MY SUN DAY NEWS
I lost a ham today. I know thatās not the kind of confession you expect to hear every day, but there it is: Today, I lost a ham. āHow does someone lose a ham?ā my friend Anne asked when I told her.
I lost a ham today.
I know thatās not the kind of confession you expect to hear every day, but there it is:
Today, I lost a ham.
āHow does someone lose a ham?ā my friend Anne asked when I told her.
Iād like to thank Elon Musk for purchasing Twitter. Ahem ā I mean āX.ā
As soon as Elon Musk walked into Twitterās headquarters carrying a sink (the caption to the video read, āWalking into Twitter HQ. Let that sink in,ā) it was clear that Musk was more concerned with crafting Dad-jokey quips than he was about making the platform better, or at the very least keeping it clear from hate speech and disinformation.
A vital component of any thriving community is the willingness of residents to donate their time. Bonnie Bayser is a prime example. She rolled up her sleeves when she moved to Sun City in 2003. Her willingness to get involved and commitment to the community has been constant.
Bayser said, “I like to keep busy. The first committee I volunteered for was the Activity Committee, now Lifestyle. I have been on the Facility Advisory Committee, Fitness, Election, Liaison to Modifications, Wellness, and currently on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee.”
The Blue Zones ā theyāve been in the news lately, especially with the recent 4-part Netflix airing of āLive To Be 100 – Secrets of the Blue Zones.ā Magazine articles, podcasts, and videos have been popping up discussing virtues of the Blue Zone diet and healthy habits from PBS to Forbes and Newsweek. So what are the Blue Zones?
The Blue Zones ā theyāve been in the news lately, especially with the recent 4-part Netflix airing of āLive To Be 100 – Secrets of the Blue Zones.ā Magazine articles, podcasts, and videos have been popping up discussing virtues of the Blue Zone diet and healthy habits from PBS to Forbes and Newsweek.
So what are the Blue Zones?
Since 1968, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has provided free tax help to over 78 million taxpayers, focusing on older adults. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.Ā Andy Snarski, local coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers in Huntley, is helping seniors file tax returns electronically.Ā Heartland Bank has provided space in the lower building level at 12101 Regency Pkwy, Huntley, IL.
Since 1968, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has provided free tax help to over 78 million taxpayers, focusing on older adults. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.Ā
Andy Snarski, local coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers in Huntley, is helping seniors file tax returns electronically.Ā Heartland Bank has provided space in the lower building level at 12101 Regency Pkwy, Huntley, IL.
When raising my children, I emphasized that you donāt take no for an answer. You overcome your obstacles, create opportunities, and persevere through situations. While respecting rules is always the way forward, you donāt necessarily need to listen to what other people tell you is or isnāt possible. I say all that in preparation for telling you what is or isnāt possible in your own yard.
Being the consummate foodies that we are, there is a meat market on Route 47 in downtown Elburn that we love to take a road trip to. We usually have a few items on our shopping list, but we always wind up buying lots of other ānecessities.ā These include four different kinds of hot dogs, bratwurst, thuringer, and pre-made pork schnitzel which is to die for. This shopping spree usually works up quite an appetite, so we decided to go a little further to Sugar Grove to try the Fireside Grille.
A complete tragedy; that is the phrase you hear when someone or something is overlooked for accolades. Awards, of any kind, are fickle and subjective. Prizes for art have always felt a bit stranger: what makes this piece better than that? Critics have brought up some under-appreciated films recently, some of which I agree. Past Lives was one of my favorites of last year but earned some Oscar nods. May December only got one. Priscilla and Fallen Leaves both got a big goose egg. My recommendation this week though; this was criminal.
Iāve been an avid reader of your columns and your expertise has always provided valuable guidance. Today, I find myself in need of some advice as Iām about to undergo surgery followed by a short-term rehab stay. It’s a bit daunting, I admit, but I’m trying to approach it with a positive mindset.
St.Patrickās Day is just a few weeks away! March 17th, to be exact. There is so much to do! Shop, eat, and learn some fun facts along the way this St. Patrickās Day!
