MY SUN DAY NEWS
Recently, I needed to record my voice using my computer. Since I had absolutely no idea how to accomplish this, I called my son, Christopher. I explained that this was for an important project and asked if he could please send me an email with step by step instructions. The email I received was exactly 4 words long. ‘Download this. Watch this.”
In a year that we have had, how does Halloween stand up to 2020? Trick-or-treating is still on, with precautions, for the kiddies. With no parties, how can we adults get into the spirit so to speak? No fear (pun intended), there is a lot of media to get us in the mood as well. Sadly some of them are duds, which happens. But luckily that is my job to see the eye-rollers so you don’t have to.
Let’s get through those first.
Jim and I have been “cravin’ Asian” food lately. As a matter of fact, we are total Asian food junkies. There are not many dine in Asian restaurants that we haven’t been to. After checking Facebook for the 4,322 time one day, a light bulb went off in our pea brains.
The Coronavirus lock-downs continue to spread widespread unemployment resulting in large income losses among our citizens. But in addition to the forestalling of physical health and social issues being resolved, the largest crisis facing our country today has become a psychological one.
The Coronavirus lock-downs continue to spread widespread unemployment resulting in large income losses among our citizens.
But in addition to the forestalling of physical health and social issues being resolved, the largest crisis facing our country today has become a psychological one.
Holiday season traditions such as Christmas concerts may not survive the COVID social distancing test for large gatherings, yet any holiday traditions we can hold onto may give us the feeling of hope this Thanksgiving and Christmas. A small red pot dangling from a pole symbolizes the hope our community can come together and support those in need. However, the Salvation Army of McHenry County won’t have enough of those “small red pots dangling from a pole” manned to meet their goal if volunteers don’t sign up soon to ring bells for the Red Kettle campaign.
Note: The views expressed in these political submissions do not reflect those of the Sun Day, its staff, or those associated to the Sun Day.
Letters for the week of October 22.
Just after 8 p.m. on a December night in 2019, Robin Rinaldi-Esta composed a private Facebook message, took a deep breath, and pressed “send.” “I wrote, ‘I think you are my brother. You look exactly like my Dad,’” remembers Rinaldi-Esta.
Just after 8 p.m. on a December night in 2019, Robin Rinaldi-Esta composed a private Facebook message, took a deep breath, and pressed “send.”
“I wrote, ‘I think you are my brother. You look exactly like my Dad,’” remembers Rinaldi-Esta.
At first glance, living in the middle apartment out of a three-story building (with paper-thin walls) might not appear to be the most desirable location. I have two roles. I am both the upstairs neighbor and the downstairs neighbor all at once.
At first glance, living in the middle apartment out of a three-story building (with paper-thin walls) might not appear to be the most desirable location.
I have two roles. I am both the upstairs neighbor and the downstairs neighbor all at once.
“Could I have five more ketchup packets?” A customer at Parkside Pub in Huntley was just served a burger and fries and caught the server’s attention. The customer figured two ketchup packets on her plate weren’t enough. The number of ketchup packets served to a customer won’t break a restaurant’s budget but it’s part of the complete picture of COVID related costs for restaurants and how restaurants struggle to stay on budget.
“Could I have five more ketchup packets?”
A customer at Parkside Pub in Huntley was just served a burger and fries and caught the server’s attention. The customer figured two ketchup packets on her plate weren’t enough. The number of ketchup packets served to a customer won’t break a restaurant’s budget but it’s part of the complete picture of COVID related costs for restaurants and how restaurants struggle to stay on budget.
Residents that have kept up to date with the SCCAH Board of Directors meetings may already be aware of the Board’s new and old business highlights that took place at the September 23 meeting. For those unfamiliar, the Board has approved the motion to install cameras in the Prairie and Meadowview Lodges, as well as the Millgrove Woodshop. The camera installations are part of a series of phases to monitor the improvement of security and cost savings as stated by SCCAH Board President, Dennis O’Leary.
Residents that have kept up to date with the SCCAH Board of Directors meetings may already be aware of the Board’s new and old business highlights that took place at the September 23 meeting.
For those unfamiliar, the Board has approved the motion to install cameras in the Prairie and Meadowview Lodges, as well as the Millgrove Woodshop. The camera installations are part of a series of phases to monitor the improvement of security and cost savings as stated by SCCAH Board President, Dennis O’Leary.
