MY SUN DAY NEWS
Tony Pratt, a Sun City resident, enjoys volunteering and encourages others to donate their time. Pratt starting working with the Fox Valley Music Foundation in Aurora. The foundation promotes local musical artists and provides educational programs to help foster a love and appreciation for music in the community. Pratt said, “I got involved when I met a record store owner in Batavia. Kiss the Sky record store owner Steve Warrenfeltz, the former President of the Fox Valley Music Foundation, got me interested, and that’s how it began.”
Tony Pratt, a Sun City resident, enjoys volunteering and encourages others to donate their time. Pratt starting working with the Fox Valley Music Foundation in Aurora. The foundation promotes local musical artists and provides educational programs to help foster a love and appreciation for music in the community.
Pratt said, “I got involved when I met a record store owner in Batavia. Kiss the Sky record store owner Steve Warrenfeltz, the former President of the Fox Valley Music Foundation, got me interested, and that’s how it began.”
September 11 is a day that Americans across the country reflect on the attacks that stunned the world. Itās a day that unites us in remembrance and reflection as we recall where we were when we heard the news of the planes hitting the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. A Sun City Resident, a Chicago firefighter, and twenty fellow firefighters traveled to the site. He will never forget that day.
Grandpa, Grandma, & Me (GG & Me) Charter Club members celebrated Grandparentās Day on September 8 at GLO-BOWL in Marengo.Ā It was a day of inclusivity and togetherness as grandparents, grandkids, and families came together to celebrate the occasion by throwing a few strikes.
Itās been a while since Jim and I had Chinese food and sometimes our bodies start craving MSG. Anyone can find a Chinese takeout restaurant, but it is much more difficult to find a good Chinese dine in restaurant. While driving through Crystal Lake to buy some donuts, we spotted the Kirin King-Asian Cuisine and decided to drop in and check it out. The site is an older building and has housed several different restaurants during the past years. When walking in, there was a gigantic fish tank with lots of salt water fish swimming around (their sushi must be really fresh). There are a lot of steps to get into the restaurant and also into their dining area, so obviously this restaurant is not handicap accessible.
Itās been a while since Jim and I had Chinese food and sometimes our bodies start craving MSG. Anyone can find a Chinese takeout restaurant, but it is much more difficult to find a good Chinese dine in restaurant. While driving through Crystal Lake to buy some donuts, we spotted the Kirin King-Asian Cuisine and decided to drop in and check it out.
The site is an older building and has housed several different restaurants during the past years. When walking in, there was a gigantic fish tank with lots of salt water fish swimming around (their sushi must be really fresh). There are a lot of steps to get into the restaurant and also into their dining area, so obviously this restaurant is not handicap accessible.
Chris, my husband and I recently purchased seven new appliances. While the process was a bit overwhelming, we honestly, just followed the advice of our sales person and made practical conservative choices. On the highly anticipated day of delivery, not only did our appliances arrive but so did reams of paper in the form of operating manuals. It took me hours to sort through the manuals, fill out the registration cards and luckily, in some cases, apply for energy rebates. My take away from this whole process was that plants should be sold with operating manuals. Specifically, trees. If all goes well, the trees in our yard will be alive and thriving decades after our appliances are relegated to the junk yard. More information should be given to the owner of the trees regarding their care than the owner of a microwave. In an attempt to right this wrong, this column summarizes a few key points for tree owners.
Hope everyone had a great Labor Day as the weather was quite exceptional. Now with the official end of summer behind us, some are heading back to work and others to school. Retirees, your endless summer has been spared. Often this time of year reminds me of notebooks and syllabuses, much to the chagrin of my friends. The perpetual student in me always sees the changing of the leaves as study season. However, I sometimes wonder what it would be like on the other side of the school desk.
Iām reaching out because Iām feeling a bit overwhelmed and could use some guidance on how best to support my mom as she navigates the challenges of aging, particularly her increasing anxiety. Mom is in her late 70s now, and while sheās always been incredibly independent and strong-willed, Iāve noticed a significant shift in her emotional well-being recently. She seems more anxious and restless, and itās starting to affect her daily life. Small things that never used to bother her now seem to cause her a lot of stress, and Iām at a loss about how to help her through this.
Iām reaching out because Iām feeling a bit overwhelmed and could use some guidance on how best to support my mom as she navigates the challenges of aging, particularly her increasing anxiety.
Mom is in her late 70s now, and while sheās always been incredibly independent and strong-willed, Iāve noticed a significant shift in her emotional well-being recently. She seems more anxious and restless, and itās starting to affect her daily life. Small things that never used to bother her now seem to cause her a lot of stress, and Iām at a loss about how to help her through this.
