Early in American history is filled with elementary school perspectives of the Pilgrims who settled the country and gave thanks for survival. We called it the first thanksgiving, implied in the word that our settlers gave thanks for being alive and producing children to be fruitful and multiply in what we later called the United States.
More than 400 years later the United States is far different from the early settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a tradition that has survived. We get together with family members and friends, enjoy the company of those around us.
We should give thanks.
Too many of us want to complain, think we have a right to complain, and neither understand we should be thankful and should be grateful, nor that every day is a blessing.
Think about it.
The Montgomery Police Department reminds us that Thanksgiving often finds drivers celebrate with the assistance of alcohol and on the way home, or, to another site, lose control of driving. Montgomery Police Department states simply, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Another phrase is Click It or Ticket and to prevent injuries to click the seat belts.
Holiday time after Thanksgiving includes, The Aurora Festival of Lights, largest free outdoor drive-thru holiday light display in northern Illinois. The Festival of Lights will open Saturday, Nov. 25 and will run through Monday, Dec. 25, each evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.
Admission is free, however, visitors must register for an entry ticket at aurora-il.org. According to the City of Aurora government press release, “Visitors will enjoy a mile of spectacular lighted displays from the comfort of the car while listening to holiday songs on a closed-circuit radio station. This popular free holiday drive-thru features crowd-favorite displays: Jumping reindeer, ice skating ears, old man Winter, howling wolves, the holiday golfer, Santa’s toy factory, and fields of gigantic snowflakes, new displays.”
More than 50,000 vehicles visited the festival last year and free-will collection sites provided more than $80,000. Volunteers to assist in the promotion are needed to be helpful and should contact MyAurora@aurora-il.org.
The Naperville Park District’s 2024 Winter Program Guide will be available November 29. The Winter edition includes registration information for Winter programs, Winter Break Camps, Spring Naperville Youth Soccer and Naperville Park District Preschool. Naperville resident online registration for programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 and non-resident registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7.
The Legendary Open Roads ABATE of Illinois, Inc. Chapter Train Fun Run will be Saturday, Nov. 18. The sign-up will begin at 9:45 a.m. at the Aurora Train Station, 233 N. Broadway Street in Aurora.
The train will leave promptly at 10:20 a.m. with a price of $7. for the purchase of the ticket at the station and a $3.00 surcharge for the purchase of a ticket on the train. There are three stops and they offer something special for participants. All are welcome. Participants must be 21 years old. For information please call Kevin, 815-545-6114 or call Cliff, 630-552-3828.
The Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will honor wonderful women who have given the gift of culture, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 16 at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Boulevard in Geneva.
Sturdy Shelter Brewing Company 10 Shumway Avenue in Batavia, will be host to a faith conversation Thursday, Nov. 30.
The third in a Pub Theology series of informal discussions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the public is invited.
The November 30 topic will be announced. A hand out listing conversation-starter questions will be provided. Co-facilitators will be Geneva pastors Rev. Scot Hull, Unitarian Universalist Society; Rev. Stephanie Anthony, Fox Valley Presbyterian Church; and Rev. Rob Hamilton, United Methodist Church of Geneva.
Prior to Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 17 the holiday mood will begin in Aurora with the annual Winter Lights 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Aurora. The annual parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Downer Place and Water Street and go west on Downer Place to River Street.
The Christmas tree-lighting will be immediately following the parade at the GAR Memorial Hall, 23 E. Downer Place, with a community countdown and the flipping of the switch to turn on the Christmas tree lights. Fireworks will light up the sky over the East Downer Place Bridge.
The evening will include: Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus; music, dancing; and a DJ; food trucks and food vendors; photos with costumed characters; and special holiday shopping.