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
December 6 The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery, is ratified: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” –
“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem” —Luke 2:15 Jesus of Nazareth was a First-Century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the central leader of Christianity. His birth is celebrated annually December 25. The name Jesus is derived from the Latin Jesus and that from the Greek form of
By Jaelyn Rounds – This year, Grace Holistic Center for Education (GHCFE) middle school students in Yorkville are creating a wall of memorial for Anne Frank’s story and the Holocaust. This will be the wrap-up on the end of a unit lesson. Rather than expressing depressing parts of the time,
November 29 In spite of strong Arab opposition, the United Nations votes for the partition of Palestine and the creation of an independent Jewish state. – 1947 Making good on his most dramatic presidential campaign promise, newly-elected Dwight D. Eisenhower goes to Korea to see whether he can find the
November 14, 2018 Dear editor; I have several cameras that I have used in the past, including a 620 Kodak, and single lens reflex cameras, and a Polaroid. Since the advent of digital photography, I do not believe that any of my heirs will be interested in possessing any of
John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The 35th president of the United States of America. Assassinated in Dallas Texas November 22, 1963, 55 years ago. John Kennedy was born to wealth and privilege, the son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy May 29, 1917. He was given every gift and favored by the gods.