Letters for the week of September 19.
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.
After a nearly 30-year career as a teacher, athletic director, and coach, Jim Meyers received a top honor from the state-wide Illinois Association of Athletic Directors (IADA). Meyers was one of three members of the IADA Class of 2024 Hall of Fame, along with Terry Dobbs who worked at Palatine and Greg King of Sterling, at the May IADA meeting. Meyers explained that due to his retirement as Johnsburg High School Athletic Director in 2003, he is one of the elder statesman so honored. āI was nominated by the present Johnsburg High School Principal Kevin Shelton, and filled out an informational and career packet from IADA, including letters from colleagues (former tennis coach Rick Bailey), and that went to a committee,ā Meyers, a long-tine Sun City resident, said.
After a nearly 30-year career as a teacher, athletic director, and coach, Jim Meyers received a top honor from the state-wide Illinois Association of Athletic Directors (IADA).
Meyers was one of three members of the IADA Class of 2024 Hall of Fame, along with Terry Dobbs who worked at Palatine and Greg King of Sterling, at the May IADA meeting. Meyers explained that due to his retirement as Johnsburg High School Athletic Director in 2003, he is one of the elder statesman so honored.
āI was nominated by the present Johnsburg High School Principal Kevin Shelton, and filled out an informational and career packet from IADA, including letters from colleagues (former tennis coach Rick Bailey), and that went to a committee,ā Meyers, a long-tine Sun City resident, said.
One of the foods in the news lately is microgreens, as this February headline notes: āMicrogreens: Superfoods for the future, packed with nutrients and easy to grow.ā Since 2023, research studies on microgreens have risen sharply with more than 103 articles on microgreens published in PubMed, the national medical database. You may have heard of them, but wondered what they are and why you might want to add them to your diet.
This fall, Sun City’s Pencil and Palette Club is hosting an art gallery exhibit, and youāre invited. The exhibit will feature the work of resident artists. Carolyn Gordon, the Chairman of the Exhibit, said, “We are featuring the work of our novice through experienced painters.”
This fall, Sun City’s Pencil and Palette Club is hosting an art gallery exhibit, and youāre invited. The exhibit will feature the work of resident artists.
Carolyn Gordon, the Chairman of the Exhibit, said, “We are featuring the work of our novice through experienced painters.”
If you havenāt seen me around for a while, blame the āvid. Thatās what my son called it when he phoned me to ask: āHow you doinā against the āvid?ā I had no idea what he was talking about, so I asked him ā three times ā what he said: āAre you saying āvidā? What the hell is a āvidā?ā Something in the corner of my mind hinted that it might be a term having to do with gambling, but I hadnāt placed any bets lately. Or at least I didnāt remember if I had.
If you havenāt seen me around for a while, blame the āvid.
Thatās what my son called it when he phoned me to ask: āHow you doinā against the āvid?ā
I had no idea what he was talking about, so I asked him ā three times ā what he said: āAre you saying āvidā? What the hell is a āvidā?ā Something in the corner of my mind hinted that it might be a term having to do with gambling, but I hadnāt placed any bets lately. Or at least I didnāt remember if I had.
The thing about a rainstorm is that it doesnāt wait.Ā Of all the things that can be canceled or delayed or rescheduled ā a meeting, a dentist appointment, even a tax deadline ā a storm moving in, chased by thunder and lightning, refuses to bend to anyone elseās schedule. Between the curtains on the window over my sink is when I first see the trees swaying wildly in the wind, then notice that the late afternoon sun is lighting up a huge thunderhead cloud. Fluffy white columns billow higher and higher. Below it, a blanket of dark gray clouds moved in.
The thing about a rainstorm is that it doesnāt wait.Ā
Of all the things that can be canceled or delayed or rescheduled ā a meeting, a dentist appointment, even a tax deadline ā a storm moving in, chased by thunder and lightning, refuses to bend to anyone elseās schedule. Between the curtains on the window over my sink is when I first see the trees swaying wildly in the wind, then notice that the late afternoon sun is lighting up a huge thunderhead cloud. Fluffy white columns billow higher and higher. Below it, a blanket of dark gray clouds moved in.
Kelly Bertrand, Prairie Lodge’s Fitness Coordinator, said, “Knowing the (Paris, France) Summer Olympics was coming up and knowing we have some competitive athletes here at Sun City, I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate that spirit of competition and doing your best with some events here at Sun City.”
