MY SUN DAY NEWS
Letters for the week of June 27.
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.
Father’s Day, a holiday we now celebrate with joy and gratitude, was not always a part of our cultural fabric. It was founded in Washington State by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910, a woman of remarkable determination.Ā This was a time when the role of fathers was not as publicly recognized as it is today. The first celebration was held in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Dodd’s father, a Civil War veteran and a single parent who raised his six children, is the inspiration behind this day. After hearing a sermon about Mother’s Day, Dodd felt a similar holiday honoring fathers was long overdue.Ā She initially suggested June 5, her father’s birthday, but the pastors needed more time to prepare their sermons; the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.
Mystery, murder, and intrigue will take center stage in Sun City Theatre Companyās summer production of Agatha Christieās Mousetrap. The play is set at a remote guesthouse, where seven strangers are trapped by a snowstorm. When a police sergeant arrives to investigate a murder nearby, suspicion is cast in all directions as the strangers are questioned and reveal their sordid pasts.
Mystery, murder, and intrigue will take center stage in Sun City Theatre Companyās summer production of Agatha Christieās Mousetrap.
The play is set at a remote guesthouse, where seven strangers are trapped by a snowstorm. When a police sergeant arrives to investigate a murder nearby, suspicion is cast in all directions as the strangers are questioned and reveal their sordid pasts.
Todd Ary and Mark Stahl, teachers at Heineman Middle School, sent students outside of the classroom and brought history to life for their students. Ary said, āWe invited veterans from the community, allowing students to interview them and show veterans how much their service is valued.ā Sixteen veterans representing the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy branches of service participated in the program.
Todd Ary and Mark Stahl, teachers at Heineman Middle School, sent students outside of the classroom and brought history to life for their students.
Ary said, āWe invited veterans from the community, allowing students to interview them and show veterans how much their service is valued.ā
Sixteen veterans representing the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy branches of service participated in the program.
Russ BeckerĀ finished a castle that took 15 years to build. It was featured in My Sun Day News in June 2022.Ā Since then, residents and friends have encouraged him to keep on building.Ā He has completed nine buildings.Ā Recently, his finished projects included the Pentagon and the St. Louis Arch.Ā
If things had gone differently, tomorrow would have been my 55th wedding anniversary. But as the 18th Century Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote: āThe best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.ā Well, thatās not exactly how he said it. In the words of his place and time, it was: āThe best laid schemes oā Mice anā Men, Gang aft agley, Anā leaāe us nought but grief anā pain, For promisād joy!ā
If things had gone differently, tomorrow would have been my 55th wedding anniversary.
But as the 18th Century Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote: āThe best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.ā
Well, thatās not exactly how he said it. In the words of his place and time, it was: āThe best laid schemes oā Mice anā Men, Gang aft agley, Anā leaāe us nought but grief anā pain, For promisād joy!ā
Jim Eggers, a Sun City resident, has always been passionate about ships and architecture.Ā He recently completed building a historically accurate replica of the Yacht Mary. Eggers said, āI started this project 40 years ago.Ā I purchased this kit, which was a replica of the Yacht Mary.Ā It is 1/54 scale of the original, a gift from Amsterdam for King Charles II. It was not a fighting ship. It was a pleasure ship.ā
Jim Eggers, a Sun City resident, has always been passionate about ships and architecture.Ā He recently completed building a historically accurate replica of the Yacht Mary.
Eggers said, āI started this project 40 years ago.Ā I purchased this kit, which was a replica of the Yacht Mary.Ā It is 1/54 scale of the original, a gift from Amsterdam for King Charles II. It was not a fighting ship. It was a pleasure ship.ā
Everybody knows that smoking is bad for oneās health. Itās also generally recognized that being lonely and socially isolated can be harmful to both our emotional and physical health. But can feeling lonely and isolated really be as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Or drinking six alcoholic drinks a day?
Last week, my family drove off into the west without me. While they went to visit some relatives on my husbandās side of the family, I stayed back, left alone with our dog and a stack of to-do lists for myself. I know myself to be an introvert, but Iām always a little bit shocked, on these rare occasions when Iām left alone, at how much of an introvert I am.Ā
Last week, my family drove off into the west without me. While they went to visit some relatives on my husbandās side of the family, I stayed back, left alone with our dog and a stack of to-do lists for myself.
I know myself to be an introvert, but Iām always a little bit shocked, on these rare occasions when Iām left alone, at how much of an introvert I am.Ā
In life we all have choices to make. Some choices are mundane such as choosing which shirt to wear, figuring out what to make for dinner, or deciding on the next Netflix series to watch. Other choices can be much more difficult, such as at what age to retire, making medical decisions or picking a vacation destination. We also have choices regarding the plants that we grow in our yards. Those choices revolve around flower color, mature height and width, the maintenance required, and the environmental conditions in which the plant grows best. Another factor may be whether the plant is a native or non-native. This column includes a description of native plants, the benefits of planting native plants and resources for those who would like more information.
