MY SUN DAY NEWS
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving as we head into the thick of holiday season. Gift shopping and festive gatherings mingle and jostle for our attention amid a flurry of friends, family, and significant others. And with the shortened time span between the last shindig and the next, it’s enough to leave your head spinning. Plus with the polar blast we had this past week, you might not want to leave the house in the bitter evenings. For that, I have some viewing recommendations that are both entertaining and seeking some awards attention.
About seven years ago, Sun City resident Ken Kenny started seriously looking into his ancestry and meticulously following the trail where documents led him.
Kenny said, “I started in 2017, and when I retired, I devoted much time to it. It was like fitting puzzle pieces. I was cautious. You can’t trust everything. It gets complicated with marriages, but it’s satisfying when it’s right.”
The old adage says that if we love something, we should set it free.
That saying runs through my mind these days, as I take my high school daughter to tour prospective colleges. For one day, she tries each campus on like an outfit, checking to see if it’s the right fit.
I blame the good people at Empire Flooring for sucking all the joy out of vacuuming. To be clear, I found the Empire team all to be good people when they came to rip out the carpets in my house and replace them with laminate flooring. Those weary, well-weathered carpets were long overdue to be replaced, and just watching the Empire team pull them up made me want to call a hazmat team as a backup.
I blame the good people at Empire Flooring for sucking all the joy out of vacuuming.
To be clear, I found the Empire team all to be good people when they came to rip out the carpets in my house and replace them with laminate flooring. Those weary, well-weathered carpets were long overdue to be replaced, and just watching the Empire team pull them up made me want to call a hazmat team as a backup.
Woodchuck members brought back ribbons from the Illinois State Fair, which took place this year in mid-August. The awards were quite notable. Ed Cuttle won the prestigious “Best of Show” Best Exhibit in Crafts for the second year. Mike Shortridge, Vice-President of the Woodchucks, said, “When Ed won last year the ‘Best of Show’ we were excited, but this year’s win validates the workmanship, quality and beauty of the submitted pieces.”
Woodchuck members brought back ribbons from the Illinois State Fair, which took place this year in mid-August.
The awards were quite notable.
Ed Cuttle won the prestigious “Best of Show” Best Exhibit in Crafts for the second year. Mike Shortridge, Vice-President of the Woodchucks, said, “When Ed won last year the ‘Best of Show’ we were excited, but this year’s win validates the workmanship, quality and beauty of the submitted pieces.”
Ninety-five members from the Huntley community, many from Sun City, belong to the Huntley Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (HCPAAA). President of HCPAAA, Pamela Cortez, said, “Our role is to create a safer community through enhanced communication and partnerships between the citizens and the police through education. All our members are required to take the Citizen Police Academy (CPA). Citizen’s Police Academy course offered by the Huntley Police Department.”
Ninety-five members from the Huntley community, many from Sun City, belong to the Huntley Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (HCPAAA).
President of HCPAAA, Pamela Cortez, said, “Our role is to create a safer community through enhanced communication and partnerships between the citizens and the police through education. All our members are required to take the Citizen Police Academy (CPA). Citizen’s Police Academy course offered by the Huntley Police Department.”
The Prairie Singers are back again to help ring in “The Warmth of the Holidays.” The renowned Sun City Prairie Singers, a large bass, tenor, alto, and soprano choral group with a membership of 85, will perform their holiday concert on December 14, at 1 p.m. at the Huntley High School auditorium. This is a rare opportunity to witness their biannual performance.
The Prairie Singers are back again to help ring in “The Warmth of the Holidays.”
The renowned Sun City Prairie Singers, a large bass, tenor, alto, and soprano choral group with a membership of 85, will perform their holiday concert on December 14, at 1 p.m. at the Huntley High School auditorium. This is a rare opportunity to witness their biannual performance.
It was a beautiful fall afternoon. The leaves on the trees were changing colors and the air was fresh and crisp. We just finished taking down our Halloween decorations and our stomachs started to grumble. Our friends told us about a restaurant in Sycamore. We sped off to Nat’s on Maple to have lunch and check out the fall colors.
Hello, dear readers, I expected to be writing a very different topic this week. But due to events out of my control I wasn’t able to get to the subject I had in mind. That being said, the emotionally heavy story of Disclaimer also became a deterrent. However, I may get back to it in the future. But, for now, I would like to touch on something that has been speculated over and over again: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I’m an elderly husband caring for my wife, who has dementia, and I’m facing a challenge that I hope you can help with. Her condition seems to be worsening, and one of the difficulties we’re encountering is getting her dressed each day.
Happy Fall Y’all! Have fun exploring some of the most exciting fall treats inspired by social media buzz!