Painted rocks? The idea is simple: get a rock, paint it, hide it, and then leave a hint on Facebook so others can find it. It’s a trend that is popping up all across the country. In Huntley, Sun City residents post their treasure finds on The Facebook Page Wildflower Lake Neighbors in Huntley. Who is responsible for all those painted rocks hidden all over Sun City?
Painted rocks? The idea is simple: get a rock, paint it, hide it, and then leave a hint on Facebook so others can find it. It’s a trend that is popping up all across the country.
In Huntley, Sun City residents post their treasure finds on The Facebook Page Wildflower Lake Neighbors in Huntley. Who is responsible for all those painted rocks hidden all over Sun City?
Dozens of sewing champions in Sun City have dusted off their sewing machines to make thousands of surgical masks this year. Marilyn McIntyre said, “Even though formal charter club activities have been suspended during the pandemic, members of the Sew ‘n Sews club have been working independently sewing, quilting, and knitting. It is estimated that a number of women made over 5,000 masks during the spring from the fabric they had on hand.
Last week, as our nation teetered on the brink of 200,000 citizens dead from a criminally mishandled pandemic, and with my mind reeling from the never-ending stream of disastrous news, I hit the road to escape self-imposed lockdown and hopefully find someplace to unwind in relative safety. It was Starved Rock State Park, where one could wander peaceful outdoor trails through winding canyons, as gold and orange leaves drifted down through the still air. And although I knew I might meet others seeking a bit of sanity, I felt confident that I would find enough safe social distance outdoors.
Last week, as our nation teetered on the brink of 200,000 citizens dead from a criminally mishandled pandemic, and with my mind reeling from the never-ending stream of disastrous news, I hit the road to escape self-imposed lockdown and hopefully find someplace to unwind in relative safety.
It was Starved Rock State Park, where one could wander peaceful outdoor trails through winding canyons, as gold and orange leaves drifted down through the still air. And although I knew I might meet others seeking a bit of sanity, I felt confident that I would find enough safe social distance outdoors.
With Phase 3 vaccine candidates approaching closer to U.S. authorization dates, health and industry leaders are consumed with the necessity of having as many of our population willing to be vaccinated. Besides protecting themselves from the Covid-19 virus, these Americans would also be helping to establish our country’s effective herd immunity level.
Let me take you on an adventure. It requires some imagination, dear reader, to remember a time in the past. A blissful time where our current state of things was not in the back of our minds. The prospect of walking into a theater for a new release was an open invitation, not something we would debate over. It may not feel dire, but the sense is in the air like the autumn chill. All of this sounds like the plot of some international thriller where our Protagonist must take on a dangerous madman hellbent on destruction. No, I am not talking about any real person or situation in particular. This is just the basics of “Tenet.”
fter having to postpone their summer wedding, my grandson and fiancé have decided to have an intimate wedding this fall. While they are keeping the wedding party and guest list small, I still have reservations about attending. I’m in my late 70s and am relatively healthy, aside from suffering from seasonal allergies.
Some people have a green thumb. Jim and I have the black thumb of death. Every Spring we go to our local nursery, buy some perennial plants, and by the end of summer, they commit suicide. Our landscaping is what our neighbors point to and use as a bad example. This year our lawn caught a bad case of fungus. Along with that, some cute striped little critters, aka Chip and Dale, set up camp under the sidewalk leading up to our house.
Mary, my daughter, bravely got on a plane Sunday afternoon, in the middle of a pandemic, and flew 2000 miles to Seattle. As a recent college graduate, she will be starting her new life in the Pacific Northwest. While texts that include pictures of her smiling face in front of Meredith Grey’s house (We are HUGE Grey’s Anatomy fans!) have helped to ease my mind, as quite a few of you know, the burden of missing a child can be tough.
During the stay-at-home order, most people cleaned their closets, caught up on their reading, did puzzles, and learned about Zoom. Cathleen Chay wrote a book. While we may see an influx of pandemic-inspired novels after this worldwide crisis, Chay brings a unique perspective to living life and gives her readers a way to reach calmness in her collections of poems in her new book published this month, Life with Intention.
During the stay-at-home order, most people cleaned their closets, caught up on their reading, did puzzles, and learned about Zoom. Cathleen Chay wrote a book.
While we may see an influx of pandemic-inspired novels after this worldwide crisis, Chay brings a unique perspective to living life and gives her readers a way to reach calmness in her collections of poems in her new book published this month, Life with Intention.
