MY SUN DAY NEWS
If you aren’t watching or haven’t watched Yellowjackets, you’re missing out, and I suggest you stop doing whatever you’re doing right now and start watching it. The show is absolute bananas but in a good way. It’s about a girls soccer team whose plane crashes in the American northwest wilderness on their way to a championship game and the savageness that ensues in their fight to survive. Basically, it’s Lord of the Flies meets Alive, and the fact that this show is so hugely popular, in my opinion, speaks volumes for the general mood and temperament of today’s angst among almost everyone.
A rescue group called ‘Chicago Bird Collision’ did come out to the wetland containing the injured sandhill crane I photographed in early December. Unfortunately, I had not seen the cranes for three or four days prior to their arrival. We did an extensive search of the area but did not spot either the injured male bird or its mate.
On Wednesday, January 12, the Sun City Board introduced SPAC to the assembled audience. SPAC, the acronym for Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, is composed of Bill Berendt, Bonnie Bayser, John Brewer, Jim Senecki, Dennis O’Leary, Nancy Fontana and Roger Lambert.
The purpose of the January 12 meeting was to give the Board the opportunity to provide the members of this new advisory committee their views on the critical functions of SPAC and provide them with an overview of the breadth and scope of the committee’s functions.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association informs us that “marijuana use comes with real risks that can impact a person’s health and life.” The association continues “Marijuana is the most commonly used (often) illegal substance in the U.S. and its use is growing. Marijuana use among all adult age groups, both sexes, and pregnant women (a terrible development for the unborn child) is going up. At the same time, the perception of how harmful marijuana use can be is declining.
In case you haven’t noticed, the lamestream progressive media are at it again, spreading their lies to make America un-great again. They’re trying to tell you that the great year of 2021 has come to an end, and that we have to welcome a new year in its place — 2022.
Even as Illinois officials begin to report early signs of decline from the omicron surge, businesses across the state have had to continue modifying the way they operate just to stay afloat amid inflation of goods and services and staffing shortages. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, quit rates on the last business day of November increased to 3.0%, with the largest quit rates being seen in the accommodation and food industries.
Even as Illinois officials begin to report early signs of decline from the omicron surge, businesses across the state have had to continue modifying the way they operate just to stay afloat amid inflation of goods and services and staffing shortages.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, quit rates on the last business day of November increased to 3.0%, with the largest quit rates being seen in the accommodation and food industries.
When we bought a little teardrop camper in 2019, we had no idea how much we’d love it. And, much to our surprise, our winter camping outings became even more cherished than in the summer: something about the near-vacant campsites, the icy glare of the moonlight reflected in the snow. With fewer humans around, we became more intensely aware of the hooting of an owl, or the skitter of deer as they ran to a stand of trees.
Chilly winds are setting in. It’s a good time to bundle up on the couch with family. And the best way to enjoy is with some escapism. With Disney hitting it out of the park, let’s check out what going on over at their streaming service.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays is done, and we are left with nothing to do. The Midwest has now plunged into the dull, gray, deep freeze of winter. On the plus side, we don’t have to see our relatives for another year. On the minus side, Jim and I are together in a 1,200 square foot home with nothing to do, and it’s getting ugly.
The Huntley Fire Protection District is one of the largest fire districts in McHenry and Kane County. Over 6100 Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Service, and Rescue calls are handled by five fire stations and full-time and part-time firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs. The Department is responsible for over 55 square miles in Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Union Gilbert, and Algonquin.
I have an old turtle shell, bleached white by the sun, that I found near a canal in Florida and now sits displayed on a shelf in my home. Larger than a football, it must once have been a whopping snapping turtle, the terror of the canal that could relieve you of a finger if you ever messed with it.
The three recently elected Sun City Board members were introduced and new Board officers were elected at the January 5 Sun City Board meeting. Russ Howard, Barry Newman and Art Ryden were elected to the Board by acclamation in 2021. Marilynn Berendt was elected the 2022 Board President and Dottie Harrison was elected Vice President. Bob Wainscott was elected Treasurer and Art Ryder was elected Secretary. The new officers will be installed at the Associations annual meeting on January 26.
The three recently elected Sun City Board members were introduced and new Board officers were elected at the January 5 Sun City Board meeting.
Russ Howard, Barry Newman and Art Ryden were elected to the Board by acclamation in 2021. Marilynn Berendt was elected the 2022 Board President and Dottie Harrison was elected Vice President. Bob Wainscott was elected Treasurer and Art Ryder was elected Secretary. The new officers will be installed at the Associations annual meeting on January 26.
The Sun City Angler’s Club was chartered on May 26, 2000, with 36 members on the roster. The club currently has over 140 members from all backgrounds and levels of fishing experience. Twenty-five new members have joined in just the last four months. How different is the club now from its inception?
The Sun City Angler’s Club was chartered on May 26, 2000, with 36 members on the roster. The club currently has over 140 members from all backgrounds and levels of fishing experience. Twenty-five new members have joined in just the last four months.
How different is the club now from its inception?