Recently, I visited the home of my niece and nephew. Their home is full of love and vibrancy. They have two children under the age of two, a handful of chickens running around in their backyard, both work full time and still found time to host a party. As is frequently the case, we spent much of the time talking in the kitchen. While in the kitchen, I couldn’t help but notice a beautiful vegetable garden. Yes, inside the kitchen. As our outdoor gardens have stopped producing vegetables, fruits and herbs their hydroponic gardening system provided us cherry tomatoes for lunch.
The Theatre Company of Sun City will bring the beloved musical, Fiddler on the Roof, to the Drendel Ballroom stage this month. Through humor, warmth, and hauntingly beautiful music, Fiddler transports the audience to the Russian shtetl of Anatevka in 1905, where Tevye, the Jewish milkman, tries to make ends meet while doing his best to keep his family together, trying to balance heading up a household with five daughters and a headstrong wife without casting aside long-held traditions. As the daughters grow up and reach marrying age, Tevye must pick his battles. Carol Finckle reprises the role of Golde, the brusque and long-suffering wife of Tevye. Finckle portrayed Golde on the Sun City stage before, 18 years ago. She says she is thrilled to return to the role for Fiddler, which she considers a timeless, timely, and important staple of musical theater.
The Theatre Company of Sun City will bring the beloved musical, Fiddler on the Roof, to the Drendel Ballroom stage this month. Through humor, warmth, and hauntingly beautiful music, Fiddler transports the audience to the Russian shtetl of Anatevka in 1905, where Tevye, the Jewish milkman, tries to make ends meet while doing his best to keep his family together, trying to balance heading up a household with five daughters and a headstrong wife without casting aside long-held traditions. As the daughters grow up and reach marrying age, Tevye must pick his battles.
Carol Finckle reprises the role of Golde, the brusque and long-suffering wife of Tevye. Finckle portrayed Golde on the Sun City stage before, 18 years ago. She says she is thrilled to return to the role for Fiddler, which she considers a timeless, timely, and important staple of musical theater.
It was a weeknight, and I was chopping vegetables for dinner when my husband burst through the door. “I thought of a new concept for my students,” he told me. As I continued chopping, he described that during band rehearsal, he wanted his students to “let go” and get a louder, fuller, freer sound. “I told them, ‘I need you to care while also not caring,’” he said. I stopped chopping. My knife hovered mid-air, while I tried to make sense of this phrase.
It was a weeknight, and I was chopping vegetables for dinner when my husband burst through the door. “I thought of a new concept for my students,” he told me.
As I continued chopping, he described that during band rehearsal, he wanted his students to “let go” and get a louder, fuller, freer sound.
“I told them, ‘I need you to care while also not caring,’” he said.
I stopped chopping. My knife hovered mid-air, while I tried to make sense of this phrase.
This year, Sun City resident Dino Micheli was one of several veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Micheli shared, “My trip was four days and three nights, and it was the trip of a lifetime. It was an experience that moved me to tears, a journey that touched my heart in ways I never thought possible.” Micheli recounts his transformative journey to Washington, D.C., with other veterans on the honor flight.
This year, Sun City resident Dino Micheli was one of several veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Micheli shared, “My trip was four days and three nights, and it was the trip of a lifetime. It was an experience that moved me to tears, a journey that touched my heart in ways I never thought possible.”
Micheli recounts his transformative journey to Washington, D.C., with other veterans on the honor flight.
Spoiler alert: I just had my first-ever long-overdue colonoscopy, and because this column is an open-window drapes-pulled-wide account of my life, of course I had to write about it. If you’ve endured colonoscopies before and never want to hear another gruesome word about it, I urge you to turn the page, enjoy the rest of your chocolate pudding cup, and read the Dining Duo column, which always examines meals as entrées and never as exits.
Spoiler alert: I just had my first-ever long-overdue colonoscopy, and because this column is an open-window drapes-pulled-wide account of my life, of course I had to write about it.
If you’ve endured colonoscopies before and never want to hear another gruesome word about it, I urge you to turn the page, enjoy the rest of your chocolate pudding cup, and read the Dining Duo column, which always examines meals as entrées and never as exits.
Sun City Veterans Charter Club visited the BraveHearts facility in Harvard on this October. Since 2007, BraveHearts has been nationally recognized for providing equine-assisted services to veterans, primarily in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and extends beyond the local community serving veterans nationwide. Equine services provide veterans emotional, cognitive, social, and physical benefits. Veterans at BraveHearts have reported benefits including increased self-esteem, self-worth, trust for others, and community integration and decreased depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder attacks, and self-inflicting thoughts. Ken Kalscheur, President of the Veterans Charter Club, shared his enthusiasm.