Nancy has saved the Eggersā household countless millions of dollars by being on every restaurant rewards club mailing list. Most of the time these rewards consist of getting a free small cheese pizza after you purchase 62 large pizzas with all the toppings. However, every once in a while, an email does strike a chord and actually is a good deal. Such was the case when Nancy received an email telling us about āLobster Weekendsā at Bonefish Grill in Algonquin.
Iām facing a delicate family matter thatās been weighing heavily on my mind, and Iām writing to get some advice on what to do. I find myself in a situation where my siblings and I are at odds regarding our parentsā health and the level of care they need. āØOver the past few months, Iāve noticed signs that indicate our parents may require more assistance at home. Simple tasks that they used to handle with see now seem to be increasingly more challenging for them. Despite my concerns, my siblings seem reluctant to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
As summer heat sets in, some dream of heading out to listen to their favorite bands perform. Concerts were the most missed when we were stuck in ascetic hermitage from a certain plague. My first major concert was during Septemberfest: Ramsey Lewis and his band. Those ethereal nights sitting on blankets under the stars. During the last four years, I have been more grateful for those memories than I ever had. A sense of community we all lost has slowly been creeping back in the intervening years. In college, rock shows were a staple of a Saturday night. After watching these two films, a spark of those times flickered in my joy.
Fatherās Day is coming up soon! Feel free to build off of ideas from the Motherās Day article, including ice cream and other experiences. You could even send this to your kids to spoil you! Now letās find out how to celebrate Dad this year!
The 25th Anniversary of Sun City is not just a number, it’s a testament to lots of collective dedication and hard work. Over the past quarter-century, Sun City has transformed into an exceptional resort-style community for active adults aged 55 and over. The lifestyle has evolved, enriched by the addition of events, classes, charter clubs, a myriad of activities, and a 94,000-square-foot clubhouse. With over 5,400 homes spread across 2,200 acres, Sun City Huntley stands as one of the largest and most amenity-rich communities in the region, and a true source of pride for all residents. Ā Ā
Regular visitors to this column learned long ago that the landscape on Planet Kerth is a bitāwell, ābizarreā is too judgmental. Quirky? Twisted? Wonky? Nope. Letās go with askew. I can live with askew.
Regular visitors to this column learned long ago that the landscape on Planet Kerth is a bitāwell, ābizarreā is too judgmental.
Quirky? Twisted? Wonky?
Nope. Letās go with askew. I can live with askew.
Cup stacking, also known as speedstacks, is not just a sport; it’s a thrilling adventure that hones hand-eye coordination, ambidexterity, quickness, and concentration. Speedstacks is a global competition in which players strive to outdo their personal best. This unique activity taps into both sides of their bodies and brains, fostering essential athletic and lifelong skills.
One morning, they were suddenly here. Cicadas lay strewn across our lawn, the driveway, and the sidewalk. They lined the tree trunks in a frozen parade, some leaving their empty shell to keep their place as they flew off to higher heights. We knew they were coming, but it didnāt make it any less jarring to see the tiny holes in the soil where they had suddenly emerged after their 17-year-long buffet of tender tree roots. Theyāre not a welcome sight for many, and cautious homeowners along neighborhood streets have carefully wrapped young saplings in white nets as a way of protecting trees in their infancy from the attack of cicadas.
One morning, they were suddenly here. Cicadas lay strewn across our lawn, the driveway, and the sidewalk. They lined the tree trunks in a frozen parade, some leaving their empty shell to keep their place as they flew off to higher heights.
We knew they were coming, but it didnāt make it any less jarring to see the tiny holes in the soil where they had suddenly emerged after their 17-year-long buffet of tender tree roots. Theyāre not a welcome sight for many, and cautious homeowners along neighborhood streets have carefully wrapped young saplings in white nets as a way of protecting trees in their infancy from the attack of cicadas.
On My 11, Sun City residents answered the request from the Grafton Food Pantry and the United States Postal Service to help stamp out hunger. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and postal workers and the generosity of community members, this year’s food drive once again helped fill the shelves of the Grafton Food Pantry.
It finally happened. It. Finally. Happened. For the past 25 years I have driven through this beautiful community while admiring the hundreds of trees planted along each side of the street. For the first time last week, I admired the gorgeous arches formed as a result of parkway trees, planted on opposites sides of the street, now being tall and wide enough to touch each other. This glorious sight coupled with the wonderful feeling of driving under blocks of majestic trees now mature enough to form a dense canopy was tremendously rewarding. As Del Webbās Sun City Huntley celebrates its 25th year, the trees planted so many years ago are a testament to the residents who have nurtured them for the past two and a half decades.
It finally happened. It. Finally. Happened.
