The year is 1574 and the Hotel de Sens in Paris is welcoming Christmas guests. It was where the great lords of the Church lived and they seemed to have been, almost without exception, a rascally lot. The Cardinal of Lorrraine lived here. Some historians insist that Henry IV’s death
A significant part of the holiday spirit is in giving, especially to those less fortunate. Food pantries, charities, shelters, are sites and subjects of many individuals who have caught the spirit of giving. May we continue to understand its significance and continue selfless service. Large organizations and individuals make the
Ben Franklin was a Founding Father and in his 84-year old life, America’s best scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and business strategist. He was the only man who shaped all the founding documents of the United States which were the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, the treaty of
Because I was writing about pets (last time, I mean) I thought I’d continue. Humankind is finally learning about animal intelligence and behavior. In the past, animals were generally thought of as something dumb, disposable, targets for hunters, creatures in the way of progress. How could we build large environment-polluting,
On balance our communities offer more than odes to the holidays with Santa, lights, and, celebration. We all must take a break from the real world and indulge in light-hearted celebration. References to holiday celebrations will come into view here farther down and later this month. There are a few
Imagine three Celtic artist monks, secluded in the scriptorium of Iona, or in eastern Scotland, or in a new monastery at Kells, County Meath, Ireland. They welcome in the year 800 A.D. in days filled with extraordinary artistry and commitment. The Book is written on prepared calfskin (vellum) and contains
In 1937, Mr. William Randolph Hearst, newspaper-publishing tycoon, appeared before a committee of the U.S. Congress and requested that it introduce a bill prohibiting the growing, selling, and distribution of hemp. He was very disingenuous in his arguments because the hemp plant produced cannabis, a.k.a marijuana, which, he claimed, was
A Chicago performer started Tuesday’s Aurora Counts 2020 in the Gallery of the Paramount Theatre with a song. The refrain was from the Frank Sinatra song, “Chicago” and substituted the word Aurora for Chicago. He tossed his hat into the air at the conclusion and one of the approximately 200
By Donna Crane Beauty and the Beast Broadway Series musical at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora could be described in one word: Fabulous! The story begins when a haggard old woman knocks at the door of a vain, young prince, and asks for shelter in exchange for a rose. The
Many thousands of years ago, Memphis and its area was settled by indigenous peoples. By the 17th Century, the Chickasaw Indians migrated to the Memphis area. The European-American city was founded in 1819 and incorporated in 1826. Cotton was king and large plantations developed on the work of enslaved Africans.
I suppose you’ve heard there are two types of persons in the world: You’re either a cat person or a dog person. As with my political affiliation, I’m an independent person, or maybe I should say, an animal person. My sister and I grew up with both cats and dogs,
Finances cause concerns, strains, in governmental bodies. The Aurora Public Library (APL) in recent years has been subjected to scrutiny and speculation. Much of the consternation is in possible increases in taxes. The APL earlier this week was expected to seek an increase in the tax levy. Along with likely
It was November 22, 1963. The world as Americans knew it was about to change. It began as a Sun-filled Autumn day in Dallas, Texas. The crowds were enthusiastic in welcoming president John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Mrs. Kennedy. The motorcade proceeded slowly through the Dallas streets. No one could imagine
Thinking-out-loud department: • Donna Crane’s recent column about women in government in America got me to thinking deep thoughts. Here’s one thought to explain why there are such low numbers of women in government. Sociologically, the United States is stuck in the 19th Century. Men ruled the roost, and women
By John W. Whitehead War is a grisly business, a horror of epic proportions. In terms of human carnage alone, war’s devastation is staggering. For example, it is estimated that approximately 231 Million humans died worldwide during the wars of the 20th Century. This figure does not take into account
After sitting vacant for nearly a quarter of a century, the landmark former Copley Hospital campus in Aurora is about to undergo a $110 million renovation and be repurposed into an innovative living community, which would combine a variety of uses following the city of Aurora government’s approval Tuesday, Nov.
Approximately 500 were in attendance Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Veterans Serenity Park dedication in Oswego. There were seven articulate speakers, started by Dave Krahn, chairman of the Veterans Serenity Park Committee.
This week you will meet the first prominent poet of early English poets of North America. Anne Bradstreet was the first writer in England’s North America Colonies to be published. Her first collection, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, was popular both in England and America in 1650.
Around Veterans Day, I try to write something that qualifies as inspirational, heroic, and military-related. To that end, I decided to write about me. Unfortunately, this eliminated the first two qualifications, but left the third. If any of you out there have read my book (Oh, no, another shameless plug
Two officers shot in the line of duty during the Henry Pratt mass shooting in February, returned to full-duty after spending the past nine months recovering. “Today is a good day,” Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman said Monday evening. Officer Adam Miller was shot in the face when officers tried
