MY SUN DAY NEWS
Carole Homer, a Sun City resident, delivers treats near and far for each holiday, any celebration, or just for fun. Homer began creating sweet treats in March for the Easter. Homer said, “I have started molding chocolate treats for Easter. Chocolate bunnies are on sticks; pretzel rods are dipped in chocolate and covered with candy pastel confetti. I have made a small white chocolate basket filled with all edible goodies: chocolate bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans. There are bigger versions of the baskets also.”
Carole Homer, a Sun City resident, delivers treats near and far for each holiday, any celebration, or just for fun. Homer began creating sweet treats in March for the Easter.
Homer said, “I have started molding chocolate treats for Easter. Chocolate bunnies are on sticks; pretzel rods are dipped in chocolate and covered with candy pastel confetti. I have made a small white chocolate basket filled with all edible goodies: chocolate bunnies, eggs, and jelly beans. There are bigger versions of the baskets also.”
The phone rang in the middle of the night and jolted us awake.
Okay, it wasn’t really the middle of the night — but it was late, considering that my husband and I have recently decided that, unlike Cinderella’s carriage, which returns to its original pumpkin state at midnight, we turn into pumpkins much earlier, somewhere between 8:30 and 9.
Out of habit, because bedtime was always such a ritual when the kids were little: bath, jammies, teeth, story, my husband and I have developed our own routine, and even our own vernacular concerning the end of the day.
Those of you who read my column regularly will remember that I wrote last time about all the reasons I probably should have died long ago — and yet here I am.
Those of you who missed that column probably have some good excuse for not reading it. I’ll forgive you this time. Here’s a brief recap of some of the things I listed that probably should have pinched my spark out.
Dr. Marcus Belin, principal of Huntley High School, has been named the 2025 Illinois High School Principal of the Year for the Kishwaukee Region. Belin is a fifth-generation educator. “My grandmother taught in the Chicago Public School System for forty years. My mother’s work with the Chicago Charter School network focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It’s in the family. My sister is also in the education field,” he said.
Dr. Marcus Belin, principal of Huntley High School, has been named the 2025 Illinois High School Principal of the Year for the Kishwaukee Region.
Belin is a fifth-generation educator.
“My grandmother taught in the Chicago Public School System for forty years. My mother’s work with the Chicago Charter School network focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. It’s in the family. My sister is also in the education field,” he said.
Concerned over the impacts of cleaning tools which have chemicals in everyday use, a Sun City couple decided to take action. Five years ago, Genny and Derek Knight joined Norwex Independent Consultants. “Improving the quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes is our mission and passion,” according to the Norwex flier. At the Village of Huntley Farmers Market March 8, the Knights explained various products of Norwex Inc.
Concerned over the impacts of cleaning tools which have chemicals in everyday use, a Sun City couple decided to take action.
Five years ago, Genny and Derek Knight joined Norwex Independent Consultants. “Improving the quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes is our mission and passion,” according to the Norwex flier.
At the Village of Huntley Farmers Market March 8, the Knights explained various products of Norwex Inc.
After more than 60 years of exchanging letters, pictures, and making audio tapes, two lifelong pen pals — a Sun City resident and an English woman from Stockport — were able to once again reunite in person, rekindling a friendship that began in 1964. Though this isn’t their first face-to-face meeting, it marks a meaningful new chapter in a bond that has withstood the test of time and distance. Sun City resident Jane Conley and Marlene Middleton of Stockport, England began their correspondence as teenagers. What started as simple exchanges about music, school life, boyfriends, and their future aspirations gradually grew into a deep and lasting friendship.
After more than 60 years of exchanging letters, pictures, and making audio tapes, two lifelong pen pals — a Sun City resident and an English woman from Stockport — were able to once again reunite in person, rekindling a friendship that began in 1964. Though this isn’t their first face-to-face meeting, it marks a meaningful new chapter in a bond that has withstood the test of time and distance.
Sun City resident Jane Conley and Marlene Middleton of Stockport, England began their correspondence as teenagers. What started as simple exchanges about music, school life, boyfriends, and their future aspirations gradually grew into a deep and lasting friendship.