Sun City Neighborhoods, united in their celebration, marked the 25th anniversary of their community on Sunday, August 25. Despite the heat, residents, brought their chairs and contributions and participated in the community event in a show of solidarity. The Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) invited each neighborhood to hold a community-wide Drinks on the Drive. Ā
Sun City Neighborhoods, united in their celebration, marked the 25th anniversary of their community on Sunday, August 25. Despite the heat, residents, brought their chairs and contributions and participated in the community event in a show of solidarity.
The Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) invited each neighborhood to hold a community-wide Drinks on the Drive. Ā
The healthiness of living things, at times, can be paramount. We spend a good portion of our lives either trying to remain healthy or fighting to become healthy again. We also worry about the health of those around us; our family, friends, neighbors and even, if applicable, our pets. As trivial as it seems, by comparison, we also want our lawn, flowers, shrubs and trees to remain healthy. This year unfortunately for many, our lawns are suffering from diseases. The symptoms of these diseases have become increasingly obvious over the past 4-5 weeks. This column focuses on identifying turf diseases as well as possible causes and treatments.
Iām hoping for some guidance on a topic thatās become increasingly important to my family: home care. My parents have recently started receiving home care services, and as their daughter, I want to ensure that theyāre receiving the best possible care and support. While weāre grateful for the assistance that home care provides, I must admit Iām quite new to this experience, and Iām feeling a bit overwhelmed about what to expect and how to best utilize the care services available to us.
Iām hoping for some guidance on a topic thatās become increasingly important to my family: home care. My parents have recently started receiving home care services, and as their daughter, I want to ensure that theyāre receiving the best possible care and support.
While weāre grateful for the assistance that home care provides, I must admit Iām quite new to this experience, and Iām feeling a bit overwhelmed about what to expect and how to best utilize the care services available to us.
Movie theaters, and viewers, have been holding out on a savior. Very little has clicked with audiences this summer, with family fare sequels and the occasion horror flick being glimmers of hope. That was until a certain superhero graced our screens and deemed himself to be our Jesus. That person I am speaking of is Ryan Reynolds. His Deadpool serves as a counterpoint to the usual gifted people in capes we normally see. But when he is co-opted, it comes as a bit of a mixed bag.
Now that beef prices are at an all-time high, of course, Nancy has a recurring taste for steak. To stop her incessant whining, I cleverly suggested that we go check out a steakhouse. We have passed by this restaurant a number of times, but never gave it a second thought until today. āTo the Mini-Mobile Nancy,ā and we headed out to Addisonās Steakhouse in McHenry. When we arrived in the strip mall, we were surprised that the restaurant had outdoor seating by the shopping centerās fountain. We decided to dine indoors due to the Florida like weather weāve been experiencing.
Now that beef prices are at an all-time high, of course, Nancy has a recurring taste for steak. To stop her incessant whining, I cleverly suggested that we go check out a steakhouse. We have passed by this restaurant a number of times, but never gave it a second thought until today. āTo the Mini-Mobile Nancy,ā and we headed out to Addisonās Steakhouse in McHenry.
When we arrived in the strip mall, we were surprised that the restaurant had outdoor seating by the shopping centerās fountain. We decided to dine indoors due to the Florida like weather weāve been experiencing.
The Sun City Marines Color Guard gets ready to post the colors at the Huntley Police Department against the Huntley Fire Protection District contest.
The ROMEOs, a unique group of Retired Old Men Eating Out, reside in Neighborhood 10A. They made a memorable entry in Sun City’s golf cart parade with their ROMEOs Breakfast Club cart, adorned in patriotic colors and a large sign. The club, consisting of ten current members, including Rich Gawlik, Tom Reichardt, Jim Saletta, Bob Sholiton, Mike Shehorn, Bob Wainscott, Gene Harrison, Steve Lindskoog, Clyde Sample, and Bill Berendt, is known for its weekly breakfast outings, marked by their distinctive shirts: āTeam Breakfast.ā
The ROMEOs, a unique group of Retired Old Men Eating Out, reside in Neighborhood 10A.
They made a memorable entry in Sun City’s golf cart parade with their ROMEOs Breakfast Club cart, adorned in patriotic colors and a large sign. The club, consisting of ten current members, including Rich Gawlik, Tom Reichardt, Jim Saletta, Bob Sholiton, Mike Shehorn, Bob Wainscott, Gene Harrison, Steve Lindskoog, Clyde Sample, and Bill Berendt, is known for its weekly breakfast outings, marked by their distinctive shirts: āTeam Breakfast.ā
Writing a book wasnāt even on Russ Kovarās radar for the longest time ā until suddenly it was. Kovar has worn many hats in his lifetime: a veteran of the U.S. Navy, an information management professional, a mentor to veterans searching for civilian employment; he is also a husband, father, and grandfather. Now retired and living in Sun City, Kovar has taken on yet another identity: author.
