Tom Strong – Page 5 –

Cam Leadbetter works during his time as athletic director at East Aurora High School. He passed away in November of 2021.

Column: Cam Leadbetter remembered as a special man who loved East Aurora High School

March 17, 2023 at 9:10 a.m.

Our community lost a truly wonderful young man in November of 2021 when Cam Leadbetter unexpectedly passed away at age 44. Cam had been a teacher, dean, assistant principal and...

Ray Moore, seated, spends time with members of Fox Valley Marines Detachment 1233, from left, Mark Hernandez, Pete Rodriguez and Mike Carrasco, during a recent event in Aurora honoring Moore's 100th birthday.

Column: Aurora honors World War II vet Ray Moore as icon in community

February 17, 2023 at 9:23 a.m.

"At midnight, I was officially 100 years old!" The words were among the first Ray Moore spoke to me as we talked at a celebration in his honor in Aurora...

Stan McGraw visits the former Pierce Field in Aurora. He and countless others played there over many decades in the Protestant Church Softball League.

Column: Longtime Aurora volunteer Stan McGraw ‘someone you should know’

January 13, 2023 at 9:59 a.m.

If you have lived in the Aurora area for most of your life, there is a good chance that you know or have met Stan McGraw. If you have been...

Column: Aurora dentist remembered for her caring attitude, kind spirit

December 16, 2022 at 9:25 a.m.

If you are a senior citizen especially, you may have faced the difficult situation of your longtime physician or dentist announcing his or her retirement. Without your long trusted friend,...

Veteran Tim Cooper plays taps during during the Aurora Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.

Column: Heroism of Aurora area veterans leaves a lasting impression

November 18, 2022 at 10:47 a.m.

My favorite city of Aurora annual sponsored event occurred near the GAR Memorial Hall and Museum downtown on a recent beautiful fall morning. The full Veterans Day parade and ceremonies...

Araceli Escareno Perez is a parent educator at East Aurora School District.

Column: Teachers often learn just as much from their students as their classes learn from them

October 21, 2022 at 9:19 a.m.

In 1992, one of The Beacon-News editors published a short article. It gave me pause at the time, and I've thought about it many times over the past 30 years....

At his home in Sandwich, Ken Fairbanks displays a Hamilton Chronograph watch from the 1960s on which he has worked. The watch has about 400 parts.

Column: After working on watches for decades, time on the side of Fox Valley craftsman

September 16, 2022 at 12:57 p.m.

OK, I'll admit it: I had to use Google to find the exact meaning of horology. I recently made the acquaintance of Ken Fairbanks, whose business card reads "master horologist,...

Lake Street 65ers enjoying some time together include, from left, Tom Strong, Tony Johnson, Ted Grabow, Art DeMartini, Carol Mauro (DeMartini's partner), Bill Loftus, Anne Weber (Bob Weber's wife), Tom Huberty and Bob Weber.

Column: Memories remain strong of Marmion’s Lake Street campus in Aurora

August 21, 2022 at 6:00 a.m.

Almost everyone is familiar with teams called the 49ers and the 76ers. Locally, and in recent years, a group of old grads whom I like to call the 65ers have...

Column: Three-sport athlete at Waubonsee Community College ready for next challenge

July 22, 2022 at 9:57 a.m.

In Aurora and at Waubonsee Community College, it would be difficult to find a young woman who has been as busy and as successful as has Taylor Wyeth. At its...

Former Fox Valley basketball coaches, from left, Wendell Jeffries, Jim Roberts and Gordie Kerkman, share a moment during a recent breakfast event.

Column: Legendary basketball coaches helped make Fox Valley a special place for fans

June 17, 2022 at 1:09 p.m.

At a recent breakfast meeting of retired teachers and coaches in the area, I made the rounds to take some candid photos. The monthly event in May was an informal...

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