MY SUN DAY NEWS
Jim Gruber, who lives in Sun City, has loved art all his life. His seventh-grade teacher noticed his talent and helped him get into sketch classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Those classes gave him a strong start, with weekly assignments and feedback from professionals. Gruber found his artistic identity while attending Hirsch High School in Chicago. He said, “I earned the nickname ‘The Art Guy.’ Although my father was a businessman who first wanted me to go into business, he always supported my creative dreams. He even built me a custom art table to help with my work.”
Jim Gruber, who lives in Sun City, has loved art all his life. His seventh-grade teacher noticed his talent and helped him get into sketch classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. Those classes gave him a strong start, with weekly assignments and feedback from professionals.
Gruber found his artistic identity while attending Hirsch High School in Chicago. He said, “I earned the nickname ‘The Art Guy.’ Although my father was a businessman who first wanted me to go into business, he always supported my creative dreams. He even built me a custom art table to help with my work.”
On an unseasonably warm weekend, my husband and I “went to the trees” by hauling our little teardrop camper to a favorite state park. Situated on a bluff overlooking a lake, I read a book next to a crackling fire while geese honked to each other as they flew overhead. It’s that sweet spot between winter and spring when the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, making it necessary for casual but constant wardrobe changes: winter coat in the chilly early morning, then just a sweatshirt as the sun rises in the sky; for a brief window of time at lunch, I daringly sport short sleeves before a shiver goes through me. I think better of it and put the sweatshirt on again, but this time with the zipper open.
Drive north on Route 53 toward Palatine Road, and you might not even notice the gentle climb that the pavement takes toward the horizon. As hills go, it is nothing to an automobile. It would be even less to an Olympics downhill skier.
But it is a special slope to me. And with the Olympics medals finally awarded, it is time for me to step forward and accept the daring downhill glory long owed to me.
A day after neighbor-to-the-north Woodstock Willie predicted an early spring, Sun City Birdwatchers Club members were in agreement, so that several species of birds could be seen ASAP. The Sun City Birdwatchers Club, led by President Amy Sanecki, met Feb. 3 at Prairie View Lodge. Several shared their thoughts on their interest as they worked on bird-themed jigsaw puzzles, Bingo and other games.
A day after neighbor-to-the-north Woodstock Willie predicted an early spring, Sun City Birdwatchers Club members were in agreement, so that several species of birds could be seen ASAP.
The Sun City Birdwatchers Club, led by President Amy Sanecki, met Feb. 3 at Prairie View Lodge. Several shared their thoughts on their interest as they worked on bird-themed jigsaw puzzles, Bingo and other games.
At the January 28 member meeting, the new Whisper Creek Golf Club owners Sam and Max Patel officially introduced themselves and their plans for the course’s future. “Our vision for Whisper Creek is clear,” Sam Patel said. “We want to restore the club to its original luxury standard.”
At the January 28 member meeting, the new Whisper Creek Golf Club owners Sam and Max Patel officially introduced themselves and their plans for the course’s future.
“Our vision for Whisper Creek is clear,” Sam Patel said. “We want to restore the club to its original luxury standard.”
As we travel through life, the causes for celebration change through the years. When you are young, you celebrate such occasions as graduating college, getting married, and the birth of a child. When you reach the “golden” years, you celebrate such things as getting a ten-percent senior discount, solving a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune, and being able to tie your own shoes. Nancy had a reason to celebrate recently when she was cleared for surgery to have her hip replaced. She has waited months due to health reasons. What better way to build up her strength than with a nice juicy steak. She limped into the Mini-Mobile and we sped off to the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill in Deer Park.
As we travel through life, the causes for celebration change through the years. When you are young, you celebrate such occasions as graduating college, getting married, and the birth of a child. When you reach the “golden” years, you celebrate such things as getting a ten-percent senior discount, solving a puzzle on Wheel of Fortune, and being able to tie your own shoes.
