MY SUN DAY NEWS
Dee Ann Woods is set to take the stage for the first time with the Theatre Company of Sun City in their spring production of Mame, the madcap musical about an eccentric socialite suddenly faced with the task of raising her young nephew. Woods portrays nephew Patrickâs faithful nanny Agnes Gooch, who sticks out like a sore thumb in Mameâs world of elegant New York parties. âGooch wears these orthopedic Oxfords and she dresses like a frump,â says Woods about her character. âItâs a fun role. Sheâs the good Catholic girl and sheâs in with Mame who is a high-flying, big-living, big-life type of person. She has to kind of grow into this family.â
Dee Ann Woods is set to take the stage for the first time with the Theatre Company of Sun City in their spring production of Mame, the madcap musical about an eccentric socialite suddenly faced with the task of raising her young nephew. Woods portrays nephew Patrickâs faithful nanny Agnes Gooch, who sticks out like a sore thumb in Mameâs world of elegant New York parties.
âGooch wears these orthopedic Oxfords and she dresses like a frump,â says Woods about her character. âItâs a fun role. Sheâs the good Catholic girl and sheâs in with Mame who is a high-flying, big-living, big-life type of person. She has to kind of grow into this family.â
Orv McElfresh and his wife, Janet Fry, are ambassadors for the artist series programming offered for free at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley, 10805 Main Street. On Friday, March 7, the featured program was the Wartburg College Castle Singers and Kammerstreicher. The Wartburg College Castle Singers have a special meaning to McElfresh.
âI joined the Castle Singers in 1961. It is a fairly large group of singers, around 35. I enjoyed being part of the group back then and having them here is quite a thrill for me and a treat for our community. The group started in 1950,â he said.
My parents, still enjoying good health and living independently in their 90s, are sorting through their belongings in their home of nearly 40 years as they prepare to downsize to an apartment.
It is a big job, and my sister and brother-in-law are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, by virtue of them living nearby. In their spare moments, of which they have very few, they go to Mom & Dadâs house and pick up boxes to take to the donation center. They offer moral support. The job of sifting through a lifetime of belongings is not only physically strenuous, but each unopened box holds the potential of releasing a flood of memories, good or bad: a letter from a long-gone relative; Motherâs Day cards on brittle paper with âI love yousâ scrawled in crayon; a serving bowl that brings back a long-forgotten detail from their wedding day.
Digging through the junk drawer the other day, I found one of those plastic plugs you shove into an electric outlet to keep the grandkids from getting zapped. It was in the junk drawer instead of in an outlet because my grandkids are now all high-school-age or older, and if they havenât learned by now what kinds of things belong in an electric outlet and what kinds of things donât, then maybe itâs time for them to learn the hard way. But when they were little, my wife insisted that every treacherous death-dealing outlet be blocked from the grandkidsâ imaginative explorations. I actually wrote about it once in my column, long ago.
Digging through the junk drawer the other day, I found one of those plastic plugs you shove into an electric outlet to keep the grandkids from getting zapped. It was in the junk drawer instead of in an outlet because my grandkids are now all high-school-age or older, and if they havenât learned by now what kinds of things belong in an electric outlet and what kinds of things donât, then maybe itâs time for them to learn the hard way.
But when they were little, my wife insisted that every treacherous death-dealing outlet be blocked from the grandkidsâ imaginative explorations. I actually wrote about it once in my column, long ago.
Pam Figolah enjoys bowling, not only for the sport but for the friendships and the fun. Paralleling Sun City History, the group has been around for about 25 years. Figolah said, “A group of ladies from Sun City started a women’s bowling league at Huntley Bowl Hi. Originally, the ladies named the league The Sun City Ladies Bowling League. This ladies’ group aimed to meet neighbors who also enjoyed bowling. The league was very social, with some friendly competition. A few years later, the league expanded and changed its name to Thursday Ladies Bowling League.” Â
Pam Figolah enjoys bowling, not only for the sport but for the friendships and the fun. Paralleling Sun City History, the group has been around for about 25 years.
