Denise Crosby – Page 24

Principal Brian Valek, right of banner, poses with a few sixth-grade teachers and students after learning East Aurora School District 131's Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy was named one of the top middle schools in the country by U.S. News and World Report. (School District 131)

Column: East Aurora School District 131 magnet academy garners national recognition

January 23, 2025 at 4:18 p.m.

The Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy has always been a source of pride for School District 131, but its most recent accolade is a national feather in East Aurora’s cap: U.S....

Fox Valley businessman/entertainer Jim Gibson, left, and opera tenor Christopher Macchio, who performed at multiple inauguration events, including singing the national anthem in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, have formed a close friendship since meeting at last summer's Republican National Convention. (Chiann Gibson)

Column: Sugar Grove businessman and ‘America’s tenor’ who sang at inauguration discuss the art of friendship

January 23, 2025 at 6:00 a.m.

Sugar Grove resident Jim Gibson, an Emmy- and Grammy-winning singer and entertainer, and noted tenor Christopher Macchio have developed a friendship that has been strengthened from a personal commitment to...

Diedre Hamill comforts her son Gabe as the 21-year-old, who developed complications from chemotherapy, talks about his ordeal with leukemia and homelessness. (Denise Crosby / The Beacon-News)

Column: Homeless and handicapped, Gabe wants place his Fox Valley family can call home

January 17, 2025 at 4:47 p.m.

More than anything Gabe wants a place he and his Fox Valley family can call home.

Emily Kristen Morris is Elsa and Beth Stafford Laird is Anna in "Frozen" being staged at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. The final performance is set for Sunday. (Liz Lauren)

Column: Cast and crew find it hard to ‘let it go’ as ‘Frozen’ nears final show at Paramount in Aurora

January 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Theater folks say it's always tough to say good-bye when that last curtain drops, but this one is particularly hard for cast and crew, including the director of the popular...

Cmdr. Mike Kerley and his supporters are upset the senior instructor with East Aurora's NJROTC program was dismissed right before Christmas. Here the unit marches in the Aurora Veterans Day Parade in November. (City of Aurora)

Column: East Aurora High School NJROTC commander fighting to keep his job

January 15, 2025 at 10:18 a.m.

At Monday’s East Aurora School District 131 board meeting, he introduced himself during the public comments as “a passionate voice” for the cadets, the program and the school district itself.

Aurora business leaders and medical students from Meharry Medical College enjoy a variety of "mocktails" at Craft Urban Restaurant in downtown Aurora. Craft Urban is one of many Aurora restaurants and bars offering mocktails for Dry January. (City of Aurora)

Column: Aurora toasts Dry January by joining sobriety campaign

January 11, 2025 at 12:02 p.m.

The whole idea is to let those taking part in Dry January know "you can still come out and have a good time. We have options for you," said Clayton...

Evelyn Rackmyer smiles as John Jaros, executive director of the Aurora Historical Society, shares a birthday card with the longtime AHS volunteer, who turned 104 on Jan. 1 at Jennings Terrace in Aurora. (Esther Allen)

Column: ‘A great lady’ who loves Aurora history honored as she turns 104

January 9, 2025 at 5:53 p.m.

Evelyn Rackmyer was the guest of honor at a celebration at Jennings Terrace, where her contribution to this city’s story was acknowledged by Aurora Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros.

Sister Rose Marie Lorentzen looks over a large room used as a sleeping area at Hesed House, a homeless shelter and advocacy organization in Aurora, on Nov. 3, 2004. Lorentzen was the founder of the shelter who also served as its executive director until she retired in 2004. She died on Dec. 20, 2024. (Terry Harris / baiduhai)

Column: Sister Rose Marie Lorentzen, founder of Hesed House in Aurora, remembered for her commitment to help others

January 10, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Sister Rose Marie Lorentzen died Dec. 20 in Dubuque, Iowa, at the age of 89. Funeral services for her will be held in Dubuque on Friday, Jan. 10.

Lori Parker, who was homeless but grateful to Hesed House in Aurora for giving her that "hand-up" she needed more than two decades ago, signs the mortgage on her new home on Oct. 12, 2021. (Paula Parker)

Column: Hesed House offered a ‘hand-up’ nearly 25 years ago that helped turn woman from homeless to homeowner

December 22, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

“An awful lot of people in this country are but one tragedy away from being where I was,” said Lori Parker. “If you get the proper help at the proper...

Column: A lot of need in Fox Valley is met with a lot of generosity

December 19, 2024 at 9:52 a.m.

Volunteers, donors and organizations around the Aurora area working to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.

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