MY SUN DAY NEWS
Kathie Bell helped bring a little humor last Christmas when it was especially needed. She embroidered 2020 Coronavirus ornaments to commemorate the year of toilet paper and masks. One of them had the Grinch holding a face mask and embroidered across the top were the words, ‘Stink, Stank, Stunk.’ Bell said, “I have always sewed, I think I was in sixth grade when I started.”
Kathie Bell helped bring a little humor last Christmas when it was especially needed. She embroidered 2020 Coronavirus ornaments to commemorate the year of toilet paper and masks. One of them had the Grinch holding a face mask and embroidered across the top were the words, ‘Stink, Stank, Stunk.’
Bell said, “I have always sewed, I think I was in sixth grade when I started.”
Thanksgiving morning, as the turkey breast roasted outside on the barbecue grill, I picked up my cell phone and sent a few “Happy Thanksgiving” texts to people who make me thankful that they are in my life.
My son and daughter, of course, and old friends like Bill and Mike with whom I worked for more than 30 years. And Alejandra and Margaret, loving stroke caregivers I haven’t seen since my wife died almost four years ago.
At their November meeting, George Sebastian of the Symposium Club, gave a presentation on Crypto Currencies and the various versions of this digital currency.
Sebastian explained that “Bitcoin, developed in 2008 to be a private currency, was the first digital currency.”
There is an update to the Sandhill Crane predicament. I have been seeing the two birds in the wetland next to my house this afternoon. Below is that little writeup you requested. Sadly, a Sun City male Sandhill Crane had broken its wing over the summer months and still appears to not be able to fly. Normally this species of bird begins its migration to our Southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and as far south as Mexico between late October and mid-December.
There is an update to the Sandhill Crane predicament. I have been seeing the two birds in the wetland next to my house this afternoon. Below is that little writeup you requested.
Sadly, a Sun City male Sandhill Crane had broken its wing over the summer months and still appears to not be able to fly. Normally this species of bird begins its migration to our Southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and as far south as Mexico between late October and mid-December.
Pickleball has been around for centuries, but one Sun Citian declared a royal change to the game. Mark Schinler moved into SunCity in May 2019. He started playing pickleball in July 2019. And then, he was hooked. Schinler has introduced a twist to Sun City’s Pickleball Courts. It’s called King/Queen of the Court, and it is a fun and competitive game variant for all levels. The pilot program started here in Sun City, and residents have taken to the new game. It quickly became a hit.
Pickleball has been around for centuries, but one Sun Citian declared a royal change to the game.
Mark Schinler moved into SunCity in May 2019. He started playing pickleball in July 2019. And then, he was hooked.
Schinler has introduced a twist to Sun City’s Pickleball Courts. It’s called King/Queen of the Court, and it is a fun and competitive game variant for all levels. The pilot program started here in Sun City, and residents have taken to the new game. It quickly became a hit.
The winter holiday season and its wasted non-nutritional calorie consumption has once again begun. Therefore, I thought it important to discuss heart problems often caused by a lack of exercise and poor diet choices. Dr. Tim Sanborn is one of six cardiologists on the Southeast Wisconsin Heart Institute staff located at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie (Wisconsin) Hospital. His comments will be quoted in the following paragraphs as they appeared in the Fall 2021 ChicagoLife Magazine under the subject: “Health Benefits of Exercise on the Heart.”
On a whim, I signed up for a community choir audition. My voice trembled for the entire audition. I struggled to reign in my voice, which doesn’t respond the way it did in my younger days. My voice now is weaker, and sometimes even raspy. To make matters worse, I had to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Unless you have a multi-octave range with a penchant for belting, the Star Spangled Banner is very difficult to sing. Our national anthem is, in my humble opinion, one of the most unsingable songs ever written.
One beautiful autumn Sunday morning, after recording our restaurant review show on Huntley Community Radio, we found ourselves with nothing to do for a change. We decided to build a cozy fire in the fireplace on our screened in porch and relax with a good cigar. We were sitting there smoking, talking, and laughing with each other when Nancy blurted out, “I really need a wienie.” I took the high road and avoided the obvious joke and asked Nancy what she would like. To my disappointment, she said she had a taste for a good old Chicago Style Hot Dog.
