Tom Strong – Page 4 –

Recent East Aurora Sports Hall of Fame honorees include, from left, Wendell Jeffries, Patti Doud Paul, Chuck Solberg and Bob Burnell, who recently sustained a shoulder injury. A fifth honoree, Phil Neal, lives in North Carolina and was not able to travel back to Aurora to receive his honor.

Column: For new members of East Aurora High School Sports Hall of Fame, ‘once a Tomcat, always a Tomcat’

January 19, 2024 at 9:13 a.m.

Our recent Arctic cold weather experience has affected our lives and schedules more than just a little. We will survive as we always seem to do, and will escape with...

Esmerelda Chavez-Hernandez, left, administrative specialist for Adult Education at Waubonsee Community College, shares a moment with Chhomnath Long, an adult education student at Waubonsee.

Column: Fox Valley woman makes it her mission to help those in need in Aurora area: ‘She puts everyone else before herself’

December 15, 2023 at 9:12 a.m.

My friend Esmerelda Chavez-Hernandez, who is the administrative specialist for Adult Education at the Waubonsee Community College downtown Aurora campus, messaged me recently with her thought about doing a good...

Veteran George J. King attends Aurora's Veterans Day observance in the city's downtown Nov. 11.

Column: Veterans Day event in Aurora a moving experience

November 17, 2023 at 12:50 p.m.

If there is one event that the city of Aurora gets right every single year, it is our annual Veterans Day observance. I have attended almost every one since my...

Drs. Lena, Quentin and Bill Park, who practice together at Park Family Eye Care in North Aurora, share a moment at the facility.

Column: Longtime Aurora area optometrist has clear vision on how to serve patients, community

October 20, 2023 at 9:27 a.m.

If you were to look for a person from the Aurora area who is loyal to his home and roots, who has had success through entrepreneurship and hard work, and...

From left, the late John Stanton, Tom Madden and Tom Strong enjoy some time together in 2014.

Column: Impact of college roomates can be felt for a lifetime

September 15, 2023 at 8:32 a.m.

"John K. Stanton of Crystal Lake passed away in February, 2019. Funeral Mass on Friday, March 1, at 11:00 AM." This simple obituary, which included the names of John's wife...

Dave Verdeyen, seated, Al Schuler, left, and John Bonk have served on the board of the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation for many years.

Column: Aurora Catholic Education Foundation celebrates 50 years impacting students in the city

March 12, 2024 at 11:59 a.m.

An important milestone was reached and celebrated recently by a dedicated group of volunteers who have had an indirect impact upon thousands of Aurora and Fox Valley citizens who graduated...

Coach Jeff Swanson, top row, second from right, with the 1999 eighth-grade championship team at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Aurora.

Column: Longtime Aurora area coach Jeff Swanson remembered for his impact on young people

July 28, 2023 at 6:13 a.m.

Legendary football coach Eddie Robinson once said, "Coaching is a profession of love. You can't coach people unless you love them." When I think of Aurora area coach Jeff Swanson,...

Coach Jim Scott, center, directs Aurora University football players during a break in a game.

Column: Coach Jim Scott a true legend at Aurora University

June 16, 2023 at 9:02 a.m.

If you are a fan of college football, there is nothing quite like the excitement of game days every fall season. And although we are accustomed to seeing the large-school...

Jeff Watson stands by the sign for Lebanon Park in Aurora. Watson organized a Lebanon Kids Facebook group and a Lebanon Kids reunion that will be held at the park June 10.

Column: Reunion set for those who played as kids at Lebanon Park in Aurora

May 11, 2023 at 1:08 p.m.

If you are a Lebanon Kid, you have a big day coming up soon on Saturday, June 10. But who qualifies as a Lebanon Kid? Hundreds, probably thousands, of Beacon-News...

Deacon Bruce Watermann and his wife Jody spend some time in his office at St. Therese Church in Aurora in 2016.

Column: Deacon Bruce Watermann of Aurora remembered for his impact on the community

April 14, 2023 at 8:37 a.m.

Seven years ago, I wrote the story of Aurora's Deacon Bruce Watermann. At that time, I gave the opinion that he carried the workload of what could keep three ministers...

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