Nancy had a reason to celebrate recently when she was cleared for surgery to have her hip replaced. She has waited months due to health reasons. What better way to build up her strength than with a nice juicy steak. She limped into the Mini-Mobile and we sped off to the Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill in Deer Park.
I’ll be turning 70 next year, and lately I’ve found myself thinking a lot more about my heart health. Heart disease runs in my family, and it’s hard to ignore that my dad passed away from a heart attack in his 80s. I know genetics isn’t everything, but they’re always in the back of my mind.
A few days ago, while driving a warning message appeared on the dash board. It read ‘Change Oil Soon.’ The sticker on the windshield revealed that it was one month past the time when I should have taken my truck in for an oil change. I asked myself “How did I let this happen?” Within hours the oil change was complete and I was given a second chance to maintain my truck properly. Spring is like a second chance for gardeners. It is a time to either improve upon what was done differently or perhaps change course entirely. Changes of any size and scope can have a lasting impact. Our landscaping is a result of what was done or not done previously. Each year builds upon the previous year. This spring take a few moments to consider what you want to do with your second chance.
A few days ago, while driving a warning message appeared on the dash board. It read ‘Change Oil Soon.’ The sticker on the windshield revealed that it was one month past the time when I should have taken my truck in for an oil change. I asked myself “How did I let this happen?” Within hours the oil change was complete and I was given a second chance to maintain my truck properly.
Spring is like a second chance for gardeners. It is a time to either improve upon what was done differently or perhaps change course entirely. Changes of any size and scope can have a lasting impact. Our landscaping is a result of what was done or not done previously. Each year builds upon the previous year. This spring take a few moments to consider what you want to do with your second chance.
There is no mistaking that I love music; all different kinds. When asked about whether I was watching the big game or not, I quipped “Oh, you mean the football match interrupting the Bad Bunny concert?” This art form has been a part of me since I was a little kid. However, it is time to talk about “stan” culture, the type of toxic fandom that exists within the sane worlds of these artists. These people turn loving a musician into bloodsport. Disproportionately, female pop stars make up their core. There are some men (looking at you, BTS and Justin Bieber). These aren’t the ones we are discussing today. We are here for Taylor Swift and Charli XCX.
We tracked Walmart store brand prices for 10 items over the last year and found that the prices were remarkably stable – and quite low. All 10 items cost only $21.32 on Feb. 15; but as a practical matter, what can you do with those items? As it turns out, you can do a fair job of feeding two people three meals a day for seven days using only these 10 items.
Gloria Readus, Sun City resident, moved to Sun City with her husband, Joseph, after retiring from teaching. She remembers with fondness the early days of watching the lodge and nearby homes being built. For the past two decades, she has been keeping history alive at Sun City.
Gloria Readus, Sun City resident, moved to Sun City with her husband, Joseph, after retiring from teaching. She remembers with fondness the early days of watching the lodge and nearby homes being built.
For the past two decades, she has been keeping history alive at Sun City.
It’s early morning, and I’m wondering if I can get away with wearing a flannel shirt to work. Thankfully, my job is behind the scenes at a public library, so I don’t have to adhere to a very strict dress code, but still…a plaid flannel shirt feels a little casual. On the other hand, I’m freezing. Decision made. Flannel wins. Winter in the Midwest, where I’ve lived most of my life, is an exercise in survival and fortitude. The familiar “winter burrow,” when my neck and shoulders begin to melt into the rest of my body in order to conserve heat, begins in November. That’s when cold winds strip the trees of the remaining leaves and the world seems to be all shades of browns and grays. In December, there is some relief because of all the festive holiday lights and decorations. January settles into a cold, desolate winterscape once again. The lights and tinsel and baubles have been packed away, but a fresh layer of snow can brighten things up.
It’s early morning, and I’m wondering if I can get away with wearing a flannel shirt to work. Thankfully, my job is behind the scenes at a public library, so I don’t have to adhere to a very strict dress code, but still…a plaid flannel shirt feels a little casual. On the other hand, I’m freezing. Decision made. Flannel wins.