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving. And now we’re in the thick of holiday season. But if we could tear ourselves away from retail discounts and Prime deals online, maybe we can find time to gift ourselves a good movie. “King Richard” is now available in theaters and HBO Max. Based on the life of the Williams sisters but from a different angle, we follow Venus and Serena through the eyes of their father. An odd trajectory for a sports film, in hindsight it’s clearly the most compelling.
Hope you had a good Thanksgiving. And now we’re in the thick of holiday season. But if we could tear ourselves away from retail discounts and Prime deals online, maybe we can find time to gift ourselves a good movie.
“King Richard” is now available in theaters and HBO Max. Based on the life of the Williams sisters but from a different angle, we follow Venus and Serena through the eyes of their father. An odd trajectory for a sports film, in hindsight it’s clearly the most compelling.
After several months of unrest and complaints, the dust has settled in the Rutland Township offices as Raúl Lemus was sworn in as the new Township Supervisor. His three-year term of office ends in 2025.
Winter is coming, and the Sew N Sews are ready. On November 1, the Sew N Sews presented 96 pairs of mittens, 180 hats, and 100 scarves to Grafton Food Pantry.
Winter is coming, and the Sew N Sews are ready.
On November 1, the Sew N Sews presented 96 pairs of mittens, 180 hats, and 100 scarves to Grafton Food Pantry.
Kind of like those eye-opening Tweets about how if the format for That 70’s Show was produced today, it would follow a group of teens from the early 2000s, so is my perception of thrift stores…or thrift-store products. When I think of thrift stores, which I honestly haven’t frequented in a little more than twenty years, I think of cool finds from the 70s (or maybe a little before or after) because clothes from the 70s were the clothes most found in thrift shops when I frequented them.
Kind of like those eye-opening Tweets about how if the format for That 70’s Show was produced today, it would follow a group of teens from the early 2000s, so is my perception of thrift stores…or thrift-store products.
When I think of thrift stores, which I honestly haven’t frequented in a little more than twenty years, I think of cool finds from the 70s (or maybe a little before or after) because clothes from the 70s were the clothes most found in thrift shops when I frequented them.
Illinois State District 65 Representative Daniel Ugaste (R) paid a visit to Sun City on Monday, November 1, for a Town Hall meeting in the Fountain View lodge. Approximately 35 Sun City residents attended. Representative Ugaste was originally elected in 2018 and reelected in 2020. He commented that, “I may be mapped out of Huntley in the next election.” He explained that, “the new District 65 northern boundary might be Bowes Road in Elgin.”
Illinois State District 65 Representative Daniel Ugaste (R) paid a visit to Sun City on Monday, November 1, for a Town Hall meeting in the Fountain View lodge. Approximately 35 Sun City residents attended.
Representative Ugaste was originally elected in 2018 and reelected in 2020. He commented that, “I may be mapped out of Huntley in the next election.” He explained that, “the new District 65 northern boundary might be Bowes Road in Elgin.”
I’m sure you’ve felt it as I have — that feeling that maybe, just maybe, we can begin to breathe again. Sure, it has something to do with ripping off that smothering facemask, but it has to do with way more than that. It has to do with watching more and more of our friends, family and neighbors get life-saving vaccines, and then boosters. It has to do with watching covid infections, hospitalizations and death rate rates plummet as a result.
I’m sure you’ve felt it as I have — that feeling that maybe, just maybe, we can begin to breathe again.
Sure, it has something to do with ripping off that smothering facemask, but it has to do with way more than that. It has to do with watching more and more of our friends, family and neighbors get life-saving vaccines, and then boosters. It has to do with watching covid infections, hospitalizations and death rate rates plummet as a result.
At the October Sun City Board meeting, Treasurer Bob McGouey reported that year to date third quarter revenue “was $5,887,583 which exceeded the budget by $95,211.” He added that, “expenses were $316,420 less than the budget which resulted in a $432,581 variance to the budget.” McGouey added that “there have been 273 home sales in so far in 2021 which are 33 more than year-to-date in 2020.”
