MY SUN DAY NEWS
Sun City Stingray members recently wrapped up the 2021 Senior Games season by participating in the Illinois State Senior Olympics Meet, September 17-19, in Springfield, IL.
On Aug. 8, friends and family of legendary WGN agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson, gathered at Jameson’s Charhouse in Sun City to celebrate his retirement after 60 years on the air.
Gloria Samuelson, Orion’s wife, explained that there were about 65 people in attendance at the celebration, which included other big-name guests like Emmy-Award-winning entertainment reporter and critic Dean Richards and WGN Radio AM 720 anchor Steve Alexander who was named as Orion’s successor back in January.
Recently My Huntley News’ ethics were called into question by a couple Facebook users who took issue with how we sourced quotes for a recent story. Their grievances generated some Facebook chatter, and as I watched the opinions roll in, I thought how opposite our critics’ actions were to how professional journalists pass information to the public.
In this instance, MHN Lead Reporter Michelle Moreno, with permission, used a friend’s profile to post a question to a Facebook group for a recent story. Michelle clearly identified herself and her intentions. A couple respondents, though, were later shocked to find their words in print, assuming Michelle had “lifted” their comments without permission from a group chat, though Michelle was the author of the question and clearly stated it was for My Huntley News.
The Rutland Township issue reached boiling point at the latest board meeting, but the debate began over the summer.
Carole Michalsen celebrated her birthday on March 16, 2020. Michalsen said, “The next day we went into a shut down.” On March 17, the U.S. tightened restrictions as coronavirus cases surged and stocks took their biggest plunge since 1987. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States reached 4,600 on March 17 with 85 deaths. Cities and states across the country announced increasingly tight restrictions to slow the spread of the flu-like virus. Sun City residents began their tenure of staying home.
Carole Michalsen celebrated her birthday on March 16, 2020. Michalsen said, “The next day we went into a shut down.”
On March 17, the U.S. tightened restrictions as coronavirus cases surged and stocks took their biggest plunge since 1987. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States reached 4,600 on March 17 with 85 deaths. Cities and states across the country announced increasingly tight restrictions to slow the spread of the flu-like virus. Sun City residents began their tenure of staying home.
Huntley Community Radio always had rhythm. And now it has blues. Mike Ptak hosts “Blues Is My Business” on Huntley Community Radio broadcasting as WHRU-LP on 101.5 FM, guiding his audience through a variety of blues songs and artists. He also entices the audience with the back story to those songs. Ptak said, “My musical sense and taste in music is the sum of varied experiences growing up in the city, working on Chicago’s South Side for some time, and an appreciation of all people and their contributions. I have played keyboards professionally in various bands in many different venues.”
Huntley Community Radio always had rhythm. And now it has blues.
Mike Ptak hosts “Blues Is My Business” on Huntley Community Radio broadcasting as WHRU-LP on 101.5 FM, guiding his audience through a variety of blues songs and artists. He also entices the audience with the back story to those songs.
Ptak said, “My musical sense and taste in music is the sum of varied experiences growing up in the city, working on Chicago’s South Side for some time, and an appreciation of all people and their contributions. I have played keyboards professionally in various bands in many different venues.”
After nearly two years of pandemic lockdown, it’s easy to let your world shrink to the little you can see outside the window, just this side of the trees at the back of the yard. TV is no help, stuck in an endless loop of fake news fighting real news, conspiracies battling confirmation, tucked in between messy hurricanes and war evacuations. That’s why it’s important for principled columnists — like me — to go that extra mile to keep your world expanded beyond the narrow bounds of your lockdown life, to keep you up-to-date firsthand on things that don’t sit just outside your window in Huntley.
After nearly two years of pandemic lockdown, it’s easy to let your world shrink to the little you can see outside the window, just this side of the trees at the back of the yard. TV is no help, stuck in an endless loop of fake news fighting real news, conspiracies battling confirmation, tucked in between messy hurricanes and war evacuations.
That’s why it’s important for principled columnists — like me — to go that extra mile to keep your world expanded beyond the narrow bounds of your lockdown life, to keep you up-to-date firsthand on things that don’t sit just outside your window in Huntley.
I search for just the right rock. It has to be a certain size and shape for me to even consider them. I have collected them from all over the country just to cover with paint and bring out the beauty that lies dormant. I have a varied selection of paints and brushes I use for my craft. Each rock is meticulously cleaned and inspected. Then the painting process begins. I select any number of ideas I have collected over the years. Memories from travels, friends, sceneries and loved ones. Some ideas are right under my nose, in my yard or house, a neighbor’s house or just from simple conversations. I collect and store my ideas way back in my head to retrieve at just the right time.
I search for just the right rock. It has to be a certain size and shape for me to even consider them. I have collected them from all over the country just to cover with paint and bring out the beauty that lies dormant.