Figolah said, “A group of ladies from Sun City started a women’s bowling league at Huntley Bowl Hi. Originally, the ladies named the league The Sun City Ladies Bowling League. This ladies’ group aimed to meet neighbors who also enjoyed bowling. The league was very social, with some friendly competition. A few years later, the league expanded and changed its name to Thursday Ladies Bowling League.” Â
This is the story of a family tree, a walnut tree, and a cherry tree. But not just one; quite a few. Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently fulfilled a request from his daughter. âMy daughter has a glass coffee table. She is tired of seeing the dust on it as the sunlight streams through the window and the fingerprints and smudges,â he said.
This is the story of a family tree, a walnut tree, and a cherry tree. But not just one; quite a few.Â
Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently fulfilled a request from his daughter.
âMy daughter has a glass coffee table. She is tired of seeing the dust on it as the sunlight streams through the window and the fingerprints and smudges,â he said.
The Tall Oaks Tennis Club has scored a major win, securing support from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to launch a red ball tennis pilot program. Thanks to the efforts of club president Duane Fontana, the USTA has provided the club with new equipment to help introduce its members to the sport in a more accessible and enjoyable way. âIf we go back maybe seven, eight years ago, I saw that the population of Sun City was getting older and a lot were getting injuries or they canât do what they used toâŠI had shoulder surgery so I understand now. So, I said, âThereâs got to be a way that I can make it easier for older people or people that have injuries to do this.â So, I came up with this brilliant idea that if I had a slower ball and a smaller court, it might make it easier for the older people,â Fontana told My Sun Day News.
The Tall Oaks Tennis Club has scored a major win, securing support from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to launch a red ball tennis pilot program. Thanks to the efforts of club president Duane Fontana, the USTA has provided the club with new equipment to help introduce its members to the sport in a more accessible and enjoyable way.
âIf we go back maybe seven, eight years ago, I saw that the population of Sun City was getting older and a lot were getting injuries or they canât do what they used toâŠI had shoulder surgery so I understand now. So, I said, âThereâs got to be a way that I can make it easier for older people or people that have injuries to do this.â So, I came up with this brilliant idea that if I had a slower ball and a smaller court, it might make it easier for the older people,â Fontana told My Sun Day News.
Mary, my adult daughter, and I recently went shopping. Thanks to her patience and good decorating abilities, I now own a few new home décor items. While certainly not extravagant, each time I walk into the kitchen or living room I smile because these new items that seem to make the rooms more inviting and pleasing. Spring brings the chance for us to add a few new things to our garden. Much like adding new items to the inside our home, adding something new to the outside of our home will often add interest and brings joy. Thankfully, plant growers and hybridizers have spent years researching and developing new plants for our yards. Often times these plants have been growing in trial gardens across America as a way to ensure that when they are planted in our yards, they will thrive.
Mary, my adult daughter, and I recently went shopping. Thanks to her patience and good decorating abilities, I now own a few new home décor items. While certainly not extravagant, each time I walk into the kitchen or living room I smile because these new items that seem to make the rooms more inviting and pleasing.
Spring brings the chance for us to add a few new things to our garden. Much like adding new items to the inside our home, adding something new to the outside of our home will often add interest and brings joy. Thankfully, plant growers and hybridizers have spent years researching and developing new plants for our yards. Often times these plants have been growing in trial gardens across America as a way to ensure that when they are planted in our yards, they will thrive.
Ah, the wild west!!! A time in American history of lawlessness, cattle rustlers, and gun slingers. This was immortalized by such historically accurate TV shows (NOT) such as Have Gun Will Travel, Bonanza, and our personal favorite, Gunsmoke. This show had memorable characters such as the 6â7â Marshall Dillon, the vivacious Miss Kitty (who we always suspected of running a promiscuous business on the side), and comic relief provided by Chester who was desperately in need of orthopedic work. With this in mind, Jim put on his chaps and spurs, which for reasons we wonât go into, he just happened to have lying around the house, jumped on our faithful steed âMini,â and blazed a trail to Cattlemenâs Burger and Brew in Algonquin.
