MY SUN DAY NEWS
On April 11th Consumer Reports issued a statement about the popular lunch kits, Lunchables (prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese, and crackers marketed mostly for children.) Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, stated “The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time. The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that kids in schools have healthier options.”
My mother-in-law’s diagnosis has been incredibly difficult for our family, and it has fallen on me to take on the role of primary caregiver. While I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to support her, I must admit that I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for help.
It’s been particularly challenging to see my mother-in-law’s independence slowly slip away. Simple tasks that were once second nature to her now require assistance, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that she needs more support than I alone can provide.
While there are over 20,000 insects in northern Illinois, there is one insect that is receiving a tremendous amount of attention this summer. For good reason, it seems everyone is talking about cicadas. Millions of periodical cicadas from two different broods have begun emerging from the soil. This emergence is different because Broods XIII and XIX will emerge simultaneously. Dr. Stephanie Adams, a plant health specialist with the Morton Arboretum, has agreed to answer a few questions regarding the Cicadas.
Memorial Day is just around the corner. As is tradition, war movies and films about military life are usually the fare aptly supplied on channels like TCM. At the cinemas, however, this seems to be a different story. My plan was to view Civil War, the latest from writer/director Alex Garland. Wading into that discourse proved a bit challenging. His polarizing hot takes tend to divide both audiences and critics alike. Besides, from what I have seen, this feels like a film less to do with politics than what division does to its citizens. History does have a way of repeating itself but also is much stranger than fiction. So, I took another path and am here recommend a real American Civil War story.
How many times have you had the opportunity to do a “once in a lifetime” event, TWICE? Fortunately for us, it happened the second time the weekend of April 7; the eclipse. We took our granddaughter to downstate Illinois to see the eclipse in 2017, our first “once in a lifetime” activity. We initially planned on taking another granddaughter to the recent eclipse but she was out of town, so we decided to go on our own. Several steps were involved in our planning. The first was the path of the eclipse. Fortunately, there were several locations within a 4 to 6-hour drive where there would be a full solar eclipse.
How many times have you had the opportunity to do a “once in a lifetime” event, TWICE? Fortunately for us, it happened the second time the weekend of April 7; the eclipse.
We took our granddaughter to downstate Illinois to see the eclipse in 2017, our first “once in a lifetime” activity. We initially planned on taking another granddaughter to the recent eclipse but she was out of town, so we decided to go on our own. Several steps were involved in our planning. The first was the path of the eclipse. Fortunately, there were several locations within a 4 to 6-hour drive where there would be a full solar eclipse.
However Mother’s Day looks for you this year, hopefully these ideas inspire you to spoil your mom. Or, moms send this to your kids to give them hints! Let’s get a head start to celebrate our moms!
r only four days each year, this large and sprawling crabapple tree at the corner of Cherry Hill and Oak Grove catches the eyes of many passersby and neighbors alike.
Dolores Fischer of Sun City never knew much about her father’s service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. With only a plain brown box she found among her parents’ things containing pictures and military forms, she thought she’d never know the full details of her father’s bravery. But 25 years after his death, Dolores made the discovery of a lifetime. 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.
Dolores Fischer of Sun City never knew much about her father’s service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. With only a plain brown box she found among her parents’ things containing pictures and military forms, she thought she’d never know the full details of her father’s bravery. But 25 years after his death, Dolores made the discovery of a lifetime.
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.
In 2021, Todd Kane managed to run by every home in Sun City. He started on January 1, 2021, and it took 66 days and 228 miles to run past 5400 homes. He decided to do it again. 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.”
In 2021, Todd Kane managed to run by every home in Sun City. He started on January 1, 2021, and it took 66 days and 228 miles to run past 5400 homes. He decided to do it again.
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.”
I’m nestled cozily in my chair, still wearing my pajamas, socks, and slippers. Hat and gloves ward off the damp chill of the early morning. My husband hands me a cup of coffee, and I take it gratefully, watching the steam rise, curl, and dissipate into the morning air.
If history is any measure, I’ll be eating a big bug sometime soon. Maybe several of them. That’s because the long-awaited 17-year cicadas are clearing their throats underground just beneath the trees right now, and soon the branches above will ring with their robust songs. And every other time in my life that they’ve come to visit—four times in total before this time — they somehow found a way into my mouth.
If history is any measure, I’ll be eating a big bug sometime soon. Maybe several of them.
That’s because the long-awaited 17-year cicadas are clearing their throats underground just beneath the trees right now, and soon the branches above will ring with their robust songs. And every other time in my life that they’ve come to visit—four times in total before this time — they somehow found a way into my mouth.