Winter in the Midwest, where I’ve lived most of my life, is an exercise in survival and fortitude. The familiar “winter burrow,” when my neck and shoulders begin to melt into the rest of my body in order to conserve heat, begins in November. That’s when cold winds strip the trees of the remaining leaves and the world seems to be all shades of browns and grays. In December, there is some relief because of all the festive holiday lights and decorations. January settles into a cold, desolate winterscape once again. The lights and tinsel and baubles have been packed away, but a fresh layer of snow can brighten things up.
I love watching Super Bowl commercials, but in every other way as a consumer, I am an advertiser’s nightmare. When I read a magazine or newspaper, I flip past the ads without a glance. It’s even worse with TV commercials. By the time the endless list of potential side effects rolls across the screen, I have blanked out the name of that exciting new medicine that will cure me of… what was it again?
I love watching Super Bowl commercials, but in every other way as a consumer, I am an advertiser’s nightmare.
When I read a magazine or newspaper, I flip past the ads without a glance. It’s even worse with TV commercials. By the time the endless list of potential side effects rolls across the screen, I have blanked out the name of that exciting new medicine that will cure me of… what was it again?
On January 7, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) with its revised visual model. This visual model upends the Food Pyramid in favor of meat and dairy. This has drawn strong criticism from experts and physician groups, saying the guidelines reflect agricultural and food industry lobbies rather than science. (Source: The 17,000 physician members of the Physician’ Committee for Responsible Medicine.)
On February 25 last year, the Sun City Board of Directors formalized a partnership between the Sun City Community Association and Huntley High School. This has initiative provided residents with a meaningful way to mentor local students and share their expertise. The collaboration was spearheaded by Dolores Fischer, a dedicated volunteer who recognized the potential for Sun City’s Charter clubs to support specific educational needs at the high school. One of the first active projects involves Nicholas Wedoff from the school’s Career and Technical Education Department and the Sun City Model Railroad Charter Club. The groups are currently collaborating on a model of the Huntley Square project for the club’s permanent display. Additionally, students are manufacturing custom components for train cars using high-tech tools.
On February 25 last year, the Sun City Board of Directors formalized a partnership between the Sun City Community Association and Huntley High School. This has initiative provided residents with a meaningful way to mentor local students and share their expertise. The collaboration was spearheaded by Dolores Fischer, a dedicated volunteer who recognized the potential for Sun City’s Charter clubs to support specific educational needs at the high school.
One of the first active projects involves Nicholas Wedoff from the school’s Career and Technical Education Department and the Sun City Model Railroad Charter Club. The groups are currently collaborating on a model of the Huntley Square project for the club’s permanent display. Additionally, students are manufacturing custom components for train cars using high-tech tools.
Julie Wade and Carolyn Sasse are honoring their mother, Karen Semancik, a recently deceased Sun City resident, with a showcase of her fabric art. It is now on display at the Huntley Area Public Library through the end of February. Semancik’s work reflects her vibrant personality and graceful spirit, offering insight into her famously calm demeanor. Her husband, J, described her as the family’s foundation, stating, “Karen was the one who handled the difficult situations. She had a calming way of dealing with anything that came her way.”
Julie Wade and Carolyn Sasse are honoring their mother, Karen Semancik, a recently deceased Sun City resident, with a showcase of her fabric art. It is now on display at the Huntley Area Public Library through the end of February.
Semancik’s work reflects her vibrant personality and graceful spirit, offering insight into her famously calm demeanor.
Her husband, J, described her as the family’s foundation, stating, “Karen was the one who handled the difficult situations. She had a calming way of dealing with anything that came her way.”
Sun City’s resident football expert, Mike North, a Chicago Bears fan since 1961, knows the turning point in the 2025 Bears’ season. “I think this season has been the most surprising, and I’ve been a fan since 1961,” North said. “It was the seven comeback wins, and the win in Week 11 over Philadelphia,” North said. “I thought going into the season, they would end up with seven wins.” The Bears came up with the stop of a “tush push” play by the Eagles in a 24-15 win.
