MY SUN DAY NEWS
They may be called nerds or geeks, but there’s a more fitting term for adult LEGO collectors – AFOLs, which stands for Adult Fans of LEGO. These AFOLs are not just collectors but also builders, and anyone with a deep-seated passion for the LEGO brick. This shared passion creates a strong sense of community among adult LEGO collectors. During the pandemic, Peter Mazzoni embarked on a new hobby. “I used to love building models. When I was younger, that’s what we would do. But I always disliked the smell of the glue. Then my son suggested, ‘Why don’t you try LEGOs?â And that’s when I got hooked. I built the Colosseum, R2-D2, Millennium Falcon, and the shuttle.”
They may be called nerds or geeks, but there’s a more fitting term for adult LEGO collectors – AFOLs, which stands for Adult Fans of LEGO. These AFOLs are not just collectors but also builders, and anyone with a deep-seated passion for the LEGO brick. This shared passion creates a strong sense of community among adult LEGO collectors.
During the pandemic, Peter Mazzoni embarked on a new hobby. “I used to love building models. When I was younger, that’s what we would do. But I always disliked the smell of the glue. Then my son suggested, ‘Why don’t you try LEGOs?â And that’s when I got hooked. I built the Colosseum, R2-D2, Millennium Falcon, and the shuttle.”
We were thrilled when we found out our granddaughter (13) would be able to visit for a week this summer. Then the panic set in! What do we do to keep her entertained for a week? Not that she wouldnât enjoy just visiting, but a week is a long time for a teenager. The quest was double-hard since she had just finished a two-week vacation with her parents in Europe. She had spent days in London, Venice, Rome, and Lisbon. A high barrier to overcome but we knew we could find something. After multiple suggestions, we decided on the zoo, but not just any zoo, Brookfield Zoo. We realized we had not been there in over 10 years and it surely had changed but that didnât matter. It was at the top of our list. Now what would be the best day?
When I retired from 34 years of teaching and coaching, I spent my last few days walking around the school, saying goodbye to all that I would miss.
I started, of course, by saying goodbye to colleagues â teachers, secretaries, custodians, counselors, and even a few administrators â but then I bid farewell to the places and things I would miss.
The Sun City Anglers Charter Club’s Membership met on Wednesday, June 19, in the Birch/Cedar Room of Prairie Lodge to thank their outgoing President, Randy Johnson, with cake and a plaque acknowledging his service as club president for the past eight years. One of the members also prepared a pictorial remembrance book of those years. Francis Rowinski beautifully encapsulated Johnson’s dedication: “Randy has been deeply devoted to our Angler’s Club, tirelessly working to create a space where anglers of all skill levels can grow and find new friends. His instrumental role in organizing fishing tournaments at Wildflower Lake twice a month during each fishing season is a testament to his unwavering commitment.”
The Sun City Anglers Charter Club’s Membership met on Wednesday, June 19, in the Birch/Cedar Room of Prairie Lodge to thank their outgoing President, Randy Johnson, with cake and a plaque acknowledging his service as club president for the past eight years. One of the members also prepared a pictorial remembrance book of those years.
Francis Rowinski beautifully encapsulated Johnson’s dedication: “Randy has been deeply devoted to our Angler’s Club, tirelessly working to create a space where anglers of all skill levels can grow and find new friends. His instrumental role in organizing fishing tournaments at Wildflower Lake twice a month during each fishing season is a testament to his unwavering commitment.”
Our dog Baxter is named after the tiny dog that belongs to Will Ferrellâs self-important character Ron Burgundy in the âAnchormanâ movies. Like most pet owners, we subject our poor Baxter to many nicknames. Some are run-of-the-mill like âPuppyâ or âPuppy-Schmup.â We call him âBooxieâ and âBooxinator.â On days when Baxter is freshly brushed and walks with a certain swagger, I refer to him as âLord Buxton.â This is always pronounced in an awful English accent for absurd reasons that I canât explain. I hope you agree with me when I say it is our absolute right as pet owners to be reduced to sappy ridiculousness when it comes to our pets. No explanations required.
