Sun City Wellness Expo Unites Community's Active Residents

Even though he’s featured in the Gallery of Stars as one of Del Webb Sun City’s most active adults, Chris Encea really doesn’t want the focus to be on him.

“What’s most important to me is that people understand how important physical fitness is,” said Encea, 77, who attributes an active lifestyle to success and happiness.

“I’m very sincere about this,” said Encea, a former social worker for the Department of Children and Family Services. “I’ve always had this drive to help people with a special need. Every body has a special need of some kind.”

He said has dyslexia, a learning disability that makes reading difficult but he overcame it and thrives with physical activity, he said.

“If people could just get out of their shell a little bit they would be surprised at what they can do,” said Encea, who founded Sun City’s The Stingrays swim club in 2001. “Fitness opens up your veins, you get more oxygen, you get new drive, you realize life isn’t over, it’s the beginning of something new.”

Members of The Stingrays introduced benefits of the club at the  “Feeling Great is Ageless” fitness, fashion and fun expo, held Wednesday at Del Webb Sun City in Huntley.  The event, free and open to the public, offered dance performances, skin care assessments, an assortment of jewelry and apparel shopping, and a closer look at the residential experience of life at the 55-and-over community.

Pat McFarland, the club’s secretary, and Ginny McCann, its presidents, said they both advanced their swim skills as adults.

“I really was in my fifties when I really learned how to swim,” said McFarland. “The club teaches people new strokes and enables people to stay fit and continue being active regardless of their age.”

McCann, who said the club has about 30 members, added that most of the members are not former competitive swimmers, but rather people who have enjoyed swimming most of their lives.

The community’s Theatre Company of Sun City also invited guests to learn more about its purpose, which includes bringing quality community theater to residents, friends and relatives, and the public. Some of their past productions include “Sound of Music,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Nunsense,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Throughout the expo, performances in the Drendel Ballroom included ethnic dance, Wii dance, line dancing and jazz, tap and ballet, performed by residents.

“Everybody who lives here loves it,” said Dolly Marcello, a resident at Sun City who also exhibited and sold a collection of women’s apparel in her booth, Dolly’s Fashions. “You’ll never find any one here who hates it.”

One of the reasons for satisfaction, she said, is a variety of activities through more than 80 clubs offered. “I’m in the Irish Club, which throws the best St. Patrick’s Day party you’ve ever been to in your life.”