Conversations with a 3yo are bananas

One of my most popular Happy Trails to date was when a I published a two-part series of quotes by my wife when she was pregnant with our son. They were little blurbs of funny things she said about her pregnancy or upcoming parenthood. It went over famously with readers but not so much with my wife when she found out.

Click here to read our latest edition online in PDF format.

Lost wheelchair base

In Del Webb near pool. Thought to have been left when person was picked up during rain on Sunday. Parkinson’s resident was returned to DeerPath with only back rest of seat. The base has two batteries and looks like a black scooter.

Reward offered. If found, please call 847-209-9978.

Huntley Plan Commission reaches verdict on potential Hampton Inn Hotel project

The ongoing discussion on whether to approve of Woodstock Hotel, Inc.’s petition to construct a four-story, 100 room Hampton Inn Hotel appears to be getting some traction within the confines of Huntley’s body of government. As of July 13, the Huntley Plan Commission recommended the approval of the hotel project by a vote of four to one.

The 63,208 square foot hotel is slated to occupy 3.7 acres of the 11.3-acre Lot 2 of the Huntley Crossings Final Plat of Subdivision, with the main entrance to face towards Route 47.

“I joined as a Mary Kay Consultant in Springfield area on April 1, 1973, to get out of the house a couple of times a week as a break from my 1 & 4-year-old with a big goal of making $30 profit a week, and I expected to quit. I was the first consultant and director in my hometown of Springfield, Illinois,” Rutledge said.

As many residents eagerly assimilate into the new normal for Sun City brought on by the “Phase 4” guidelines of the Restore Illinois plan, there remains questions as to whether the Sun City Community Association Board of Directors have made the right decisions on choosing to open some amenities while maintaining others closed.

How to take your Monday from boring to exciting in a few easy steps

A few Mondays ago, I was walking on the Prairie Path (a nature trail that runs across Illinois), and I was trying to social distance. Bikes raced past me. Clusters of Nike-clad joggers forced me to the outskirts of the trail. I had enough.

Phase 5, the new goal

Moving into Phase 4 for the State of Illinois is a type of “thank you” from the governor’s office that comes with relief and the hope of normalcy. In the governor’s message on Illinois moving into Phase 4, JB. Pritzker said he looked at the data provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

I am not a racist (and you are too)

Fifty years ago, when I was a graduate student at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina, I lived in a cheap row-house apartment built during the Depression. My next-door neighbor was Mike Coe, a young, self-proclaimed redneck.

A subdued 4th for Huntley

The reports came in from all over the country. A CBS affiliate in the Denver area reported a substantial increase in firework reports over the Fourth of July, as did local papers in Dayton, Ohio and Lincoln, Nebraska. But in Huntley, and much of the surrounding area, people are saying that the last few weeks have been comparatively firework-free.

‘Trespassers’ welcomed

Due to the Coronavirus concerns, the Sunflower Garden Club has canceled the annual Resident Garden Walk this year. The club is doing its part in social distancing and following the Board’s mandates. But nine Sun City residents have opened up their beautiful gardens for the Community.

The Dining Duo is overjoyed now that the restaurants have opened up. There are several reasons for this celebration. First, we get to dine out once again. Second, we don’t have to wrack our brains and to come up with some stupid subject for our column. Last, but not least, when we stay at home, we usually dream up some crazy plan and Nancy winds up in a cast or some sort of body brace.

Hang Your Hat: July 16, 2020

Letters for the week of July 16.

Bringing the past to life

Truth being stranger than fiction: that is a widely-known axiom. No author could certainly scribe a novel as weird and wild as the times we are in now. This is why we enjoy historical films and documentaries as part of our cultural diet. Features such as “Dunkirk” and “Titanic” enthrall us even if you know the outcomes.

Happy Zoomversary!

Joan and Larry Davis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with nearly 50 friends and relatives, in a special hybrid version of an anniversary party, suitable for this most unusual year.

The pen and the brick, a followup to my previous Happy Trails

In light of some of the feedback I received on my last Happy Trails (titled “A riot speaks a thousand words but one voice speaks millions”) published in the June 4 edition, I thought it best to add a follow up because I think I missed the mark with its point for some readers, which is what I get for writing half-asleep at 2 a.m. the night before (or morning of) production.

Rain nor Shine nor Coronavirus

Over 45 vehicles lined up, social distancing for Sun City’s Golf Cart Parade at Prairie Lodge Parking Lot. Participants were advised to stay in their cart or keep the current 6-foot social distancing requirement. Spectators who were lining up on the route were also advised to stay in your yard or keep their distances.

COVID-19 and the next step in the process of privacy rights

Deputies with McHenry County Sheriff’s Police, municipal law enforcement officers, and other first responders will not continue receiving names of people infected or testing positive for COVID-19.

Contact tracing

Both Kane and McHenry County Health Departments are awaiting word from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on grants for additional funding of contact tracing. Each county sent their plans on exactly how they would use the yearlong grant for their respective contact tracing program.

Board meeting agenda: reopening under Phase 4 guidelines

The Sun City Community Association Board of Directors meeting was held on Wednesday, June 24, at 9 a.m. via video conference streamed live on www.sccah.com. The Illinois governor’s Phase 4 guidelines for reopening activities were considered by the board in voting on decisions to resume activities.

Because I’m ‘Happy’

This past month, Sun City received a challenge to a dance-off by a neighboring community. Kathy O’ Toole, Sun City Fitness Manager, responded to that challenge stating, “And we want to show them our moves.”

The email blast went out to residents. Clubs contacted their members, and neighborhood captains encouraged their neighbors and individuals got their plans together.

Proudly Serving the Community of
Sun City in Huntley

Conversations with a 3yo are bananas

Lost wheelchair base

Huntley Plan Commission reaches verdict on potential Hampton Inn Hotel project

You can do it

The time to wear a mask is now

Ex-selling at beauty

Village investigates ruse burglary

With club closures still in effect, Softball moves ahead with pickup games

Ask the Woodchucks: Cleaning and caulking a shower

Ask an Angel: July 30, 2020

Hang Your Hat: July 30, 2020

Go Fund Me campaign for Grafton Food Pantry

Questions raised about Sun City’s Phase 4 reopening