At the October Sun City Board meeting, Treasurer Bob McGouey reported that year to date third quarter revenue “was $5,887,583 which exceeded the budget by $95,211.” He added that, “expenses were $316,420 less than the budget which resulted in a $432,581 variance to the budget.”
McGouey added that “there have been 273 home sales in so far in 2021 which are 33 more than year-to-date in 2020.”
Tis the season for holiday events and activities, and this year, they are back. Two Sun City Charter Clubs, the Strutters and Prairie Singers, are getting ready to entertain residents and guests with their talents for the holiday season. Mark the date, December 14, and enjoy the performance and an open bar. There will be two performances, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Birch Room in the Fountain View portion of the Prairie Lodge was filled to capacity for the Town Hall with Huntley Village President Timothy Hoeft and Village Manager Dave Johnson. The duo spent more than 90 minutes with a presentation and fielding questions from the Sun City residents.
The Birch Room in the Fountain View portion of the Prairie Lodge was filled to capacity for the Town Hall with Huntley Village President Timothy Hoeft and Village Manager Dave Johnson.
The duo spent more than 90 minutes with a presentation and fielding questions from the Sun City residents.
The latest encouraging info on an early virus treatment was given out by Pfizer Inc. very recently. Indeed, the Pharmaceutical House is planning to ask the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the drug, Paxlovid, for its use this month. A preliminary look at study results revealed that Pfizer’s experimental pill proved to be very highly effective at preventing people at high risk of getting severe Covid-19 symptoms.
Experiencing the seasons is what many homeowners enjoy about living in Northern Illinois. We have very distinctive time periods, and each is filled with equal parts beauty and corresponding chores. While we are winding down our gardening chores, we know that snow and ice will bring their own challenges. There is some comfort in knowing that nature is ever-evolving while it surrounds us with its beauty. As Arthur Rubinstein so perfectly stated, “The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other.”
Jim and I were sitting around watching cartoons one morning. Suddenly, Jim’s cell phone went crazy asking us to confirm our online purchase of a very expensive entertainment system. He promptly replied “no” and then proceeded to call the credit card company. This turned out not to be a big problem since the card was immediately cancelled and a new one was on its way the next day.
Well, I did promise to review the other Chalamet film out in theaters. But like me, you’re not going to like it. “The French Dispatch” comes to us from Wes Anderson. That name may be familiar to those who enjoy quirky humor in fractured fairytale-like settings. My personal favorites are “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and “Isle of Dogs.” The aforementioned comedy seems to be lacking in this one. A few chuckles may be had but not enough in this head scratcher.
Is there anything better than eating? It doesn’t matter if I’m eating with my best pals, or eating alone by the light of the refrigerator, or just testing a bit of something off the wooden spoon as I lean over the stove burner. The sensory cornucopia that is cooking and eating is often the highlight of my day: it’s one of those few activities that employs all five of the senses at once.
My wife of 51 years is battling cancer. She was in remission for a couple of years, but the cancer has come back in full force. While she hasn’t said she’s ready to give up her fight with cancer, her current treatment plan has taken a toll on her entire personhood. She’s exhausted, emotional, and losing weight. Caring for her has become a burden for our adult children and me.
Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. But at Goebbert’s, they’re also a great source of caramel. The number of apples they produce is quite the feat. Sam Skog, one of the employees who is charged with caramel apple production, said, “We are busy making apples every day. This week on Monday we made about 3000. 5600 on Tuesday and 3500 on Wednesday. Our goal is 10,000 for the weekend. We make the caramel apples here at the Pingree Grove location for our Barrington location also.”
Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. But at Goebbert’s, they’re also a great source of caramel.
The number of apples they produce is quite the feat.
Sam Skog, one of the employees who is charged with caramel apple production, said, “We are busy making apples every day. This week on Monday we made about 3000. 5600 on Tuesday and 3500 on Wednesday. Our goal is 10,000 for the weekend. We make the caramel apples here at the Pingree Grove location for our Barrington location also.”