As much as I love the idea of New Year’s Resolutions, I rarely make them. Many folks choose a word of the year, and I’m one of those people. I choose a word rather than making a goal that I know, at a cellular level, that I can’t reach. Behind me, I leave a trail of unrealized New Year’s resolutions.
As much as I love the idea of New Year’s Resolutions, I rarely make them.
Many folks choose a word of the year, and I’m one of those people. I choose a word rather than making a goal that I know, at a cellular level, that I can’t reach. Behind me, I leave a trail of unrealized New Year’s resolutions.
There are several skills that all seniors must master in their “Golden” years. The first one is arriving at a restaurant five minutes before the senior’s early bird special ends. The second is collecting and managing coupons and gift cards, so along with your senior discount, the restaurant ends up owing you money when the bill arrives.
This past year of 2021 saw record sales of $1.38 billion dollars in Illinois revenue from the state’s 110 recreational and medical marijuana dispensaries. One-third of the Illinois-approved purchases were made by out of state visitors.
Well, a new year brings new entertainment. But with all the options, it is good to have help sifting through them. Well as a resolution for 2022, my pledge is to be a guide to the world of film. So let me be your Virgil through the plethora of divine comedies and tragedies coming your way. And this is anything but funny.
I celebrated my 70th birthday this year. Leading up to it, I’ve taken drastic steps to get my health back on track. I’ve lost over 40 pounds this year. I exercise regularly. I no longer need to take my blood pressure medication and have reduced my risk for type 2 diabetes. I feel amazing, even at my age. However, I’m concerned about the holiday season sabotaging my healthy lifestyle.
Where does Santa live? It’s not always the North Pole. Who would have thought that he has a residence here in Sun City? Chip Bell is in the exclusive club of men with real beards, and a white beard at that. But is he Santa? Bell said, “I was working at Meijer’s and I was approached to put on the red suit. That was about nine years ago, and I have been professionally playing the part [of Santa] at shopping malls, stores, Lincoln Park Zoo, and private homes.”
Where does Santa live? It’s not always the North Pole. Who would have thought that he has a residence here in Sun City?
Chip Bell is in the exclusive club of men with real beards, and a white beard at that. But is he Santa?
Bell said, “I was working at Meijer’s and I was approached to put on the red suit. That was about nine years ago, and I have been professionally playing the part [of Santa] at shopping malls, stores, Lincoln Park Zoo, and private homes.”
As the last Happy Trails of the year, I ordinarily give the many thanks to our readers and advertisers they deserve for their commitment to this publication, and while that still applies here, my focus in this Happy Trails is our new print readers. This year, we launched the print edition of My Huntley News, giving the Huntley community for the first time in many years a local news source beyond the digital variety, and so far as we can see, it’s been widely accepted throughout the village.
As the last Happy Trails of the year, I ordinarily give the many thanks to our readers and advertisers they deserve for their commitment to this publication, and while that still applies here, my focus in this Happy Trails is our new print readers.
This year, we launched the print edition of My Huntley News, giving the Huntley community for the first time in many years a local news source beyond the digital variety, and so far as we can see, it’s been widely accepted throughout the village.
The Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) announced that from Dec. 31 until Jan. 24 they will be closed to prepare for the final stages of their two-year building program. “Parts of the collection are being relocated, new equipment is getting set up, staff are moving into their new spaces, and the countdown is on to explore your FRESH, new library,” said the HAPL.
The Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) announced that from Dec. 31 until Jan. 24 they will be closed to prepare for the final stages of their two-year building program.
“Parts of the collection are being relocated, new equipment is getting set up, staff are moving into their new spaces, and the countdown is on to explore your FRESH, new library,” said the HAPL.
In the Beginning, I am told, God created man from a lump of clay — which may explain why men are prone to dirty thoughts. Then, as an afterthought, He yanked out a rib from the man and created woman. I have no idea how that in any way explains the way that women are, but then who understands women anyway? Many have tried, but every time men think deeply about women, they get dirty thoughts. I blame God. As a further afterthought — or maybe as a way to escape blame — God gave man and woman free will. “What could possibly go wrong?” I imagine He might have said.
In the Beginning, I am told, God created man from a lump of clay — which may explain why men are prone to dirty thoughts.
Then, as an afterthought, He yanked out a rib from the man and created woman. I have no idea how that in any way explains the way that women are, but then who understands women anyway? Many have tried, but every time men think deeply about women, they get dirty thoughts. I blame God.
As a further afterthought — or maybe as a way to escape blame — God gave man and woman free will. “What could possibly go wrong?” I imagine He might have said.
The tradition of using tiny structures as Christmas decor can be traced back to the 17th century. But it was in the 1970s that charming ceramic houses began. Jackie Pokorny’s love for Christmas village scenes began as child. Pokorny said, “I grew up with the tradition of having a Christmas village. I helped my mother assemble and set up the little plastic homes and stores under the Christmas tree and it always had a train circling the tree. A Christmas village was a must in our home. It’s struck me as being so beautiful.”
The tradition of using tiny structures as Christmas decor can be traced back to the 17th century. But it was in the 1970s that charming ceramic houses began.
Jackie Pokorny’s love for Christmas village scenes began as child.