Are awards any indication of overall talent? Or are they signs of possible longevity? To paraphrase a line from Frasier; if you can look in the mirror and say you put in the best effort, then let the awards go wherever. It is hard to say, after this last Oscar ceremony, if actors like Mikey Madison will live up to the hype of Anora. But for Best Director winner Bong Joon-ho, there has been a filmography to back up his rise. And what a weird ride it has been, none so weird as Mickey 17.
Club Crawl is a new event for Sun City residents and an opportunity to learn about Sun City Charter Clubs. On Thursday, April 17, from 4-6 p.m. at Prairie Lodge in the Drendel Ballroom, the first hundred residents to arrive will receive a coupon for a free Culvers scoop of custard. The event is free, no registration is required, and all Sun City residents are invited. Ben Manibog, Chair of the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC) and President of the RV Travelers Club said, “I believe there are several things we are doing to make this a special event for our community. Club Crawl is the first Sun City community-wide event solely organized by a subcommittee of the CCPC, backed by the team at First Services Residential, and supported by our Board Liaison Bill Niemasz.”
Club Crawl is a new event for Sun City residents and an opportunity to learn about Sun City Charter Clubs. On Thursday, April 17, from 4-6 p.m. at Prairie Lodge in the Drendel Ballroom, the first hundred residents to arrive will receive a coupon for a free Culvers scoop of custard. The event is free, no registration is required, and all Sun City residents are invited.
Ben Manibog, Chair of the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC) and President of the RV Travelers Club said, “I believe there are several things we are doing to make this a special event for our community. Club Crawl is the first Sun City community-wide event solely organized by a subcommittee of the CCPC, backed by the team at First Services Residential, and supported by our Board Liaison Bill Niemasz.”
April Fools’ Day may be over for this year, but there are still several opportunities to be fooled throughout the coming year. One common way Americans are being deceived lately is by the increasing fraudulent claims from the supplement world. Considering how common supplement use is, some experts are ringing alarm bells.
Chris, my husband, and I began a healthy habit this winter. Each morning, with breakfast, we mix a packet of Emergen-C in a glass of water. Emergen-C is a powder that helps to boost the immune system and provides nutrients such as antioxidants and electrolytes. Since we began taking Emergen-C we have not been sick. While I fully admit, this may be a coincidence, I do appreciate the feeling that we are starting off our day by doing something healthy.
My husband and I use both of the gyms, at Prairie Lodge and Meadowview, but we prefer to go at non-peak times. I’m curious, how many individuals use the fitness centers and are there times when these facilities are routinely less crowded?
They say “the early bird gets the worm” and Rosie has been getting a lot of choice worms since, like clockwork, she wakes us up every morning at 6:15. Seriously, you can set your watch by her. This is followed by her early morning nap at 7:15.
Despite Illinois’ weather, you DID read that correctly! According to Almanac. com, “the first day of spring was March 20th”. Birds are chirping, flowers are starting to bud, and the sun has become warmer! Spring is simply spectacular!
I’m exhausted. I love my family, but I feel like I’m being pulled in a million directions, and there’s never any time for me. I’m the primary caregiver for my aging parents and in-laws while also raising three kids. My husband helps when he’s home, but he travels for work, leaving me to juggle everything on my own. I don’t resent my responsibilities, I just don’t know how to keep going without completely burning out.
Note: The views expressed in these political submissions do not reflect those of the Sun Day, its staff, or those associated to the Sun Day.
Dee Ann Woods is set to take the stage for the first time with the Theatre Company of Sun City in their spring production of Mame, the madcap musical about an eccentric socialite suddenly faced with the task of raising her young nephew. Woods portrays nephew Patrick’s faithful nanny Agnes Gooch, who sticks out like a sore thumb in Mame’s world of elegant New York parties. “Gooch wears these orthopedic Oxfords and she dresses like a frump,” says Woods about her character. “It’s a fun role. She’s the good Catholic girl and she’s in with Mame who is a high-flying, big-living, big-life type of person. She has to kind of grow into this family.”
Dee Ann Woods is set to take the stage for the first time with the Theatre Company of Sun City in their spring production of Mame, the madcap musical about an eccentric socialite suddenly faced with the task of raising her young nephew. Woods portrays nephew Patrick’s faithful nanny Agnes Gooch, who sticks out like a sore thumb in Mame’s world of elegant New York parties.
“Gooch wears these orthopedic Oxfords and she dresses like a frump,” says Woods about her character. “It’s a fun role. She’s the good Catholic girl and she’s in with Mame who is a high-flying, big-living, big-life type of person. She has to kind of grow into this family.”