Sometimes, getting a lift might come with wings. Angel Flight Central (AFC) is located in the Midwest, but collaborates coast-to-coast, helping people in need by arranging charitable flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes. The chapter serves Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. David Shadle, a Sun City resident and retired pilot, was instrumental in starting the Great Lakes Wing of AFC. He is a charter member of Angel Flights and a volunteer pilot.
Sometimes, getting a lift might come with wings.
Angel Flight Central (AFC) is located in the Midwest, but collaborates coast-to-coast, helping people in need by arranging charitable flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes. The chapter serves Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana.
David Shadle, a Sun City resident and retired pilot, was instrumental in starting the Great Lakes Wing of AFC. He is a charter member of Angel Flights and a volunteer pilot.
I hope you had a pleasant Valentineās Day last week. For me it was a nightmare.
I hope you had a pleasant Valentineās Day last week.
For me it was a nightmare.
If youāve waited in line to take a class, itās probably one taught by Karen Czerwinski and Linda Dungey. Their Sun City class often had a waiting list. Residents registered monthly to create handmade cards for all occasions. Czerwinski and Dungey taught their last class in November 2023. Their creativity and hard work preparing for great classes will be missed. A Sun City resident, Chris Wojtas, said, āKaren and Linda, our previous teachers, were wonderful, and we were sorry to see them retire.ā Class attendees were happy to see that in the November Lifestyles Magazine, a greeting card class taught by Jane Hancock was starting in January 2024.
If youāve waited in line to take a class, itās probably one taught by Karen Czerwinski and Linda Dungey. Their Sun City class often had a waiting list. Residents registered monthly to create handmade cards for all occasions. Czerwinski and Dungey taught their last class in November 2023. Their creativity and hard work preparing for great classes will be missed. A Sun City resident, Chris Wojtas, said, āKaren and Linda, our previous teachers, were wonderful, and we were sorry to see them retire.ā
Class attendees were happy to see that in the November Lifestyles Magazine, a greeting card class taught by Jane Hancock was starting in January 2024.
Sun City resident Cheryl Ross has been bitten by the crafting bug. “I never had time before retirement,ā she said. āI came here and took a class on a Cricut machine. I thought, āI canāt do this.ā It’s too complicated.” But then, Ross got a Cricut Explorer and started crafting.
Sun City resident Cheryl Ross has been bitten by the crafting bug.
“I never had time before retirement,ā she said. āI came here and took a class on a Cricut machine. I thought, āI canāt do this.ā It’s too complicated.”
But then, Ross got a Cricut Explorer and started crafting.
Iāve been thinking about dread lately, namely how much Iām dreading these months leading up to our next presidential election. I dread the endless rhetoric, the talking heads regurgitating empty promises and attacks and criticisms ad nauseum to fill the hungry belly of the 24-hour news cycle. I dread the ads, the bumper stickers, the way I will sidestep social conversations about politics like Iām tiptoeing through a minefield. Even the word ādreadā sort of sits in the mouth like a lump of wet clay and falls out with a thud.
Iāve been thinking about dread lately, namely how much Iām dreading these months leading up to our next presidential election. I dread the endless rhetoric, the talking heads regurgitating empty promises and attacks and criticisms ad nauseum to fill the hungry belly of the 24-hour news cycle. I dread the ads, the bumper stickers, the way I will sidestep social conversations about politics like Iām tiptoeing through a minefield.
Even the word ādreadā sort of sits in the mouth like a lump of wet clay and falls out with a thud.
Last January, the Village Board approved a resolution expressing Huntleyās intent to sell the former village hall building located at 11704 Coral Street. Per the resolution, the building would be sold to a private developer subject to a redevelopment agreement for the conversion and expansion of the existing office building into a restaurant use. At the direction of the village board, staff have been in the process of finalizing a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Redevelopment Agreement with True North Properties, Inc. to accommodate the conversion of the former village hall to a restaurant use.
Last January, the Village Board approved a resolution expressing Huntleyās intent to sell the former village hall building located at 11704 Coral Street. Per the resolution, the building would be sold to a private developer subject to a redevelopment agreement for the conversion and expansion of the existing office building into a restaurant use.
