29th annual Cookie Walk at Plano Methodist Church
Shoppers select from the variety of cookies at the 29th annual Cookie Walk at the Plano Methodist Church December 13.
American Legion Riders Post #181 from Sandwich, and Open Roads ABATE deliver cards to Deer Run Apartments and Countryside Villages
Members from Plano Rockin’ Christmas, American Legion Riders Post #181 from Sandwich, and Open Roads ABATE supported Plano Rockin’ Christmas by distributing gift cards to residents at Deer Run Apartments and Countryside Villages in Plano December 13.
The Nutcracker Revamped for Community, City Lights on December 21
A Sugar Plum Fairy will be dancing on stage in a new, jazz-infused rendition of the beloved holiday performance of The Nutcracker at Batavia Fine Arts Centre Sunday, Dec. 21. Monarch Academy of Dance will perform The Nutcracker: City Lights featuring the classic story with big city flair full of
Celebrating Christmas Norwegian Style
With food, music and gifts, suburban Norwegian-Americans celebrated Christmas Nordic style December 7. Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge 5-472 held its annual Juletrefest, a Norwegian Christmas party, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Montgomery. Activities opened at 1 p.m. with trimming of a yule tree. After a potluck luncheon
Aurora University students win Cans Across the Conference contest
Aurora University athletes won the 2025 Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference “Cans Across the Conference” contest. During a 20th annual drive from October-November, Spartan athletes collected a record 6,670 items. Included were canned foods and nonperishable items such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant which were donated to the Aurora Area
Navy League Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon
Al Centofante, 100, USS Barnwell (APA 132), of St. Charles, fights back tears while he discusses his WWII experiences at the annual Aurora Navy League Council 247 Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon held December 8 at Batavia’s Lincoln Inn Banquets.
Honors for Aurora athlete who won State Championship
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch, honored Addison Miller, an Aurora resident and Oswego East High School student, at the Tuesday, Dec. 9 City Council meeting. Miller proudly represented the City at the state level, winning the Athletes with Disabilities 100-Yard Breaststroke State Championship. Miller captured the title Saturday, Nov. 15,
Bill Foster donates paychecks to Northern Illinois Food Bank
Representative Bill Foster (D-IL) fulfilled his pledge and donated the salary he received during the government shutdown to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, December 5. During the Republican shutdowns in 2013 and 2019, Rep. Foster also donated his pay to the food bank. “Even before the government shutdown, increasing grocery
Aurora Public Library Foundation Winter Gala a success
It was the celebration of the season December 6, when the Aurora Public Library Foundation held its annual Winter Gala. This event culminates the year’s philanthropy efforts, bringing community members together to celebrate meaningful connections, recognize exceptional individuals, and further support the Library’s mission through a charitable auction. This year
Starfish Animal Rescue fundraiser
Carrying an adoptable pup, Dori O’Brien of Geneva sells raffle tickets at “Santa Paws,” a 14th annual fundraiser for Starfish Animal Rescue December 6 in Geneva.
Fox Valley Festival Angel Anthems of Peace
Mary Beth McCarthy, left, directs the Fox Valley Festival chorus December 7 in “Angel Anthems of Peace,” a winter concert at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora.
Sixty nativity sets from around the world
In a 21st annual display, 60 nativity sets from around the world were exhibited December 5, at Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in Oswego. Nativity scenes were placed on boards on pews in the church sanctuary by Good Shepherd congregants Pam and Bob Dodson, Jr., of Oswego. Included
Sommerville family sings at Hope Chest resale store in Aurora
Sommerville members Reid Sommerville, from left, Kari Sommerville and Kurt Sommerville sing seasonal tunes Saturday inside Hope Chest resale store in Aurora.
Oswego High School takes second in State, Class 8A
Chicago Mt Carmel High School quarterback, Emmett Dowling, 7, is under heavy pressure in the Class 8A State championship game Wednesday, Dec. 3.
2025 Batavia Citizen of the Year, Linda Schielke
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Linda Schielke as the 2025 Citizen of the Year (COTY), honoring her decades of service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the Batavia community. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Linda Thursday, April 23, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2026: A Celebration
Giving Tuesday: Suburban retired teachers give back
On Giving Tuesday, December 2, suburban retired teachers gave back. Members of the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association celebrated an annual holiday luncheon at Lincoln Inn in Batavia with donations to Aurora community groups. Donations of winter hats, gloves, and other winter gear filled a table. The donations will help
25th annual Turkey Bowl flag football
A tackler brings down a ball carrier in the off-duty Aurora firefighters’ 25th annual Turkey Bowl flag football game Thanksgiving morning at West Aurora High School.
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honors two Aurora residents selected to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honored two West Aurora High School students who represented Aurora on the national stage, performing at last week’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Asher and Emily Lesniak were selected to perform as part of