Live from outer space

When the crew of Apollo 7 beamed the first live television broadcast from an American spacecraft on October 14, 1968, history was made. Millions of viewers watched as astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham floated in microgravity, holding up a handwritten card reading: “From the lovely Apollo room high above everything.”

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When the best option is to stick to the plan

Our annual summer vacation has been in the works for months, making campsite reservations and studying maps. This year we’re doing a repeat of a vacation we took back in 2020: driving the more than one-thousand-mile perimeter of Lake Michigan in our teardrop camper, but with two huge differences: This time, there is no global pandemic going on to close down many tourist attractions, nor are our four children accompanying us. It is me, my husband, and our dog.

Being eyewitness to history that never happened

If you have an android cellphone with Google Photos installed, you won’t believe your eyes at what you’re about to read.

But a word of caution: If you don’t want to spend the rest of the day diving deeper down a fun “I can’t stop myself” rabbit hole, then stop reading immediately. Turn the page. Bake a cake. Build a shed. Do anything else, because if you keep reading, you’re likely to blow most of the rest of your day having way too much fun.

Still with me? Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

A celebration is in order

The Grafton Food Pantry plays a vital role in ensuring no resident goes hungry, but they cannot do it alone. By participating in this upcoming Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) food drive on Tuesday, August 11, you are providing essential nutrition directly to families, seniors, and individuals living right here in the community. This year will be the fifth year for the NAC Food Drive.

Sun City athletes shine at 44th annual Six County Senior Games

The Sun City Stingray Swim Charter Club had a standout showing at the 44th Annual Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Six County Senior Games, earning 43 medals at the swim meet on July 16. The event took place at Courts Plus in Elmhurst, where 10 local swimmers, ages 64 to 88, competed all day and ensured the club was represented in every event.

Huntley gears up for National Night Out celebration, vintage softball uniforms featured

“We are excited to expand our Aug. 4 NNO celebration this year by welcoming area businesses to join in the community fun,” Police Chief Linda Hooten said. “The afternoon will begin with a friendly softball game at 3:00 pm in Sun City between the Huntley Police and Fire Departments, with players wearing vintage jerseys in celebration of Huntley’s 175th anniversary.”

His life began in his adopted homeland with a deep devotion to service and education.

Vega said, “After serving as a U.S. Navy veteran, I got a strong base in engineering at Roosevelt University.”

Keeper of secrets

“I need to tell you something, but you can’t tell anyone…”

If I had a dollar for every time I heard these words! People like telling me their secrets, and I willingly partake.

Two birds in the gourd are worth a flock in the bush

Last week I told you about a stubborn robin that pecked at my bathroom window, defending a nest that didn’t exist against a foe that also didn’t exist. Well, that false-heroic bird finally declared victory and moved on — probably to the golf course to waste still more time pretending to be a winner in another meaningless exercise.

Well, now I have a different pair of stubborn birds taking the stage just outside my breakfast-nook window. But unlike that delusional robin, these birds are true go-getters, experts at getting things done.

A ‘Fischer’ among students

For 18 years, Dolores Fischer has called Sun City home. Like many residents, she initially moved here for a personal reason; to be closer to her children and grandchildren. However, what began as a move centered around her own family quickly developed into a serious commitment to the wider community. Over nearly two decades, Dolores has had a profound effect on local education, transforming the lives of many students and molding the fundamental fabric of our neighborhood through her passionate leadership and firm devotion. Her voyage here actually began with a blueprint from her own family history.

“My parents retired at 55 and moved to the original Sun City in Arizona,” Fischer shares. “They loved Sun City and truly lived their best life.”

Sun City kicks off new volunteering initiative

To promote a thriving volunteer community, the Sun City Community Association of Huntley Board of Directors unanimously approved a new volunteerism goal on March 25. The centerpiece of this project is a cross-functional Volunteer Committee composed of staff, board leaders, and representatives from Lifestyles, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), and the Charter Club Presidents Council (CCPC).

Among those driving the effort are residents James Papak, Sheri Goldstein, and Amy Sanecki, as well as staff members Debby Seger and Liam Sullivan. The group is charged with breaking down barriers to resident engagement and creating implementable strategies to increase active participation—a mission that directly advances the Association’s wider Strategic Goal 5.

Catching up with old friends

Despite the weather, hopefully your Fourth was a good time to spend with friends and family. Possibly you got to see some all year round. Or maybe you get only fleeting moments with them. Recently, a close confidant from the city moved a suburb over. With the summer in full swing, your small group can go on a trip. Netflix’s The Four Seasons could give you some inspiration.

