MY SUN DAY NEWS
Bill Dollear lives in Del Webb but travels extensively. This is from his last trip when he was in Costa Rica.
Susan Viravec of Sun City has received the State Outstanding Master Gardener Award, an honor given to only the top 1–2% of Illinois volunteers. She earned this award through her strong leadership and dedication, completing more than 120 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education. Viravec has shared research-based gardening knowledge with the public and gone above and beyond the usual service requirements.
But Viravec hasn’t always known about her green thumb.
Kim Fischer, a Sun City resident, recently concluded his tenures as a Neighborhood 4 Representative and a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) Executive Committee. He became a neighborhood representative in 2005, and he has served on the NAC Executive Committee since 2012.
His Sun City story starts in 2003.
Jim grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. It was an Italian/Polish neighborhood and his family was the token Germans they allowed in. As a result of this ethnic rich neighborhood, he grew up with the best food in the world. He didn’t have to look far to find a great pizza joint. Then he met me, a suburban girl, and he had to share with me Chicago’s culinary delights. One of my favorite places was Leona’s on Irving Park Road. We were surprised when we found out that there was a Leona’s pizzeria in McHenry. We decided to fire up the “Way Back Machine” and go back in time for a good Chicago pizza.
Jim grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. It was an Italian/Polish neighborhood and his family was the token Germans they allowed in. As a result of this ethnic rich neighborhood, he grew up with the best food in the world. He didn’t have to look far to find a great pizza joint. Then he met me, a suburban girl, and he had to share with me Chicago’s culinary delights. One of my favorite places was Leona’s on Irving Park Road.
We were surprised when we found out that there was a Leona’s pizzeria in McHenry. We decided to fire up the “Way Back Machine” and go back in time for a good Chicago pizza.
Quick PSA: I am not claiming that one country is better or more worthy than another is terms of creative output. We Americans have been putting together fine work for even the last few decades. “Mad Men,” “Six Feet Under,” “American Horror Story” (at least the first few seasons. These are just a smattering of some that I have witnessed. Surely there are angry readers yelling “Breaking Bad” into their newspapers now. But sometimes we get it wrong. A show isn’t given enough time or axed due to some outside pressure. And now it is time to jump on Netflix with their cancellation of “Boots.”
In our December 18 column, Now you Know partially responded to a query sent in by Annette of Neighborhood 16 about the Huntley Fire Protection District. We addressed their structure, staffing, professionalism, and training that supports their excellent ability to respond to the community’s 911 calls and need for help. Here is Part II of NYK’s investigation.
In our December 18 column, Now you Know partially responded to a query sent in by Annette of Neighborhood 16 about the Huntley Fire Protection District. We addressed their structure, staffing, professionalism, and training that supports their excellent ability to respond to the community’s 911 calls and need for help.
Here is Part II of NYK’s investigation.
I’m writing as an adult daughter who’s feeling torn between love, frustration, and worry. My mom has mild dementia and struggles with incontinence. My dad is still her primary caregiver, and he’s fiercely protective of her, which I admire. However, he refuses to let her wear Depends. He insists they’re unnecessary and embarrassing, and that she can “manage just fine.” The truth is, she can’t anymore.
At locations near and far, those interested in birds joined in the annual Rutland Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which included Huntley and Sun City sites. The area for the ninth annual Rutland CBC, held Dec. 27, stretched to Pingree Grove in the south, Burlington-Hampshire in the west and east to Carpentersville.
At locations near and far, those interested in birds joined in the annual Rutland Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which included Huntley and Sun City sites.
The area for the ninth annual Rutland CBC, held Dec. 27, stretched to Pingree Grove in the south, Burlington-Hampshire in the west and east to Carpentersville.
I just returned from a trip to New Orleans, where my husband and I took in the local scenery, fabulous music, and of course…food. We ate our way through the city, gorging ourselves on all the fresh flavors of catfish, oysters, shrimp, jambalaya, red beans & rice, and gumbo. “Oh, you must go to Cafe du Monde and have beignets!” said one person after another, almost word for word, which had me suspecting they were part of a mass marketing campaign aimed solely at me.
I just returned from a trip to New Orleans, where my husband and I took in the local scenery, fabulous music, and of course…food. We ate our way through the city, gorging ourselves on all the fresh flavors of catfish, oysters, shrimp, jambalaya, red beans & rice, and gumbo.
