By Ricky Rieckert
This week, I would like to share some lyrics from a song, written by James Pankow and song by Peter Cetera, the lead singer of the band Chicago, off their 1975 Album, titled Chicago VIII.
The song easily could be titled Aurora. For you Baby Boomers, and earlier people, you can relate to this song, as it was played on the radio, back then, in that era.
This week, I will provide the first three verses, to get you inspired to relive then, and release those moments and memories.
“Old days, good times I remember. Fun days, filled with simple pleasures.”
“Drive-in movies, comic books and blue jeans. Howdy doody, baseball cards and birthdays.”
“Take me back, to a world gone by, Memories, seem like yesterday.”
Chorus:
“Oh, old days, Good times I remember. Gold days, Days I’ll always remember.”
Great song, add the drums, guitars, horns, and Peter’s voice, along with back-up vocals, and your back in the 1970s.
•This week, I’m going to reminisce about the “Paramount Arts Centre”, it was designed by George Rapp and C.W. Rapp in 1931.
Rapp and Rapp are renowned for their opulent movie palaces including the Chicago Theater.
The movie palace opened in 1931, at 23 E. Galena Blvd. (Main St.), and is a terra cotta and steel building with an exterior covering of face brick.
The most significant portion of the exterior is the octagonal tower. It is elaborately detailed in brick and colored, glazed terra-cotta, and capped by an orange tile roof.
The interior combines Venetian murals with Art Deco detailing.
Reopened after renovation in 1978, the Paramount is a prestigious cultural facility that serves the entire region, and offers a full season of world-class professional entertainment.
•I would like to thank all the service clubs in Aurora: The Knights of Columbus, for all they do; the Aurora Lions for children’s vision, glasses and leader dogs along with much more.
The Diabetes Club of Fox Valley for awareness and research and more; along with the Kiwanis Club; Rotary; veterans associations; and all social clubs that support the Auroraland Community.
I would also like to thank the Aurora Police Department and Aurora alderman for Neighborhood Night Outs and all community events that they support.
The Aurora Fire Department, the Mayor’s Office, mayor John Laesch, the Food Pantries, and Katrina Boatright with senior citizens.
If I missed anyone or anything, I apologize. What makes me most proud, is that all the groups listed above, are built with people from the community, helping the community.
Which in turn, makes the City of Aurora and it’s community, second to none.
Have a great week!