Pokorny said, “I grew up with the tradition of having a Christmas village. I helped my mother assemble and set up the little plastic homes and stores under the Christmas tree and it always had a train circling the tree. A Christmas village was a must in our home. It’s struck me as being so beautiful.”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Sun City. When it comes to celebrating the holidays, the North Pole has nothing on Del Webb. Soak up the magical ambiance of the holidays at the lodge, where you’ll find elegant embellishments and festive décor. Thousands of lights wrap the trees lining the main drive and many other trees, menorahs, and sculptures decorate the hallways of the lodge. In front of the lodge, festive decorations set the scene for photos. As you enter the lodge at the reception entrance, a dove made by the Woodshop of Sun City sits on the table. The Woodshop celebrates the season by providing handmade toys to children. Woodchuck Rich Escallier said, “We’re going to deliver them to the food pantry.”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Sun City. When it comes to celebrating the holidays, the North Pole has nothing on Del Webb. Soak up the magical ambiance of the holidays at the lodge, where you’ll find elegant embellishments and festive décor. Thousands of lights wrap the trees lining the main drive and many other trees, menorahs, and sculptures decorate the hallways of the lodge.
In front of the lodge, festive decorations set the scene for photos. As you enter the lodge at the reception entrance, a dove made by the Woodshop of Sun City sits on the table. The Woodshop celebrates the season by providing handmade toys to children. Woodchuck Rich Escallier said, “We’re going to deliver them to the food pantry.”
Over the years, we have referred to the Woodchucks as our Holiday Elves … working hard behind the scenes to ensure that all the children receive a gift to call their own and make the holidays special for them. The priority has always been to provide toys for the children.
As the bustle of the holiday season and the chilly winds start to blow, we all can use a break for a while. On my first idea for this final review my plans were dashed by, unfortunately, release dates. Some of the more hyped features like “Spiderman: No Way Home” and “The Matrix Resurrections” among others aren’t out until later. That being said, there is a smattering of good films not in theaters but at a screen for home viewing. Some of which may be just the ticket.
EVERYBODY SING ALONG… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With the restaurants open, and appetizers flowing, and drinks of good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year…” This is the column that we know you all have been waiting for with baited garlic breath and grumbling tummies. We are referring to the semi-finalists in our Top 10 list of “BURPS” (Best Unknown Restaurant Picks) culminating in the big “BELCH” (Best Eating Location Close to Huntley) of 2021.
EVERYBODY SING ALONG… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year. With the restaurants open, and appetizers flowing, and drinks of good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
This is the column that we know you all have been waiting for with baited garlic breath and grumbling tummies. We are referring to the semi-finalists in our Top 10 list of “BURPS” (Best Unknown Restaurant Picks) culminating in the big “BELCH” (Best Eating Location Close to Huntley) of 2021.
The pharmacy Update in “December, 2021 – Costco Connection” gives this strong advice from Lawrence Varga, B.Sc.Phm.: “Navigate your medications this holiday season.” He cautions us not to be tempted to overindulge in alcoholic drinking now or at any other time during the year. Health professionals are aware of seniors possibly taking certain medications that need special treatment. The following information comes from this general manager of the store’s pharmacy operations in Canada. It concerns what happens on an empty stomach, on a full stomach, or when drinking.
The pharmacy Update in “December, 2021 – Costco Connection” gives this strong advice from Lawrence Varga, B.Sc.Phm.: “Navigate your medications this holiday season.”
He cautions us not to be tempted to overindulge in alcoholic drinking now or at any other time during the year. Health professionals are aware of seniors possibly taking certain medications that need special treatment. The following information comes from this general manager of the store’s pharmacy operations in Canada. It concerns what happens on an empty stomach, on a full stomach, or when drinking.
Ever feel like a phony? I have been feeling like an imposter for the last few days. I pride myself in being a minimalist, talk about simplifying life, and blog about wanting less…yet, if you were to come to my house today, you’d see that a corner of my bedroom has overflowing stash-and-dash boxes filled with who-knows-what miscellany, and I have laundry in various stages of dirty, clean, sorted, unsorted, folded, and yet-to-be folded throughout my house. There’s a suspicious-looking potato lurking in the very back of my fridge. I’m overdue to go through my closet and drawers to get rid of clothes I don’t want/need anymore.
Ever feel like a phony?
I have been feeling like an imposter for the last few days. I pride myself in being a minimalist, talk about simplifying life, and blog about wanting less…yet, if you were to come to my house today, you’d see that a corner of my bedroom has overflowing stash-and-dash boxes filled with who-knows-what miscellany, and I have laundry in various stages of dirty, clean, sorted, unsorted, folded, and yet-to-be folded throughout my house. There’s a suspicious-looking potato lurking in the very back of my fridge. I’m overdue to go through my closet and drawers to get rid of clothes I don’t want/need anymore.
It has been a long-standing tradition that we all gather for Christmas dinner. Last year, we forwent this tradition considering the COVID pandemic. This year, however, many are planning to participate. My elderly parents have hosted Christmas dinner for this group since my siblings and I moved out of their home as adults. As I was helping my mom make plans for Christmas, I sensed she was feeling stressed and anxious.
