MY SUN DAY NEWS
Most self-help books help foster growth in all aspects of life. But these may not hold your attention like a favorite fictional story. Merida Johns, Ph. D., has found a way to incorporate self-help into the entertainment of fictional characters. Johns, a Sun City resident, is the founder and director of The Monarch Center for Women’s Leadership Development. She is a retired university professor and has authored textbooks in health care and leadership. What gave her the idea to start writing fiction?
Most self-help books help foster growth in all aspects of life. But these may not hold your attention like a favorite fictional story. Merida Johns, Ph. D., has found a way to incorporate self-help into the entertainment of fictional characters.
Johns, a Sun City resident, is the founder and director of The Monarch Center for Women’s Leadership Development. She is a retired university professor and has authored textbooks in health care and leadership.
What gave her the idea to start writing fiction?
Every day until the end of her life, my wife flew a flag from our front porch, and she changed it often.
She was an avid gardener, so most of her flags were inspired by the season. Goldfinches and lilacs in April and May. Red cardinals and orange leaves in October. Turkeys and pumpkins in November.
For close to a quarter-century, the McHenry County Antique Farm Equipment Association of Illinois (MCAFQI)has been a gathering place for all who cherish generations-old tractors. Some of the tractors were on display at a recent Huntley Farmers Market.
Membership chairman Jim Jones of Union described the purpose of the 100-member club.
“We go to area fairs, as we were just at Harvard Milk Days, have tractor treks to places like Lake Geneva, Wis. and work with FFA Alumni and McHenry County Farm Bureau.”
Twenty years ago, a Sun City resident was attending a class at Harper College. She noticed a very talented artist sculpting in the class. She tapped him on the shoulder and asked him “Would you ever consider teaching a sculpting class In Huntley Sun City?” Richard Christie said, “We had just closed on a home in Sun City and here she was asking me to teach classes in our new community.”
Twenty years ago, a Sun City resident was attending a class at Harper College. She noticed a very talented artist sculpting in the class. She tapped him on the shoulder and asked him “Would you ever consider teaching a sculpting class In Huntley Sun City?”
Richard Christie said, “We had just closed on a home in Sun City and here she was asking me to teach classes in our new community.”
After raising four children, I have certain mental snapshots I keep close to my heart. There was the day when my 5-year-old held my hand to cross the street. He paused to look up at me and said, “Momma, I love you so hard.” There are those first few seconds when, after glancing over their shoulder, the realization sets in: Dad has let go of the back of the seat and they are, in fact, riding a two-wheeled bike.
After raising four children, I have certain mental snapshots I keep close to my heart. There was the day when my 5-year-old held my hand to cross the street. He paused to look up at me and said, “Momma, I love you so hard.”
There are those first few seconds when, after glancing over their shoulder, the realization sets in: Dad has let go of the back of the seat and they are, in fact, riding a two-wheeled bike.
Plant breeders often spend their entire lives dedicated to the development of a better version of a plant. They work diligently at developing plants that have characteristics that make them superior to other similar plants. These characteristics may include compact form, disease resistance, fragrant flower, colorful foliage, and drought tolerant. Today’s column focuses on 20 new plants that, thanks to plant breeders, have many of those characteristics.
Hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Now that the summer is in full swing, the multiplex has been finding it hard keeping interest up. Recent blockbusters have gone bust from the Fast franchise to Marvel. Studios seem hellbent on hurtling down this well-worn road, with little heed to what audiences are saying with their dollars. But can theaters continue on this trajectory as well? Hopefully managers will see that counter-programing might be the only thing keeping them afloat. Here are some recent examples that might hold your attention on those silver screens.
Our kids have grown up and moved on, our house is too small to have them return, therefore, it’s just the two of us. Because of this, where is the logical place for us to go grocery shopping? Sam’s Club, of course. We can stock up on such necessities as the five-gallon jug of mayonnaise, the giant drum of nacho cheese sauce (both of which turn blue and fuzzy before you can use them up), and the giant log of processed American cheese which has a shelf life of…forever. After loading up the mini-mobile with our treasures, we headed home with the hatch back dragging on the road behind us.
My parents retired a year ago and have recently decided to downsize from our family home to a condominium. I agree with their decision to find a smaller home that requires little maintenance, especially since they no longer have the energy to pour into a large home. However, I’m most concerned about the emotional impact this move might have on my parents. Both my parents were extremely involved in their neighborhood and were accustomed to neighbors dropping by to shoot the breeze. I worry that they might feel a sense of loss as they leave behind familiar surroundings and friends.
Homes may become vacant for a variety of reasons, some of which are relatively benign. A property that is for rent or sale can be vacant for a short time. If these properties are well maintained by responsible owners, they will not depress neighboring property values. In general, a vacant property becomes a problem when the property owner abandons the basic responsibilities of ownership. Sun City residents Debbie and Don Smith have been living next to a house that has been vacant for five years.