Sun City’s Sunflower Charter Club will hold its annual Spring Basket Sale on May 11 at Fountain View Pavilion. This fundraiser will raise funds for the Garden Club’s Scholarship Fund for Huntley Community School District 158. 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.”
Sun City’s Sunflower Charter Club will hold its annual Spring Basket Sale on May 11 at Fountain View Pavilion. This fundraiser will raise funds for the Garden Club’s Scholarship Fund for Huntley Community School District 158.
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.”
The Huntley Fire Department organized a hands-only CPR event and provided essential instruction on using the AED for the Sun City Woodchucks. This demonstration was a significant opportunity for everyone to practice life-saving techniques on an adult mannequin. Lt. Kelly Gitzke, Director of Mobile Integrated Health, Huntley Fire Protection District, provided this training.
On April 8, District 158 got to leave the classroom to witness history. The streets, parking lots, driveways, and Huntley Community School District 158 schoolyards were filled with students who paused their activities to witness a solar eclipse. At precisely 1:30 on Monday, April 8, students stepped outdoors, equipped with their eclipse glasses, to witness the convergence of the sun and the moon from Earth’s vantage point, a sight that sparked wonder and excitement.
Weddings are such happy family occasions. They are filled with joy, laughter, dancing and help to create memories that the couple will cherish for years. It is with great anticipation that Chris, my husband, and I look forward to celebrating our eldest daughter, Mary’s wedding. Both Mary and her fiancé will work hard to create the day of their dreams. As the mother of the bride, the only decision I need to make is “What am I wearing to the wedding?” Honestly, the answer is a 15-year-old dress.
Recently, I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress due to the increasing demands of caregiving for my husband, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Every day seems like a new challenge as I try to balance his care, household responsibilities, and my emotional well-being. Watching someone you love slowly slip away is incredibly difficult, and it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
April 8 was quite a momentous day for the nation. Hopefully, dear readers, you were able to catch even the minute of glimpses. A thunderhead came over the skies as our beloved moon fell into orbit, just transiting our sun. That star became like obsidian to some, varying degrees of shade for others. Vacationing in Indiana, I was able to witness ninety-eight percent coverage from the comfort of a lake house, bloody Mary in hand. Although not complete totality, the sight was beautiful just the same. Sudden shadows and birdsong transfixed me as the extremely waning crescent hung above us; an eerie experience indeed, but gorgeous as well.
When searching for restaurants to review, we seem to have fallen into a somewhat disturbing pattern. Unfortunately, our “golden years” are spent going from one doctor visit to another. We find ourselves googling for restaurants that are close to our next doctor appointment. Upon searching for restaurants in the Elk Grove Village area, our trained eyes spotted something totally different.
Letters for the week of April 18.
Three Sun City residents, Bonnie Autowski, Carol Didricksen, and Amy Rohr, joined their neighbors for a tour of the Huntley Fire Department at 11118 Main Street. The tour featured a completely restored Huntley fire engine. 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.”
Three Sun City residents, Bonnie Autowski, Carol Didricksen, and Amy Rohr, joined their neighbors for a tour of the Huntley Fire Department at 11118 Main Street. The tour featured a completely restored Huntley fire engine.
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.”
Coming home to an empty house is eerie, even in broad daylight. There are strange creaks and clicks. Whistling drafts reveal themselves through cracks and doorways when there is no one else in the house. I am accustomed to a house filled with voices and noise: laughter, instruments being practiced, “What’s for dinner?” being shouted, or the shower running for far too long. I’m used to hearing footsteps overhead, before they recede across the ceiling the way a shooting star appears in the corner of our eye, then disappear just as suddenly, leaving us to wonder if we only imagined it.
Coming home to an empty house is eerie, even in broad daylight. There are strange creaks and clicks. Whistling drafts reveal themselves through cracks and doorways when there is no one else in the house.
I am accustomed to a house filled with voices and noise: laughter, instruments being practiced, “What’s for dinner?” being shouted, or the shower running for far too long. I’m used to hearing footsteps overhead, before they recede across the ceiling the way a shooting star appears in the corner of our eye, then disappear just as suddenly, leaving us to wonder if we only imagined it.
If my parents were alive today, Mom would be 101 years old. Dad would be 107. Mom earned a high school diploma from Leyden High School, but Dad left school at 14 to get a job to help support his family during the Great Depression. Had it not been for such hard economic times, he would have earned his high school diploma, too. That’s because our government a century ago felt that education was important enough to guarantee that young people have the right to be educated through high school, funded by taxpayers.