Our dog Baxter is named after the tiny dog that belongs to Will Ferrellâs self-important character Ron Burgundy in the âAnchormanâ movies.
Like most pet owners, we subject our poor Baxter to many nicknames. Some are run-of-the-mill like âPuppyâ or âPuppy-Schmup.â We call him âBooxieâ and âBooxinator.â On days when Baxter is freshly brushed and walks with a certain swagger, I refer to him as âLord Buxton.â This is always pronounced in an awful English accent for absurd reasons that I canât explain. I hope you agree with me when I say it is our absolute right as pet owners to be reduced to sappy ridiculousness when it comes to our pets. No explanations required.
For the second year in a row, ASAP Garage Door Repair sponsored a softball team named OLD DAYZ to play in the 6 County Senior Softball Tournament, hosted by the Elk Grove Park District.
Chris, my husband, and I are traveling a path on which many of you have traveled before. We are empty nesters who are downsizing. We have chosen to sell the home in which we have raised a family, developed a beautiful private outdoor oasis, and created countless memories. We are grateful to be able to move into my grandparentâs old farm house. The farm house located only a few miles away from our current home holds wonderful memories but little in the way of landscaping and certainly no outdoor oasis. We have our work cut out for us and thankfully we have learned so much from homeowners, like you, who have successfully navigated from one phase of life to the next.
As I find myself navigating the complexities of aging, Iâve begun to consider the possibility of seeking home care to help me maintain my independence and quality of life. I donât want to be a burden to my family, yet Iâm hesitant to take this step due to the many myths Iâve heard about home care. One of the most prevalent myths that gives me pause is the belief that receiving home care means giving up my freedom and independence. I worry that inviting a caregiver into my home will diminish my sense of autonomy and control over my own life.
As I find myself navigating the complexities of aging, Iâve begun to consider the possibility of seeking home care to help me maintain my independence and quality of life. I donât want to be a burden to my family, yet Iâm hesitant to take this step due to the many myths Iâve heard about home care.
One of the most prevalent myths that gives me pause is the belief that receiving home care means giving up my freedom and independence. I worry that inviting a caregiver into my home will diminish my sense of autonomy and control over my own life.
As the Fourth of July has passed, we are entering a lull period that could be the dog days. Oppressive heatwaves have certainly given that impression. But that doesnât mean that we are without our reasons to party. Seeing as I left out Pride this year, let me declare this a second Pride month with some reasons to celebrate and educate all on a bit of secret history. No fear that this be a dry, doctrinaire thesis; we are about fun after all. And what doesnât say entertainment more than humor.
Social media is a wonderful thing. Where else can you learn about a household âhackâ that will wind-up taking you twice as long to do a chore. You can read a post from someone trying to convince you that the earth is flat, complete with Photoshopped pictures. Also, you are able to engage in a rousing argument about which is the best toe nail clipper. We have to admit, sometimes social media does come in handy, like when we heard the buzz about a new Italian restaurant in Marengo. It piqued our curiosity, so we locked up little Rosie in her crate, armed our GPS, and dashed off to Abbondanza Cucina.
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.
Sun Cityâs 25th anniversary celebration continued on the streets on June 29. It started with a pancake breakfast catered by Sammy’s Bar and Grill. After breakfast, residents and guests got their faces painted, sponsored by the Grandma, Grandpa, & Me Charter Club (GG&ME). Student volunteers from Huntley High School assisted club members in fulfilling requests. Board members Dottie Harrison and Bob Olson sat down and were happy with the artist’s work. Olson said, “I loved getting my face painted. The young people from the high school who did it were all terrific young people and fun to talk to.”Â
Sun Cityâs 25th anniversary celebration continued on the streets on June 29.
