Getting back down to business

Come May 29, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order is expected to ease restrictions in accordance to the “phase three” transition of the Restore Illinois plan. For restaurants like Jameson’s Charhouse, this means re-opening their outdoor patio dining area starting May 30.

Sun City ‘Zooms’ through board meetings

For Sun City’s Board of Directors, meetings to discuss important topics within the community will continue on as usual.

The method in which the most current meeting was conducted, however, is an entirely different story.

Mask maker, mask maker, make me a mask

Sandy Oslance, Lifestyle Coordinator said, “Following the ‘Stay at Home’ order, Tom Fitzpatrick, a Sun City Huntley resident and Neighborhood Watch Captain, had an idea to help supply face masks to various organizations such as home health care and hospice organizations, food pantries, Senior Care Volunteer Network, etc. He shared his idea with his neighbor and friend, Marie Frostman who he knew enjoyed sewing, and shortly after, the ‘Huntley Strong Hometown Heroes Project was born made up of approximately 45 women who sew.”

Local college grad helps create MCDH COVID resource guide

You really don’t have to look very far for examples of people helping others amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the medical field, nurses, doctors, and paramedics are helping on the front lines. Whether it’s on the front lines or behind the lines, the war on COVID-19 has drawn the attention of mostly everyone with medical training. From the field of public health, the McHenry County Department of Health and the health departments in Kane, Lake, DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties, are facing serious challenges every day.

Pets and COVID transmission

For the past few months, Sun Citians have been trying to practice six feet of social distancing as they travel through their daily activities outside of their homes.

Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are asking pet owners to take precautions with furry members of their household.

Despite statewide lockdown restrictions, Loughran says ‘Sun City, Huntley, is financially healthy’

Despite an ongoing battle with coronavirus, Sun City maintains a healthy financial outlook.

Drive and drop

The need to help our neighbors in the community is so very important at this time. In addition to the Theatre Company’s efforts and those of various other groups like the softball club, Sun City residents have also turned out in numbers to support Culver’s of Huntley’s weekly food/donation drive (Sunday from 11 am – 5 pm through May 31).

Field day

Marcia Kmet, Sun City resident, grandmother of 11, and great-grandmother of four, was filling up her car at the gas station last week. Something very strange happened next.

“A woman came over and asked me for my autograph,” Kmet said.

But you also might see resident Todd Kane, sporting a rainbow top hat to match his Skittle-colored beard, smiling and holding a sign that says, “Don’t Worry Be Happy.”

Peace Corps service cut short by COVID-19 threat

It was just a normal Monday morning, and Brad Christin was getting ready to go to work. Suddenly, the quiet morning was interrupted by an onslaught of texts and emails on his phone.

Christin, 23, a Peace Corps volunteer, was living in Capitán Miranda, Paraguay. But on that Monday in March, as COVID-19 Coronavirus made its way across the globe, Brad knew from the countless texts and emails that his 27-month service in the Peace Corps was going to be cut short after only 18 months. He was leaving South America and going home.

Local teen uses 3D printer to make face shields for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19

When Gail Tepper and her husband, Artie, first heard that their grandson was part of a growing movement to help make masks for healthcare workers, they couldn’t be prouder. Describing the teen as, “a wonderful, kind and caring young man that is very knowledgeable with computers,” it was no surprise to the Teppers that his efforts would catch the attention of the Great Big Story, a media company whose micro-documentaries and short films have been viewed by millions of people on websites like Facebook and YouTube.

COVID-19 fact vs. fiction

The large amount of information shared on our corona virus pandemic is presenting many dangerous myths currently being circulated. Here are 5 of these suspect stories that might help you stay safe in this dangerous news environment.

A Lesson in Kindness

February 13 started off like any other Tuesday morning for Sun City resident Jan Scialabba who also works at the Member Services Desk at Prairie Lodge. Two buses where expected to arrive that day, prepared to take fellow residents to the Chicago Auto Show. Nothing out of the ordinary for the seasoned Member Services Desk professional.

Theatre Company plans CARavan Food Pantry donation drive

Due to the pandemic and stay at home rules, The Theatre Company of Sun City cancelled our Spring production of Beauty and the Beast. The Theatre Company for years has donated the proceeds from the candy and water sales during our productions to the area Food Pantries. In order to make up for the loss of donations during this trying time, The Theatre Company is planning a CARavan of Donations.

Quarantine bingo: Being inside, not going out

The doors to apartment units in the hallways are open and only a few feet inside are residents playing bingo. Hallway BINGO has become one of the more popular activities at Heritage Woods and White Oaks at Huntley. The irony of hallway BINGO as an activity at assisted living facilities is BINGO’S popularity usually brings residents together because of its ease of playing and odds of winning.

Ready or knot, here they come

For Linda Campbell and her husband, staying active outdoors was just another part of their daily routine, and they regularly joined others in Neighborhood 18 who also enjoyed going on walks and runs. In light of the recent coronavirus pandemic however, mandatory stay-at-home orders and social distancing seem to pose obstacles in the way of those wanting to maintain their physical health.

Hoping to preserve as much normalcy as possible, Campbell stumbled onto a creative way to continue to stay active with other neighbors while following social distancing protocols.