Sun City Veterans Charter Club visited the BraveHearts facility in Harvard on this October. Since 2007, BraveHearts has been nationally recognized for providing equine-assisted services to veterans, primarily in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and extends beyond the local community serving veterans nationwide. Equine services provide veterans emotional, cognitive, social, and physical benefits. Veterans at BraveHearts have reported benefits including increased self-esteem, self-worth, trust for others, and community integration and decreased depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder attacks, and self-inflicting thoughts.
Ken Kalscheur, President of the Veterans Charter Club, shared his enthusiasm.
The Huntley Rotary Club was chartered on May 17, 2000, and has contributed to many worthwhile projects locally and worldwide. Jim Uszler, Sun City resident and member of the Rotary Club, said, “Just recently, we held a coat drive for the Grafton Food Pantry patrons who need coats.”
The Huntley Rotary Club was chartered on May 17, 2000, and has contributed to many worthwhile projects locally and worldwide.
Jim Uszler, Sun City resident and member of the Rotary Club, said, “Just recently, we held a coat drive for the Grafton Food Pantry patrons who need coats.”
Really? Any activity is better for your heart than sitting — even sleeping. The headline above was the title of a Nov. 2023 research study on the relationship between health and exercise which has since been collaborated by other studies this year. The study provided some surprising, but reassuring, news about heart health and exercise. It turns out that indeed replacing sitting with as little as a few minutes of moderate exercise can definitely improve heart health — and it doesn’t take much!
Really? Any activity is better for your heart than sitting — even sleeping.
The headline above was the title of a Nov. 2023 research study on the relationship between health and exercise which has since been collaborated by other studies this year. The study provided some surprising, but reassuring, news about heart health and exercise. It turns out that indeed replacing sitting with as little as a few minutes of moderate exercise can definitely improve heart health — and it doesn’t take much!
Secret societies have always held a special place within our imagination. The notion of something being withheld, that denial ignites curiosity. Countless movies and TV shows expound on these subjects ranging from the CIA to the Illuminati (the thirst is there whether it is real or not). But recently the papacy, in particular the Vatican, has been the target of increased fictional interest. With “The New Pope” and “Spotlight,” these sacred cloisters have been opened up to us in a multitude of ways.
Hi there, I’m a senior veteran reaching out for some guidance on how a homecare company might be able to assist me with my unique situation. I’m currently managing several health issues, including mobility challenges and the need for careful medication management. While my family does their best to support me, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to manage everything on my own. I’m in need of more consistent and professional help to handle daily activities, monitor my health, and provide personal care.
Hi there, I’m a senior veteran reaching out for some guidance on how a homecare company might be able to assist me with my unique situation.
I’m currently managing several health issues, including mobility challenges and the need for careful medication management. While my family does their best to support me, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to manage everything on my own. I’m in need of more consistent and professional help to handle daily activities, monitor my health, and provide personal care.
Huntley has been selected as a stop on the new Chicago to Rockford train line. Since our “station” in life is to be your timely restaurant critics, we “engineer” our articles and try to keep them “on track” even if we have to “blow the whistle” on some of the restaurants. Our “next stop” will be near the Cary “depot” and dining at the Tracks Bar and Grill.
Have you ever been in a situation where you just pretend things are a bit better than they actually are? Perhaps a doctor’s appointment was delayed and you are really hungry because you haven’t had anything to eat for hours. When the doctor comes into the room to apologize, you, of course, say “It’s ok. I’m fine.” Perhaps after taking your dog for a walk, your knees ache a bit and your neighbor asks if you are ok. “It’s ok. I’m fine” is of course the answer. As humans, we always try to put our best foot forward but don’t always let everyone know the price we pay for those actions. The plants in our yards are putting their metaphorical best feet forward with an abundance of fall color and gorgeous fall flowers. They are paying an incredibly high price though because what they are not telling us, yet, is that their roots are surrounded by dry soil.
Letters for the week of November 7.
Lucy Tracy, a Sun City resident, loves Halloween. What she loves even more is decorating for Halloween with specific items and designers she loves. “I can’t resist Mary Engelbreit, a favorite for Halloween and other holidays,” Tracy said. Mary Engelbreit is a famous artist and illustrator known for her whimsical drawings and inspirational quotes that have appeared on various products for over 40 years. Tracy is a supportive fan.
Lucy Tracy, a Sun City resident, loves Halloween. What she loves even more is decorating for Halloween with specific items and designers she loves.
“I can’t resist Mary Engelbreit, a favorite for Halloween and other holidays,” Tracy said.
Mary Engelbreit is a famous artist and illustrator known for her whimsical drawings and inspirational quotes that have appeared on various products for over 40 years. Tracy is a supportive fan.