It started with a pancake breakfast catered by Sammy’s Bar and Grill. After breakfast, residents and guests got their faces painted, sponsored by the Grandma, Grandpa, & Me Charter Club (GG&ME). Student volunteers from Huntley High School assisted club members in fulfilling requests. Board members Dottie Harrison and Bob Olson sat down and were happy with the artist’s work.Â
Olson said, “I loved getting my face painted. The young people from the high school who did it were all terrific young people and fun to talk to.”Â
The Chinese insist that 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, but if youâre an Illinoisan, you know that 2024 is the summer of the cicada. Still, if youâre a Sun City Illinoisan who was looking forward to getting reacquainted with those long-awaited love-bugs, this year of the dragon has been a bit of a drag, because there hasnât been a cicada in sight in our part of the world.
The Chinese insist that 2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, but if youâre an Illinoisan, you know that 2024 is the summer of the cicada.
Still, if youâre a Sun City Illinoisan who was looking forward to getting reacquainted with those long-awaited love-bugs, this year of the dragon has been a bit of a drag, because there hasnât been a cicada in sight in our part of the world.
Alex Macaluso, 68, has transformed his garage in Sun City into a musical workshop, where he spends his time preparing donated drum sets and other percussion instruments to be given away on behalf of a non-profit organization called Recycled Rhythm. Recycled Rhythm got its start in 2018 when its founder, Anthony Maland, wanted a way to share the positive effects of music therapy with other young people. Maland, who was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 5, benefited greatly from his musical training and refused to allow his diagnosis to hold him back.
Alex Macaluso, 68, has transformed his garage in Sun City into a musical workshop, where he spends his time preparing donated drum sets and other percussion instruments to be given away on behalf of a non-profit organization called Recycled Rhythm.
Recycled Rhythm got its start in 2018 when its founder, Anthony Maland, wanted a way to share the positive effects of music therapy with other young people. Maland, who was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age 5, benefited greatly from his musical training and refused to allow his diagnosis to hold him back.
Fred Joob, a regular blood donor, was recognized on Monday, June 17, for his blood donations. Joob first started donating blood in 1990. He vividly remembers the moment that sparked his commitment. âI belonged to a church in Chicago. A parish member, a young girl, Emily, had tumors around her heart. I started donating palettes. I got in the habit of donating. I kept on donating every six weeks.â Â Â Â Today, Joob is a 100-pint blood donor, an accolade he reached.Â
Fred Joob, a regular blood donor, was recognized on Monday, June 17, for his blood donations. Joob first started donating blood in 1990. He vividly remembers the moment that sparked his commitment. âI belonged to a church in Chicago. A parish member, a young girl, Emily, had tumors around her heart. I started donating palettes. I got in the habit of donating. I kept on donating every six weeks.â Â Â Â
Today, Joob is a 100-pint blood donor, an accolade he reached.Â
Last monthâs My Sunday News health report focused on the 2023 Surgeon General Advisory that âOur Epidemic of Loneliness and Social Isolation.â The Advisory cited several studies confirming that loneliness, isolation and alienation are on the rise. One especially telling study revealed that 25% of Americans claim that they have no one to share a personal problem with.
During the 4th of July week, a heartwarming sight greeted those driving through Neighborhood 9 â flags proudly flying underneath some of the mailboxes. This initiative was sparked by Cindy Byrd, a resident in N9, who sent an email to her neighbors, asking if they were veterans and, if so, which branch of service they served in. Byrd said, “It would be nice to bring awareness to how many military veterans we have living among us. For those veterans that responded to my email, a flag with a tag identifying the veteran’s name and branch of service was placed in front of their mailbox for the holiday.”
During the 4th of July week, a heartwarming sight greeted those driving through Neighborhood 9 â flags proudly flying underneath some of the mailboxes. This initiative was sparked by Cindy Byrd, a resident in N9, who sent an email to her neighbors, asking if they were veterans and, if so, which branch of service they served in.
Byrd said, “It would be nice to bring awareness to how many military veterans we have living among us. For those veterans that responded to my email, a flag with a tag identifying the veteran’s name and branch of service was placed in front of their mailbox for the holiday.”
