MY SUN DAY NEWS
It’s T-minus five days until vacation, and my legs and arms are restlessly pulsing along to the tune of the cicadas. It’s all I can think about. My highly scheduled existence consists of work schedules, school schedules, and deadlines. My grocery lists are categorized into four columns where I systematically tick off each item as it lands in my cart. I write menu plans, fill out calendars, and make to-do lists: Lists of things I want to do. Lists of things I have to do. Lists of things I want other people to do.
It’s T-minus five days until vacation, and my legs and arms are restlessly pulsing along to the tune of the cicadas. It’s all I can think about.
My highly scheduled existence consists of work schedules, school schedules, and deadlines. My grocery lists are categorized into four columns where I systematically tick off each item as it lands in my cart. I write menu plans, fill out calendars, and make to-do lists: Lists of things I want to do. Lists of things I have to do. Lists of things I want other people to do.
The season of summer brings many things: ample sunlight, conversations outdoors with neighbors, quiet time spent reading outside and recreational activities with family. For many of us, one special highlight of summer is eating farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s markets offer a very special experience of bringing people together in a fun, friendly environment.
Thankfully, our area has a wide variety of different options when it comes to Farmer’s Markets. Each market has its own personality. The markets vary based on their type, the array of offerings, number of vendors, location and hours. While not a comprehensive list, here are a few area farmer’s markets that you may want to check out.
I am a 72-year-old woman who is becoming increasingly concerned about my memory. I have a family history of dementia and I can’t help but worry about some of the changes I’ve been experiencing lately.
Every once in a while, the food gods smile down on the Dining Duo. Such was the case at our last neighborhood Christmas party where we won a $65 gift card to a local restaurant. We checked the menu prices online, and after seven short months, we finally saved up enough additional money to use our gift card. We put on our Sunday best, and headed off to Montarra Grill in Algonquin.
Two months down for the summer and we are finally getting some real blockbusters. As I write this, the actors guild SAG-AFTRA is on strike. Halting any future film plans, next year may not fare better than this one. A lot of crashing and burning has been going on. Low returns and attendance have CEOs scrambling. A warning was already on its way before the pandemic that a sea change was coming. Streaming can host more content than multiplexes can ever match. If the theatrical experience has any hope of thriving, it needs to bend to the will of the public and make some drastic changes. Let’s look at two such examples recently.
Russ Becker has been featured for his iconic reconstruction of buildings made with pennies. The responses he received from the articles have encouraged him to keep on building.
A few notes. Janie and I grew up on the same street and graduated in the same high school class so you could say we’ve been lifelong friends. She had fallen on ice recently and I mentioned that I had purchased a product, YakTrax, for my wife who had also fallen. They are elastic adaptations for your shoes that have tiny spikes to keep you from slipping. When it’s icy, she won’t leave without them. And, yes, they are available via Amazon. This is her travel story.
ASAP Garage Door Repair sponsored a 60 years old softball team called the OLD DAYZ to play in the Six County Senior Softball Tournament in Elk Grove Village on July 19.
Raul Zuniga turned 102 On June 15 this year. One of Zuniga’s celebrations happened at Culvers in Huntley. Richard Meyers, a manager at Culvers said, “It was a magical moment in time.”
Raul Zuniga turned 102 On June 15 this year. One of Zuniga’s celebrations happened at Culvers in Huntley.
Richard Meyers, a manager at Culvers said, “It was a magical moment in time.”
On June 19, family and friends gathered at Shepherd of the Prairie Church in Huntley to honor the veterans who served our country by presenting them with a custom quilt. Each stitch on the quilts is a labor of love completed by the women in The Quilts of Valor to show appreciation and gratitude to veterans serving the United States of America.
On June 19, family and friends gathered at Shepherd of the Prairie Church in Huntley to honor the veterans who served our country by presenting them with a custom quilt.
Each stitch on the quilts is a labor of love completed by the women in The Quilts of Valor to show appreciation and gratitude to veterans serving the United States of America.
Sun City Resident Debby Smith volunteers at Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions. Young at Heart is a rescue and safe haven for senior dogs and cats in Woodstock, Illinois. “I’ve been there 8 months,” Smith said. “I’ve worked at animal shelters since I was 20.” According to Smith, volunteering is a true passion.
Sun City Resident Debby Smith volunteers at Young at Heart Senior Pet Adoptions. Young at Heart is a rescue and safe haven for senior dogs and cats in Woodstock, Illinois.
“I’ve been there 8 months,” Smith said. “I’ve worked at animal shelters since I was 20.”
According to Smith, volunteering is a true passion.
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.
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.”
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.
