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MY SUN DAY NEWS

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News & Features Columnists Editorials Hang Your Hat Obituaries My Huntley News

November 5, 2020

News & Features

No trick

In the past, Sun City’s Grandma, Grandpa, and Me (GG&ME) Charter club has hosted a very special Halloween event.

The Halloween Party is one of the club’s more popular events. The club would invite members and family to come in costume and enjoy the crafts, games, prizes, refreshments, and entertainment. Trick-or-treating in Sun City would begin right after the party. Grandkids would relish this opportunity since this would occur the week before traditional trick or treating in their own neighborhood; a second Halloween. This year, Covid-19 has impacted this tradition.

Storm surge

2020 has altered many vacation plans, graduations, weddings, and even birthdays.

Pam and Ed Richard, like many residents, have been following social-distancing guidelines since March to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. As with many families, the Richards were aching to see family. They decided to take advantage of everyone’s good health to visit family in Louisiana. In planning for the visit, they booked a hotel, creating a social bubble helping them feel comfortable interacting with Ed’s brother, his wife, and children.

WWII veteran shares battles, bobbles, and best memories

To be in the audience of Sun City resident and storyteller Bob Gordon is to be in the presence of a master. Turning one hundred on December 23, Gordon has tales that span both the decades and the globe, and he regales his vivid and often humorous anecdotes with near perfect recall.

A veteran of World War II in Guam, Gordon detailed his years in intelligence.

Doing it right at Valley Hi Nursing Home

Since the first COVID-19 cases were reported earlier this year in the U.S., Valley Hi Nursing Home in McHenry County has not had a single resident test positive for coronavirus.

The “resident centered” county-run long-term facility in Woodstock made news because Valley Hi stands out from other similar nursing homes across the country that have not been free of COVID cases. National statistics show 42 percent of COVID deaths have occurred in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

Prepare to lift your spirits with some Halloween Bingo!

The current pandemic has certainly taken its toll in terms of forcing events to either get cancelled or postponed for this year. With that in mind, residents of Sun City who have kept up to date on ongoing shows and events within the community may have taken notice to the Halloween BINGO event being held in the Drendel Ballroom on October 21.

The pandemic’s isolationism is leading America into a mental health crisis

The Coronavirus lock-downs continue to spread widespread unemployment resulting in large income losses among our citizens.

But in addition to the forestalling of physical health and social issues being resolved, the largest crisis facing our country today has become a psychological one.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Holiday season traditions such as Christmas concerts may not survive the COVID social distancing test for large gatherings, yet any holiday traditions we can hold onto may give us the feeling of hope this Thanksgiving and Christmas. A small red pot dangling from a pole symbolizes the hope our community can come together and support those in need. However, the Salvation Army of McHenry County won’t have enough of those “small red pots dangling from a pole” manned to meet their goal if volunteers don’t sign up soon to ring bells for the Red Kettle campaign.

Oh, brother!

Just after 8 p.m. on a December night in 2019, Robin Rinaldi-Esta composed a private Facebook message, took a deep breath, and pressed “send.”

“I wrote, ‘I think you are my brother. You look exactly like my Dad,’” remembers Rinaldi-Esta.

Parkside Pub describes the highs and lows of Covid-era restaurant life

“Could I have five more ketchup packets?”

A customer at Parkside Pub in Huntley was just served a burger and fries and caught the server’s attention. The customer figured two ketchup packets on her plate weren’t enough. The number of ketchup packets served to a customer won’t break a restaurant’s budget but it’s part of the complete picture of COVID related costs for restaurants and how restaurants struggle to stay on budget.

Board approves camera installation and spillway construction

Residents that have kept up to date with the SCCAH Board of Directors meetings may already be aware of the Board’s new and old business highlights that took place at the September 23 meeting.

For those unfamiliar, the Board has approved the motion to install cameras in the Prairie and Meadowview Lodges, as well as the Millgrove Woodshop. The camera installations are part of a series of phases to monitor the improvement of security and cost savings as stated by SCCAH Board President, Dennis O’Leary.

Pebbles painted with positivity popping up around Sun City streets

Painted rocks? The idea is simple: get a rock, paint it, hide it, and then leave a hint on Facebook so others can find it. It’s a trend that is popping up all across the country.

In Huntley, Sun City residents post their treasure finds on The Facebook Page Wildflower Lake Neighbors in Huntley. Who is responsible for all those painted rocks hidden all over Sun City?

Sewing hope for the community

Dozens of sewing champions in Sun City have dusted off their sewing machines to make thousands of surgical masks this year. Marilyn McIntyre said, “Even though formal charter club activities have been suspended during the pandemic, members of the Sew ‘n Sews club have been working independently sewing, quilting, and knitting. It is estimated that a number of women made over 5,000 masks during the spring from the fabric they had on hand.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3b: Striving for a high percentage of Americans to receive a vaccination

With Phase 3 vaccine candidates approaching closer to U.S. authorization dates, health and industry leaders are consumed with the necessity of having as many of our population willing to be vaccinated. Besides protecting themselves from the Covid-19 virus, these Americans would also be helping to establish our country’s effective herd immunity level.