Thanks to the support of the Sunflower Garden Club basket sale this year and the fall mum sales, scholarships were awarded to three Huntley High School students. Darlene Pratt, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, said, âOur sales were so well supported, we were able to increase the number of scholarships from the two planned to three.â
Thanks to the support of the Sunflower Garden Club basket sale this year and the fall mum sales, scholarships were awarded to three Huntley High School students.Â
Darlene Pratt, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, said, âOur sales were so well supported, we were able to increase the number of scholarships from the two planned to three.â
Local residents John (J) and Karen Semancik are beaming with pride over their granddaughter, Myla Wade, who clinched a remarkable second-place finish in the eighth-grade 400-meter run at the prestigious Illinois Elementary Sports Association (IESA). Her impressive time was 59.16 seconds. Reflecting on her journey, Wade shared, “The whole event was enjoyable. It was a little overwhelming, especially the school bus ride to East Peoria. But it was a great feeling knowing my family and friends were supporting me.â
Local residents John (J) and Karen Semancik are beaming with pride over their granddaughter, Myla Wade, who clinched a remarkable second-place finish in the eighth-grade 400-meter run at the prestigious Illinois Elementary Sports Association (IESA). Her impressive time was 59.16 seconds.
Reflecting on her journey, Wade shared, “The whole event was enjoyable. It was a little overwhelming, especially the school bus ride to East Peoria. But it was a great feeling knowing my family and friends were supporting me.â
The Pew Research Center came out with a recent analysis that discovered that a quarter of all web pages that existed at one point between 2013 and 2023 are no longer accessible. For pages that existed in 2013, 38% are not available today. Even 8% of webpages from just one year ago are no longer available. This phenomenon is called âDigital Decay.â
The Pew Research Center came out with a recent analysis that discovered that a quarter of all web pages that existed at one point between 2013 and 2023 are no longer accessible.
For pages that existed in 2013, 38% are not available today. Even 8% of webpages from just one year ago are no longer available.
This phenomenon is called âDigital Decay.â
Whether we like it or not, our world is becoming more electronics-focused. Information that we used to get from books, we now derive from our computer. Communication that previously took the form of face-to-face conversations is now done through our smart phones. The average American spends 7 hours and 4 minutes staring at a screen per day. Only 1/3 of all adults spend more than 1 hour a day outside. Children spend less time outdoors than any other generation.
Upon watching the Pride Parade a couple weekends ago, I was reminded of how fun riding on a motorcycle looks like. Wind in your hair as the world breezes past. The exhilaration of being outdoors while simultaneously on a moving vehicle seems too good to resist. That is, with the exception that you can be more easily hurt than riding in a car. Back in college I read Robert M Pirsigâs Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for class, but it feels like the afterthought of the feature I plan to talk about today.
As I sit down to plan our family reunion, I find myself filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Itâs been years since weâve all come together under one roof. I want to ensure that this reunion is not only memorable but also inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, especially our elderly family members. One of my primary concerns is how to prepare and accommodate our elderly relatives, some of whom have specific needs or health issues. For example, my beloved aunt has been showing signs of early dementia and I want to ensure she feels comfortable and supported throughout the gathering.
As I sit down to plan our family reunion, I find myself filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Itâs been years since weâve all come together under one roof. I want to ensure that this reunion is not only memorable but also inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, especially our elderly family members.
One of my primary concerns is how to prepare and accommodate our elderly relatives, some of whom have specific needs or health issues. For example, my beloved aunt has been showing signs of early dementia and I want to ensure she feels comfortable and supported throughout the gathering.
Itâs a wonderful age we now live in. There are hundreds of cable channels and dozens of streaming services, all for the low introductory price of $4.99 a month. Nancy cringes when I turn on the TV. She is fed up with me watching Hoarders, American Pickers, and Dr. Pimple Popper. As a result, we find ourselves tuning into the old standards, such as the prime-time cartoon show, The Flintstones. We love their creative solutions to everyday items such as the Pterodactyl Airlines, the dinosaur garbage disposal, and the baby elephant vacuum cleaner. Interesting, isnât it, they all had TV. With this in mind, we jumped into our prehistoric âMiniâ-mobile and decided to go to Granite City Food and Brewery in Schaumburg. Jim got his size 14 clod-hoppers all revved up, his feet hit the pavement, and off we went.