Chicago area shelter provides a safe haven for women escaping trafficking, sexual exploitation On Refuge for Women’s homepage, a graduate is quoted: ““Having a chance to be in a safe place to heal means somebody thought I was worth it, even though I dared not believe I was.”
Chicago area shelter provides a safe haven for women escaping trafficking, sexual exploitation
On Refuge for Women’s homepage, a graduate is quoted: ““Having a chance to be in a safe place to heal means somebody thought I was worth it, even though I dared not believe I was.”
It can be heartwarming when nostalgic memories pop to mind, especially when they involve people in your life that you love. It can also be heartbreaking. That’s the way I have felt recently when memories of my nephew, Ricky, pop to mind. Ricky died in late September of an opioid overdose—just one of more than 40,000 Americans in the past year to meet that fate. He was 40 years old.
It can be heartwarming when nostalgic memories pop to mind, especially when they involve people in your life that you love.
It can also be heartbreaking.
That’s the way I have felt recently when memories of my nephew, Ricky, pop to mind. Ricky died in late September of an opioid overdose—just one of more than 40,000 Americans in the past year to meet that fate. He was 40 years old.
Northwestern Medicine announced that physicians from the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital have successfully placed a WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) device in the heart of a patient to help prevent a stroke and discontinue the long-term use of oral blood-thinning medication. “The WATCHMAN device is for patients who have atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that is not related to problems with the heart’s valves. This is the first procedure using this device in a McHenry County hospital,” said an Oct. 20 statement from Northwestern Medicine.
Northwestern Medicine announced that physicians from the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital have successfully placed a WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) device in the heart of a patient to help prevent a stroke and discontinue the long-term use of oral blood-thinning medication.
“The WATCHMAN device is for patients who have atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that is not related to problems with the heart’s valves. This is the first procedure using this device in a McHenry County hospital,” said an Oct. 20 statement from Northwestern Medicine.
Dennis Franzen is an accomplished artist — his work has been featured on billboards and commercials. His sculpture entitled “America’s Hero,” featuring the image of a firefighter, has even been featured prominently on several episodes of the hit TV show, Chicago Fire. Franzen, based in Hanover Park, prides himself on being a versatile artist — he is an illustrator who also paints and works in metal, wood, and glass. Three years ago, he discovered another medium for his art: pumpkins.
Dennis Franzen is an accomplished artist — his work has been featured on billboards and commercials. His sculpture entitled “America’s Hero,” featuring the image of a firefighter, has even been featured prominently on several episodes of the hit TV show, Chicago Fire.
Franzen, based in Hanover Park, prides himself on being a versatile artist — he is an illustrator who also paints and works in metal, wood, and glass.
Three years ago, he discovered another medium for his art: pumpkins.
On November 10, 1775, just eight months shy of the Declaration of Independence, a new corps was formed following the introduction of the Continental Marine Act. Having taken part in nearly every U.S. conflict, the Marine Corps has defended our country since America’s inception. On Sunday, November 7, the Marine Corps League of Elgin invites veterans from all branches of service and the general public to come to the 246th birthday bash.
On November 10, 1775, just eight months shy of the Declaration of Independence, a new corps was formed following the introduction of the Continental Marine Act. Having taken part in nearly every U.S. conflict, the Marine Corps has defended our country since America’s inception.
On Sunday, November 7, the Marine Corps League of Elgin invites veterans from all branches of service and the general public to come to the 246th birthday bash.
Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District came to Sun City on October 18 for what was advertised as a “meet and greet” that would include time for resident questions and answers. Underwood, who was introduced by Ken Kalscheur of the sponsoring Civics Committee, was met by a less than half-full ballroom. In his introduction Kalscheur announced Underwood’s appointments to the House of Representative’s Veteran Affairs and Appropriations Committees.
Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois’ 14th Congressional District came to Sun City on October 18 for what was advertised as a “meet and greet” that would include time for resident questions and answers.
Underwood, who was introduced by Ken Kalscheur of the sponsoring Civics Committee, was met by a less than half-full ballroom. In his introduction Kalscheur announced Underwood’s appointments to the House of Representative’s Veteran Affairs and Appropriations Committees.
