“It’ was a lot of fun to play the police department in softball,” Huntley’s new Fire Chief, Dan Wagner, said afterward.

“I saw an ad in My Sun Day News that the track and field and cross country programs at Huntley High School were looking for volunteers from Sun City,” Kane said. “So I contacted the head boys coach, Chris Maxedon and with two others, became a volunteer coach.”

Kane was a new resident to Sun City at the time, but had a background in track and field while growing up in New York State and competing at Loyola College in Baltimore, MD.

Fans arrived by car, golf cart and a few by bicycles. They watched four Sun City Softball Club 16-inch evening league teams, High Octane, against the Hurricanes and the Capitals and Adjusters square off.

Ibach is a Sun City resident since 2016, has five decades of comprehensive experience in sports journalism, public and media relations, sports marketing, promotions, and publications management.

With the Major League Baseball season nearing its half-way mark, dozens of Sun City baseball fans came to the Drendel Ballroom for Tim Wilsey’s presentation about baseball. Some wore 2016 Cubs World Series hero jerseys of Javier Baez, or maybe for former manager Joe Maddon. Others went back to their youth for an Ernie Banks shirt.

“It was unbelievable,” said North about the Barrett Media Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him May 9. “I’m still an outsider, so I was shocked when Barrett Media owner Jason Barrett called me. At first, I wasn’t on their list, but Barrett said he wanted to talk.”

Pinecrest Golf Club has hosted the Sun City Men’s Golf League since the course became part of Huntley Park District. Previous locations were Whisper Creek in Sun City and Marengo Ridge. An 18-hole match-play format is used.

“We have 64 members now, and a list of 30 substitutes,” Sun City resident and league manager Andy Jones said. “The players are able to handle the 18-holes. We have some guys into their 80s and I would say the average age is the low 70s. There are a lot of golf leagues in Sun City.”

The Sun City golf course offers, for the women include Ladies in the Sun, Birdie Bunch, and Whisper Lites (handicap and non-handicap). Also, for the men, Early Birds, Niners, Flying Aces and Prime Time. One informal men’s golf group is Sin City.

Paarmann said, “Hapkido, a martial art, teaches kicks, punches, joint manipulation, pressure points, free fighting, throws, and meditation. All Hapkido skills are designed to subdue an opponent without causing serious injuries.”

Sun City residents Sue Wallace and Mary Schulee spoke with a background of horse racing knowledge, before Sovereignty won the run for the roses at Churchill Downs in Lexington, Ky., on May 3. Sovereignty beat favored Journalism on a wet race track in the Kentucky Derby’s 151st annual race.

“We’re ready for the new year and hope we won’t be hindered by the weather on opening night,” Sun City Softball Club President Chuck Hund said. “We have a great field crew, led by John Roccosanto, who has worked on leveling the field.”

Sun City’s top pickleball player, John Schwan, accomplished that feat at the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida, on April 27. He took on four challengers in the mens singles 75-79 age bracket, 4.0 rating, and defeated them all, returning as a repeat national champ.

April 5 was the Huntley Police Department (HPD) hosted Fourth Annual “Don’t Be Fooled by a Disability” 5K run-walk event. It is held in support of Special Olympics of Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run. According to HPD Deputy Chief Amy Williams, about 140 runners participated Saturday morning at Huntley Town Square.

Special Olympic athlete Jim Williams is happy because he is able to add another sport to his state competition list, which also includes track and field and basketball.

Figolah said, “A group of ladies from Sun City started a women’s bowling league at Huntley Bowl Hi. Originally, the ladies named the league The Sun City Ladies Bowling League. This ladies’ group aimed to meet neighbors who also enjoyed bowling. The league was very social, with some friendly competition. A few years later, the league expanded and changed its name to Thursday Ladies Bowling League.”  

“If we go back maybe seven, eight years ago, I saw that the population of Sun City was getting older and a lot were getting injuries or they can’t do what they used to…I had shoulder surgery so I understand now. So, I said, ‘There’s got to be a way that I can make it easier for older people or people that have injuries to do this.’ So, I came up with this brilliant idea that if I had a slower ball and a smaller court, it might make it easier for the older people,” Fontana told My Sun Day News.

As a new Major League Baseball season dawned with Spring Training’s start, an audience of 25 heard about the Rockford Peaches success in the AAGPBL from Tulloch at Huntley Area Public Library Feb. 11.

Schwan recently won two gold medals in two Illinois Senior Olympics competition singles for age 75 plus. Illinois Senior Olympics conducts the games, offering with many sports for ages 50 and above.

This popular event was hosted in conjunction with the Del Webb Anglers for Sun City residents and their grandchildren over two years of age. Prizes were awarded for various categories for ages 2-7 and 8 and above. Each child was able to choose a prize due to the generosity of donations from the Anglers, grandparents, Bait Shanty, Ace Hardware in Huntley, Culvers, and Moretti’s.

Francis Rowinski beautifully encapsulated Johnson’s dedication: “Randy has been deeply devoted to our Angler’s Club, tirelessly working to create a space where anglers of all skill levels can grow and find new friends. His instrumental role in organizing fishing tournaments at Wildflower Lake twice a month during each fishing season is a testament to his unwavering commitment.”

Reflecting on her journey, Wade shared, “The whole event was enjoyable. It was a little overwhelming, especially the school bus ride to East Peoria. But it was a great feeling knowing my family and friends were supporting me.”

There are over 25 million active padel players in over 170 countries.

But the club may soon come to an end if no one volunteers to be president or vice president.