MY SUN DAY NEWS
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.”
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.
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.
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.
The famous Serenity Prayer penned by Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932 has woven itself into my life from the very start. Growing up as a ministerâs daughter, the prayer appeared to me in prayer books and greeting cards, on motivational wall hangings and embroidered pillows. When I went away to college, I lived in a dorm named after Rev. Niebuhr, who was a pastor, theologian, and ethicist. My father wrote me letters addressed to Niebuhr Hall, and he would tuck a copy of the prayer he had clipped from a church bulletin. On the back, he would write with his customary post script: âYou may keep.â
The famous Serenity Prayer penned by Reinhold Niebuhr in 1932 has woven itself into my life from the very start. Growing up as a ministerâs daughter, the prayer appeared to me in prayer books and greeting cards, on motivational wall hangings and embroidered pillows.Â
When I went away to college, I lived in a dorm named after Rev. Niebuhr, who was a pastor, theologian, and ethicist. My father wrote me letters addressed to Niebuhr Hall, and he would tuck a copy of the prayer he had clipped from a church bulletin. On the back, he would write with his customary post script: âYou may keep.â
Congratulations Pixar for the first one-hundred million-dollar domestic opener for the year at the box office, the first since Barbie last year. Your animation studios have had quite a curse hanging over, presumably caused by a prick off the needle on a spinning wheel I suppose. But it begs the question, where is the elusive blockbuster for adults this year? You know, those beings that pay taxes and read these ancient scrolls I have heard of called newspapers? Yes, there has been some bigger movies of late (two starring Zendaya). A few more are on the way out, but what is the holdup? There is one film that I have seen which could have been, but is not in theaters.
Nancy doesnât ask for very many things in life (okay, letâs wait for the lightning bolt to subside after hitting this newspaper). One day she had a taste for a pizza in a dine in restaurant. I would never pass up a good Italian dinner and remember, happy wife, happy life. She remembered a place in Elgin that coincidentally is in the same shopping center as our favorite donut shop. Looking forward to a âwin-winâ that evening, off we went to Macianoâs Pizza and Pastaria.
As Independence Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the notion of freedom and what it means to truly live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Recently, Iâve been feeling as if Iâm stuck in a rut in my career. I feel trapped in a cycle of meaningless work that keeps me tied to a desk most of my day. I long for a greater sense of purpose and connection to my community. In my search for a more fulfilling career path, Iâve been drawn to the idea of becoming a professional caregiver. The prospect of making a difference in the life of a senior while also enjoying the flexibility and independence that come with this line of work is incredibly appealing to me.
As Independence Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the notion of freedom and what it means to truly live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Recently, Iâve been feeling as if Iâm stuck in a rut in my career. I feel trapped in a cycle of meaningless work that keeps me tied to a desk most of my day. I long for a greater sense of purpose and connection to my community.
In my search for a more fulfilling career path, Iâve been drawn to the idea of becoming a professional caregiver. The prospect of making a difference in the life of a senior while also enjoying the flexibility and independence that come with this line of work is incredibly appealing to me.
Letters for the week of June 27.
Father’s Day, a holiday we now celebrate with joy and gratitude, was not always a part of our cultural fabric. It was founded in Washington State by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910, a woman of remarkable determination. This was a time when the role of fathers was not as publicly recognized as it is today. The first celebration was held in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Dodd’s father, a Civil War veteran and a single parent who raised his six children, is the inspiration behind this day. After hearing a sermon about Mother’s Day, Dodd felt a similar holiday honoring fathers was long overdue. She initially suggested June 5, her father’s birthday, but the pastors needed more time to prepare their sermons; the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.
Mystery, murder, and intrigue will take center stage in Sun City Theatre Companyâs summer production of Agatha Christieâs Mousetrap. The play is set at a remote guesthouse, where seven strangers are trapped by a snowstorm. When a police sergeant arrives to investigate a murder nearby, suspicion is cast in all directions as the strangers are questioned and reveal their sordid pasts.