Orv McElfresh and his wife, Janet Fry, are ambassadors for the artist series programming offered for free at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley, 10805 Main Street. On Friday, March 7, the featured program was the Wartburg College Castle Singers and Kammerstreicher. The Wartburg College Castle Singers have a special meaning to McElfresh. “I joined the Castle Singers in 1961. It is a fairly large group of singers, around 35. I enjoyed being part of the group back then and having them here is quite a thrill for me and a treat for our community. The group started in 1950,” he said.
Orv McElfresh and his wife, Janet Fry, are ambassadors for the artist series programming offered for free at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley, 10805 Main Street. On Friday, March 7, the featured program was the Wartburg College Castle Singers and Kammerstreicher. The Wartburg College Castle Singers have a special meaning to McElfresh.
“I joined the Castle Singers in 1961. It is a fairly large group of singers, around 35. I enjoyed being part of the group back then and having them here is quite a thrill for me and a treat for our community. The group started in 1950,” he said.
My parents, still enjoying good health and living independently in their 90s, are sorting through their belongings in their home of nearly 40 years as they prepare to downsize to an apartment. It is a big job, and my sister and brother-in-law are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, by virtue of them living nearby. In their spare moments, of which they have very few, they go to Mom & Dad’s house and pick up boxes to take to the donation center. They offer moral support. The job of sifting through a lifetime of belongings is not only physically strenuous, but each unopened box holds the potential of releasing a flood of memories, good or bad: a letter from a long-gone relative; Mother’s Day cards on brittle paper with “I love yous” scrawled in crayon; a serving bowl that brings back a long-forgotten detail from their wedding day.
My parents, still enjoying good health and living independently in their 90s, are sorting through their belongings in their home of nearly 40 years as they prepare to downsize to an apartment.
It is a big job, and my sister and brother-in-law are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, by virtue of them living nearby. In their spare moments, of which they have very few, they go to Mom & Dad’s house and pick up boxes to take to the donation center. They offer moral support. The job of sifting through a lifetime of belongings is not only physically strenuous, but each unopened box holds the potential of releasing a flood of memories, good or bad: a letter from a long-gone relative; Mother’s Day cards on brittle paper with “I love yous” scrawled in crayon; a serving bowl that brings back a long-forgotten detail from their wedding day.
Digging through the junk drawer the other day, I found one of those plastic plugs you shove into an electric outlet to keep the grandkids from getting zapped. It was in the junk drawer instead of in an outlet because my grandkids are now all high-school-age or older, and if they haven’t learned by now what kinds of things belong in an electric outlet and what kinds of things don’t, then maybe it’s time for them to learn the hard way. But when they were little, my wife insisted that every treacherous death-dealing outlet be blocked from the grandkids’ imaginative explorations. I actually wrote about it once in my column, long ago.
Digging through the junk drawer the other day, I found one of those plastic plugs you shove into an electric outlet to keep the grandkids from getting zapped. It was in the junk drawer instead of in an outlet because my grandkids are now all high-school-age or older, and if they haven’t learned by now what kinds of things belong in an electric outlet and what kinds of things don’t, then maybe it’s time for them to learn the hard way.
But when they were little, my wife insisted that every treacherous death-dealing outlet be blocked from the grandkids’ imaginative explorations. I actually wrote about it once in my column, long ago.
Pam Figolah enjoys bowling, not only for the sport but for the friendships and the fun. Paralleling Sun City History, the group has been around for about 25 years. 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.”
Pam Figolah enjoys bowling, not only for the sport but for the friendships and the fun. Paralleling Sun City History, the group has been around for about 25 years.
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.”
This is the story of a family tree, a walnut tree, and a cherry tree. But not just one; quite a few. Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently fulfilled a request from his daughter. “My daughter has a glass coffee table. She is tired of seeing the dust on it as the sunlight streams through the window and the fingerprints and smudges,” he said.
This is the story of a family tree, a walnut tree, and a cherry tree. But not just one; quite a few.
Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently fulfilled a request from his daughter.
“My daughter has a glass coffee table. She is tired of seeing the dust on it as the sunlight streams through the window and the fingerprints and smudges,” he said.