The good news is that most of the products we are watching were the same price on March 15 as they were on January and February 15. The bad news is that the two exceptions are whoppers. Ground beef was $5.84/lb in March, an increase of 25.86% since January 15; and eggs were $5.97, an increase of 43.51%. Â
How does a relationship last? This is a question that has plagued smarter men than myself. Marriages are tougher. You promise to stick it out through thick and thin. Then thereâs the needling and bickering; the yearning for your own individuality while maintaining a unit. And donât get me started on how to hang the toilet paper roll. (It is over the roll, welcome to my Ted Talk). However, what if your respected jobs require discretion and even a bit of duplicity?
Letters for the week of March 27.
Iâm in my seventies and trying to take care of myself, but I feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting nutrition advice out there. One day, I hear I should cut carbs, the next, Iâm told to eat whole grains. Some people swear by high-protein diets, others say too much meat is bad for me. And donât get me started on all the different opinions about dairy!
pNote: The views expressed in these political submissions do not reflect those of the Sun Day, its staff, or those associated to the Sun Day.
The Life-Long Learning Committee (LLLC) brought the sold-out session on the History of Riverview Amusement Park to Sun City. Dottie Bobzin, a member of the LLLC, said, âMany Sun City residents remember Riverview. Our Chicago-related topics are well attended.â Jackie Monilaw, Chair of LLLC, said, âWe were thrilled to find out that someone locally, Fast Eddieâs Car Wash, had several items historically related to the amusement park. They lent them to us for the lecture and donated several free car washes for a raffle.â
The Life-Long Learning Committee (LLLC) brought the sold-out session on the History of Riverview Amusement Park to Sun City. Dottie Bobzin, a member of the LLLC, said, âMany Sun City residents remember Riverview. Our Chicago-related topics are well attended.âÂ
Jackie Monilaw, Chair of LLLC, said, âWe were thrilled to find out that someone locally, Fast Eddieâs Car Wash, had several items historically related to the amusement park. They lent them to us for the lecture and donated several free car washes for a raffle.â
All the great thinkers of the world have come up with Laws describing how the world works. Adam Smith devised âThe Law of Supply and Demandâ in 1776 to explain why some things are expensive and other things are cheap. Sir Isaac Newton came up with âThe Three Laws of Motionâ in 1687 to explain why objects either sit still or move around.
All the great thinkers of the world have come up with Laws describing how the world works.
Adam Smith devised âThe Law of Supply and Demandâ in 1776 to explain why some things are expensive and other things are cheap.
Sir Isaac Newton came up with âThe Three Laws of Motionâ in 1687 to explain why objects either sit still or move around.
Marilyn Stucki has lived in Sun City since 2003, moving from Palatine with her husband. They have three sons and one granddaughter. A dog, cat, or both has always been a part of the family.  Stucki said, “As a child, I always had a pet. I got my first cat as a little girl from my uncle. They had a litter of kittens. I had to pay twenty-five cents for the kitten. My very own first pet. I named her Sky.”
Marilyn Stucki has lived in Sun City since 2003, moving from Palatine with her husband. They have three sons and one granddaughter. A dog, cat, or both has always been a part of the family. Â
Stucki said, “As a child, I always had a pet. I got my first cat as a little girl from my uncle. They had a litter of kittens. I had to pay twenty-five cents for the kitten. My very own first pet. I named her Sky.”