I have a varied selection of paints and brushes I use for my craft. Each rock is meticulously cleaned and inspected. Then the painting process begins. I select any number of ideas I have collected over the years. Memories from travels, friends, sceneries and loved ones. Some ideas are right under my nose, in my yard or house, a neighbor’s house or just from simple conversations. I collect and store my ideas way back in my head to retrieve at just the right time.
My sixtieth birthday is quickly approaching, and I am starting to “feel my age.” My fifties were busy raising teenagers, carting them around to various activities, and preparing them to leave our nest. Now that my youngest is off at college, I finally have more time to focus on myself. While my career keeps me busy throughout the week, my mornings and evenings allow ample time to fine-tune my health. As I look forward to retirement in a few years, and hopefully grandchildren not too far behind, I want to enjoy my golden years.
My ‘Grown and Flown’ kids recently all descended on our home at the same time. It was 24 hours of pure bliss! Laughter could be heard echoing through the halls. Friendly bantering between the kids and joking amongst us all was good for our souls. Mary, my daughter, is convinced that her younger brother is our favorite child. While I will freely admit to buying way too many Pokémon cards for him, I don’t think that earns him the status of ‘Favorite Child.’ Although I honestly don’t have a favorite, defending that position is a losing battle.
A well-meaning Sun City resident of Neighborhood APN19 was given some wrong information regarding an alternative number for 9-11 emergency calls. That phone number was shared with Neighborhood Watch officials who, in turn, sent it out through the very efficient Neighborhood Watch communications network.
Several Halloweens ago, I emptied a bag of candy into a bowl to distribute to trick-or-treaters. My young son, standing beside me, looked perplexed as he read the packaging containing the miniature candy bars. “Fun size? Why do they call those fun size, mom? Those candy bars are just way smaller! What’s fun about smaller?”
Several Halloweens ago, I emptied a bag of candy into a bowl to distribute to trick-or-treaters. My young son, standing beside me, looked perplexed as he read the packaging containing the miniature candy bars.
“Fun size? Why do they call those fun size, mom? Those candy bars are just way smaller! What’s fun about smaller?”
Wedding anniversary celebrations have a tendency to change over a married couple’s life. Gone are the days of a romantic weekend getaway, followed by a candlelit dinner, and dancing till dawn. After 47 years of marital bliss, anniversaries consist of a trip to Wisconsin Dells to contribute to the Ho-Chunk Indian tribe, and seeing a matinee performance of Bello Nok at the Palace Theater.
Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) writer, Jo Craven McGinty, asks the question “Why don’t Covid-19 vaccinations last longer? Measles shots are good for life, chickenpox immunizations protect for 10 to 20 years, and tetanus jabs last a decade or more.” Meanwhile, our country’s health officials are deciding whether to give authority for Covid-19 boosters to vaccinated adults as soon as six months after their initial inoculations. The info below is a synopsis of our writer’s answer to the above question in The Wall Street Journal.
Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) writer, Jo Craven McGinty, asks the question “Why don’t Covid-19 vaccinations last longer? Measles shots are good for life, chickenpox immunizations protect for 10 to 20 years, and tetanus jabs last a decade or more.”
Meanwhile, our country’s health officials are deciding whether to give authority for Covid-19 boosters to vaccinated adults as soon as six months after their initial inoculations. The info below is a synopsis of our writer’s answer to the above question in The Wall Street Journal.
At the Aug. 26 Village of Huntley Board meeting, Tim Hoeft, Huntley’s village president, announced that the village is committed to showing its full support in raising awareness on a topic that is stigmatized and is even often considered taboo to talk about. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), “Suicide is the [second] leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 and the [tenth] leading cause of death overall in the U.S.”
At the Aug. 26 Village of Huntley Board meeting, Tim Hoeft, Huntley’s village president, announced that the village is committed to showing its full support in raising awareness on a topic that is stigmatized and is even often considered taboo to talk about.
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), “Suicide is the [second] leading cause of death among people aged 10-34 and the [tenth] leading cause of death overall in the U.S.”
As the dog days wind to a close, the season’s electricity still flits in the air. Last gasps of summer present themselves in the form of action films, attempts to keep an August sun shining. Strangely, one of my favorite action stars has a connection with two of them: Michelle Yeoh. Better known for working with Jackie Chan, she went on to be in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and recently, “Crazy, Rich Asians.” Here though, she plays supporting roles.
Letters for the week of September 23.
February and March of 2021 saw the coming together of Walgreens and Osco in Sun City’s Prairie and Fountain View lodges. The lines made it look like they were giving away free food, but the reality was that the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 were, in fact, being giving away to all Sun City residents that wanted one or the other. The news that the FDA and CDC were considering authorizing boosters to address the growing havoc of the Covid-19 Delta Variant has become a topic of discussion inside Sun City.
