By Ricky Rieckert Last week, I finished up at W. Downer and S. River Street in Aurora’s past. This week we’ll start there and head west. On the northwest corner of Downer and River is the Old Second National Bank. I believe it’s the oldest bank in Aurora. The bank
Respond! That was the message Thursday, Jan. 16, from Aurora deputy chief of staff Alex Voigt who told Aurora Lions Club members about the city’s upcoming special census. In an illustrated presentation at Pomegranate Cafe in Aurora, Voigt outlined the census set for Feb. 3-March 7. “I am Aurora, I
Aurora Lions Club will offer free youth vision exams at Santori Aurora Public Library’s third annual early childhood resource fair Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library, 101 S. River Street in Aurora. The public is invited to the family event for children through age
An Aurora church wants to warm up the frigid weather. Attendees at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora were invited to take free winter warming kits after worship Sunday, Jan. 19. Volunteers at a Jan. 15 Wednesday Night Gathering, a free biweekly dinner and family activity, formed an assembly line
The City of Aurora government is set to undergo a Special Census set to begin February 3. This initiative, which serves as a count of the City’s population held outside of the normal Census, is critical to restoring key City funding. Census funds assist the City in providing road maintenance,
By Ricky Rieckert To start with this week in an historical look back at Aurora, I forgot to add the addresses of both Fox Theaters. The Original, on Fox Street, was 24-28 Fox Street (three units). The New Fox Theater on Main Street, was 54 E. Main Street. Just west
By Jason Crane Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, and the Aurora City Council shared fond memories of Delia “Dee” Nila Basile and posthumously proclaimed her birthday, April 10, as Dee Basile Day in the city of Aurora at the Tuesday, Jan. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting. •A video of
The City of Aurora will continue a four-decades-long tradition of honoring the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 40th Annual MLK Ceremony Monday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane. The 2025 theme is based on the
By Ricky Rieckert As we enter the New Year, I hope everyone had a great time with family and friends, over the holidays. I had some feedback on Fox Street (now E. Downer Place) from some friends. First off, directly across from the present City Hall, is the building that
Aurora’s Santori Public Library celebrated Three Kings Day with food, photos, crafts, face-painting and gifts from the kings Sunday, Jan. 5. The 10th annual Celebración del Día de los Reyes Magos (three wisemen) attracted more than 200 attendees to the event held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the
By Ricky Rieckert Dear subscribers and readers of The Voice. I would like to wish everyone, a Happy New Year and I hope the quarter century mark of 2025 will be a prosperous year for everyone. With 2024 at the end, we always wonder what happened to the year. Boy
Aurora mayor Richard Irvin and leaders from PENN Entertainment/Hollywood Casino Aurora gathered to celebrate the ceremonial topping off of the new structure, December 19.
By Ricky Rieckert Dear subscribers and readers, I hope everyone had a merry Christmas. In last week’s article on Aurora’s Aurora’s historical Fox Street (now E. Downer Place), I forgot to mention about the Stallion Restaurant, 35 S. Broadway, on the northwest corner of E. Downer Place, and Broadway. Today,
It’s election season, and I have questions. As someone who champions small business and cultivates community connections, I have several questions for the Aurora mayoral candidates. Some of the questions below are mine, while others are from involved community members. I encourage all of the mayoral candidates, including the current
The St. Joseph Catholic Church children’s choir sings Sunday, Dec. 15.
By Ricky Rieckert Hello everyone. I’m back to recount Aurora’s history, continuing from Fox Street, E. Downer, from Lincoln Avenue and heading towards downtown Aurora. On the southeast corner of Fox Street and Lasalle Street was the original Y.M.C.A.. It ended up being a drive-up for Merchants Bank. The “Y”
Visitors to Do or Dye Designs salon in downtown Aurora enjoy hot cocoa at the sixth annual Cocoa Crawl the evening of Friday, Dec. 6.
By Jason Crane The Aurora City Council honored the Aurora Gators 11 U youth football team at the Tuesday, Dec. 10 City Council meeting, for winning the Pop Warner Chicagoland State championship. The 2024 team is undefeated. •A video of the presentation can be viewed on the city government of
The historic William Tanner House Museum is now festively decorated in holiday finery and is ready to receive visitors for the annual Tanner House Holidays, through December 29. Open days and hours are Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., December 8, 15, 22, and 29; and Friday evenings
By Ricky Rieckert This week in Aurora’s past, I’m going to write about the Main Hatters Store. But first, thanks to the subscribers and/or readers, and The Voice, for two more fan letters. Last week, we were discussing the Hammond family on Liberty Street. This week will be Main Hatters,