Standing for plants: An interview with Environmental Defenders

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Although this quote is attributed to Margaret Mead it could very easily be the motto of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. For over 50 years they have worked diligently protecting our ecosystem and preserving our natural environment all while educating residents. They have successfully protected valuable areas such as Ryder’s Woods in Woodstock and the Volo Bog State Natural Area. They also assisted in the development of the Crystal Lake watershed protection ordinance and the McHenry County Stormwater ordinance.

All-star softball game nears

The Sun City Softball League is preparing for the annual all-star game.

You asked for it

Everywhere we went, people seemed to be coming out of the woodwork asking us if we’ve tried a new eatery in town. They all were bragging on how delicious it was, so much in fact, that they have been to it several times. We have never had so many people recommend a venue before. As a result, we moved this eatery to the top of our “to do list” and rushed off to Huntley’s Deli in, where else, Huntley.

Ask an Angel: July 16, 2026

I sometimes have trouble falling asleep, but the bigger issue is staying asleep. I’ll wake up around 2:00 a.m. and just lie there. Sometimes I need to use the bathroom, but most nights I’m restless for hours. By the time I drift off, it’s morning.

Birdwatching swoops into the lead at golf cart parade

The Sun City Birdwatching Club takes first place at this year’s competition.

Hang Your Hat: July 16, 2026

Letters for the week of July 16.

Behind the seams

When the house lights dim and the stage illuminates, the actors’ garments command the audience’s attention. The genuine magic of these theatrical wardrobes begins months earlier.

Sun City residents Donna Scott and Carol Burgett are behind every flawless silhouette, historically accurate bodice, and quick-change seam, transforming fabric into living art.

Growing up at summer camp

Having never been to summer camp myself, I’m living vicariously through my daughter, who is working this summer as a camp counselor. The camp she’s at could be right out of a Wes Anderson movie: picnic tables by the lake, tiny, brightly painted cabins with bunk beds and screen doors; a mess hall with huge serving platters and ladles and pitchers lined up, freshly washed.

We visited my daughter the other day, for a brief 30 minute-stopover while we happened to be driving through the quaint Wisconsin town where she works. As she met us on the gravel lane between the road and the camp, I could already detect a difference, the way her messy ponytail bounced with every step. She looks casual and comfortable, as if she’s recently discovered that her skin fits her perfectly.

Remembering Tinker

Sun City bids a heartbreaking farewell to a tiny neighborhood icon, Tinker the Chihuahua, who passed away on Sunday, May 3, at the incredible age of 17.

Tinker came into Mary and Al Novak’s life when Mary retired. Mary said, “She only weighed half a pound when we got her.”

Annual GG&Me picnic reaches new milestone

The annual Sun City Grandma, Grandpa, & Me (GG&ME) Charter Club’s picnic once again brought energy, laughter, and cherished memories to our Sun City community. This beloved tradition continues to be one of the highlights of the summer, bridging generations through shared games, food, and quality time.

While the event is always a success, this year’s picnic featured a special milestone that highlights the lasting impact of this club.

A pane-pecked tale of woe

As I write this, a robin is pecking at my bathroom window. He’s been at it, off and on, since before 5 a.m. this morning.

And as irritating as that is, he has been pecking at my window every morning at dawn’s first blush since early May — more than two months now.

I have tried everything I know to stop him. Post-it notes on the glass. Even pictures of cats and wolves.

Pickleball proves fun for instructors, members

The Sun City pickleball season is in full swing, with lessons on all courts in the morning, for players rated 1.0 to 5.0 locally.

“The pickleball season is off to a fantastic start,” Sun City Pickleball Club President Pam White said.

The human microbiome – those bacteria we depend on

In the latest issue of My Sunday News, T.R. Kerth’s column “All roads lead to bugtown,” cited recent research on the importance of our “friendly microscopic buddies.” Mr. Kerth accurately and rather imaginatively described bacteria that reside in our body’s cells as “taking over,” making you more “bugs than body.”

While that thought might make some readers squeamish, looking at these microscopic bacteria from a medical perspective might prove reassuring. As Cleveland Clinic has reported, “The gut microbiome is a hot topic these days in medical and wellness communities, and it’s easy to see why. These critters seem to have so many tentacles in so many different body systems that it’s possible to imagine they might hold the key to understanding and treating a wide range of intractable diseases.”

Allerton Park: A garden retreat

A change of scenery, as they say, is good for us. Getting out of the house and experiencing new things offers emotional benefits such as reduced stress and physical benefits such as better sleep. It was with great excitement that I discovered Allerton Park and Retreat. Located in Monticello, Illinois, a short three-and-a-half hour drive away, it is the perfect combination of a Georgian Manor house and 14 formal gardens.

For this column, Micah Putman, the Associate Director of Park Operations, has graciously agreed to answer a few questions.

Proudly Serving the Community of Sun City in Huntley

Proudly Serving the Community of
Sun City in Huntley