Bonnie Scherkenbach, a Sun City resident, isnât afraid of change. Having once taught first, second, and third-grade children, she later felt the pull to switch gears and embark on a new path. Scherkenbach said, “I decided to return to school and work on getting a master’s degree in counseling, focusing on gerontology. I went from one end of the age spectrum to the other. I got three different internships as part of my program. Those were at the Palatine Township Senior Services, Condell Intergenerational Day Center, and The Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA). After finishing my degree, I was employed at BACOA for 20 years.â
Bonnie Scherkenbach, a Sun City resident, isnât afraid of change.
Having once taught first, second, and third-grade children, she later felt the pull to switch gears and embark on a new path.
Scherkenbach said, “I decided to return to school and work on getting a master’s degree in counseling, focusing on gerontology. I went from one end of the age spectrum to the other. I got three different internships as part of my program. Those were at the Palatine Township Senior Services, Condell Intergenerational Day Center, and The Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA). After finishing my degree, I was employed at BACOA for 20 years.â
Sun City Bridge Charter Club took a moment away from their serious game to celebrate resident John Snow’s 100th birthday not once but twice. Pat Zenner, a resident and bridge player, said, “On May 31, in the card room at the lodge, we will have a cake to celebrate his birthday.” Not to be outdone, the Monday night bridge group also celebrated Snow’s centennial birthday with more cake on June 3. Sandi Karnatz said, “John is an amazing man and bridge player. He likes to play no trump. Everyone who plays with him knows that.”
Sun City Bridge Charter Club took a moment away from their serious game to celebrate resident John Snow’s 100th birthday not once but twice. Pat Zenner, a resident and bridge player, said, “On May 31, in the card room at the lodge, we will have a cake to celebrate his birthday.”
Not to be outdone, the Monday night bridge group also celebrated Snow’s centennial birthday with more cake on June 3.
Sandi Karnatz said, “John is an amazing man and bridge player. He likes to play no trump. Everyone who plays with him knows that.”
Sun City Prairie Singers put on a hit show on June 8 at the Willow Creek Community Church of Huntley. The cast of 79 Prairie Singers, 22 Prairie Voices, and nine Prairie Singers Pit Ensemble members with accompanist Barbara Klein were all directed by Denise Caliendo. The hours of practice and crew of volunteers, ushers, ticket sellers, sound and lighting teams, and generous support to the musical programs all played an essential role in the production’s success.
Sun City Prairie Singers put on a hit show on June 8 at the Willow Creek Community Church of Huntley. The cast of 79 Prairie Singers, 22 Prairie Voices, and nine Prairie Singers Pit Ensemble members with accompanist Barbara Klein were all directed by Denise Caliendo.Â
The hours of practice and crew of volunteers, ushers, ticket sellers, sound and lighting teams, and generous support to the musical programs all played an essential role in the production’s success.
Recently, while traveling back from Oregon State University for our daughterâs graduation, I had just enough time in the airport to choose a snack for the flight and then hurry to the gate to board the plane. The pressure was on. It was mid-afternoon when we boarded the plane but it would be well into the evening before we disembarked. What should I choose to provide sustenance for the next four hours? As I saw it, my options were a blueberry scone, a bag of potato chips, or a fresh-made salad. Ultimately, I chose the salad figuring that it was the option that was the healthiest for me and perhaps for the environment. Choosing what to plant in our yards is a bit like deciding what to put into our bodies. What not only brings us joy, but is also good for the environment and those around us?
I realize that itâs unethical and illegal to conduct mind control experiments on living humans, but I think I should be cut some slack since Iâm only doing it to bring a good man back to life. OK, that might not be the best way to begin this. Let me start again.
I realize that itâs unethical and illegal to conduct mind control experiments on living humans, but I think I should be cut some slack since Iâm only doing it to bring a good man back to life.
OK, that might not be the best way to begin this. Let me start again.