February and March of 2021 saw the coming together of Walgreens and Osco in Sun City’s Prairie and Fountain View lodges. The lines made it look like they were giving away free food, but the reality was that the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 were, in fact, being giving away to all Sun City residents that wanted one or the other.
The news that the FDA and CDC were considering authorizing boosters to address the growing havoc of the Covid-19 Delta Variant has become a topic of discussion inside Sun City.
In early July my friend Carol and I headed down to Wilmington, Illinois, for the annual Catfish Festival held there. The Festival was scrapped last year (like everything else) because of the pandemic, but this summer it was back in full force, thanks to effective vaccines that most sensible Illinoisans have taken advantage of. It was fun to see the Festival back in fine form — deep fried catfish and country-blues bands in the beer garden of the Rustic Inn, mud volleyball out behind the Route 66 Bar and Grill, carnival rides and booths in the North Island Park surrounded by the Kankakee River, flea market on Water Street, and more. It’s the kind of “redneck roundup” Carol and I both love, with laughter, lowbrow entertainment and cheap beer.
In early July my friend Carol and I headed down to Wilmington, Illinois, for the annual Catfish Festival held there. The Festival was scrapped last year (like everything else) because of the pandemic, but this summer it was back in full force, thanks to effective vaccines that most sensible Illinoisans have taken advantage of.
It was fun to see the Festival back in fine form — deep fried catfish and country-blues bands in the beer garden of the Rustic Inn, mud volleyball out behind the Route 66 Bar and Grill, carnival rides and booths in the North Island Park surrounded by the Kankakee River, flea market on Water Street, and more. It’s the kind of “redneck roundup” Carol and I both love, with laughter, lowbrow entertainment and cheap beer.
The 48-acre site known as Regency Square is owned by BO2 Investments, LLC, which has plans to sell the property to an unnamed contractor who has plans for a multi-family development in the space. The development would include single family homes, townhomes and rental apartments. The implementation of this planned development is blocked by the current zoning of the property. Presently 30 acres are zoned “BP” for Business Park and the remaining acres are zoned “C2” commercial. BO2 is seeking a rezoning of the property to “MF2” multi-family so that BO2 will be able to sell the property to this unnamed contractor.
The 48-acre site known as Regency Square is owned by BO2 Investments, LLC, which has plans to sell the property to an unnamed contractor who has plans for a multi-family development in the space. The development would include single family homes, townhomes and rental apartments.
The implementation of this planned development is blocked by the current zoning of the property. Presently 30 acres are zoned “BP” for Business Park and the remaining acres are zoned “C2” commercial. BO2 is seeking a rezoning of the property to “MF2” multi-family so that BO2 will be able to sell the property to this unnamed contractor.
What does it take to get a Rookie of the Year, home run hitter, Ron Kittle to come to Huntley? Kittle said, “After Glenn sending 6000 emails, the White Sox decided the only way to stop it was to have me come out. I am Ambassador for the White Sox. I represent the team in and around the community.”
What does it take to get a Rookie of the Year, home run hitter, Ron Kittle to come to Huntley?
Kittle said, “After Glenn sending 6000 emails, the White Sox decided the only way to stop it was to have me come out. I am Ambassador for the White Sox. I represent the team in and around the community.”
Sun City resident Jess Chipkin never thought she’d follow a complete stranger out to a parking lot to enlighten her about the cruelties of factory farming, but that’s exactly what she did one afternoon in 2015. Chipkin had just learned about gestation crates: small, confined spaces where pigs being raised for pork are kept during their four-month pregnancies. “These crates are so small that [the sow] can’t even stretch her limbs, let alone turn around or walk. If we did that to dogs, it would be animal cruelty and someone would be going to prison for it.”
Sun City resident Jess Chipkin never thought she’d follow a complete stranger out to a parking lot to enlighten her about the cruelties of factory farming, but that’s exactly what she did one afternoon in 2015.
Chipkin had just learned about gestation crates: small, confined spaces where pigs being raised for pork are kept during their four-month pregnancies.
“These crates are so small that [the sow] can’t even stretch her limbs, let alone turn around or walk. If we did that to dogs, it would be animal cruelty and someone would be going to prison for it.”
Early in the pandemic my husband starting cutting our son, Christopher’s hair. It started out of necessity and grew into something that they both enjoyed. As Christopher was preparing to go back for his junior year in college, he decided that he wanted to try something different and go to a hair salon. He read multiple reviews and booked an appointment online with a master stylist. His new trendy look gave him the confidence needed to enjoy in person, on campus classes for the first time in 18 months.