It was 2015, we were in the middle of a pay freeze, and our life was generally chaotic with four little kids, a floppy-eared puppy, and a house that always seemed to need fixing. Toys were everywhere, our savings account was barely worth mentioning, and we hadnât taken a decent vacation in years. There were nights I couldnât sleep, worrying how we would pay for school fees and music lessons and clothing for our children. Something had to change. Ten years ago next month, we made a big change: we moved into a house half the size of our previous home.Â
It was 2015, we were in the middle of a pay freeze, and our life was generally chaotic with four little kids, a floppy-eared puppy, and a house that always seemed to need fixing. Toys were everywhere, our savings account was barely worth mentioning, and we hadnât taken a decent vacation in years.
There were nights I couldnât sleep, worrying how we would pay for school fees and music lessons and clothing for our children. Something had to change.Â
Ten years ago next month, we made a big change: we moved into a house half the size of our previous home.Â
Sun City residents may have heard of the Lifelong Learning Committee, but many may not be familiar with the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to bring various topics of interest. These individuals, including Jackie Monilaw, Chair, Bill Ball, Dottie Bobzin, Victoria Cederquist, Joan Davis, Carl Hupert, Tom Smith, Dave Fink, and Carol Waxenberg, along with staff liaisons Shannon Smith and Melissa Hornick, are the driving force behind the committee’s activities.  Bobzin said, âThe committee began around 2007. Carl Hupert had the idea and is still a member.â
Sun City residents may have heard of the Lifelong Learning Committee, but many may not be familiar with the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to bring various topics of interest.
These individuals, including Jackie Monilaw, Chair, Bill Ball, Dottie Bobzin, Victoria Cederquist, Joan Davis, Carl Hupert, Tom Smith, Dave Fink, and Carol Waxenberg, along with staff liaisons Shannon Smith and Melissa Hornick, are the driving force behind the committee’s activities. Â
Bobzin said, âThe committee began around 2007. Carl Hupert had the idea and is still a member.â
On Saturday evening, March 1, a group of Sun City residents headed to Huntley Park Districtâs Cosman Theater. The women wore poodle skirts and blouses with chiffon neck scarves, bobby socks, saddle shoes, and cat-eye glasses. Some were in Grease-inspired costumes; men in black attire, and women sporting pink lady jackets. Some wore their favorite bowling shirt with slacks, saddle shoes, or penny loafers. A few were sporting high school sweaters with earned letters. Parsla Gagainis, Sun City resident, said, âI loved seeing everyone get into the spirit of the evening by wearing iconic costumes of the â50s era. My pink lady jacket was homage to the pink ladies in Grease. The poodle-skirted ladies were really awesome.â
On Saturday evening, March 1, a group of Sun City residents headed to Huntley Park Districtâs Cosman Theater. The women wore poodle skirts and blouses with chiffon neck scarves, bobby socks, saddle shoes, and cat-eye glasses. Some were in Grease-inspired costumes; men in black attire, and women sporting pink lady jackets. Some wore their favorite bowling shirt with slacks, saddle shoes, or penny loafers. A few were sporting high school sweaters with earned letters.Â
Parsla Gagainis, Sun City resident, said, âI loved seeing everyone get into the spirit of the evening by wearing iconic costumes of the â50s era. My pink lady jacket was homage to the pink ladies in Grease. The poodle-skirted ladies were really awesome.â
Since this is indeed the month of St Patrickâs Day, it is perhaps fitting to consider some recent research about the health of Irish people, focusing on lifestyle, especially diet. Many Americans envision the Irish diet as unhealthy with an emphasis on fried, fatty snacks (think fish and chips), followed by meat-centric heavy meals, and washed down with a Guinness. The most recent survey of the state of Irish health seems to reflect that (Source: State of Health in the EU-Ireland). Ireland has the highest rate of obesity among European countries, with high rates of alcohol-related deaths, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Letâs be honest, St. Patrickâs Day is not really known as a culinary holiday. Most people prefer Guiness and Jamesons over boiled potatoes. A perfect example of this is Nancy. If thereâs Guiness on tap, sheâs there in a heartbeat. She actually survived in Ireland on Guiness and flights of Irish whiskey rather than eating such delicacies as Piggy Cheeks and the delicious blend of oatmeal, pork, bread, and suet known as White Pudding. However, we digress. We found an Irish pub in Downers Grove with an interesting menu with lots of creative and authentic Irish dishes. We jumped into the Mini-Mobile, followed the rainbow hoping to find a pot of gold at Ballydoyle Irish Pub.
