Tom Strong – Page 9 –

Kevin Talkington stands on the running track above the gym at Waldo Middle School in Aurora. He recently retired as teacher, coach and athletic director at the East Aurora School District school.

Recently retired teacher and athletic director relished time at Waldo School in Aurora

June 21, 2019 at 11:24 a.m.

If you have lived in Aurora for any length of time, there is only a slim chance that you don't know of Kevin Talkington. He is one of many dedicated...

World War II veteran Dick Miller relaxes in his Aurora home, with a display of his military, family and work awards and memorabilia around him.

Column: Memories of World War II still strong for Aurora veteran

May 27, 2019 at 2:34 p.m.

With another Memorial Day season upon us, it was touching and amazing to hear Aurora's Dick Miller as we visited recently remember the shipmates he lost when the USS Drexler...

From left, Randi Ochsenschlager, retired administrative assistant to the superintendent and board secretary in West Aurora School District, stands with Lisa Morales, executive assistant and board secretary in East Aurora School District.

Column: Superintendents’ secretaries offer something special for Aurora schools

April 19, 2019 at 12:38 p.m.

Having worked in a public school system for many years, I often thought that secretaries operated the schools from day to day. By extension, I sometimes wondered if a school...

Bardwell Elementary School teacher Eliseo Martinez stands with students, from left, Julieth Barron, Valeria Garcia, Yuliana Martinez, Alexis Duarte, Cintya Rodriguez and Eilanni Salas-Hernandez.

Bardwell music teacher hits all the right notes

March 29, 2019 at 9:46 a.m.

While attending a rehearsal for the spring musical at Bardwell Elementary School in Aurora, the excellence in the singing, choreography and enthusiasm of the ensemble was easy to hear and...

Members of the Herget Middle School math team hold competition team awards, including, from left, Chuck Linneman (teacher and coach), Jorge Lagunas, Ariana Rivera, Tenley Linstad, Hannah Patel and Sara Tarr.

For Chuck Linneman, coaching math teams in West Aurora really adds up

March 1, 2019 at 10:14 a.m.

It seems that Chuck Linneman has been one of the busiest teachers in West Aurora School District 129 since his arrival at Washington Middle School in 1992. But if you...

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, a 1988 East Aurora High graduate and attorney, joined attorneys from the East Aurora Class of '79 at City Hall recently. From left are Jay Wyeth, Robert Brouch, Tom Strong (retired East Aurora Business Law teacher), Irvin, Peter Metrou and Alan Garrow.

Column: Attorneys from East Aurora Class of ’79 set a high standard

January 25, 2019 at 11:13 a.m.

Business Law was my favorite class when I was an undergraduate at Northern Illinois University in the late 1960s. Mr. Del Fra, the teacher, was so captivating that I actually...

From left, Stevie Velazquez, full-time tutor Brian Griffin, Jimmy Ho and Noel Dominguez stand by a progress chart for a book series the students are reading at Beaupre Elementary School in Aurora.

For tutor at Beaupre School in Aurora, helping kids the greatest satisfaction

January 10, 2019 at 7:57 p.m.

If you were ever to visit Beaupre Elementary School in East Aurora School District 131, it probably wouldn't take you long to meet Brian Griffin. He is a staff person...

Ed Colton at the entrance to the Aurora Turners Club. The concrete sign was relocated from the original downtown Aurora building, which was demolished.

Proud ‘old-timer’ has fond memories of East Aurora football, Turners Club

December 11, 2018 at 10:36 p.m.

“Years ago, most football players played both ways and it was a tough game,” said Ed Colton. Colton doesn't mind being called an old-timer. He had just finished speaking at...

Deputy Mayor of Aurora Chuck Nelson (second from left) presents an anniversary proclamation to officers of the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association (from left) Dick Schindel, president; Meg Safarik, treasurer; and Linda Weiss, secretary.

Association helps Aurora retired teachers stay connected

December 12, 2018 at 5:17 a.m.

A diamond anniversary was celebrated recently by the Aurora Area Retired Teachers Association. Readying for their retirement, 13 teachers from East and West Aurora school districts met in 1958 to...

Denny Short helped coach baseball at Neuqua Valley High School.

Remembering a teacher and coach who touched so many lives

December 12, 2018 at 4:48 p.m.

Denny Short passed away far too soon in August at the age of 69. A native of Midland, Michigan, and a graduate of Michigan State, he arrived in 1975 to...

All Stories