In writing, there’s a saying: “Everyone has one book in them. Almost nobody has two.” I don’t like this saying. In my opinion, it’s mostly said by egotistical writers trying to marginalize those who don’t write or have a difficult time writing. But on the surface it appears true, but only because most people do get an idea for a story but they’re not interested in storytelling or writing enough to develop more. So they stop there. One story.
Limiting travel because of COVID-19 restrictions has had an impact on the human psyche. You’re itching to get away, anywhere just to see a new environment. But you may have become confused over a few key facts swirling in your head. Sun Day is here to unclutter.
National Geographic explains that there are more than 150 coronavirus vaccines now being developed around the world. Hopes, therefore, are high that to ease the global crisis, at least one will be brought to market in record time! The magazine continues, “Several efforts are underway to help make that possible, including the U.S. government’s (and President Trump’s) Operation Warp Speed Initiative, which has pledged $10 billion and aims to develop and deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by January 2021.”
National Geographic explains that there are more than 150 coronavirus vaccines now being developed around the world. Hopes, therefore, are high that to ease the global crisis, at least one will be brought to market in record time!
The magazine continues, “Several efforts are underway to help make that possible, including the U.S. government’s (and President Trump’s) Operation Warp Speed Initiative, which has pledged $10 billion and aims to develop and deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by January 2021.”
Sun City’s Neighborhood Watch is planning a new event, the Sun City’s Sirens & Lights Parade, to honor, thank and show support for our Police, Fire Departments, and first responders. A motorcade of fire engines and police motorcycles will blare their emergency sirens and flash their lights as they follow the 5.5-mile route in Sun City on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Sun City’s Neighborhood Watch is planning a new event, the Sun City’s Sirens & Lights Parade, to honor, thank and show support for our Police, Fire Departments, and first responders.
A motorcade of fire engines and police motorcycles will blare their emergency sirens and flash their lights as they follow the 5.5-mile route in Sun City on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:30 p.m.
All things considered, it’s not really all that hard to obey the Ten Commandments, is it? Oh, sure, we all waffle a bit when it comes to coveting, but most of us manage to steer clear of outright murder and theft, and we’re pretty fond of Mom and Dad. But then there’s that pesky Commandment Number Two, the one ordering us to “make no graven images.” Are selfies covered under that rule?
All things considered, it’s not really all that hard to obey the Ten Commandments, is it? Oh, sure, we all waffle a bit when it comes to coveting, but most of us manage to steer clear of outright murder and theft, and we’re pretty fond of Mom and Dad.
But then there’s that pesky Commandment Number Two, the one ordering us to “make no graven images.”
Are selfies covered under that rule?
Fall festivals are favorites for many families, but along with the pumpkins and hayrides is a harvest of new restrictions thanks to COVID-19. “We cannot have our bouncies, like our pumpkin jumper or inflatable train,” said Liz Halat from Tom’s Farm Market in Huntley.
Fall festivals are favorites for many families, but along with the pumpkins and hayrides is a harvest of new restrictions thanks to COVID-19.
“We cannot have our bouncies, like our pumpkin jumper or inflatable train,” said Liz Halat from Tom’s Farm Market in Huntley.
The season of fall is synonymous with a gorgeous array of various shades of red on a myriad of shrubs and trees. The sight of stately trees in all of their glory at the end of a beautiful summer is what many of us look forward to all year. Often overlooked though are the dozens of perennial flowers that offer up their beautiful blooms as we approach months of cold, ice and snow. It seems as if for these flowers it is their final performance of the season. It’s a performance you don’t want to miss.
On September 5 you may have noticed signs all around Huntley saying, “Tune Radio to 101.5 FM For Fireworks”. Don’t worry, this did not mean your radio would have exploded if you tuned in. Huntley Community Radio had a live broadcast during the village fireworks display, and someone had to put up all those signs.
As this month began, the promise of movie theaters reopening has given us some pause. How will things change in this new world we find ourselves? What safety measures have the staff put in place to make for a comfortable experience? The studios have held back a great deal of their slate until later in 2020 or even next year. With “Tenet” the only major release that seems worth it (and I may still review it later), the resounding feeling of disinterest may have you feeling the small screen to be the better choice. Luckily, we don’t need to give up big budget storytelling in the exchange.