Homes may become vacant for a variety of reasons, some of which are relatively benign. A property that is for rent or sale can be vacant for a short time. If these properties are well maintained by responsible owners, they will not depress neighboring property values. In general, a vacant property becomes a problem when the property owner abandons the basic responsibilities of ownership.
Sun City residents Debbie and Don Smith have been living next to a house that has been vacant for five years.
Rich and Kathy Allen, Sun City residents and scientists, are retired health physicists. Health physics is the science of radiation protection. Rich and Kathy devoted their career to protecting people and their environment from potential radiation hazards. Rich said, “We both started working at Medi+Physics. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes radiopharmaceutical diagnostic imaging agents. The company produced isotopes. One of the uses for isotopes is for imaging. Some have a short shelf life and have to be used the next business day.”
Rich and Kathy Allen, Sun City residents and scientists, are retired health physicists. Health physics is the science of radiation protection. Rich and Kathy devoted their career to protecting people and their environment from potential radiation hazards.
Rich said, “We both started working at Medi+Physics. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes radiopharmaceutical diagnostic imaging agents. The company produced isotopes. One of the uses for isotopes is for imaging. Some have a short shelf life and have to be used the next business day.”
Martin Loughlin was watering his tree on June 3 in the middle of the afternoon. He had staked the deep root watering system on his tree. Then everything changed.
Martin Loughlin was watering his tree on June 3 in the middle of the afternoon. He had staked the deep root watering system on his tree.
Then everything changed.
The Sun City Sunflower Garden Club awarded two $1000 scholarships to Huntley High School Students at their monthly club meeting on June 15. Sue Coltman, president of the club, said, “The proceeds from our annual hanging basket sales gave us the funds to award two individuals $1000 scholarships.”
The Sun City Sunflower Garden Club awarded two $1000 scholarships to Huntley High School Students at their monthly club meeting on June 15.
Sue Coltman, president of the club, said, “The proceeds from our annual hanging basket sales gave us the funds to award two individuals $1000 scholarships.”
It was just about a year ago that I got rid of my old, crotchety microwave oven and got a whisper-quiet new one. The old microwave had served me for nineteen years, a long enough career I suppose for kitchen appliances and quarterbacks not named Brady. It still worked well enough, except that the handle had cracked and was held together by packing tape, and when turned on it whirred and sputtered like an asthmatic chipmunk riding a bike with a baseball card clothes-pinned to fan the spokes. (This is the microwave I’m talking about, not the quarterback, who may or may not whir or sputter when he’s turned on. How would I know?)
It was just about a year ago that I got rid of my old, crotchety microwave oven and got a whisper-quiet new one.
The old microwave had served me for nineteen years, a long enough career I suppose for kitchen appliances and quarterbacks not named Brady. It still worked well enough, except that the handle had cracked and was held together by packing tape, and when turned on it whirred and sputtered like an asthmatic chipmunk riding a bike with a baseball card clothes-pinned to fan the spokes. (This is the microwave I’m talking about, not the quarterback, who may or may not whir or sputter when he’s turned on. How would I know?)
I slid a slightly crooked hand-woven bookmark into the envelope before sealing it and mailing it to a friend. I attached a note: “My newest fascination is hand weaving on a loom. I made this bookmark for you. It’s one of my first, but I’ll send another one after I’ve had more practice. Hopefully you’ll see my progress. Happy Reading!”
I slid a slightly crooked hand-woven bookmark into the envelope before sealing it and mailing it to a friend. I attached a note:
“My newest fascination is hand weaving on a loom. I made this bookmark for you. It’s one of my first, but I’ll send another one after I’ve had more practice. Hopefully you’ll see my progress. Happy Reading!”
Dog days usually come at the end of the summer, not at the beginning. The studios seem to have this all turned around as most of the fare in theaters have been lackluster. For all that we were promised for a big return, the five majors haven’t really given much to write home about it. In an attempt to wait out until more interesting films are released, I perused the streaming services to catch up on previous material I had messed over the past few months. And let’s answer a question that is starting to plague me more and more: Do we really need superhero movies anymore?
My son, Mike, recently had a business trip to Palm Springs, CA. His wife accompanied him as she wanted to hike the desert and expand her photo library. Sounds great, right? Well, when they stepped off the airplane it was 100 degrees in the shade; a dangerous situation. The trails in the Joshua Tree National Park were marked but had major warnings regarding the situation. “Danger, if you attempt this trail, you may die!” Basically, if you’re not prepared, do not attempt. One park sign insisted that you have liters of water and a full day of food before attempting the trail.
For years I was lucky enough to have a job that allowed me to work right next to my grandparent’s home. Many mornings I would stop by to visit for a few moments while they were enjoying their breakfast. Each and every day my grandfather would be eating a grapefruit and each and every day he tried to convince me that I should also eat one. He was convinced that it was the key to his good health. Although he was never able to convince me to begin my days eating the bitter citrus fruit, I did adopt his habit of starting my day by doing something healthy. Before I drink any caffeine, I drink two bottles of water. This guarantees that I drink at least half of the recommended daily amount of water before 7 a.m. Although I make a point of hydrating myself, this summer, I challenge all of us to make a point of hydrating our plants.