Nancy heard through the grapevine about a place that had excellent pizza. As it turned out, we’ve all passed by this establishment at one time or another. As you drive east on Route 20, in the middle of nowhere there’s a curve in the road. As you round the bend you will see a crooked post with a sign on it for the Outpost Tavern and Grill in Pingree Grove. Honestly, the outside of this tavern was not very inviting. It resembled a place that could have been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diner’s, Drive-Ins, and Dives” TV show. We parked Jim’s Mercedes amongst the pick-up trucks, looked at each other, mustarded up our courage, and sauntered in.
Nancy heard through the grapevine about a place that had excellent pizza. As it turned out, we’ve all passed by this establishment at one time or another. As you drive east on Route 20, in the middle of nowhere there’s a curve in the road. As you round the bend you will see a crooked post with a sign on it for the Outpost Tavern and Grill in Pingree Grove.
Honestly, the outside of this tavern was not very inviting. It resembled a place that could have been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diner’s, Drive-Ins, and Dives” TV show. We parked Jim’s Mercedes amongst the pick-up trucks, looked at each other, mustarded up our courage, and sauntered in.
Today’s rising rates of depression and anxiety among all ages of people may be a result of our brains’ messengers getting hooked on pleasurable activities. This is especially true in the Covid-19 Era where more and more people are spending an extreme amount of hours at home in pursuit of video games. Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and professor at Stanford University, gives us this essay adapted from her new book: “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Dopamine is the brain’s chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. In the past 75 years, it has been discovered, however, that pain and pleasure are processed in the same part of the brain.
Today’s rising rates of depression and anxiety among all ages of people may be a result of our brains’ messengers getting hooked on pleasurable activities. This is especially true in the Covid-19 Era where more and more people are spending an extreme amount of hours at home in pursuit of video games.
Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist and professor at Stanford University, gives us this essay adapted from her new book: “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Dopamine is the brain’s chemical that functions as a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. In the past 75 years, it has been discovered, however, that pain and pleasure are processed in the same part of the brain.
Science fiction is a rather malleable genre, one that can be used to fit any given story. It is, first and foremost, seeing how technology affects us as humans. This can be about said future leaps forward changing ourselves in a singular sense or how we interact with each other. One particular style of film has cropped up again and again: the future film noir. That was typified back in 1982(my birth year) with “Blade Runner,” the quintessential sci-fi noir. Many films have tried to evoke its singular brand of gumshoe voice-over and heady visual spectacle. The latest of which just dropped in theaters and HBO Max.
My elderly mother-in-law lives in an apartment complex specifically for seniors. Her apartment is furnished with a full-sized kitchen. My mother-in-law used to enjoy cooking, but her age is slowing her down. I’m concerned about her because she seems disinterested in cooking and is losing weight. When I casually ask her about what she had for dinner, she says she doesn’t have much of an appetite or the will to cook for herself.
Woodstock, Illinois is known for its role as the location for Groundhog Day, home for Orson Welles in his formative years at the Woodstock’s Todd School for Boys, and home to Dick Tracy. Although it is not an entry in the Outdoor Club. Chuck Little, an environmentalist, Sun City resident, and educator, started an outdoor club over 50 years ago at Woodstock High School, changing lives of students.
Woodstock, Illinois is known for its role as the location for Groundhog Day, home for Orson Welles in his formative years at the Woodstock’s Todd School for Boys, and home to Dick Tracy.
Although it is not an entry in the Outdoor Club.
Chuck Little, an environmentalist, Sun City resident, and educator, started an outdoor club over 50 years ago at Woodstock High School, changing lives of students.
Huntley Little League head coach Scott Crowe announced via a July 26 press release, that Huntley Little League’s tournament team, the Huntley Senators, would be representing the Minor Division of players comprised of kids ages 8 through 10 at the Little League World Series (LLWS). Crowe explained to My Huntley News that the Minor Division can only compete at the state level versus being able to play against international teams in the LLWS, an event that is televised. The international games are reserved for kids ages 10 to 12 that are in the division above the Minors.
Huntley Little League head coach Scott Crowe announced via a July 26 press release, that Huntley Little League’s tournament team, the Huntley Senators, would be representing the Minor Division of players comprised of kids ages 8 through 10 at the Little League World Series (LLWS).
Crowe explained to My Huntley News that the Minor Division can only compete at the state level versus being able to play against international teams in the LLWS, an event that is televised. The international games are reserved for kids ages 10 to 12 that are in the division above the Minors.
My favorite spot to sit and think — or sometimes just to sit — is in a lawn chair on the berm at the back of my yard, where the ridge rolls down through the oak trees to the meadow below. Because the ridge is shaped like an airplane wing, a gentle breeze always flows up through the shady oaks. The nearest homes are a half mile distant, past the meadow, which is home to deer, coyotes, pheasants, and other wild-welcome neighbors.