“Oh, you must go to Cafe du Monde and have beignets!” said one person after another, almost word for word, which had me suspecting they were part of a mass marketing campaign aimed solely at me.
It’s getting hard to decide which global disaster is most likely to lay us low, you know? Just when scientists had gotten me warmed up to the idea that global warming and Gulf oil leaks are bad for us, now they tell me that the latest doom we have to worry about is—well, they don’t have a name for it yet, but I suppose it would be called “global snickerdoodling”.
It’s getting hard to decide which global disaster is most likely to lay us low, you know?
Just when scientists had gotten me warmed up to the idea that global warming and Gulf oil leaks are bad for us, now they tell me that the latest doom we have to worry about is—well, they don’t have a name for it yet, but I suppose it would be called “global snickerdoodling”.
Lucy Tracy, a proud Sun City resident, can trace her ancestry back to the esteemed founder of Cornell University. She is the eleventh generation of the illustrious Cornell family tree. She recently received a published book that contains the genealogy of the Cornell family.
Lucy Tracy, a proud Sun City resident, can trace her ancestry back to the esteemed founder of Cornell University.
She is the eleventh generation of the illustrious Cornell family tree. She recently received a published book that contains the genealogy of the Cornell family.
John Summaria, a Sun City resident, wanted to live long enough to celebrate his 100th birthday. Marie Prester, also a Sun City resident and Summaria’s sister, believes it everything Summaria wished. “He did have many wonderful celebrations for his milestone birthday. Both his Bridge and Pinochle Charter Club card groups celebrated his birthday. There was a celebration at the VFW and another at a family gathering. He enjoyed them all tremendously. Summaria was born on December 5, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the third of six children.”
John Summaria, a Sun City resident, wanted to live long enough to celebrate his 100th birthday. Marie Prester, also a Sun City resident and Summaria’s sister, believes it everything Summaria wished.
“He did have many wonderful celebrations for his milestone birthday. Both his Bridge and Pinochle Charter Club card groups celebrated his birthday. There was a celebration at the VFW and another at a family gathering. He enjoyed them all tremendously. Summaria was born on December 5, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the third of six children.”
Increasing prices and inflation have forced many families to make difficult choices between essential needs such as groceries, rent, and medicine. The Grafton Food Pantry, similar to many organizations, is currently serving a record number of individuals. The Sun City Theatre company decided to play a role.
Increasing prices and inflation have forced many families to make difficult choices between essential needs such as groceries, rent, and medicine. The Grafton Food Pantry, similar to many organizations, is currently serving a record number of individuals.
The Sun City Theatre company decided to play a role.
A recent issue of AARP magazine included an article asking if you can improve your wellbeing by wearing “Your Heart on Your Sleeve.” Noting that the digital revolution has “now reached our bodies,” this article and many others in the news recently, focused on wearable health and fitness devices.
I’m writing because winter showed up early this year, and I’ll be honest, it caught me off guard. The snow and ice came sooner than usual, and just like that, my daily outdoor walks were off the table. Those walks were more than exercise for me; they were my fresh air, my routine, my mood booster. Losing them so suddenly has been harder than I expected.
New Year, New You. At least that is the slogan every person who greets the incoming year says, a hope for some prosperous future we can all attain. Hello all, hope your winter break was good, that the holidays were a moment of stress-free reprieve. I, for one, feel that now is the real escape. My day job being in retail, the month of December contains a different power over me than it once was. Although I don’t prescribe to the notion that Christmas/Holiday music is annoying. Unless it is “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” But enough about that, here we are in the beginning of January. Possibly you are reflecting on what you didn’t do in 2025. Maybe a crisis came up that made you reevaluate your priorities, bring more focus to what is lacking. A crisis of faith, one might say. However, maybe it wasn’t that dramatic. That is just the dilemma at the emotional core of Rian Johnson’s latest in his Knives Out series.
New Year, New You. At least that is the slogan every person who greets the incoming year says, a hope for some prosperous future we can all attain. Hello all, hope your winter break was good, that the holidays were a moment of stress-free reprieve. I, for one, feel that now is the real escape. My day job being in retail, the month of December contains a different power over me than it once was. Although I don’t prescribe to the notion that Christmas/Holiday music is annoying. Unless it is “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.”
