MY SUN DAY NEWS
The immediate neighborhood serves as a satisfactory landscape on weekdays for morning and evening walks with the dog, but on the weekend, the forest calls. As soon as I step onto a curved path winding through the trees, my lungs begin to tingle; I gulp the air laced with the perfume of soil and wood and leaves in various stages of birth, life, and decay. I can’t get enough of it! Even bare branches teem with life.
Today is February 23 — one of the least-sexy days of the year.
Of course, “sexy” can be defined in different metaphorical ways. If by “sexy” you mean “important or exciting,” then there’s plenty of sexy to go around on this date in history.
Caring for houseplants has always been a bit of a struggle for me. This winter, I have tried to educate myself as to how to care for them properly. Thankfully I found the book Tiny Plants: Discover the joys of growing and collecting itty-bitty houseplants by Leslie Halleck. It is a mix of beautiful pictures, funny observations and wonderful advice. For this column, I am interviewing the author.
The Dining Duo is getting old, and like the commercial says, we are starting to become our parents. We must admit, we now eat our main meal at 1:00 in the afternoon and try to be back in the safe confines of our beloved Del Webb before dark.
With a spate of disappointing releases in theaters, nothing displeases me more than to tell you all not to head out. Theaters are hurting for business at this moment and it pains me to say that. Hopefully I will have more choices in the following issue for your next trip. For now, that same cinematic experience can be had on television these days. Whether you peruse cable or streaming those big stars and grand production values haven’t been sacrificed.
I am writing to express my concern about my aging parents. They are in their late 80s and continue to live independently in their own home. However, I’ve been noticing some changes to their well-being that have me worried. My mom has some memory issues, as I’ve observed her experiencing increased forgetfulness and mood swings. My dad’s memory is intact, but he seems to struggle with everyday household tasks. I understand that aging can bring about these changes, but I feel that it’s time I address them promptly.
Letters for the week of February 23.
The power of first love. This is a story of reunited high school sweethearts. Cliff and Linda Dungey, Sun City residents, were high school sweethearts. Then, they spent a lifetime apart. Now, they’ve found their way back to each other. Linda said, “We met in high school. I was in the choir, and he was in the orchestra. I was on stage performing in Annie Get Your Gun and I looked down at the boy playing the cello and thought he’s kind of cute.”
The power of first love. This is a story of reunited high school sweethearts.
Cliff and Linda Dungey, Sun City residents, were high school sweethearts. Then, they spent a lifetime apart. Now, they’ve found their way back to each other.
Linda said, “We met in high school. I was in the choir, and he was in the orchestra. I was on stage performing in Annie Get Your Gun and I looked down at the boy playing the cello and thought he’s kind of cute.”
When I was in high school, I remember learning about sharecropping and the New Deal. Although, “learning” isn’t quite right. What’s more correct is I remember my history teacher talking about sharecropping and the New Deal, but I wasn’t learning much of anything because I wasn’t paying attention. To me, he was just yawning on about another boring historical moment. I was a bad student. A very bad student.
Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) January article on “The Real Secret to Lifelong Fulfillment” explains the following historic findings. Begun in 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked its original group number of 724 men and more than 1300 male and female descendants over three generations. During that period of time, thousands of questions and hundreds of measurements have been asked to find out, as individuals age “What really keeps people healthy and happy?”
Tim Farrell, Village Director of Public Works and Engineering, presented a resolution at the January 12 meeting of the Village Board to “authorize a $70,000 Professional Services Agreement with the Christopher B. Burke Engineering firm for a feasibility study for a roundabout at the intersection of Huntley-Dundee Road and Kreutzer Road.”
Almost everyone has a story about what they did or accomplished during the pandemic. Ken Lydecker moved to Sun City from his residence of 35 years in 2019, right before the pandemic. During the stay-at-home order, Lydecker managed to travel, in a way: he built a diorama of our country from coast to coast. There are village squares from small-town America to the sparkling wonderland of the North Pole. Lydecker kept on building and creating the town of Bethlehem, a haunted village, a medieval village, and even a basketball court. He was not new to this kind of project.