Sun City’s resident football expert, Mike North, a Chicago Bears fan since 1961, knows the turning point in the 2025 Bears’ season.
“I think this season has been the most surprising, and I’ve been a fan since 1961,” North said. “It was the seven comeback wins, and the win in Week 11 over Philadelphia,” North said. “I thought going into the season, they would end up with seven wins.” The Bears came up with the stop of a “tush push” play by the Eagles in a 24-15 win.
Cabin fever is at an all-time high this year. If it’s not the snow, it’s the bitter cold keeping us in. Even poor Rosie has learned to do her “business” outside in record time so as not to spot weld herself to the ground. In one of the rare breaks in the weather, we bundled up and high tailed it out to Woodstock to the Green Garden Chinese Restaurant for a nice Chinese meal.
I’m writing as a senior who feels a little heavier than usual with Valentine’s Day coming up. I lost my husband several years ago, and while the grief isn’t as sharp as it once was, this holiday still brings a quiet ache. Last year, I downsized and moved into a smaller apartment in a retirement community. It was the right decision, but it hasn’t been easy.
The New Year approached quickly, and with it, so has Valentine’s Day! Sometimes gift ideas can become hard to think of. Tried and true Valentine’s day gifts are never wrong, but this year let’s think outside the box. A cozy date night with a romantic movie and a homemade dinner sounds great, but so does the gift of a couples experience!
For over twenty years now, I have changed the 9v batteries in my smoke alarms in January of even numbered years. If you try to stretch them a little longer than two years you run the risk of triggering the bad battery alarm. This alarm is a very loud beep that always seems to sound about 3 a.m. To avoid the beep, mark your calendar in early January of each even year. Always use new batteries.
A certain prognosticator of seasonal change got wrenched out of his hovel and whispered into a Punxsutawnian’s ear: six more weeks. Whether you take stock in that or not, winter is here to stay for a while. But no matter, celebrations still abound. Valentine’s Day is coming up; Wuthering Heights anyone? And in one resort town in Utah, a little film fest just wrapped up its latest iteration there. You might have heard of it. The Sundance Institute, founded by the late Robert Redford, has been the place to see emerging talents and independent artists. The last few weeks of January into February have been carved out to showcase and laud few films, as well as shop them to distributors. This marks the final year the fest will be in Park City, transferring to Boulder in 2027. While most of this year’s selections aren’t available yet, some of last year’s are now on streaming.
A certain prognosticator of seasonal change got wrenched out of his hovel and whispered into a Punxsutawnian’s ear: six more weeks.
Whether you take stock in that or not, winter is here to stay for a while. But no matter, celebrations still abound. Valentine’s Day is coming up; Wuthering Heights anyone? And in one resort town in Utah, a little film fest just wrapped up its latest iteration there. You might have heard of it. The Sundance Institute, founded by the late Robert Redford, has been the place to see emerging talents and independent artists. The last few weeks of January into February have been carved out to showcase and laud few films, as well as shop them to distributors. This marks the final year the fest will be in Park City, transferring to Boulder in 2027. While most of this year’s selections aren’t available yet, some of last year’s are now on streaming.
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.
Whether he’s putting on a red nose or writing playful stories for children, Sun City resident Bill Dollear is known for his remarkable storytelling. For Dollear, the world is a stage, and sometimes that means wearing giant floppy shoes. He draws inspiration from the uplifting work of Dr. Patch Adams. Dollear said, “I participate in organized clowning trips all over the world. The clowning is a tool for emotional relief. The trips have taken me to Italy, Central Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, and other places. I usually do magic on these trips.”
Whether he’s putting on a red nose or writing playful stories for children, Sun City resident Bill Dollear is known for his remarkable storytelling.
For Dollear, the world is a stage, and sometimes that means wearing giant floppy shoes. He draws inspiration from the uplifting work of Dr. Patch Adams.
Dollear said, “I participate in organized clowning trips all over the world. The clowning is a tool for emotional relief. The trips have taken me to Italy, Central Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Guatemala, and other places. I usually do magic on these trips.”