But enough about that, here we are in the beginning of January. Possibly you are reflecting on what you didn’t do in 2025. Maybe a crisis came up that made you reevaluate your priorities, bring more focus to what is lacking. A crisis of faith, one might say. However, maybe it wasn’t that dramatic. That is just the dilemma at the emotional core of Rian Johnson’s latest in his Knives Out series.
The holidays are finally over. Thank goodness the family gatherings are done for another year. All that is left is memories of the spirited dinner table discussions and thoughts of all the wonderful gifts. In all fairness, we should talk, since Rosie has an overflowing toy box already, we wrapped up her dog treats and told her Santa brought them. The best gift we received was a solid glass paperweight with a real crab encased inside. Needless to say, we decided to join the pajama clad, over caffeinated, exhausted people during the after Christmas rush and return this magnificent gift from whence it came and possibly get something else in exchange. To keep our strength up for this endeavor, we Googled restaurants in the Schaumburg area and found something interesting. This family-owned restaurant is JoJo’s Diner.
The N12 Cookie Exchange Christmas Party held on Tuesday, December 16, was truly a delightful evening and a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
This year again, Sun City elves from the Sun Flower Garden Club, the Shalom group, the Railroad Club, and other groups contributed to the festive decorating of the Prairie and Meadow View Lodge. Trees and holiday displays line the hallways of the Lodges. Paulette Carrion, a Garden Club member said, “The Garden Club has been decorating the lodges for 25 years. Since the tradition began, the number of trees and tablescapes has grown from an original three to 18 trees, three fireplaces, an atrium bar, and many tables and buffets you see decorated today. The Shalom Club contributes by providing the many Hanukkah decorations you see in both lodges.”
This year again, Sun City elves from the Sun Flower Garden Club, the Shalom group, the Railroad Club, and other groups contributed to the festive decorating of the Prairie and Meadow View Lodge. Trees and holiday displays line the hallways of the Lodges.
Paulette Carrion, a Garden Club member said, “The Garden Club has been decorating the lodges for 25 years. Since the tradition began, the number of trees and tablescapes has grown from an original three to 18 trees, three fireplaces, an atrium bar, and many tables and buffets you see decorated today. The Shalom Club contributes by providing the many Hanukkah decorations you see in both lodges.”
I’ve been retired from teaching for more than 20 years, yet I often dream that I am still (or maybe yet again will be) a teacher. But although I loved teaching, my teacher dreams always fall in the “bad dream” category. Oh, not because the kids are rebellious in the dream. No, in all my “bad” teaching dreams, it’s never the kids’ fault. It’s always me.
I’ve been retired from teaching for more than 20 years, yet I often dream that I am still (or maybe yet again will be) a teacher. But although I loved teaching, my teacher dreams always fall in the “bad dream” category.
Oh, not because the kids are rebellious in the dream. No, in all my “bad” teaching dreams, it’s never the kids’ fault.
It’s always me.
“Well, we are witnessing the downfall of society,” said my Gentleman Friend, as he kicked off his boots next to the front door and brushed snow out of his hair. Sometimes I’m not sure if he’s being funny or overly dramatic. So I wait.
“Well, we are witnessing the downfall of society,” said my Gentleman Friend, as he kicked off his boots next to the front door and brushed snow out of his hair.
Sometimes I’m not sure if he’s being funny or overly dramatic. So I wait.
For a handful of Sun City residents, a 5K run, the Running of the Elves, was the perfect way to start a chilly Saturday. The group included Linda Rizza, Nancy Fontana, Duane Fontana, Frank Eisler, and a few other Sun City residents. The Huntley Rotary Club fourth annual run was the start of the day of village sponsored 17th annual Very Merry Huntley activities Dec. 6. In addition to the 5K, kids could participate in a block long race down Coral Street and there was a walk for 1K.
For a handful of Sun City residents, a 5K run, the Running of the Elves, was the perfect way to start a chilly Saturday. The group included Linda Rizza, Nancy Fontana, Duane Fontana, Frank Eisler, and a few other Sun City residents.
