The restoration project is led by Desert Rat’s owner, Mike Kellner, who first found the plane chopped up into pieces back in 1984 in an overgrown field near Bangor, Maine, according to Desert Rat restoration volunteer, Bill Stanczak.

Thuringer said, “My mother crocheted and was a seamstress. Everyone she loved got a beautiful crocheted blanket. We have a special round crochet blanket that is a treasure. She crocheted so many different things for my daughters. My daughters both came home from the hospital in the most beautiful, crocheted blanket woven with hues of soft colors and an outfit that mom had made.”

Wrigley, a St. Bernard, was a beloved figure in Sun City. His gentle nature and friendly demeanor earned him the title of ‘mayor’ and ‘mascot’ of our community. His massive size was matched only by his even bigger heart, which he shared freely with everyone he met. 

Harriet Ford, President of Grafton Food Pantry, emphasizes the crucial role of our community in this effort.

The judging panel, including dedicated community volunteers from Sun City, played a crucial role in the selection process. Their commitment and expertise were instrumental in identifying the most outstanding authors. Their names include Judy Cieciwa, Julie Ford, Pat Hector, Dolores Kuta, Mary Nogar, Diane Nolan, Sandra Pelka, Kathy Render, Joan Riffner, Valerie Tomanica, Barbara Yarbrough, Dolores Kuta, Karen Hutchings, Darcy Chadwick, and Heather Elder.

When Dolores Fischer was a junior in high school studying WWII, her U.S. History teacher suggested that his students interview their fathers who were war veterans. Fischer knew that her father flew in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, flying Boeing B-17s, a four-engined heavy bomber aircraft. Beyond that, details were scarce. When she asked him to let her interview him, he seemed uneasy.

Kane said, “I completed the final 2½ miles on March 2, 2024. This time, it took 61 days. The coldest run was on January 15, at -6 degrees F. You just dress for it. There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes. The warmest day was January 2 at 54 degrees F.”

Vice-President Marsha Geist of the Sunflower Garden Club said, “The Sunflower Garden Club has been very active in fundraising and this past year has donated over $10,000 to various organizations.”

Scott Ravagnie, Fire Chief at Huntley Fire Protection District, said, “This was a five-year project. The engine was donated back to the fire department after several owners. All the parts are original except for the diamond tank. The truck was made originally for the war. It had a green interior then. It works; the engine has been redone.”

Donley said, “I started woodworking in 1962. I had changed jobs. My wife wanted a secretary office desk. I started it, but it was stored in the basement until I had time to finish it.”

Irwin’s friend had just witnessed a dog being thrown out of a moving vehicle on Lake Cook Road in Barrington. The terrified canine was a six-month-old female American Staffordshire Terrier that Irwin ended up adopting after the dog was treated for its injuries at a local vet. The newly named Kiley not only accompanied Irwin to her senior year of college but also changed the trajectory of Irwin’s career path.

Kelly said, “My father used to talk about his time in the Navy all the time. He was an American naval officer. Upon graduation from the University of Illinois in the spring of 1942, he enlisted in the Navy.”

Shemerdiak was initially assigned to the Great Lakes and then to Farragut Naval Station in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho. This was the second-largest Naval Training Station in the world. It was built in North Idaho during WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Over 293,000 sailors received basic training at Farragut during its 30 months. The last recruit graduated in March 1945, and the facility was decommissioned in June 1946. The site became Farragut State Park in 1966.

Belue said, “My daughter crochets, and she needed something to not only store her skeins of yarn, but also make it easy to pull the yarn through as you work. So, I started working on a design. I wanted a box shaped piece that would hold several skeins of yarn with a cover, and she could feed the yarn without fraying it.”

“This is our sixth year since I came up with this wild idea. I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Glenn Grobli, club founder, said.

Donna Bordsen is offering an opportunity to put those cards to great use.

Bayser said, “I like to keep busy. The first committee I volunteered for was the Activity Committee, now Lifestyle. I have been on the Facility Advisory Committee, Fitness, Election, Liaison to Modifications, Wellness, and currently on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee.”

Angel Flight Central (AFC) is located in the Midwest, but collaborates coast-to-coast, helping people in need by arranging charitable flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes. The chapter serves Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana.

David Shadle, a Sun City resident and retired pilot, was instrumental in starting the Great Lakes Wing of AFC. He is a charter member of Angel Flights and a volunteer pilot.

Class attendees were happy to see that in the November Lifestyles Magazine, a greeting card class taught by Jane Hancock was starting in January 2024.

“I never had time before retirement,” she said. “I came here and took a class on a Cricut machine. I thought, ‘I can’t do this.’ It’s too complicated.”

But then, Ross got a Cricut Explorer and started crafting.

It all began when Mike’s family chose to build their new home on Longview Court in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Cathy and her family, the Shorts, already lived on this street and were curious about who their new neighbors would be.

Cathy said, “I watched the Verzals’ new home being built along with my brothers and sister and the other neighborhood kids.”