Iâm worried about my mom and could use some guidance. Sheâs always been fairly active, but after having knee surgery last year, she went through physical therapy, made great progress, and then… just stopped. Now she insists sheâs fine and doesnât âneedâ to exercise anymore, but I can see how much less she moves. Sheâs more sedentary and complains about stiffness. Even simple things like getting up from a chair are becoming more difficult for her.
We moved into Neighborhood 3 a little over a year ago. During our orientation we learned about the Del Webb neighborhoods, and we have a question about the neighborhood numbering. Whenever we meet someone at tennis, or in the Prairie Lodge, one of the first questions that comes up is âWhat neighborhood do you live in?â Once Iâm told, I still have no idea where they live; the neighborhood numbers make no sense to me. Am I missing something, is there a secret decoder ring that will clue me in to where a numbered neighborhood is? Â
Recently, I walked the streets where Che Guevara, Jose Marti, Fidel Castro, and Ernest Hemmingway walked. Havana, Cuba. Here, it is called Habana, Cuba, and it is where I met my six fellow travelers and our wonderful guide, Daryl Hawk. I highly recommend his Cuba tours. I did not mind waiting for everyone at the airport, for it gave me more time to admire the classic cars that drove around the airport picking up arrivals. Or just showing off their luster from the ever-present sun. Well, almost ever-present sun. Flowers do need rain sometimes.
For the first time ever, I decided to put up our Christmas tree before Thanksgiving. Usually, I wait until a few days before Christmas to decorate our home and most importantly the tree. After hauling from the basement box after box of tinsel, ornaments, and lights, I came to a disturbing realization. The decorations werenât going to do me any good, because we didnât have a Christmas tree. During our move last summer, we had made the decision to give away our old Christmas tree and planned on purchasing a new one. The problem was, we never purchased a new one. Thankfully a few trips to local big box stores and some shopping online helped us to ensure that we were still able to decorate the tree by Christmas Eve.
Ever since the advent of sound in the 1920s, the very idea that we would go back to silent pictures seems ludicrous. But this style of filmmaking isnât completely dead. We had a Best Picture back in 2011 called The Artist that was largely a visual film with no dialogue. Many independent directors such as Todd Haynes, Guy Madden, and Pedro AlmodĂłvar have dabbled in the art form; breathing in new life. Some of the best animated features are as such. So, it would stand that there is still gas in the tank for this engine to keep going. And, to be honest; with the chatter online, we could use a little less squawking.
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.
For the last 15 years, Rebecca Tulloch of Bartlett has educated audiences regarding the 11-year history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). As a new Major League Baseball season dawned with Spring Training’s start, an audience of 25 heard about the Rockford Peaches success in the AAGPBL from Tulloch at Huntley Area Public Library Feb. 11.
For the last 15 years, Rebecca Tulloch of Bartlett has educated audiences regarding the 11-year history of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).
As a new Major League Baseball season dawned with Spring Training’s start, an audience of 25 heard about the Rockford Peaches success in the AAGPBL from Tulloch at Huntley Area Public Library Feb. 11.
Itâs not that I enjoy watching my kids struggle â I really donât. All the motherly instinct in me wants to run in, sweep them up in my arms, and rescue them from pain, frustration, embarrassment, or fear. But I learned a long time ago that you canât wrap your children in bubble wrap; the more we hover around them and try to catch them before they fall, the less likely theyâll know how to get up again by themselves.