Since prehistoric times, men have hunted for meat and cooked it over fire. Fire and meat, good… What better way to make Jim happy than to take him to a restaurant that serves meat, and meat, and even more meat. I thought of a place to take him, but upon checking the website, the dinner would cost $59.99 per person and lunch would be $32.99 per person. Making him happy is not worth the extra money, so I decided to take him there for a week day lunch. The name of this carnivore’s “dream come true” is the Texas de Brazil Churrascaria at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
Now that I’ve entered my 70s, I’ve been spending more and more time reading about men’s health. While I’ve mostly lived an active lifestyle, I’m finding that in retirement, I no longer have as much mental engagement as I was used to in my career. I read about early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related chronic health conditions related to men, and it terrifies me.
A scene that is familiar here in Sun City: wives sitting on the bleachers watching their husbands play a softball game. Pat McKay, a player on the Adjusters softball team, said, “While we were playing the game on the field, our wives were talking and during their conversations, they found something that they all had in common. Their husbands all played an instrument and were in a band when they were younger. They encouraged us to get together.” That’s how Sun City residents John Toth, Dave O’Neil, and Pat McKay got together in the basement of the drummer (because it’s difficult to move those drums) to play some tunes once a week.
A scene that is familiar here in Sun City: wives sitting on the bleachers watching their husbands play a softball game.
Pat McKay, a player on the Adjusters softball team, said, “While we were playing the game on the field, our wives were talking and during their conversations, they found something that they all had in common. Their husbands all played an instrument and were in a band when they were younger. They encouraged us to get together.”
That’s how Sun City residents John Toth, Dave O’Neil, and Pat McKay got together in the basement of the drummer (because it’s difficult to move those drums) to play some tunes once a week.
I guess you might say I have an affinity for roadkill. Oh, it’s not something I’m proud of. It’s just that over the years, roadkill and I have often crossed paths, and I guess you could say that I took the path less traveled by most people.
I guess you might say I have an affinity for roadkill.
Oh, it’s not something I’m proud of. It’s just that over the years, roadkill and I have often crossed paths, and I guess you could say that I took the path less traveled by most people.
Dr. Meghan Bagby, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Huntley High School, is asking for Sun City residents to consider volunteering in an important role for Huntley High School Students in their focused Global Academies programs. Bagby said, “We are hoping to get residents who can transfer their knowledge and skills to our students. We offer programs in engineering, fine arts, global, and medical fields.”
Dr. Meghan Bagby, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Huntley High School, is asking for Sun City residents to consider volunteering in an important role for Huntley High School Students in their focused Global Academies programs.
Bagby said, “We are hoping to get residents who can transfer their knowledge and skills to our students. We offer programs in engineering, fine arts, global, and medical fields.”
If you grew up in the 50s and 60s, you might have enjoyed the challenge of developing an intense dark-tan look added to your skin. You probably even thought that this “healthy tan” made you look like Annette Funicello or Sandra Dee from the Beach Boys’ movies. Unfortunately, like the unhealthy aspect of smoking during those same years, there was “no warning sign” posted anywhere informing you otherwise.
Even though my school years are long behind me, I still expect that once the calendar flips to June, summer vacation is supposed to magically appear. Remember those delicious days of summer vacation as a kid? Sprinklers on the lawn? Dreamsicles from the ice cream truck? Long days at the city pool, counting out change at the concession stand to buy nachos and a slurpee while the grownups commandeered the pool during Adult Swim?
In a recent article in The Hollywood Reporter, it was confirmed that Martin Scorsese’s latest film is going to be three hours and twenty-six minutes. For those who screened it in Cannes, I hope they took a long bathroom break and refrained from fluids. Running times have inflated even more than studio budgets of late. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer movie is three hours, which I plan to review next month. The question remains: can we still get smaller films made in the climate of spectacle? Have no fear, those still exist if one is willing to seek them out.
June is busting out all over. The weather went directly from a freeze warning to a heat warning. The flowers are in full bloom which means those orange cones are also in full bloom along all of our roadways. You can’t escape construction, not even in restaurants. This is the case with Jiang’s Mongolian Grill in Algonquin.
The influence of others can help us in many ways. A glimmer of hope can be seen when before we only saw despair. Encouragement in the form of a smile can change the trajectory of one’s day. Others can help us see things from a different perspective. Annie, my puppy, has helped me see the beauty in darkness. We spend time each evening, well after the sun has set, outside. While in the past, I would have spent that time staring at a screen, I now stare at the beauty nature has to offer under the stars.
I’m writing to seek your expert advice on behalf of my beloved aunt. She’s facing isolation and loneliness during the summer months, especially as her immediate family spends most of the summer at their lake home in Michigan. She has expressed feeling isolated and lonely, and not just because her family is away for the summer.
Letters for the week of June 15.