Almost everyone has a story about what they did or accomplished during the pandemic. Ken Lydecker moved to Sun City from his residence of 35 years in 2019, right before the pandemic. During the stay-at-home order, Lydecker managed to travel, in a way: he built a diorama of our country from coast to coast.
There are village squares from small-town America to the sparkling wonderland of the North Pole. Lydecker kept on building and creating the town of Bethlehem, a haunted village, a medieval village, and even a basketball court.
He was not new to this kind of project.
Looking at my son’s face, it is easy for me to see him as he was when he was an infant, with silken hair kissed with just a touch of blonde. Or as a toddler, the way his cheeks would jiggle when he took halting, determined steps across the living room. I was there for all those little moments as he grew up: the birthday parties, the book reports, and the Band-Aids. But that little toddler with the blonde hair is no longer around. That sweet, bespectacled student leaning over his homework has grown up.
Looking at my son’s face, it is easy for me to see him as he was when he was an infant, with silken hair kissed with just a touch of blonde. Or as a toddler, the way his cheeks would jiggle when he took halting, determined steps across the living room. I was there for all those little moments as he grew up: the birthday parties, the book reports, and the Band-Aids.
But that little toddler with the blonde hair is no longer around. That sweet, bespectacled student leaning over his homework has grown up.
Amazon just recently announced the arrival of a new Prime membership benefit from Amazon Pharmacy called RxPass. The new program offers patients affordable access to commonly prescribed generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions, according to Amazon Regional PR Specialist Erica Duncan.
Amazon just recently announced the arrival of a new Prime membership benefit from Amazon Pharmacy called RxPass.
The new program offers patients affordable access to commonly prescribed generic medications that treat more than 80 common health conditions, according to Amazon Regional PR Specialist Erica Duncan.
Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) made a joint appearance at the January meeting of the Sun City Computer Club. Guest speakers from Consolidated School District 158, Dr. Chris Budzynski, the Chief Technology Officer and Dr. Bryan Zwemke, an Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Learning and Innovation, described how STEM fits into the district’s curriculum.
The table where I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day is a fine piece of furniture. Made of pecan wood with wood-peg construction, it has four craftsman-style drop leaves, held in place by sliding wooden bolts under each leaf. It is one of my favorite pieces of furniture—but not only because of the features that attracted me to it when I bought it new 13 years ago. It took two accidental scar-kisses upon that table to remind me daily of how blessed I have been in love.
The table where I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day is a fine piece of furniture. Made of pecan wood with wood-peg construction, it has four craftsman-style drop leaves, held in place by sliding wooden bolts under each leaf. It is one of my favorite pieces of furniture—but not only because of the features that attracted me to it when I bought it new 13 years ago.
It took two accidental scar-kisses upon that table to remind me daily of how blessed I have been in love.
Jim Sanecki, Sun City Board Treasurer, presented the Fiscal Year 2022 year-end financial statements at the January board meeting.
The holiday feared by most red-blooded American men is rapidly approaching. I’m not talking about anniversaries, the wife’s birthday, or Sweetest Day. I’m talking about the holiday with the most pressure and angst of all: Valentine’s Day. Nancy does not appreciate flowers, she will not allow me to cook in her kitchen since I burned up the microwave handle, and chocolates are a “no-no” in keeping with her New Year’s resolution. After much contemplation, I thought of a relatively new restaurant where I can get a good steak, save a few bucks, and have a Valentine’s dinner with my better half. I whisked my sweetie off to the Longhorn Steakhouse in Algonquin. Cupid’s got nothing on me.