Mystery, murder, and intrigue will take center stage in Sun City Theatre Companyâs summer production of Agatha Christieâs Mousetrap.
The play is set at a remote guesthouse, where seven strangers are trapped by a snowstorm. When a police sergeant arrives to investigate a murder nearby, suspicion is cast in all directions as the strangers are questioned and reveal their sordid pasts.
Todd Ary and Mark Stahl, teachers at Heineman Middle School, sent students outside of the classroom and brought history to life for their students. Ary said, âWe invited veterans from the community, allowing students to interview them and show veterans how much their service is valued.â Sixteen veterans representing the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy branches of service participated in the program.
Todd Ary and Mark Stahl, teachers at Heineman Middle School, sent students outside of the classroom and brought history to life for their students.
Ary said, âWe invited veterans from the community, allowing students to interview them and show veterans how much their service is valued.â
Sixteen veterans representing the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy branches of service participated in the program.
Russ Becker finished a castle that took 15 years to build. It was featured in My Sun Day News in June 2022. Since then, residents and friends have encouraged him to keep on building. He has completed nine buildings. Recently, his finished projects included the Pentagon and the St. Louis Arch.Â
If things had gone differently, tomorrow would have been my 55th wedding anniversary. But as the 18th Century Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote: âThe best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.â Well, thatâs not exactly how he said it. In the words of his place and time, it was: âThe best laid schemes oâ Mice anâ Men, Gang aft agley, Anâ leaâe us nought but grief anâ pain, For promisâd joy!â
If things had gone differently, tomorrow would have been my 55th wedding anniversary.
But as the 18th Century Scottish poet Robert Burns famously wrote: âThe best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.â
Well, thatâs not exactly how he said it. In the words of his place and time, it was: âThe best laid schemes oâ Mice anâ Men, Gang aft agley, Anâ leaâe us nought but grief anâ pain, For promisâd joy!â
Jim Eggers, a Sun City resident, has always been passionate about ships and architecture. He recently completed building a historically accurate replica of the Yacht Mary. Eggers said, âI started this project 40 years ago. I purchased this kit, which was a replica of the Yacht Mary. It is 1/54 scale of the original, a gift from Amsterdam for King Charles II. It was not a fighting ship. It was a pleasure ship.â
Jim Eggers, a Sun City resident, has always been passionate about ships and architecture. He recently completed building a historically accurate replica of the Yacht Mary.
Eggers said, âI started this project 40 years ago. I purchased this kit, which was a replica of the Yacht Mary. It is 1/54 scale of the original, a gift from Amsterdam for King Charles II. It was not a fighting ship. It was a pleasure ship.â
Everybody knows that smoking is bad for oneâs health. Itâs also generally recognized that being lonely and socially isolated can be harmful to both our emotional and physical health. But can feeling lonely and isolated really be as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Or drinking six alcoholic drinks a day?
Last week, my family drove off into the west without me. While they went to visit some relatives on my husbandâs side of the family, I stayed back, left alone with our dog and a stack of to-do lists for myself. I know myself to be an introvert, but Iâm always a little bit shocked, on these rare occasions when Iâm left alone, at how much of an introvert I am.Â
Last week, my family drove off into the west without me. While they went to visit some relatives on my husbandâs side of the family, I stayed back, left alone with our dog and a stack of to-do lists for myself.
I know myself to be an introvert, but Iâm always a little bit shocked, on these rare occasions when Iâm left alone, at how much of an introvert I am.Â
In life we all have choices to make. Some choices are mundane such as choosing which shirt to wear, figuring out what to make for dinner, or deciding on the next Netflix series to watch. Other choices can be much more difficult, such as at what age to retire, making medical decisions or picking a vacation destination. We also have choices regarding the plants that we grow in our yards. Those choices revolve around flower color, mature height and width, the maintenance required, and the environmental conditions in which the plant grows best. Another factor may be whether the plant is a native or non-native. This column includes a description of native plants, the benefits of planting native plants and resources for those who would like more information.