I was standing in line at the coffee shop the other day, staring at the glowing screen in my hand like everyone else, when it hit me: nobody waits anymore. Oh, we stand in lines, sure, but we don’t wait. We scroll, we swipe, we tap. We fill the silence with digital chatter, as if the universe might collapse under the weight of an unoccupied moment.
I was standing in line at the coffee shop the other day, staring at the glowing screen in my hand like everyone else, when it hit me: nobody waits anymore.
Oh, we stand in lines, sure, but we don’t wait. We scroll, we swipe, we tap. We fill the silence with digital chatter, as if the universe might collapse under the weight of an unoccupied moment.
Whenever we walk into an Apple Store and belly up to the “Genius Bar,” I half expect all the Geniuses to greet us by name. Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of our hard-earned money over the years on Mac computers, iPads, and iPhones. This time, I approached the Genius Bar with trepidation: I had been given the daunting task of picking out a computer to replace the old desktop my parents used for the past two decades; it was so old that it was no longer able to be updated; the keyboard and mouse were, on a good day, slightly functional at best. Despite their best efforts to keep it going, it was finally time to find a replacement.
Whenever we walk into an Apple Store and belly up to the “Genius Bar,” I half expect all the Geniuses to greet us by name. Over the years, we’ve spent a lot of our hard-earned money over the years on Mac computers, iPads, and iPhones.
This time, I approached the Genius Bar with trepidation: I had been given the daunting task of picking out a computer to replace the old desktop my parents used for the past two decades; it was so old that it was no longer able to be updated; the keyboard and mouse were, on a good day, slightly functional at best. Despite their best efforts to keep it going, it was finally time to find a replacement.
Bill Dollear lives in Del Webb but travels extensively. This is from his last trip when he was in Costa Rica.
Susan Viravec of Sun City has received the State Outstanding Master Gardener Award, an honor given to only the top 1–2% of Illinois volunteers. She earned this award through her strong leadership and dedication, completing more than 120 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education. Viravec has shared research-based gardening knowledge with the public and gone above and beyond the usual service requirements. But Viravec hasn’t always known about her green thumb.
Susan Viravec of Sun City has received the State Outstanding Master Gardener Award, an honor given to only the top 1–2% of Illinois volunteers. She earned this award through her strong leadership and dedication, completing more than 120 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education. Viravec has shared research-based gardening knowledge with the public and gone above and beyond the usual service requirements.
But Viravec hasn’t always known about her green thumb.
Kim Fischer, a Sun City resident, recently concluded his tenures as a Neighborhood 4 Representative and a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) Executive Committee. He became a neighborhood representative in 2005, and he has served on the NAC Executive Committee since 2012. His Sun City story starts in 2003.
Kim Fischer, a Sun City resident, recently concluded his tenures as a Neighborhood 4 Representative and a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) Executive Committee. He became a neighborhood representative in 2005, and he has served on the NAC Executive Committee since 2012.
His Sun City story starts in 2003.
Jim grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. It was an Italian/Polish neighborhood and his family was the token Germans they allowed in. As a result of this ethnic rich neighborhood, he grew up with the best food in the world. He didn’t have to look far to find a great pizza joint. Then he met me, a suburban girl, and he had to share with me Chicago’s culinary delights. One of my favorite places was Leona’s on Irving Park Road. We were surprised when we found out that there was a Leona’s pizzeria in McHenry. We decided to fire up the “Way Back Machine” and go back in time for a good Chicago pizza.
Jim grew up on the northwest side of Chicago. It was an Italian/Polish neighborhood and his family was the token Germans they allowed in. As a result of this ethnic rich neighborhood, he grew up with the best food in the world. He didn’t have to look far to find a great pizza joint. Then he met me, a suburban girl, and he had to share with me Chicago’s culinary delights. One of my favorite places was Leona’s on Irving Park Road.
We were surprised when we found out that there was a Leona’s pizzeria in McHenry. We decided to fire up the “Way Back Machine” and go back in time for a good Chicago pizza.