At the direction of the village board, staff have been in the process of finalizing a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Redevelopment Agreement with True North Properties, Inc. to accommodate the conversion of the former village hall to a restaurant use.
Getting a puppy is fun and exciting. However, once she comes home, thatās when the fun begins. First thing: housebreaking. We hung a string of bells on the patio door and taught Rosie to ring them when she has to go out. Unfortunately, she loves the outside and rings those bells every 15 minutes. If we donāt take her out, she sits in front of us and looks at us as if to say, ādo you feel luckyā?
Chris, my husband, and I have been updating our home this winter. As we have lived here for over 20 years, it was time for the inside of our home to be refreshed. Our gold fixtures are being replaced with brushed nickel, we are installing hardwood flooring in place of carpeting and the beige walls are being painted over with shades of grey. While we arenāt trendy people, it does feel good to be making these improvements. The inside of our home will soon reflect the beauty that we have created on the outside. Just as there are interior design home trends, there are also gardening trends. Here is a preview of the top gardening trends for 2024.
Greetings all, we are about to head into another month with still no movies to choose from. The theaters have been inundated with schlock. All of this done, presumably, pull focus onto Oscar pics before the big ceremony. The strikes in Hollywood have started to show their consequences. Luckily, streaming has been picking up the slack with prestige miniseries, harkening back to the days when network television would break up the monotony of their scripted dramas and sitcoms. So, letās liven this very strange season shall we?
Iām reaching out as a daughter who is facing a unique challenge with my elderly parents, and I could use some advice. My primary concern revolves around my momās reluctance to get dressed. This situation is complicated by her dementia diagnosis and is ultimately hindering my dadās ability to leave the house. My mom doesn’t feel up to getting dressed, and my dad often has to miss out on family events as a result. He asks me to convince her to get dressed so they can go out together. It saddens me that they’re missing out on things and we don’t know how much time we have left with them.
Iām reaching out as a daughter who is facing a unique challenge with my elderly parents, and I could use some advice. My primary concern revolves around my momās reluctance to get dressed. This situation is complicated by her dementia diagnosis and is ultimately hindering my dadās ability to leave the house.
My mom doesn’t feel up to getting dressed, and my dad often has to miss out on family events as a result. He asks me to convince her to get dressed so they can go out together. It saddens me that they’re missing out on things and we don’t know how much time we have left with them.
When I saw shoes left by a loved one who had passed on, I felt sudden grief.
Today, in a world of internet dating, life and relationships arenāt always easy. Mike and Cathy Verzal met in childhood over 60 years ago and have stayed the course. It all began when Mikeās family chose to build their new home on Longview Court in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Cathy and her family, the Shorts, already lived on this street and were curious about who their new neighbors would be. Cathy said, āI watched the Verzalsā new home being built along with my brothers and sister and the other neighborhood kids.ā
Today, in a world of internet dating, life and relationships arenāt always easy. Mike and Cathy Verzal met in childhood over 60 years ago and have stayed the course.
It all began when Mikeās family chose to build their new home on Longview Court in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Cathy and her family, the Shorts, already lived on this street and were curious about who their new neighbors would be.
Cathy said, āI watched the Verzalsā new home being built along with my brothers and sister and the other neighborhood kids.ā
Is she gone yet? Is January out of earshot, so we can talk behind her back? Before December is even over, I get excited about hanging out with January. I start making lists well before the turn of the calendar, to be ready when she comes. I plan out all the fun things weāre going to do together: exercise, self-care, healthy eating, budgeting, family time, career goals.
Is she gone yet? Is January out of earshot, so we can talk behind her back?
Before December is even over, I get excited about hanging out with January. I start making lists well before the turn of the calendar, to be ready when she comes. I plan out all the fun things weāre going to do together: exercise, self-care, healthy eating, budgeting, family time, career goals.
āØDick Storer, President of the Sun City Theater Company charter club, began his acting career with a laugh from the audience. Storer said, “My daughter is involved in the theatre community. She came to me and said, āDad, I need one more guy for this production.ā I agreed. I had one line to say. It was a funny line. When I performed and said that one line, I heard someone laugh, which hooked me. That was in 2001. I worked a lot behind the scenes. Each person on stage takes about three people behind the scenes.”