The Tall Oaks Tennis Club has scored a major win, securing support from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to launch a red ball tennis pilot program. Thanks to the efforts of club president Duane Fontana, the USTA has provided the club with new equipment to help introduce its members to the sport in a more accessible and enjoyable way. “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.
The Tall Oaks Tennis Club has scored a major win, securing support from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to launch a red ball tennis pilot program. Thanks to the efforts of club president Duane Fontana, the USTA has provided the club with new equipment to help introduce its members to the sport in a more accessible and enjoyable way.
“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.
Mary, my adult daughter, and I recently went shopping. Thanks to her patience and good decorating abilities, I now own a few new home décor items. While certainly not extravagant, each time I walk into the kitchen or living room I smile because these new items that seem to make the rooms more inviting and pleasing. Spring brings the chance for us to add a few new things to our garden. Much like adding new items to the inside our home, adding something new to the outside of our home will often add interest and brings joy. Thankfully, plant growers and hybridizers have spent years researching and developing new plants for our yards. Often times these plants have been growing in trial gardens across America as a way to ensure that when they are planted in our yards, they will thrive.
Mary, my adult daughter, and I recently went shopping. Thanks to her patience and good decorating abilities, I now own a few new home décor items. While certainly not extravagant, each time I walk into the kitchen or living room I smile because these new items that seem to make the rooms more inviting and pleasing.
Spring brings the chance for us to add a few new things to our garden. Much like adding new items to the inside our home, adding something new to the outside of our home will often add interest and brings joy. Thankfully, plant growers and hybridizers have spent years researching and developing new plants for our yards. Often times these plants have been growing in trial gardens across America as a way to ensure that when they are planted in our yards, they will thrive.
Ah, the wild west!!! A time in American history of lawlessness, cattle rustlers, and gun slingers. This was immortalized by such historically accurate TV shows (NOT) such as Have Gun Will Travel, Bonanza, and our personal favorite, Gunsmoke. This show had memorable characters such as the 6’7” Marshall Dillon, the vivacious Miss Kitty (who we always suspected of running a promiscuous business on the side), and comic relief provided by Chester who was desperately in need of orthopedic work. With this in mind, Jim put on his chaps and spurs, which for reasons we won’t go into, he just happened to have lying around the house, jumped on our faithful steed “Mini,” and blazed a trail to Cattlemen’s Burger and Brew in Algonquin.
The good news is that most of the products we are watching were the same price on March 15 as they were on January and February 15. The bad news is that the two exceptions are whoppers. Ground beef was $5.84/lb in March, an increase of 25.86% since January 15; and eggs were $5.97, an increase of 43.51%.
How does a relationship last? This is a question that has plagued smarter men than myself. Marriages are tougher. You promise to stick it out through thick and thin. Then there’s the needling and bickering; the yearning for your own individuality while maintaining a unit. And don’t get me started on how to hang the toilet paper roll. (It is over the roll, welcome to my Ted Talk). However, what if your respected jobs require discretion and even a bit of duplicity?
Letters for the week of March 27.
I’m in my seventies and trying to take care of myself, but I feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting nutrition advice out there. One day, I hear I should cut carbs, the next, I’m told to eat whole grains. Some people swear by high-protein diets, others say too much meat is bad for me. And don’t get me started on all the different opinions about dairy!
pNote: The views expressed in these political submissions do not reflect those of the Sun Day, its staff, or those associated to the Sun Day.
The Life-Long Learning Committee (LLLC) brought the sold-out session on the History of Riverview Amusement Park to Sun City. Dottie Bobzin, a member of the LLLC, said, “Many Sun City residents remember Riverview. Our Chicago-related topics are well attended.” Jackie Monilaw, Chair of LLLC, said, “We were thrilled to find out that someone locally, Fast Eddie’s Car Wash, had several items historically related to the amusement park. They lent them to us for the lecture and donated several free car washes for a raffle.”
The Life-Long Learning Committee (LLLC) brought the sold-out session on the History of Riverview Amusement Park to Sun City. Dottie Bobzin, a member of the LLLC, said, “Many Sun City residents remember Riverview. Our Chicago-related topics are well attended.”
Jackie Monilaw, Chair of LLLC, said, “We were thrilled to find out that someone locally, Fast Eddie’s Car Wash, had several items historically related to the amusement park. They lent them to us for the lecture and donated several free car washes for a raffle.”