Writing a book wasnāt even on Russ Kovarās radar for the longest time ā until suddenly it was.
Kovar has worn many hats in his lifetime: a veteran of the U.S. Navy, an information management professional, a mentor to veterans searching for civilian employment; he is also a husband, father, and grandfather. Now retired and living in Sun City, Kovar has taken on yet another identity: author.
Cedar Cove, or Neighborhood 5 (N-5), held its annual neighborhood picnic on Saturday, August 10, at the Fountain View Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. N-5 was one of the first neighborhoods opened in Sun City. James Harper said, “At the picnic, we recognized all our residents who have been here since Sun City opened.Ā The ‘originals’ began a tradition in 1999 when they moved in, lasting 25 years. They cared for each other, checking in on neighbors and being there for each other. They set the tone.Ā We wouldn’t be the kind of neighborhood we are without them.”
Cedar Cove, or Neighborhood 5 (N-5), held its annual neighborhood picnic on Saturday, August 10, at the Fountain View Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. N-5 was one of the first neighborhoods opened in Sun City.
James Harper said, “At the picnic, we recognized all our residents who have been here since Sun City opened.Ā The ‘originals’ began a tradition in 1999 when they moved in, lasting 25 years. They cared for each other, checking in on neighbors and being there for each other. They set the tone.Ā We wouldn’t be the kind of neighborhood we are without them.”
Over the weekend, I found myself giggling with two longtime friends as we mugged at a bathroom mirror while trying on outfit after outfit. The clothes are from my friend Jenniferās closet. She called us over because she was ready to clear some space from her ample wardrobe and wanted us, her friends with similar figures, to get first dibs.
Over the weekend, I found myself giggling with two longtime friends as we mugged at a bathroom mirror while trying on outfit after outfit.
The clothes are from my friend Jenniferās closet. She called us over because she was ready to clear some space from her ample wardrobe and wanted us, her friends with similar figures, to get first dibs.
In case you were wondering, Iām that idiot you see on the bike most mornings, pedaling down Jim Dahmer and Sandwald roads, all the way to Big Timber and back. I freely confess that Iām an idiot, but Iām not stupid. My bike has flashing lights fore and aft, I wear a red helmet and sunglasses, and Iām dressed in either orange, yellow, or fluorescent green.
In case you were wondering, Iām that idiot you see on the bike most mornings, pedaling down Jim Dahmer and Sandwald roads, all the way to Big Timber and back.
I freely confess that Iām an idiot, but Iām not stupid. My bike has flashing lights fore and aft, I wear a red helmet and sunglasses, and Iām dressed in either orange, yellow, or fluorescent green.
The tranquility of those who reside on Lilly Lane in Neighborhood 36 has been disrupted by a growing number of individuals who are ignoring a no-fishing rule at the nearby area pond. This blatant disregard of the policy is causing concern among residents and management alike, raising questions about respect for community guidelines and the potential impacts on the environment and safety.
My spouse and I are at a bit of a crossroads, and we could use some guidance. Weāre in our early sixties, still working, and have recently become empty nesters. With our children having flown the coop, our once bustling home now feels a little too spacious for just the two of us. Weāre contemplating the idea of downsizing, yet are unsure about whether itās the right move for us and, if so, how to go about it.
My spouse and I are at a bit of a crossroads, and we could use some guidance. Weāre in our early sixties, still working, and have recently become empty nesters. With our children having flown the coop, our once bustling home now feels a little too spacious for just the two of us.
Weāre contemplating the idea of downsizing, yet are unsure about whether itās the right move for us and, if so, how to go about it.
Being a 90s kid, I never believed that films from our era would have sequels. These singular baubles that rolled through the multiplex back then seemed too unique to the time. The disaster films of the 70s were the template, for sure. But it was the advent of CGI that made updating those concepts possible. After the arrival of Jurassic Park (from a novel by Michael Crichton), studios aimed to capitalize on the fledgling technology. Post-9/11, the want for disaster fell off completely. It was almost as if something was rumbling in the air at the turn of the Millennium; we could sense it.
Itās been very hot and humid lately and we have been sweating like the pilot in the movie āAirplane.ā As long as we were sweating anyway, we decided to go out for some hot and spicey food at a Mexican restaurant. We consulted our super-secret list of restaurants to review and found No Manches Mexican Grill in Carpentersville.