If my parents were alive today, Mom would be 101 years old. Dad would be 107.
Mom earned a high school diploma from Leyden High School, but Dad left school at 14 to get a job to help support his family during the Great Depression. Had it not been for such hard economic times, he would have earned his high school diploma, too.
That’s because our government a century ago felt that education was important enough to guarantee that young people have the right to be educated through high school, funded by taxpayers.
McHenry County’s first community-owned grocery store, Food Shed Co-op (2390 Lake Shore Drive), will finally celebrate its “Opening Day” in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on May 15, at 9 a.m. As previously reported, the idea for the co-op was first conceived in 2014 by an organized collective of McHenry County residents that calls itself the McHenry County Food Cooperative. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last July to celebrate the initial construction phase of the grocery store.
McHenry County’s first community-owned grocery store, Food Shed Co-op (2390 Lake Shore Drive), will finally celebrate its “Opening Day” in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held on May 15, at 9 a.m.
As previously reported, the idea for the co-op was first conceived in 2014 by an organized collective of McHenry County residents that calls itself the McHenry County Food Cooperative. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last July to celebrate the initial construction phase of the grocery store.
There is no lack health claims in the news. And while many are legitimate, backed by years of study, some remain in question. And if found to be untrue, they may come at tragic costs. Here are just some of those headlines you may have seen or heard recently, that some doctors are saying are part of “the medical epidemic of health misinformation.”
There is no lack health claims in the news. And while many are legitimate, backed by years of study, some remain in question. And if found to be untrue, they may come at tragic costs.
Here are just some of those headlines you may have seen or heard recently, that some doctors are saying are part of “the medical epidemic of health misinformation.”
This June, the Sun City Strutters are putting on their twenty-first spring show, ‘Dancing With The Strutters.’ This show will be difference than all the rest. Nancy Kutska is the director of Strutters and the producer of the show. Kutska said, “The show will feature jazz, tap, and ballet numbers. We will also have some guest performers.”
This June, the Sun City Strutters are putting on their twenty-first spring show, ‘Dancing With The Strutters.’ This show will be difference than all the rest.
Nancy Kutska is the director of Strutters and the producer of the show. Kutska said, “The show will feature jazz, tap, and ballet numbers. We will also have some guest performers.”
Most of us have been there — we are passionately drawn to starting new projects, but need to improve at finishing them. Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently completed a project he started many years ago. 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.”
Most of us have been there — we are passionately drawn to starting new projects, but need to improve at finishing them. Floyd Donley, a Sun City resident and member of the Woodchucks, recently completed a project he started many years ago.
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.”
The Great British Baking Show is one of my guilty pleasures. As time allows, I enjoy watching the bakers prepare indulgent treats such as Charlotte Royale, Stuffed Mouse Crumpets and Crème Filled Donuts. In between the inevitable kitchen mishaps and lighthearted competition are scenes of the gorgeous British countryside. The producers of the series focus on the plants almost as much as the recipes.
I’m writing in regard to my transition into retirement. After a fulfilling career, I find myself facing a new chapter of life — one that offers both opportunities and challenges, particularly when it comes to staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Throughout my career, I was accustomed to a fast-paced and active lifestyle, constantly on the move to meet deadlines and achieve professional goals. However, with retirement comes a significant shift in routine, and I now find myself with more free time on my hands.
I’m writing in regard to my transition into retirement. After a fulfilling career, I find myself facing a new chapter of life — one that offers both opportunities and challenges, particularly when it comes to staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Throughout my career, I was accustomed to a fast-paced and active lifestyle, constantly on the move to meet deadlines and achieve professional goals. However, with retirement comes a significant shift in routine, and I now find myself with more free time on my hands.
Youth is fleeting and time is short. In my forty-odd years on this planet, one thing has become painfully obvious. We were weird in our past and new generations will find unique ways to be weird too. In the hyper-fast capitalist machine that is entertainment, exploiting eccentricity in order to make by the numbers content has been a time-honored trade. Pushing all the familiar buttons, every studio hopes to get the same flavors from old formulas without understanding how them functions. And you think taking a movie like Road House would at least inspire a filmmaker to be bold and daring.
One afternoon Jim had a taste for Italian food. I told him that my bowling buddies, “The Pin Pals,” found a place in South Barrington that we enjoyed. Us girls work up quite an appetite since our bowling skills leave a lot to be desired. We hardly get any strikes and a three-game series usually takes about three hours. We feel like it’s not our fault since the bowling alley refuses to put up the bumpers for us.
