MY SUN DAY NEWS
Sun City Theatre’s fall musical has it all: jealous stepsisters, a grand ball, a lost shoe, and a fairy tale romance with a handsome prince. This adaptation of Cinderella sets the familiar story of the unlikely princess to a beautiful musical score from the famous composer-lyricist duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
In my own home, I am queen of the castle. Duchess of the Dwelling. Empress of the Estate.
I’m a full-grown adult with a degree and a career. I drive my own car. But when I go up to visit my parents, who are in their 90s and live in an apartment for seniors, it’s like I’m a kid again. It’s confusing, especially because now, our traditional roles are not as clear cut. In fact, they’ve been flipped on their head.
Of all the many lessons my father taught me, the most valuable one that I live by every day may be his lesson about “acquired taste.”
I’m sure you know that term — the process of learning over time to like something that you found distasteful when you first experienced it.
As the adult children and grandkids are back to work and school, things are getting back to seriousness. Reading “The New York Times” the other day, you would believe that there is no joy in the world at this moment. And, in some ways, that would seem to be correct. Doomscrolling over social media can be a daunting exercise that can leave you drained and unmotivated. However, I have been trying to look at the positive in life more. So, in a bid to not fall into a complete existential crisis, let’s put the drama away (for now) and focus on more comedic efforts.
Bruce Goettsche (pronounced Getchy), of neighborhood 13B, and his wife, Debbie, moved to Sun City in September 2025. Goettsche retired from pastoral ministry earlier that year after 43 years serving the same Bible-teaching church in La Harpe, Illinois. Before he left, he officially passed the spiritual mantle to his son, Rick, who joined the church staff as Associate Pastor back in August 2006.
Bruce Goettsche (pronounced Getchy), of neighborhood 13B, and his wife, Debbie, moved to Sun City in September 2025. Goettsche retired from pastoral ministry earlier that year after 43 years serving the same Bible-teaching church in La Harpe, Illinois.
Before he left, he officially passed the spiritual mantle to his son, Rick, who joined the church staff as Associate Pastor back in August 2006.
Baseball memories for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans began flowing as freely as the champagne when both teams clinched MLB playoff spots at about 4 p.m., Sept. 24, aka “Terrific Thursday”. The teams advanced to the postseason together, as the Cubs were 89-73 record and the White Sox 84-78, for the fourth time in their histories, the first since 2020 (COVID shortened year) and since 2008 in a full season. Both The Cubs and White Sox won National and American League wild-card spots, respectively. The Cubs clinched with a 2-1 win over Miami and the White Sox’s 9-1 win in Kansas City, so they were in the first best-of-three round.
Baseball memories for Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans began flowing as freely as the champagne when both teams clinched MLB playoff spots at about 4 p.m., Sept. 24, aka “Terrific Thursday”.
The teams advanced to the postseason together, as the Cubs were 89-73 record and the White Sox 84-78, for the fourth time in their histories, the first since 2020 (COVID shortened year) and since 2008 in a full season. Both The Cubs and White Sox won National and American League wild-card spots, respectively. The Cubs clinched with a 2-1 win over Miami and the White Sox’s 9-1 win in Kansas City, so they were in the first best-of-three round.
Some people spend their retirement relaxing on the porch, but Sun City resident Dave McElwain prefers to keep moving and creating. McElwain recently unveiled his latest and most ambitious project: He has completely transformed his golf cart. For McElwain, the project brings his life story full circle. As a child, he devoted countless hours playing with trains, starting with a classic Santa Fe locomotive set. “It’s funny to me that my very first set was a Santa Fe,” McElwain said, “considering both my father and grandfather worked for the Burlington line in the town of Galesburg, Illinois. My father was a detective for them, and my grandfather worked in the roundhouse.”
Some people spend their retirement relaxing on the porch, but Sun City resident Dave McElwain prefers to keep moving and creating. McElwain recently unveiled his latest and most ambitious project: He has completely transformed his golf cart.
For McElwain, the project brings his life story full circle. As a child, he devoted countless hours playing with trains, starting with a classic Santa Fe locomotive set.
“It’s funny to me that my very first set was a Santa Fe,” McElwain said, “considering both my father and grandfather worked for the Burlington line in the town of Galesburg, Illinois. My father was a detective for them, and my grandfather worked in the roundhouse.”
In a community as active as Sun City, charter clubs thrive on the dedication of volunteers who quietly work behind the scenes to keep everything functioning properly. For the Sun City Woodchucks, the credit goes to the Jim & Jim team. Jim Vitte holds the wrenches, and Jim Jiran provides the logistics. Vitte said, “When parts and supplies are needed, I tell Jim Jiran. He provides the backup with the goods. We are the finely balanced team that keeps the shop running smoothly.”
In a community as active as Sun City, charter clubs thrive on the dedication of volunteers who quietly work behind the scenes to keep everything functioning properly. For the Sun City Woodchucks, the credit goes to the Jim & Jim team. Jim Vitte holds the wrenches, and Jim Jiran provides the logistics.
