What we don’t talk about when we talk about running

I have been a runner since I was in middle school. Although I never joined track or cross country, and I rarely participate in an organized race, I run almost every day. I run for the peace of mind, the endorphins, the challenge. I run because I love it.

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Governing board elections run smooth, near-49% voter turnout

When voters have a lot of options as they choose their leaders, they will come to the ballot box.

Ten Sun City residents put their names on the 2017 board of directors ballot this fall, and 2,643 community households responded in the mail-in balloting. That’s nearly 49% of the association’s 5,400-plus eligible households.

This was the biggest election, in terms of candidate and voter participation, ever held in Sun City Huntley’s 18-year history.

Food drive celebrates 10 years of giving

Ten years ago, Laurie Larkin got a phone call from her friend, Annalee Boles. Larkin recalls that call: “Annalee just asked me – ‘do you want to help me organize a food drive?’ And I said, Sure.” That is how Sharing our Blessings Food Drive began.

Boles said, “I saw that the Grafton Food Panty here in town recognized the needs of our community and I wanted to help.”

‘Tis the season for hay, straw, and a sweet-smelling dog

It’s autumn, and as the Halloween-and-Thanksgiving season approaches, folks in my Illinois neighborhood like to decorate their front porches with pumpkins and corn stalks sitting on hay bales.

And every time I see that, I can’t help but think of Schatze, the sweet-smelling dog of my youth.

Sleep deprivation: How aging affects quality of sleep and increases health issues

On this third story on sleep deprivation, I would like to issue the question: “Are you aware that besides diet and exercise, sleep habits also contribute to your health, even more as you grow older?” According to WebMD’s September 2017 Issue, one recent research program studied the sleep habits of 1,344 middle-aged and older adults who already had the following health issues: obesity, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.

New Jewel and other industry headed to Huntley

There’s a once-popular song that goes, “Everything’s up to date in Kansas City.”

In Huntley, that title could be changed slightly: “There is always something new in Huntley.”

Many Sun Citians are readers, and now the Huntley Public Library, with help from an area Eagle Scout candidate, is bringing library services to a Sun City neighborhood.

Fair? Who wants fair at a carnival?

It was the late 80s. The guy wore a battered leather vest straight over tattooed skin that featured things I can’t repeat or describe here. On his feet were Converse sneakers that were maybe once white but were now nicotine yellow and fraying to bits, the famous Converse logo chipped away somewhere in the thousands of miles he walked. He squinted against a smoking cigarette tucked into the corner of his mouth. He had shaggy hair, a shaggy goatee, and a voice that sounded like rusted pipes grating together. With it he said things like, “My blind grandma has better aim than you.” He was working the ring toss at my church carnival, and this guy was my hero.

I’m either desperate, fed up, or both

I go to dozens of movies every year. I go for three reasons.

Welcome to America, where it looks just like it does on TV

My buddy Mike just got back from a week in France, and we took to the links for a quick nine holes so he could tell me a few lies and tales about his trip. His wife, Sandy, had been there before, and they were meeting an old college friend of hers with whom she had spent some time in France years ago, hoping to recapture a bit of the fun they had way back then.

Flyby

To celebrate the flyby of Earth by the OSIRIS-REx satellite, some of the world-wide followers of the NASA space program posted their smiling faces and waving hands on social media (Twitter: #HelloOSIRISREx) on September 22 of this year.

Recent sale spurs questions regarding resale transfer fee

When John Cox, a former resident of Neighborhood 12 in Sun City, recently sold his home, he paid more for the transaction than was legally required.

He paid a resale transfer fee, even though his home was exempt from the fee because of its location and the date it was built.

Swinging for the gold

Glenn Groebli announced that once again “We have brought home the gold.”

Groebli, a team member for 16-inch softball and manager of the 70-plus division confirmed that, “We have dominated the race for the gold on the 6 County Senior Olympics in softball for the last 5 out 6 years.”

How many batteries does your house have?

As electronics move into every corner of our lives, most of them require batteries to operate. As these batteries die the consequences can be from a minor annoyance to a catastrophic failure in your house when the heat goes off and the pipes freeze. In order to avoid these problems, large and small, you need to know where all the batteries are located and when to change them.

The Home Advantage

On Sunday Afternoon, September 24, the Chicago Bears took on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Alex and Rita Schank brought the full home entertainment experience outside, with a television set situated in their backyard and Stadium Seating for their neighbors.

“The admission price of appetizers or dessert is well worth it,” said Kathy Martelli, neighbor.

Huntley maps out new plan for growth

If you’ve been impressed by the Village of Huntley’s growth and expansion in the last 20 years, you haven’t seen anything yet.

Ask an Angel: October 19, 2017

I’ve noticed my mom’s vision is getting worse over time. She is a proud person and has never wanted help around the house. However, her home is not kept up in the way she typically keeps it up. It seems like she is letting things go, but I think it is because she can’t see well. How can I help without overstepping?

Sleep apnea, part 2

While obstructive sleep apnea can affect all ages, central sleep apnea affects only older folks.

My daughter, 43 years old, and my daughter-in-law, 52 years old, were recently diagnosed with the sleeping problem. My son, 46 years old, is about to be tested for the illness. So why is it so important to be checked for the disorder? Well, Mayo Clinic provides us with this list of complications that can arise from untreated sleep apnea.

The Stingrays earn 63 total swim medals in 2017

For the past six years, The Stingrays Swim Club has consistently been walking away with top club honors for medals garnered in the Illinois Six County Senior Swim Meet held more recently at Addison, IL. This year’s July 20 meet, with its usual 7 event format, proved that the Stings continue to be up for the challenge!

To everything there is a season (and an appropriate choice of foliage)

“Tag, you’re it. A wonderful young man disguised as a grumpy teenager it headed your way,” was the text I sent my daughter as my son’s plane took off. Christopher was headed to Kansas State University to spend the weekend with Mary.

No holds barred at Bar Louie

Nancy and her bowling babes were bummed out when they realized one of their favorite lunchtime haunts, Uno’s Pizzeria in Schaumburg, was closing. They were un-bummed out when they found realized “Bar Louie” was taking over that location. Her bowling babes said, “You’re the trained professional, go check it out.” So Nancy took off her bowling shirt. I put on my loose fitting work pants. We both hopped in the Dining Duo Mini-Mobile, and off we went to Bar Louie in Schaumburg.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

If you’re close to 60 or older, you understand the disconnect between your own perception of your age and your actual age. It’s easy being a beauty at 16, but at 60, it takes some care and work.

Sheila Osborne gave away some of the secrets for ageless skin recently in a class here in Sun City.

Proudly Serving the Community of Sun City in Huntley

Proudly Serving the Community of
Sun City in Huntley