The annual Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s (IPRA) Soaring to New Heights Conference is a long-awaited event for thousands of parks and recreation employees. Batavia Park District employees were happy to attend the conference in Chicago in person, January 27-29, and the District scooped up several
After more than 30 years in western suburban classrooms, award-winning teacher and author Ellen Jo Ljung has some stories to tell, stories that helped shape her career and transformed her vision for the future of education. Ljung shares her life-changing and often humorous insights in a newly-published memoir, Tales Told
Riley Mont, West Aurora High School girls basketball team, scored her 1,000th point February 3 during the team’s 73-24 victory against Oswego High School. This milestone places Mont eighth among all-time scorers in the program. Mont achieved this feat while never having completed a full varsity season during her four
Continuing her efforts to urge the United States Congress to authorize president, Joe Biden to honor Korean War Veterans with Congressional Gold Medals, State representative Stephanie Kifowit, (D-Oswego), met with senator Tammy Duckworth to officially present her with a Senate Joint Resolution passed by the Illinois General Assembly. “The Korean
Michael Simmons, seated, poses with family and friends after being inducted into West Aurora High School’s sports Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 29.
Debbie Buchanan, deputy clerk & executive assistant, will retire after a more-than two-decade career with the Village of Montgomery.
West Aurora High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet, Matt Leslie, was selected for the J-100 AFJROTC Character-in-Leadership Scholarship program. Leslie, a senior from Aurora, was nominated by his instructors and passed all tests and interview requirements. Leslie plans to attend the University of Nebraska and major
By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin presented the Mayor’s Award of Excellence to individuals for their dedication to serving others at the Aurora city government City Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 25. The theme was ‘Keeping It 100!’ A proclamation for the 100th Anniversary of the Aurora Noon Lions
By Donna Fisher, Marketing specialist, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Aurora When Sam Baiardo retired in 2009, his spouse suggested he do something to keep busy. Since then, he has become a valued volunteer at Rush-Copley Medical Center, and as served more than 3,500 hours. Sam received his start at Rush-Copley by
It was Dan Batka Night at West Aurora High Friday, Jan. 21. Batka, a Batavia resident and West boys varsity assistant coach since 2009, was saluted for his induction into the Illinois Basketball Association Hall of Fame as a career coach and impending retirement. In an on-court ceremony prior to
Chuck Nelson of Aurora receives his five-year Cosmopolitan Club of Aurora membership pin January 20 from LaVonne Hawking, Cosmopolitan International Mid-States Federation governor.
Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin presents the 2022 Donna J. Williams MLK Service Award to four individuals for their work in the community at Aurora’s 37th Annual MLK Commemoration, Monday, Jan. 17.
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council presented members of the community with the Donna J. Williams Award of Service, Tuesday, Jan. 11, for giving back to the Aurora community with the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Williams. The late Donna J. Williams was an educator
By Al Benson North Aurora Boy Scout Troop 104 celebrated its first Eagle Scout award winners, and there were two. Connor Harms, 18, of North Aurora and Antonio Del Toro, 17, Aurora, received their promotions to Scouting’s highest rank at an Eagle rank court of honor November 20. The ceremony
Sugar Grove resident Katelyn Schultz, a student at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, has received the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association’s 25th annual scholarship. Dick Schindel, AARTA president, announced the $1,500 award at the social-service group’s membership luncheon Dec. 7, 2021 at Gaslite Manor in Aurora. Accompanied by her
If you walked past the Aurora Public Library District the evening of Saturday, Dec. 4, you may have been surprised by what you heard. The Atrium of the Santori Library was transformed into a rocking piano show full of laughter and fun! The event, Cruisin’ Through the Decades, was held
A “tireless volunteer and leader” was named 2021 Batavia Citizen of the Year (COTY) recently. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Daniel ‘Dan’ Hoefler Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2022: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event. Additionally, the Batavia Community Band is
The public is invited to attend “Hall of Fame Night,” held at West Aurora High School Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a free reception in the Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse. New members will then be inducted into the Hall of Fame just prior to
Jean Kent, treasurer of the Oswegoland Heritage Association, presents the Illinois State Genealogical Society’s 2021 Community Service Award to Little White School Museum director Roger Matile at the Heritage Association’s October 28 Board meeting.
