Dean Foods leaving Huntley

Along with rapid industrial and commercial growth in Huntley, there are sometimes bumps in the road.

The Sun Day learned last week that Dean Foods is planning to leave Huntley. The company’s intentions were recently communicated to the village and have been confirmed by the Sun Day with a Dean Foods spokesperson in Huntley. Dean Foods and a related transportation operation is one of Huntley’s largest employers and has been located on Mill Street in the village for many years. No additional information was available by press time for this report.

Board of Directors election ballot changes

Last spring, when the Sun City Elections Advisory Committee was planning the 2018 board of directors election, the ballots were planned to be “random.”

Now, as the committee and board finalize those plans, the ballots are “rotating.”

It’s actually two different ways to accomplish the same thing – make sure this year’s election is not decided primarily by ballot position. Remember the background: In 2017, there were 10 candidates for four open positions on the board. The order of candidate names on all the ballots was determined in a lottery drawing before the ballots were mailed to residents.

Sun City resident receives recognition for her painting passion

Janet Schipma has always loved art, starting at a very young age. When she was in junior high, she enrolled in a correspondence course.

“I would send in a drawing and get graded on it,” she remembers. “I was almost done with it, but then I started working part-time and dropped out. I felt really bad for my parents that they sent me through that course and I didn’t get the certificate.”

But even as Schipma’s life got busier with work, then marriage, then a family (she and her husband, Herman, raised a son and a daughter), art was never far from Schipma’s mind.

Sun City board aims to improve open communication

Ask the average Sun Citian what the most important challenge the community’s board of directors faces, and they will probably say – communication.

Late this past spring, the board embarked on a project to improve and expand its communication with those same residents.

Board continues Sun City maintenance efforts

Maintenance of common areas has been a big priority of the Sun City board of directors for the last several years, and the beat goes on in 2018.

At Prairie Lodge, a new solarium will be unveiled this month, and flooring in several activity spaces is being upgraded. Over at Meadow View and the Arcadia Condo building, the parking lots are being resurfaced.

How much sunscreen is enough?

For past decades, dermatologists have cautioned individuals to avoid exposure of their skin to the sun. Nevertheless, many of us who swarmed to “the art of sunbathing” in our youths with the desire to look healthier, now find it difficult to break old habits. I, myself, know that outdoor swimming daily can be a most pleasurable experience, in spite of my three scary experiences with skin cancer. For the huge population of Sun City/Huntley, “outdoor water babies,” softball team members, golfers, tennis players, pickleball enthusiasts, hikers, and joggers, I write this article educating all of us as to the researched correct amount and correct strength of sunscreen to one’s body.

Sun City softball prepares for annual all-star game

When the weather gets warm and the umpire says “play ball,” the Sun City Softball Club really gets going.

Fresh off a successful Salute to Veterans patriotic exhibition on June 30, the Club will present its annual all-star game this Saturday, July 14, at 4 p.m. at Eakin Field.

A taste of family secrets and slapstick murder in “Arsenic & Old Lace”

“Arsenic and Old Lacehas something for everyone,” said Janette Dennis, the Director of The Theatre Company’s Summer Presentation. “It’s a mystery, comedy, tragedy, historical fiction, romance, drama and farce with a brilliant script.”

New pickleball courts host grand opening

Sun City’s newest sport got a major upgrade on June 8.

More than 100 residents and community leaders showed up with umbrellas to cut a ribbon (symbolically) at the formerly named Tall Oaks Tennis Center (now renamed Tall Oaks Courts). The occasion was the unveiling of eight new pickleball courts at the center. Because of rain on celebration day, the club held its inaugural event on the new facilities the next day. It was Pickleball 101, demonstrations and practice for Sun City players new to the game of pickleball.

Huntley police blotter reveals common Huntley crimes

On June 7, the Huntley Police Department conducted 21 underage liquor compliance checks at all of the licensed liquor establishments in the village.

Eighteen of the establishments passed the checks by refusing to sell liquor to the underage participant. One of these establishments is Jameson’s Restaurant and Pub, located in Prairie Lodge.

Purses worth more than what’s inside

Beverly Kenny has lived in Sun City for almost 11 years.

“I love it. I live in the best neighborhood,” she said.

A creative person is easy to spot, not only because they have great ideas, but because they work hard. Kenny finds possibilities in every piece of fabric she sees and she is constantly evaluating. And then, she creates.

The craft of beer

How do you get from supervising the construction of industrial sewing machines to owning a micro-brewery and tap room in the space of one career?

Simple, says Lance Lamb, a Huntley businessman. You think globally, travel extensively, and really like a high-quality beer.

At every game in in Sun City’s three softball leagues, they are introduced by name, as athletes. Most of them played in prominent slow-pitch softball leagues in their younger days, especially in Chicago, and some won championships. Some of them are in the sport’s Hall of Fame.