As we enter the bleak midwinter (at least mid by Chicagoland standards), my task of searching out good romantic content for this review has been daunting. It took me a while to come to the conclusion you see before you. Maybe it was the lack of love in my own life but perhaps the absolute dreck studio and steaming services have on hand. Every time an ad for Shotgun Wedding came on, my eye rolls became a sort of neurological tick. Upon looking at my rack of Blu-rays, a spark reminded me what made be fall in love with love stories in the first place. Here are some older and possibly overlooked gems for your V-day viewing.
My wife has some memory issues that are beginning to evolve. Her mother had Alzheimer’s disease and lived to her upper 90s. My wife is 86 years old and I’m approaching my 90th birthday. We’re managing life okay, although I do have my health concerns. While I love my wife, caring for her is starting to exhaust me.
Jim Moellendorf, a Sun City resident collects golf balls. Through the efforts of many friends and fellow golfers, he has collected thousands of them. But why?
Jim Moellendorf, a Sun City resident collects golf balls. Through the efforts of many friends and fellow golfers, he has collected thousands of them.
But why?
Sun City resident Karen Semancik portrays the places she loves in fabric and stitching. Her experiments in art quilting began in 1989 after she retired from teaching and moved to Sun City. Semancik said, “One of my neighbors encouraged me to attend a Quilt Guild meeting. I was wowed by all the beautiful quilts that the members had made. I decided to give it a try.”
Sun City resident Karen Semancik portrays the places she loves in fabric and stitching. Her experiments in art quilting began in 1989 after she retired from teaching and moved to Sun City.
Semancik said, “One of my neighbors encouraged me to attend a Quilt Guild meeting. I was wowed by all the beautiful quilts that the members had made. I decided to give it a try.”
January of every year brings any number of requisite stories on the preceding year. My Sun Day News contacted Huntley Village Manager David Johnson about some 2022 projects that have yet to conclude.
The new Lincoln House and Co. Wine and Coffee Bar may soon be coming to the former Manny’s Gelato location on Main Street. The owners of the Lincoln Farmstead are the contract purchases of the building at 11808 Main Street.
Not long ago, I did something nice for a lady who was a total stranger, and my friend said to me: “That was very Christian of you.” I don’t remember what I did for that stranger — it was some little kindness any thoughtful person would do for another. Maybe she dropped a dollar and I called out to her. Or maybe she struggled with an armful of groceries and I offered to carry some out to her car. It was some kindness so small and commonplace, I don’t recall it.
Not long ago, I did something nice for a lady who was a total stranger, and my friend said to me: “That was very Christian of you.”
I don’t remember what I did for that stranger — it was some little kindness any thoughtful person would do for another. Maybe she dropped a dollar and I called out to her. Or maybe she struggled with an armful of groceries and I offered to carry some out to her car. It was some kindness so small and commonplace, I don’t recall it.
It was my favorite kind of date night. My Gentleman Friend asked me if I wanted to go out to see a movie, A Man Called Otto. It was Sunday night, which made going out feel a little rebellious. We were going to squeeze just a little bit more “us time” out of the weekend.
The Duke Realty Corporation requested approval by the Village Planning Commission for a 40,000 square foot industrial building located at the Southwest corner of Freeman Road and Weber Drive. The location is adjacent to the Weber Global Distribution facility.
So just how successful are New Year’s resolutions? According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the tradition dates back more than 4,000 years. However, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology states: One report of as few as 9 percent of U.S. people achieve their goals by year’s end. Though a few researchers, who in recent times conducted studies on the subject, have discovered more optimistic outcomes.
January is such a wonderful month. You wake up, open your blinds, and you think you are looking at an old black and white television screen. This is punctuated by fits of snow, freezing rain, and dense fog all in the same day. So far, 2023 isn’t looking very “bright.”
The term animation comes from the Latin to mean a bestowing of life. It, primarily, used to mean vivacity or liveliness more than anything. Certainly, its use predates the entertainment medium which it describes. Many here in the United States view moving drawings as the domain of children. Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, that is not true art. Adults can’t enjoy this, scoff the purveyors of good taste.
