White said.

The human microbiome – those bacteria we depend on

In the latest issue of My Sunday News, T.R. Kerth’s column “All roads lead to bugtown,” cited recent research on the importance of our “friendly microscopic buddies.” Mr. Kerth accurately and rather imaginatively described bacteria that reside in our body’s cells as “taking over,” making you more “bugs than body.”

While that thought might make some readers squeamish, looking at these microscopic bacteria from a medical perspective might prove reassuring. As Cleveland Clinic has reported, “The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days in medical and wellness communities, and it’s easy to see why. These critters seem to have so many tentacles in so many different body systems that it’s possible to imagine they might hold the key to understanding and treating a wide range of intractable diseases.”

Proud to be an American

What’s sad about this year is that, in the 250th year of this great nation, there isn’t a plethora of films or television specials dedicated to its memory. True, there is a lot of coverage planned for by news outlets on July Fourth. However, very little has been present in the lead up. Larry David and co will have a program on just after the deadline of this article entitled HBO Max’s Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on June 26. He and many others like Jerry Seinfeld and John Hamm created sketches lampooning various points in our history. As fitting as that is given the current state we are in now, I can’t help but feel like some mode of reverence in the Founding Fathers is deserved.

Walking dogs, doing laundry, writing grants: AHS volunteer has a serious case of puppy love

Jan Newman is a neighbor to both human and animal friends. She has been a dedicated member of Sun City and a key player at Animal House Shelter.

Newman began with a modest desire to help by walking dogs, but her dedication quickly deepened when she recognized a critical behind-the-scenes need. Her passion for animal welfare began nearly two decades ago. She started volunteering in 2007 at the Colorado Humane Society.

“I got hooked,” Newman recalled. “The more you volunteer, the more you want to give of yourself.”

Northwestern clinic within Sun City provides hyperlocal health support

Sun City Huntley residents have access to quality healthcare through the Northwestern Medicine Wellness Center. This facility, right in the community, offers premier medical expertise and is a trusted asset for residents’ well-being. Upon arrival, residents are welcomed by a cohesive medical team ready to address everything from preventive wellness to acute concerns. The Wellness Center’s daily team includes: Elena Makris, patient services representative; Lori Marcantonio, RN, clinical support; Gennesia Crowley, expert in phlebotomy; and Matilda Lutaj, nurse practitioner, overseeing primary treatments.

Pull up a chair… and do some yoga

With more than 50 years of experience in wellness, kinesiology, and injury recovery, Steve Ferry, known to many as “MedicineMan2,” is sharing his deep knowledge and caring approach in a new book to help seniors stay active. In Chair Yoga For Seniors: A Safe and Effective Guide to Manage Joint Stiffness, Mobility Issues, and Regain Muscle Tone, Ferry provides a clear guide to aging with energy.

“I cover everything from breathing techniques and foundational poses to focused exercises for joint health, balance, and muscle tone. Each chapter is designed to help you move with confidence and purpose,” he said.

Missing Sun City mailbox creates questions

People trying to mail letters at Meadow View Lodge have noticed that the familiar blue USPS drop box is gone. It has been missing for several months, and residents like Donna Bodzin are asking what happened.

Hang Your Hat: June 18, 2026

Letters for the week of June 18.

Del Fossils dig up classic rock

Every great rock and roll story starts with a simple spark, and for bass guitarist John Dwyer, that spark was a deep-seated passion to play. His creative drive ultimately led to the formation of The Del Fossils, a high-energy rock and roll band comprised entirely of local talent. Dwyer proudly notes that all band members are Sun City residents, highlighting the tight-knit, community-based nature of the group.

Bridging generations: how Sun City residents and Huntley students are building connections

A remarkable partnership is flourishing in the Huntley community, bringing together the rich life experiences of Sun City residents and the energy of local youth. What began as a strategic goal by the Sun City Board of Directors to deepen ties with Huntley High School (HHS) has grown into a successful collaboration involving students, teachers, volunteers, and residents throughout the district.

Circadian Rhythm II

Last month’s Health News Report summarized recent research on how the human body responds to the daily cycle of light and dark through a master clock nestled near the optic nerve. This clock responds to that circadian rhythm sending hormonal signals to all regions in the body throughout the day. Without your awareness the master clock sends out melatonin to promote sleep and decreases that hormone to wake you up each morning. But that circadian rhythm does not stop with just awake/sleep influence.

Softball Club games provide fun for all

After a break for Memorial Day, its back to three days a week of softball fun for Sun City Softball Club players, fans and umpires, at Veterans Memorial Field. Fortunately for the increasing crowds, light jackets have replaced the blankets.

The man behind the mouse

Following his run for the Sun City Board of Directors last fall, familiar face Jim Fatigato is taking on a new position in community governance. The Board recently has appointed the Sun City resident to the Election Committee.

But Fatigato has another role, too. Last Halloween, he stepped in and brought Mickey Mouse to Grandma, Grampa & Me’s traditional Halloween party. Fatigato has brought delight to children’s lives for 20 years, giving them the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

New Brain & Body class delivers specialized fitness to Sun City

Sun City’s Fitness Department is filling a vital gap in local programming with its new Brain & Body fitness class. Led by Kelly Bertrand, Sun City Fitness Director, the session is every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Studio A at Meadowview Lodge. The initiative sparked after a Kay Osborn and Marilyn Gustafson, Sun City residents, along with a local support group, noticed a lack of specialized resources for people navigating life after a stroke or living with Parkinson’s.

“There was a clear need for fitness tailored specifically to neurological challenges,” says Osborn, who helped advocate for the program.

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