The advantages and limitations of the antiviral, Paxlovid

The October 2022 Consumer Reports, On Health, gives us a brief report on the effectiveness and limitation of the antiviral Covid-19 drug treatment of Paxlovid.

The Healthcare Savvy article tells explains, “For people at high risk of severe COVID-19, including seniors and those with chronic health issues, Pfizer’s Paxlovid – a prescription antiviral authorized for emergency use in December 2021 – has been a game changer.”

Saluting a new club in town

A group for veterans recently got approval as a new charter club. The club welcomes all veterans and anyone who wishes to honor veterans or be a part of the group.

Ken Kalscheur, president of the new club, said, “We currently have over 100 members.”

What is the goal for the club?

MG Logistics planning new industrial building

Charles Nordman, Director of Development Services for the Village of Huntley, introduced a proposal at the September 8 Village Board meeting for “a conceptual review for the construction of a 213,745 square foot industrial building on the roughly 30-acre site located immediately south of the Village Green shopping center and north of Freeman Road.”

Congressional District 11 candidate forum cancelled

Herman Faubl, Chairman of the Sun City Civics Committee, has announced that the previously scheduled October 3 Candidate Forum with Representative Bill Foster and challenger Catalina Lauf has been cancelled.

The Mad Hatter

Sun City resident John Silva loves hats.

He collects all kinds. In fact, Silva has been collecting hats from different parts of the world for years.

“As a child, I was always drawing. In high school, my drawing got some recognition and I took Saturday classes at the Art Institute. It was so exciting. I decided to apply for the Bachelor of Arts Program at the Art Institute and I was accepted and earned the degree with an emphasis in art education,” she said.

Unicorn found! Part II of the great bagel debate

First, I’d like to thank everyone who took a moment to write in and respond to my last editorial on bagels. Frankly, the response was somewhat overwhelming. It appears many of our readers are passionate about bagels!

Throughout those responses, it occurred to me that my publicly made opinion on bagels was not presented as carefully as I would have hoped. Reading the many responses, though no one said as much, I realized that I indirectly criticized the area’s bagel selection by insinuating that the bagels I remember from my youth are good and all others are bad. That was NOT my intent. Nor do I believe that is the case.

D158 launches student helpline and anti-bullying resource

HUNTLEY — A brand new Student Helpline for all students and parents of Huntley Community School District 158 (D158) has been developed for individuals to have the opportunity to report instances of bullying, mental health concerns, and unsafe situations in schools, said the district in a press release statement.

The platform, which was customized in partnership with SmartSocial, allows for two-way communications between staff and students via text messaging.

20 tips for developing the power of resilience

The American Psychological Association explains that resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficult or challenging life experiences through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment. When life throws its curve balls, resilience is what helps us thrive in spite of them. While some of us are born more resilient than others, we can all get better at practicing it.

Bright Program celebrates inauguration

On Aug. 23, the Pioneer Center for Human Services and the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA) celebrated the inauguration of the Huntley Bright Program through a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which also included a multi-chamber mixer that was hosted by the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Village board discusses golf cart regulations in Sun City

Village Manager David Johnson presented a board discussion only an agenda item on the use of golf carts on roads outside Sun City and Regency Square.

“The current Village code permits golf cards on the roadway network within Del Webb’s Sun City and the streets and roadways within Regency Square development to include Regency Parkway and Farm Hill Drive.”

Sun City resident shows that wheelchair softball is in a league of its own

Sun City resident Alex Schank is behind the plate from May to August officiating for 16-inch and 12-inch slow pitch softball games. Schank travels to Chicago Suburbs and all over the United State to ump for various leagues. One of the leagues that Schank has umpired for a number of years is The National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA).

“I have been involved with the Wheelchair Softball League since 2001. I have been umpired every year since 2001 except for covid,” he said.

Sun City artist explains how creativity can help the aging process

Marilyn Schnake has a message for Sun City residents: “You are never too old to make your own art, your work that satisfies you alone.”

Schnake takes pleasure in not only creating art herself but encouraging others to express themselves. She has an extensive background in art education.

Schnake said, “Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, and imparts mental health benefits. Art helps people express experiences that are too difficult to put into words.”

