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In response to Harvard Magazine

In the May-June 2020 issue of Harvard Magazine, in an article titled “The Risks of Homeschooling,” Erin O’Donnell got one thing right: homeschooling is risky.

But risky for whom?

An unmitigated mental health crisis

You won’t need to listen very long before you hear this plea, “Get the country open again.” This is not a lone voice pleading the case for resuming a normal life. After staying home week after week building to month after month, we’re hearing more of a collective shout that has registered with people throughout the U.S. “Get the country open again,” has become a rallying cry.

Local college grad helps create MCDH COVID resource guide

You really don’t have to look very far for examples of people helping others amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the medical field, nurses, doctors, and paramedics are helping on the front lines. Whether it’s on the front lines or behind the lines, the war on COVID-19 has drawn the attention of mostly everyone with medical training. From the field of public health, the McHenry County Department of Health and the health departments in Kane, Lake, DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties, are facing serious challenges every day.

Mask maker, mask maker, make me a mask

Sandy Oslance, Lifestyle Coordinator said, “Following the ‘Stay at Home’ order, Tom Fitzpatrick, a Sun City Huntley resident and Neighborhood Watch Captain, had an idea to help supply face masks to various organizations such as home health care and hospice organizations, food pantries, Senior Care Volunteer Network, etc. He shared his idea with his neighbor and friend, Marie Frostman who he knew enjoyed sewing, and shortly after, the ‘Huntley Strong Hometown Heroes Project was born made up of approximately 45 women who sew.”

Ah, Betelgeuse, we hardly knew ye

I know, in a world so filled with death, it’s a horrible thing to wish for the death of any person, place or thing, but this time I just can’t help myself. Because just a few months ago, Betelgeuse gave off some clear indications that it will die soon — and I have to admit I’d like to see it happen.

Pets and COVID transmission

For the past few months, Sun Citians have been trying to practice six feet of social distancing as they travel through their daily activities outside of their homes.

Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are asking pet owners to take precautions with furry members of their household.

Quarantine queen

This “Covid 19 quarantine” that we are all going through has really been an eye-opener. I have discovered that my loving bride of almost 46 years is a total, raving, lunatic. We all know that she feels I’m the moron, but here is a little look into life with Nancy.

A little bit of this if you enjoy that

Humans, we are creatures of habit. Ever since the beginning of time, we as a species has lived out lives in categories and order. Recently those routines have been seriously shaken out of balance. Luckily, our entertainment has changed much. We enjoy what we always have. So in that spirit, here are some items you might like if you into a particular taste of genre.

Hang Your Hat: May 21, 2020

Letters for the week of May 20.

Despite statewide lockdown restrictions, Loughran says ‘Sun City, Huntley, is financially healthy’

Despite an ongoing battle with coronavirus, Sun City maintains a healthy financial outlook.

Thank you and DON’T!

After publishing my piece on the Sun Day’s tenth anniversary, we received numerous letters (and cards!) from readers wishing us congratulations and continued success, and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you. On this note, I would like to highlight one item in particular that caught my attention.

Drive and drop

The need to help our neighbors in the community is so very important at this time. In addition to the Theatre Company’s efforts and those of various other groups like the softball club, Sun City residents have also turned out in numbers to support Culver’s of Huntley’s weekly food/donation drive (Sunday from 11 am – 5 pm through May 31).

Field day

Marcia Kmet, Sun City resident, grandmother of 11, and great-grandmother of four, was filling up her car at the gas station last week. Something very strange happened next.

“A woman came over and asked me for my autograph,” Kmet said.

A probe into homemade masks

Are all masks effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19?

Self-isolating presents a great time to get a pet

On October 10, 2011, I wrote a H&W column titled “THAT BLACK CAT MAY CROSS YOUR PATH,” a Halloween story. Due to the U.S. Recession in “full swing” at the time, large numbers of animals were being returned to shelters, with their owners unable to afford them. At that time, half of the 6-8 million animals in shelters were being euthanized.

Lupo on probation after sentencing [updated 5/19]

The Kane County Circuit Clerk’s office says Jennifer Lupo is serving two years on probation. The judgment order for the former finance manager of Sun City Huntley staff also called for 20 days in the Kane County Jail.

McHenry County property tax relief arrives

Property taxpayers in Del Webb Sun City-Huntley are more than ready for good news in the form of relief. Whether you live in Grafton Township in McHenry County or in the Kane County portion of Sun City Huntley, you’ll have extra time to pay the first installment of your property taxes.

Ask the Woodchucks: May 7, 2020

There is a black hose where the sump pump water exits the house to guide the water away from the foundation on houses with a basement. To keep it from freezing in the winter you probably removed this hose.

Making your garden last

My husband is a stuff guy. I am a “less is more” girl. His motto is why buy one of something when you can buy three and have a few extra? I only buy something when I absolutely have to. When he cooks, it is in large quantities, and he puts the extra in the freezer. I’m perfectly content with making just enough for that particular meal.

Ask an Angel: May 7, 2020

It has been about five weeks now since we’ve spent time with my aging parents due to COVID-19. This is the longest that we’ve spent apart, given that we live near each other and are used to visiting at least once a week.

Hang Your Hat: May 7, 2020

Letters for the week of May 7.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of health information

A slow erosion of our liberties is a price we’re paying for coming out the other end on the coronavirus pandemic. Some of our civil liberties may be eroded; it’s just too early to tell for how long. However, the list of what we are not allowed to do seems to be getting longer based on the governor of each state reacting to the numbers of coronavirus cases. Right or wrong, our fundamental belief in medical privacy called HIPAA is the latest target for eroded rights.

5 things to look forward to when nothing seems certain

Although nothing in life is ever guaranteed, the coronavirus pandemic and the quarantine lifestyle definitely bring this fact into the light. What can you look forward to during these uncertain times? Turns out there are still some things to get excited about.

Put on a happy face

If you happen to get in your car and drive through Sun City, most likely you may only see a couple of cars, an empty parking lot at the Lodge, and a few people walking.

But you also might see resident Todd Kane, sporting a rainbow top hat to match his Skittle-colored beard, smiling and holding a sign that says, “Don’t Worry Be Happy.”

Peace Corps service cut short by COVID-19 threat

It was just a normal Monday morning, and Brad Christin was getting ready to go to work. Suddenly, the quiet morning was interrupted by an onslaught of texts and emails on his phone.

Christin, 23, a Peace Corps volunteer, was living in Capitán Miranda, Paraguay. But on that Monday in March, as COVID-19 Coronavirus made its way across the globe, Brad knew from the countless texts and emails that his 27-month service in the Peace Corps was going to be cut short after only 18 months. He was leaving South America and going home.

Local teen uses 3D printer to make face shields for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19

When Gail Tepper and her husband, Artie, first heard that their grandson was part of a growing movement to help make masks for healthcare workers, they couldn’t be prouder. Describing the teen as, “a wonderful, kind and caring young man that is very knowledgeable with computers,” it was no surprise to the Teppers that his efforts would catch the attention of the Great Big Story, a media company whose micro-documentaries and short films have been viewed by millions of people on websites like Facebook and YouTube.

The View of a senior’s morning at the supermarket

From the view of a senior shopper, the supermarket experience is all new. Many supermarkets are following “senior hours” generally a few mornings a week. Among the stores in McHenry County, Jewel and Mariano’s have scheduled “senior hours” into their operation.