The Huntley Rotary Club fourth annual run was the start of the day of village sponsored 17th annual Very Merry Huntley activities Dec. 6. In addition to the 5K, kids could participate in a block long race down Coral Street and there was a walk for 1K.
A holiday tradition for the Sun City Sunflower Garden Club is the House Walk for charity. Each homeowner who participates in the walk chooses a charity for which a portion of the sales will be donated. This year, the event took place on December 11 and featured six homes. Marsha Natkins, one of the committee chairs, said, “This tradition goes back fourteen years. I have two other co-chairs who have helped organize this event. Julie Shank handles publicity and Joey Begora recruits greeters for each home showcase. The greeters help with the flow of traffic and answer questions.”
A holiday tradition for the Sun City Sunflower Garden Club is the House Walk for charity. Each homeowner who participates in the walk chooses a charity for which a portion of the sales will be donated. This year, the event took place on December 11 and featured six homes.
Marsha Natkins, one of the committee chairs, said, “This tradition goes back fourteen years. I have two other co-chairs who have helped organize this event. Julie Shank handles publicity and Joey Begora recruits greeters for each home showcase. The greeters help with the flow of traffic and answer questions.”
Twelve residents from Sun City volunteered at a holiday event at Chesak Elementary School on Tuesday, December 2. Pat Janiga, Janet Andersen, Sharon Melbye, Gerry Saia, Linda Rizza, Nedra Reeves, Kathy Wendhack, Dawn Leonard, Bernice Wills, Sharon Rainey, Jesus Villa, and Janet Kargol were ready and dressed in their holiday attire. Their participation reflects Sun City residents’ strong community pride and support for local events, inspiring others to join in. They put on their reindeer headbands, identifying themselves as volunteers, and went to take on tasks at the cookie-decorating station, snacks and beverages sales, and three craft projects.
Twelve residents from Sun City volunteered at a holiday event at Chesak Elementary School on Tuesday, December 2.
Pat Janiga, Janet Andersen, Sharon Melbye, Gerry Saia, Linda Rizza, Nedra Reeves, Kathy Wendhack, Dawn Leonard, Bernice Wills, Sharon Rainey, Jesus Villa, and Janet Kargol were ready and dressed in their holiday attire. Their participation reflects Sun City residents’ strong community pride and support for local events, inspiring others to join in. They put on their reindeer headbands, identifying themselves as volunteers, and went to take on tasks at the cookie-decorating station, snacks and beverages sales, and three craft projects.
With another festive season upon us, that brings family drama and rambunctious youngsters. Maybe you need an escape, for you and your clan to just kick back and enjoy. You could check out that new Taylor Swift docuseries and concert on Disney Plus. Or you could also catch up with this year’s best. Sinners over on HBO Max, Frankenstein on Netflix. Hedda on Prime Video, just to name a few. And it’s always a great time introduce the grandkids to charming melancholy of A Charlie Brown Christmas. I will never get the sound of light piano underscored by Snoopy skating around the ice.
A tinge of nostalgia always passes through my mind now when I watch films taking place in institutions of higher learning. The chill in the air as I sip a coffee on the Quad and read Proust or Dostoevsky, people watching fellow students making their way toward class. What I never saw was a philosophy professor chewing out their honors student for all to see. However, that is the centerpiece of Luca Guadagnino’s latest. And this was in the trailer and is not really a spoiler. After The Hunt is the type of film that reeks of smug self-congratulatory curtain bows; the look at me, I know how to be topical. Only problem is the analysis is surface deep at best. This is not the fault of the filmmaker or his game cast.
Annette of Neighborhood 16 asked, “Recently my neighbor had a medical emergency and called 911. The response was quick as both a Huntley ambulance and firetruck arrived with lights flashing. Why were both trucks sent when there was no fire?”
As the holidays approach, I recognize that I need more help than in previous years. Although my children and grandchildren keep offering to help with shopping, cooking, decorating, and all the other little tasks that make the holidays special, I can’t shake this feeling of guilt. I truly appreciate my family’s willingness to support me, but it feels like asking for help only adds to their already busy schedules.
Snow is falling, eggnog lattes and milkshakes are in season, what could be better? Making cookies for Santa has remained a tried and true tradition for generations.
A Zoo to You of Huntley reindeer were one of the main attractions at Very Merry Huntley event Dec. 6.