For the past 25 years I have driven through this beautiful community while admiring the hundreds of trees planted along each side of the street. For the first time last week, I admired the gorgeous arches formed as a result of parkway trees, planted on opposites sides of the street, now being tall and wide enough to touch each other. This glorious sight coupled with the wonderful feeling of driving under blocks of majestic trees now mature enough to form a dense canopy was tremendously rewarding. As Del Webbās Sun City Huntley celebrates its 25th year, the trees planted so many years ago are a testament to the residents who have nurtured them for the past two and a half decades.
Hi there, Iām reaching out because I find myself in a bit of a dilemma and could use some guidance. Iām a grandfather who eagerly awaits the summer months when my family comes to visit. We live quite a distance apart, so we only get to see each other about twice a year. Itās a precious time for me, especially since I get to spend time with my grandson, whoās now in his early teens, around 14 years old.
Spring is finally here, and with it, many houses have green and gray stains on their vinyl siding. This is algae, mildew, and mold. It grows best on the north side of the house because that side is away from the sun. It is worse in years with a lot of rain. There is a product that removes these stains with very little work. It is a product called Wet & Forget. It removes mold, mildew, and algae stains gently over time from roofs, concrete, brick, siding, tennis courts, awnings, boat sails, and wood decks without scrubbing or pressure washing.Ā
You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of taste. You are about to enterā¦ the āCantina Zone.ā We wanted to shake up our restaurant reviews and not go to the same old places that have liver and onions as one of their daily specials. Boy did we find it!!! This very eclectic venue is in the downtown Crystal Lake area with a menu that would stump Rod Serling. We are referring to Cantina 52.
You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of taste. You are about to enterā¦ the āCantina Zone.ā
We wanted to shake up our restaurant reviews and not go to the same old places that have liver and onions as one of their daily specials. Boy did we find it!!! This very eclectic venue is in the downtown Crystal Lake area with a menu that would stump Rod Serling. We are referring to Cantina 52.
To paraphrase a great woman, itās summer and I donāt have the slightest clue as to what to watch. With the recent eighty-degree weather, one wants to spend some of this time by a pool curled up with a novel. However sometimes you just want a cool drink and to rest in front of a television in an air-conditioned home. Some recent multiplex offerings havenāt piqued my interest as they should. Most blockbusters arenāt designed to be mentally stimulating.
Letters for the week of May 30.
Inside a pole barn, a dedicated group of aviation enthusiasts has undertaken a monumental endeavor to resurrect a piece of history. The rare B-17E, fondly known as Desert Rat after the name found painted on the side of the planeās fuselage, was initially built as a bomber aircraft delivered to the Army Air Forces on April 14, 1942, before being converted into a cargo plane. The restoration project is led by Desert Ratās owner, Mike Kellner, who first found the plane chopped up into pieces back in 1984 in an overgrown field near Bangor, Maine, according to Desert Rat restoration volunteer, Bill Stanczak.
Inside a pole barn, a dedicated group of aviation enthusiasts has undertaken a monumental endeavor to resurrect a piece of history. The rare B-17E, fondly known as Desert Rat after the name found painted on the side of the planeās fuselage, was initially built as a bomber aircraft delivered to the Army Air Forces on April 14, 1942, before being converted into a cargo plane.
The restoration project is led by Desert Ratās owner, Mike Kellner, who first found the plane chopped up into pieces back in 1984 in an overgrown field near Bangor, Maine, according to Desert Rat restoration volunteer, Bill Stanczak.
Daughters and sons hold close, cherished memories of their mothers, whether it be a trip, a celebration, or a note in a lunch bag. Some are lucky to have special sentimental items. Candi Thuringer has kept some beautiful crocheted items that her mother, Melly, made for her two daughters. Each outfit is a piece of the past. Thuringer said, “My mother crocheted and was a seamstress. Everyone she loved got a beautiful crocheted blanket. We have a special round crochet blanket that is a treasure. She crocheted so many different things for my daughters. My daughters both came home from the hospital in the most beautiful, crocheted blanket woven with hues of soft colors and an outfit that mom had made.”
Daughters and sons hold close, cherished memories of their mothers, whether it be a trip, a celebration, or a note in a lunch bag. Some are lucky to have special sentimental items. Candi Thuringer has kept some beautiful crocheted items that her mother, Melly, made for her two daughters. Each outfit is a piece of the past.
Thuringer said, “My mother crocheted and was a seamstress. Everyone she loved got a beautiful crocheted blanket. We have a special round crochet blanket that is a treasure. She crocheted so many different things for my daughters. My daughters both came home from the hospital in the most beautiful, crocheted blanket woven with hues of soft colors and an outfit that mom had made.”
My husband carter and I saw an article in a magazine in 1985/86 that Del Webb offered three-day getaways in their communities that we could visit. We stayed in a home with a golf cart and gave us an idea to help us decide if we wanted to retire in their community. We drove and stayed in many Del Webb communities – Arizona, California, South Carolina, and Florida, and we enjoyed all our stays but when we returned home to Schaumburg, Illinois we knew we wanted to stay here in Illinois for our golden years with our family.