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, recently issued an advisory about the mental health and well-being of parents. Research shows that 33% of parents reported experiencing high stress in the last month compared to 20% of other adults. This got my attention. The only other Surgeon General’s advisory I can think of is the one on cigarette cartons. But parenting? Is it true that parenting is hazardous to our health?
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, recently issued an advisory about the mental health and well-being of parents. Research shows that 33% of parents reported experiencing high stress in the last month compared to 20% of other adults.
This got my attention. The only other Surgeon General’s advisory I can think of is the one on cigarette cartons. But parenting? Is it true that parenting is hazardous to our health?
Todd Ary, a teacher at Heineman Middle School, invited Sun City residents to sit down with students and discuss how things were different or similar when they were beginning their teen years. Ary said, “We needed 10-12 men or women for a two-day interview commitment to a new project at Heineman Middle School.” Among the Sun City residents who generously shared their unique experiences were Jill McCarron, Todd Kate, Esther Skeggs, Alex Schank, Adrianne Kaplan, Kenn Ellis, Ken Such, Duane Fontana, Bob Olesen, and Nedra Reeves.
Todd Ary, a teacher at Heineman Middle School, invited Sun City residents to sit down with students and discuss how things were different or similar when they were beginning their teen years.
Ary said, “We needed 10-12 men or women for a two-day interview commitment to a new project at Heineman Middle School.”
Among the Sun City residents who generously shared their unique experiences were Jill McCarron, Todd Kate, Esther Skeggs, Alex Schank, Adrianne Kaplan, Kenn Ellis, Ken Such, Duane Fontana, Bob Olesen, and Nedra Reeves.
I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Woodstock to renew my driver’s license last week, and I asked the young lady behind the desk a question I had never asked before: “My license says I’m an organ donor, but do organs ever ‘time out’ past a certain age?” I thought it was a logical question to ask, because if there is such an age, I must surely be creeping up on it — if I hadn’t already slid past it.
I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Woodstock to renew my driver’s license last week, and I asked the young lady behind the desk a question I had never asked before: “My license says I’m an organ donor, but do organs ever ‘time out’ past a certain age?”
I thought it was a logical question to ask, because if there is such an age, I must surely be creeping up on it — if I hadn’t already slid past it.
Bob Geiss and Cynthia Church, residents of Sun City, are actors with the Theatre Company of Sun City. Recently, they received an opportunity to play minor roles in a short feature film, The Vision, set in the Delavan, Wisconsin, area. The film is produced by The Creative Wisconsin Filmmakers, a group trying to encourage more filmmaking in southern Wisconsin. Geiss was introduced to the producer, Mark Roling, through a friend. Roling has worked with Hollywood stars, including Clint Eastwood, on films like The Bridges of Madison County. Roling was interested in casting Geiss in the movie.
Bob Geiss and Cynthia Church, residents of Sun City, are actors with the Theatre Company of Sun City. Recently, they received an opportunity to play minor roles in a short feature film, The Vision, set in the Delavan, Wisconsin, area. The film is produced by The Creative Wisconsin Filmmakers, a group trying to encourage more filmmaking in southern Wisconsin.
Geiss was introduced to the producer, Mark Roling, through a friend. Roling has worked with Hollywood stars, including Clint Eastwood, on films like The Bridges of Madison County. Roling was interested in casting Geiss in the movie.
The following story, sadly to say, is absolutely true. It is not exaggerated or fabricated. Please read on. Our 50th wedding anniversary was almost upon us. We decided to go “all out” in celebrating this momentous occasion. After much reflection, we chose to book a river cruise, mainly because we fit their passenger demographics and there is an abundance of beautiful scenery to view while sailing. The location for this dream cruise was to be in Europe and start in Prague with a two-day hotel stay, and then bussed to Nuremburg to set sail down the beautiful Danube River all the way to Budapest, stopping in Regensburg, Passau, Engelhartszell, Krems, Vienna and Budapest. We reserved the cruise, booked our flights, (we were even able to use our mileage points on our flights) and visions of Medieval Castles and old European architecture danced in our heads.
The following story, sadly to say, is absolutely true. It is not exaggerated or fabricated. Please read on.
Our 50th wedding anniversary was almost upon us. We decided to go “all out” in celebrating this momentous occasion. After much reflection, we chose to book a river cruise, mainly because we fit their passenger demographics and there is an abundance of beautiful scenery to view while sailing. The location for this dream cruise was to be in Europe and start in Prague with a two-day hotel stay, and then bussed to Nuremburg to set sail down the beautiful Danube River all the way to Budapest, stopping in Regensburg, Passau, Engelhartszell, Krems, Vienna and Budapest. We reserved the cruise, booked our flights, (we were even able to use our mileage points on our flights) and visions of Medieval Castles and old European architecture danced in our heads.