Vitte said, “When parts and supplies are needed, I tell Jim Jiran. He provides the backup with the goods. We are the finely balanced team that keeps the shop running smoothly.”
The Sun City Pickleball Club hosted its men’s division tournament at Tall Oaks Courts Sept. 18, which was the lone division held that day due to the weather. There were 55 participants and 35 volunteers, who contributed with cooking hot dogs to singing the National Anthem.
The Sun City Pickleball Club hosted its men’s division tournament at Tall Oaks Courts Sept. 18, which was the lone division held that day due to the weather.
There were 55 participants and 35 volunteers, who contributed with cooking hot dogs to singing the National Anthem.
Every milestone has a modest beginning. Sheri Cummings has a passion that would eventually capture a global title. It began with a single, childhood gift. “My parents gave me a tea set that had ladybugs on it for my fourth birthday, and I started collecting items that featured ladybugs,” Sheri said. Years later, that tea set remains the center of her massive collection. Today, she holds the official Guinness World Record for the largest collection of ladybug-related items, at 6,047 distinct pieces.
Every milestone has a modest beginning. Sheri Cummings has a passion that would eventually capture a global title. It began with a single, childhood gift.
“My parents gave me a tea set that had ladybugs on it for my fourth birthday, and I started collecting items that featured ladybugs,” Sheri said.
Years later, that tea set remains the center of her massive collection. Today, she holds the official Guinness World Record for the largest collection of ladybug-related items, at 6,047 distinct pieces.
We’ve all seen those ads on Facebook. Everything looks good and the prices seem fantastic. Some are legitimate, and others not so much. Case in point, Nancy and I are still waiting for our wind chines we ordered from a third world nation three years ago. Because of this, we decided to take Facebook ads with a grain of salt. But, we saw an ad for a restaurant in Geneva offering a Five Course Meal on Monday or Tuesday for $25 for lunch, and $30 for dinner. Nancy is very “frugal” and said, “we can’t pass this one up, what have we got to lose???” So, on we went to the Portofino Trattoria.
Mornings at our house, while filled with the excitement of the coming day, can also be a bit busy. There are chores such as laundry and dishes that need to be done and Annie, our beloved dog, also needs to be let out and fed. Completing all of this before heading to work can be a challenge. In an attempt to make mornings a bit easier, I start preparing the evening before.
The August Health Report detailed the online scoring tool of the American Heart Association Hear (AHA) that calculates a simple yet evidence-based score to determine heart health focusing on risk factors which users can control while including some they cannot.
Before I even begin explaining my situation, I want to say that I’m feeling guilty even writing this.
A group of 16 who have a shared interest in birds, donned binoculars, wore protective gear, and headed out to the Del Webb Sedge Meadow and Grove Nature Preserve Trail. It was one of the Sun City Birdwatchers Club regularly scheduled walks, on Aug. 26, and they attend such walks at area preserves. The Sun City Nature Preserve area’s three-fourth mile path has been improved as wood chips were added last year.
A group of 16 who have a shared interest in birds, donned binoculars, wore protective gear, and headed out to the Del Webb Sedge Meadow and Grove Nature Preserve Trail.
It was one of the Sun City Birdwatchers Club regularly scheduled walks, on Aug. 26, and they attend such walks at area preserves. The Sun City Nature Preserve area’s three-fourth mile path has been improved as wood chips were added last year.
I’ve always admired the tiny, white, star-shaped blossoms of Sweet Autumn Clematis, the vine that spills over fences and ledges in a profusion of sweet-smelling blooms in late summer. Years ago, a neighbor shared a tiny little sprout, digging it up near her fence. Cradling it like a baby, I took it home, where I lovingly put it in the ground. But for years, it just didn’t get going the way I thought it would. I needn’t have worried. The perennial vine, years later, has firmly taken root.
I’ve always admired the tiny, white, star-shaped blossoms of Sweet Autumn Clematis, the vine that spills over fences and ledges in a profusion of sweet-smelling blooms in late summer.
Years ago, a neighbor shared a tiny little sprout, digging it up near her fence. Cradling it like a baby, I took it home, where I lovingly put it in the ground. But for years, it just didn’t get going the way I thought it would. I needn’t have worried. The perennial vine, years later, has firmly taken root.
Some people see the words “Some assembly required” and consider it a deal-breaker, but for me it’s a challenge. Especially when it’s two identical gizmos that require assembly, and you can challenge yourself to beat your record time in building the second one.
Some people see the words “Some assembly required” and consider it a deal-breaker, but for me it’s a challenge.
Especially when it’s two identical gizmos that require assembly, and you can challenge yourself to beat your record time in building the second one.
Tickets are officially on sale for Sun City Huntley’s upcoming Casino Royale night, bringing the high-stakes energy of a Las Vegas casino floor directly to the local community. The event will take place on Friday, October 2, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Prairie Lodge.