āØDick Storer, President of the Sun City Theater Company charter club, began his acting career with a laugh from the audience.
Storer said, “My daughter is involved in the theatre community. She came to me and said, āDad, I need one more guy for this production.ā I agreed. I had one line to say. It was a funny line. When I performed and said that one line, I heard someone laugh, which hooked me. That was in 2001. I worked a lot behind the scenes. Each person on stage takes about three people behind the scenes.”
You probably donāt need to hear this from me, but Iāll say it anyway: Keep an eye out for what your kids are reading, especially if theyāre younger than 12 or so. Unfortunately, many newly enacted laws in places like Texas, Florida and Missouri misinterpret that advice and take it to unhealthy extremes.
You probably donāt need to hear this from me, but Iāll say it anyway: Keep an eye out for what your kids are reading, especially if theyāre younger than 12 or so.
Unfortunately, many newly enacted laws in places like Texas, Florida and Missouri misinterpret that advice and take it to unhealthy extremes.
Father Bakkelund passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, while under hospice care in Batavia. He was born on April 5, 1984, in Rockford, IL, to Gary D. Bakkelund and Pamela L. May. His first assignment in 2011 was at St. Mary Parish, Huntley. Father Bakkelund will be missed by many residents who remember him fondly. Chris Wojtas, Sun City resident, and a St. Maryās Parish member, said, āHis personality was bigger than life, and you always felt welcome around him as if he opened his arms to receive you.ā
Since February is National Heart Health Month, it seems fitting to focus on whatās new for our hard-working, blood-pumping muscle and one common condition that makes those hearts work even harder: hypertension (high blood pressure). That is why the announcement about a drug that could treat high blood pressure with a twice-a-year injection is big news. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) listed research on this drug, Zilebesirin, as number one on its annual list of top advances in cardiovascular disease research for 2023. The announcement, though, is somewhat of the good news/bad news variety.
Since February is National Heart Health Month, it seems fitting to focus on whatās new for our hard-working, blood-pumping muscle and one common condition that makes those hearts work even harder: hypertension (high blood pressure). That is why the announcement about a drug that could treat high blood pressure with a twice-a-year injection is big news.
In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) listed research on this drug, Zilebesirin, as number one on its annual list of top advances in cardiovascular disease research for 2023. The announcement, though, is somewhat of the good news/bad news variety.
Plans for a Tacos Jerez Mexican Restaurant are being finalized to take over the former Burger King building located at 12262 Route 47. With the new business anticipating the utilization of the existing dual drive-thru lanes, it can make one wonder if the increase in traffic and congestion really makes the convenience worth it. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the only way many food establishments thrived was through drive-thrus since indoor seating areas were shut down. According to a CNN article, drive-thru sales hit $133 billion in 2022, which was reported as a 30% increase from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Plans for a Tacos Jerez Mexican Restaurant are being finalized to take over the former Burger King building located at 12262 Route 47. With the new business anticipating the utilization of the existing dual drive-thru lanes, it can make one wonder if the increase in traffic and congestion really makes the convenience worth it.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the only way many food establishments thrived was through drive-thrus since indoor seating areas were shut down. According to a CNN article, drive-thru sales hit $133 billion in 2022, which was reported as a 30% increase from 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Sometimes social media can be a good thing. We discovered that there was a new Portilloās open on Randall Road in Algonquin. We are addicted to their chocolate cake and have waited in the drive through for half an hour just to get a couple of slices. While in line, we noticed that right next door was another new restaurant called Cooperās Hawk Winery and Restaurant. It was lunch time and we were hungry, so after buying our cake, we went next door for lunch.
As a rather recent widow, I find myself grappling with a sense of profound loneliness as Valentineās Day approaches. The holiday serves as a stark reminder of my spouseās absence. The world around me seems to amplify the focus on romantic love, and although I recognize that others deserve a day to celebrate their love, it only accentuates the feelings of loneliness of emptiness in my heart.