Political Place: October 8, 2020

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.

Life with Intention

During the stay-at-home order, most people cleaned their closets, caught up on their reading, did puzzles, and learned about Zoom. Cathleen Chay wrote a book.

While we may see an influx of pandemic-inspired novels after this worldwide crisis, Chay brings a unique perspective to living life and gives her readers a way to reach calmness in her collections of poems in her new book published this month, Life with Intention.

Let’s Get a REAL ID

Limiting travel because of COVID-19 restrictions has had an impact on the human psyche. You’re itching to get away, anywhere just to see a new environment. But you may have become confused over a few key facts swirling in your head. Sun Day is here to unclutter.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3: Are aggressive vaccine timelines unrealistic?

National Geographic explains that there are more than 150 coronavirus vaccines now being developed around the world. Hopes, therefore, are high that to ease the global crisis, at least one will be brought to market in record time!

The magazine continues, “Several efforts are underway to help make that possible, including the U.S. government’s (and President Trump’s) Operation Warp Speed Initiative, which has pledged $10 billion and aims to develop and deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by January 2021.”

Neighborhood Watch plans parade to honor first responders

Sun City’s Neighborhood Watch is planning a new event, the Sun City’s Sirens & Lights Parade, to honor, thank and show support for our Police, Fire Departments, and first responders.

A motorcade of fire engines and police motorcycles will blare their emergency sirens and flash their lights as they follow the 5.5-mile route in Sun City on Tuesday, October 6 at 4:30 p.m.

Not your parents’ pumpkin patch

Fall festivals are favorites for many families, but along with the pumpkins and hayrides is a harvest of new restrictions thanks to COVID-19.

“We cannot have our bouncies, like our pumpkin jumper or inflatable train,” said Liz Halat from Tom’s Farm Market in Huntley.

A Peek into Post-COVID primary and secondary education

A visionary in academics believes that once we’re on the other side of COVID-19, the public will likely see major changes in the “factory model” of primary and secondary education.

Dr. John Burkey, former superintendent at Huntley Community School District 158, is excited about the future of education and believes COVID is going to accelerate the changes.

You can’t have your cake and read it, too

Jo Kinyon Geary has fans all over Sun City, her workplace, and among friends and family. Geary creates cakes that are works of art.

For the interview, Geary was prepared with a visual presentation of her creativity. The cake was a replica of the last edition of the Sun Day newspaper. Geary said, “The yellow cake is filled with custard. The Sun Day article was printed with edible ink on rice paper.”

Empty classrooms create void in volunteer community

Leggee Elementary School’s popular Buddy program shut down when the coronavirus cancelled classes last spring. Now, with schools still shuttered for safety, the gap has widened between students in need and their volunteer lifelines, many of them Sun City residents.

“I have volunteers who have been with me since the beginning,” said District 158 Volunteer Coordinator Eileen Delahanty. “These people are like my family. I’m very concerned for them.”

Reed Rd. multi-use path project makes way for an enhanced pedestrian experience

As of August 15, the Village of Huntley concluded construction on a continuous multi-use path along the north side of Reed Road stretching an approximate distance of 0.25 miles and is now open for use to the public.

According to Tim Farrell, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the Village of Huntley, the path project began in direct response to the announcement of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP).

What is Masters Tennis?

Masters Tennis sounds like it might suggest that this game is for seasoned champions, like the Master’s Tennis Tournament.

In reality, it is excellent for beginning players and for tennis players who may be recovering from injuries or who find themselves with less mobility than they used to have.

Mum’s the word

September 22 marks the first day of fall, making it the prime season for one of autumn’s quintessential flowers, mums. Under normal circumstances, Sun City’s Sunflower Garden Club would have hosted their annual mum flower sale this month, demonstrating the beauty and vibrancy that mums can offer residents.

Whether they prefer them outside in a garden or keep them as a nice indoor plant, the possibilities are endless.

Screen painting

In a time when attending in-person classes is only a memory from the past, Colleen Koziara has changed the game. She offers a relaxing afternoon of painting virtually on Wednesday afternoons. Koziara has been teaching art classes here in Sun City for four years. But this year has brought challenges.

Roni Schmidt said, “I have been painting with Colleen for four years now. When I saw she was starting the online classes I was thrilled. I love them. Because of COVID and a recent surgery, I am stuck inside and painting keeps me calm. Time just flies when I am painting. The best thing about the online class is I can finish my painting and perfect it at my leisure. I even turned our den into my studio.”