Tom Weisner, surrounded by his loved ones, passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 28, 2018, following complications from an extended battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. He was mayor of Aurora 2005 to 2016. The official family statement: “While we are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom,
The annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Prisco Center in Aurora Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, includes author and freedom rider Thomas M. Armstrong III. The celebration was sponsored by Aurora’s African American Men of Unity. He delivers the keynote message at the Aurora celebration with information about his book, “Autobiography of
The new year is more than celebrations. The new year truly is about new beginnings. A new beginning is compatible with the tried and true and trusted methods. We can pick the best of each method of moving our way around our worlds. Tom Weisner, the former mayor of Aurora,
The federal government appropriated funds for a house in New York City when George Washington began his presidency in 1789. Washington had a tulip-shaped glass etched with stars at Mount Vernon in Virginia for use with his claret or chablis. Before Congress provided funds for china after the 1814 fire
January 3 In an event that heralds the birth of modern Japan, patriotic samurai from Japan’s outlying domains join with anti-shogunate nobles in restoring the emperor to power after 700 years. The young emperor, Meiji, and his ministers, move the royal court from Kyoto to Tokyo, dismantle feudalism, and enact
The Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council (APRCC) spreads holiday cheer to residents at Constitution House senior living community in Aurora, Friday, Dec. 21 in its annual Parranda. In Puerto Rico, parrandas (sometimes also called asaltos in Spanish; literally “assaults”) are musical festivities in the Christmas season holidays. They are known
The Eola Road Branch Library in Aurora holds a “Friday Freebies” cart upon which are books, paperbacks, records, movies, CDs are free of charge. Anyone can take what is pleasing and leave other items. On one Friday I found the book “The Everything Christmas Book” written by Michelle Bevilacqua in
Two rooms included in the Tanner House Museum holiday open houses have been named recipients of a new history award from the Aurora Historical Society. They are the kitchen, which features homemade gingerbread and dried fruit decorations, and the upstairs sitting room, which depicts a Victorian-era matron on a walk
December 27 U.S. president Franklin Roosevelt seizes the railroads to avert a nationwide strike. His decision to temporarily place the railroads under the supervision of the War Department prompts the five railroad brotherhoods to agree to his offer to arbitrate the wage dispute. – 1943. In an attempt to stabilize
The Christmas holidays offer unnatural times for the majority of us. The usual scenes during the usual weeks give way to holiday spirit, special events, family traditions. Old connections are remembered and new memories often are found and preserved. We must remember that not all joy is the experience for
Imagine listening to Bach’s Christmas Ortario while cruising down the Danube River on Christmas Eve. The Danube’s origins are a trickle in the Black Forest of Germany, at the Breg Martinskapelle. The Danube was known to the ancient Greeks as the Istros Thracian, meaning “strong, swift.” The Danube is Europe’s
Mayor Richard C. Irvin of Aurora presents a Key to the City to and poses with congresswoman-elect Lauren Underwood of Naperville in a meeting Wednesday, Dec. 12 in the Aurora City Hall. Underwood was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 14th District by defeating incumbent Randy Hultgren
December 20 More than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist regime passes are granted. – 1963. December 21 Samuel Slater’s thread-spinning factory goes into production in Pawtucket, R.I., which launches the Industrial Revolution in America. – 1790.
West Aurora High School this year celebrates 150 years! Alongside the historic feat, School District 129 received what may be one of the school’s oldest artifacts ever donated. A diploma dating back to 1885 was given to the School District by Steve Lee in honor of his brother-in-law, Lambert Kern,
The theme for the 2019 Aurora Historical Society calendar is Police and Fire, and you’ve never seen such heroes. Our archives are a treasure trove of Aurora history, and these photos, span the years 1872 to 1970. They are priceless. Cost is $14.95 plus tax, with a 10% discount to
In the silence of the Holy Night, we hear the church bells ringing and recall some of the best loved songs of Christmas. Last year I wrote of “Silent Night” and its creator, so will not include it in this year’s top 10. However, consider it an extra at number
December 13 During the Sino-Japanese War, Nanking, the capital of China, falls to Japanese forces, and the Chinese government flees. To break the spirit of Chinese resistance the Japanese butchered an estimated 150,000 male so-called war prisoners, massacred an additional 50,000 male civilians, and raped at least 20,000 women and
“Christmas, my child, is love in action.” —Dale Evans Rogers Normally, during the Christmas season in England during the 19th Century, parcels were more lucrative than paying passengers. It was during the reign of William IV, between 1830 and 1837, that coach and inn were meant to take care of
My colleague, Wayne Johnson, occasionally has graced this page with notes on his illustrious film “career.” The Chas never has appeared in a movie, although he always wanted to; but, he, a poor player, has strutted and fretted his hour upon the stage and then was heard no more, to
John Jaros, executive director of the Aurora Historical Society, gives a presentation to members of the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, Tuesday at the Prisco Center in Aurora. In continuous operation since 1906, the Aurora Historical Society is one of the oldest institutions in the Chicagoland area. Jaros showed a slide