Shops on Main looks to 2023 opening

At the January 20, 2022 Village Board meeting Lisa Armour, Huntley’s Deputy Village Manager, presented a retail store concept she called “Shops on Main.” This was presented as a small business incubator to be developed in the First Congregational Church parking lot at Main and First Streets in downtown Huntley.

No place like home with this Wizard of Oz collection

A visit to Sue Wallace’s home is a journey through the magical world of Oz with Dorothy and friends. The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wallace said, holding up an original copy of Baum’s book.

Prairie Singers seeks new voices

The Sun City Charter Club, Prairie Singers, is looking for singers to join in the music-making.

Walking Safely

This year, CRConsumerReports/On Health wrote that even taking a 15-minute stroll or relaxed walk can lead to protection against heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes as it improves mood, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better.

Twelve-foot mammoth sunflower draws admirers

Fred Senft grew a mammoth sunflower that stands an estimated 12 feet tall outside his Sun City home.

“I just planted a couple of seeds and it kept growing. Now, my neighbors are requesting seeds from the sunflower,” he said.

Sun City resident adopts a ‘not-so-secret’ garden

Sun City Huntley has stunning views and a very well-maintained nature area. There is a 3.5-mile trail that winds around Wildfire Lake and continues past the backyards of many houses. On one portion of the walk that goes past homes, a jogger, bicyclist, or a walker might find a sudden burst of color. This appears behind Neighborhood 24: Brentwood Botanical’s Adopt-A-Plot. This was started by Artie Tepper, a long-time resident of Neighborhood 24.

How did Tepper go about adopting that area of land?

Ten-year-old rescues lost dog

A few weeks ago, local community Facebook pages reported a dog that was running loose throughout Talamore. Residents kept reporting on the whereabouts of the dog for days but the dog could not be caught. She was reported in the fields and was sighted more than once in the middle of the road. Residents tried to call for it, but the dog was not responding to the pleas.

Carol Johnson, Sun City resident, had a plan and a 10-year-old granddaughter, Lily Chrzanowski. They took charge and got the job done.

Pollin brings a taste of Paris

On this particular morning in July, Pierre Pollin has already put in two hours on the pickleball court. At age 75, he enjoys a busy life in Sun City: he serves as president of his bridge club, he enjoys cycling, and he comments that men even older than he keep him on his toes during pickleball matches (“There is one guy who is 97 or 98 and he runs for the ball,” says Pollin, incredulously.)

Pollin’s idyllic, slower-paced life now is in stark contrast to his long, successful career as chef and owner of a popular French restaurant for 30 years, followed by a dozen years of teaching at Kendall College at National Louis University in Chicago.

Board rejects expensive sign upgrade

SUN CITY – The Sun City Board of Directors were shocked when, at the June board meeting, quotes for a new sign at Veterans Memorial Field came in at $85,000. The board rejected that proposal and sent the project back to the Strategic Planning and Advisory Committee (SPAC) for revisions.

The mystery of brain fog

What exactly is “brain fog?” According to CRConsumerReports/On Health, this kind of mental fog has become a common symptom of long COVID which is “the complex condition that sometimes emerges after a case of COVID-19.” It is “characterized by difficulty focusing, sluggish thinking, and memory lapses.” Brain fog also can be seen in other conditions: chronic insomnia, cancer therapies, drug side effects, head injuries, strokes, and depression as in a form of mental cloudiness. Difficult to treat, physicians tell us that they may be able to treat some of the conditions that cause it.

Q2 financial report

Treasurer Bob McGouey presented the Second Quarter financial report at the July Sun City Board meeting.

Handshakes all around at National Night Out

Sun City softball players wrap up National Night Out with Huntley’s first responders with their final play (below) followed by a round of handshakes.

FSR helps launch birthday celebration for kids in need

The Property Manager plays an important role in addressing the needs of Sun City Residents, supporting the boards, ensuring efficient operations, and planning for the future. Residents are familiar with those activities. But do you know the staff is making a difference in our surrounding community also? First Service Residential took on the challenge of bringing a glimmer of fun in the form of “Party in a Bag” to help a child celebrate their birthday.

Deanna Loughran, Sun City Executive Director said, “As a parent, it broke my heart knowing that some kids would not be able to celebrate their birthday. I remember all the fun celebrations my kids had. One of the last ones I had for one of my daughters, was a Hawaiian-themed one.”

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