Huntley’s Police and Huntley Fire Protection District and Huntley American Legion Honor Guard leaders recalled the impacts of the terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, at a village ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of that fateful day. Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft also gave remarks. Terrorists killed about 3,000 people, using four airplanes at the World Trade Center towers north and south, the Pentagon in Arlington,Virginia and passengers and crew fought back to crash an airplane at Shanksville, Pennslyvania.
Huntley’s Police and Huntley Fire Protection District and Huntley American Legion Honor Guard leaders recalled the impacts of the terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, at a village ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of that fateful day. Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft also gave remarks.
Terrorists killed about 3,000 people, using four airplanes at the World Trade Center towers north and south, the Pentagon in Arlington,Virginia and passengers and crew fought back to crash an airplane at Shanksville, Pennslyvania.
The Sunflower Garden Charter Club has always played an active role in the Sun City community. And this year is no exception. Elaine Rowinski is the newly elected president of the club. Rowinski said, “With me on the executive leadership team are vice president Marsha Natkins, recorder Darlene Pratt, and treasurer Joy McGahan.”
The Sunflower Garden Charter Club has always played an active role in the Sun City community. And this year is no exception.
Elaine Rowinski is the newly elected president of the club.
Rowinski said, “With me on the executive leadership team are vice president Marsha Natkins, recorder Darlene Pratt, and treasurer Joy McGahan.”
A total of about 100 Sun City area veterans, representing all branches of military service – US Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard, stood by groups at the edge of the Veterans Memorial softball diamond’s infield.
The Sun City model railroad was all aboard this year to celebrate the United States’ 250th year. This year, the club hosted an open house. Organizers decorated the main building with patriotic displays and added decorations outside at the G-scale model train exhibit. The entrance was filled with patriotic decorations to welcome visitors. Outside, a 20-by-50-foot American flag hung from the building’s upper railing. The flag stood out not just for its size, but also for its historic design with 48 stars.
The Sun City model railroad was all aboard this year to celebrate the United States’ 250th year.
This year, the club hosted an open house. Organizers decorated the main building with patriotic displays and added decorations outside at the G-scale model train exhibit. The entrance was filled with patriotic decorations to welcome visitors. Outside, a 20-by-50-foot American flag hung from the building’s upper railing. The flag stood out not just for its size, but also for its historic design with 48 stars.
Several serious public health outbreaks occurred this summer and continue with headlines announcing the alarming rates of Cyclosporiasis, sharply rising rates of Measles cases and and one new worry — the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak.
When customers stop by the Huntley Art Hub Gallery, one of the Shops on Main, owner Cindy Rafkind tells them to look high and look low. Her bright, sunny space inside the Hackett House, provided by the Village of Huntley’s Incubator Program, is small, hovering around 200 square feet — but it is filled to the gills with colorful art on the walls and shelves of unique jewelry, woodwork, stained glass, pottery, and more, representing artists from Huntley and the surrounding area.
Our process for choosing restaurants to review is very complex. We see ads on Facebook, we receive recommendations from our loyal readers, and we google like crazy. But when all is said and done, the restaurant is decided by whatever Jim and I have a taste for. Jim has been whining for days wanting to go to a place for breakfast food. I spotted on Facebook a café in McHenry that serves breakfast and lunch, so off we went to Kim and Patty’s Café.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day. Now it is back to business as usual. However, some of us don’t want the warm season to end yet. Mother Nature certainly doesn’t. Despite all the blockbusters, some smaller studios released some gems for us.
My wife and I are of an age where we’re starting to think about our last chapter in life. We’re in our late 70s, our kids are grown, and we’re considering moving to a senior living community. Our house has become too much to manage, and we’d like to be surrounded by an active community where we can make new friends and enjoy life.
Whether you realize it or not, you most likely have a plant in your yard that was grown by Midwest Groundcovers. As wholesale company, they supply local garden centers and landscapers with high quality plants that are bred to perform well in our area. Their plants add beauty, increase biodiversity, provide for a healthier living environment and allow for joy when incorporated into the landscaping around a home.
It’s been a long time, but the Adjusters are once again champions of the Sun City Softball League 16-inch postseason tournament. In a tense battle, the Adjusters took home the title with a 5-4 victory over the Lumbarjacks. The champs went 5-0 in the tourney, winning it for the first time since 2014.
It’s been a long time, but the Adjusters are once again champions of the Sun City Softball League 16-inch postseason tournament.
In a tense battle, the Adjusters took home the title with a 5-4 victory over the Lumbarjacks. The champs went 5-0 in the tourney, winning it for the first time since 2014.
Marking a 175th anniversary, otherwise known as a demisemiseptcentennial, is akin to celebrating a half birthday, creating an excuse for fanfare between the traditional milestones. So, as we look back at Huntley’s 175 years, along with traveling its well-known roads, let’s take a few side streets, and immerse in the town’s history, celebrity, mystery, and oddity, those things you find when you step off the beaten path.
