Beacon 1-21

Page 6B THE BEACON January 2021
AURORA
By
Margaret
Drury
Community
Correspondent
aurora@goBEACONnews.com
Fall is definitely in the air
with winter quickly on its
heels. This time of the year is
so invigorating- a good time
for hikes, bikes, and drives
to see the beautiful trees and
landscapes. Our viburnums
are magnificently RED, RED,
RED. I think God knew we
needed the beautiful colors
to boost our spirits this year
as we are in the midst of so
many unusual and uncertain
times.
Here in Aurora, we have
managed to take advantage of
the weather and get a couple
of events and activities in
before current circumstances
put a kibosh on them. The
Main Street “HalloWINE”
event was deemed a HUGE
success. Main Street sends
out “Thanks” to Joe Valas for
the idea. Nearly two hundred
business cards were picked
up with one hundred nine
guests visiting all eighteen
businesses. That is the biggest
O
ur
number turned in to date for
any of our walks. Participating
businesses donated over
$816 in prizes. The winner of
the grand prize smoker grill
was Marie Byrd of Aurora.
The second-place prize went
to John Johnson of Lawrenceburg.
The third-place
prize went to Karen Hart
of Harrison. Additionally,
that night over one hundred
walkers took part in the ghost
walks through town. I had
seen a few comments on
social media where folks had
dinner in downtown Aurora,
then went on one of the walks
through town. Even with all
the cancellations happening
these days, you can STILL
come to Aurora, enjoy breakfast,
lunch, or dinner at one of
our delightful restaurants then
stroll through town enjoying
the architecture AND shopping
in our unique shops.
During this upcoming Christmas
Season, you can also enjoy
seeing LOTS of Christmas
decorations in our downtown
businesses while you peruse
through town. The businesses
decorated so nicely for fall; I
cannot wait to see what they
do for Christmas!
The Aurora Knights of
Columbus Council 2111
held their annual “Tootsie
Wagon Shed
Candle Company
Specializing in all natural soy candles
and gift baskets made to order
for all occasions
DOTTIE SCHIPPER, Owner
4717 Tall Oak Drive
Aurora, Indiana 47001-7735
812-926-1466 Home • 859-512-9792 Cell
Communities
Roll Drive” on Nov. 7. Their
prayers for a nice day were
answered. They gave out
Tootsie Rolls at several locations
in Aurora. Any freewill
donations will go to support
one of their primary charities,
the Special Olympics, and
other organizations helping
those with disabilities.
A heartfelt thanks is given
to everyone who made this
worthwhile endeavor successful.
The K of C exceeded their
expectations, taking in 37%
more than last year’s amount
and setting a new record!
The Lions Club Pancake
breakfast that was scheduled
to benefit “We Care Packages”
was canceled due to
current COVID concerns.
“We Care Packages” is a
noble non-profit organization
that provides care packages
for our deployed military.
If you would like to make a
donation, you can mail it to
We Care Packages, PO Box
3447, Lawrenceburg, IN
47025. Your contributions go
a LONG way to support the
soldiers who receive these
care packages in the mail
every month.
AURORA
By
Fred
Schmits
Community
Correspondent
aurora@goBEACONnews.com
HI NEIGHBORS!
Our usual article is one in a
series featuring unique neighbors.
This time we focus on
Jim Waldon who exemplifies
the true meaning of “unique.”
The Sunman Rural Fire Department brought their truck to
Sunman Elementary for the students to see.
SUNMAN
By
Maureen
Stenger
Community
Correspondent
sunman@goBEACONnews.com
Sunman has exciting news
as it has been awarded $8700
to purchase safety equipment
for the coming year. The town,
the Park Board, the Utilities
Department, and the Police
Department each submitted a
grant. Lucky for us, all four
were awarded! Thank you to
everyone involved for their
hard work.
The Sunman Rural Fire
Department presented Sunman
Elementary students with a
virtual fire safety presentation.
They brought their fire truck
to the school so the children
were able to learn all about
the truck and also hear the
Mr. Waldon’s education
began in 1962 at St. Mary’s,
followed by AHS, then St.
Meinrad College. There was
a thought for a short period of
time to study for the priesthood.
This didn’t happen.
Mr. Waldon’s time working at
St. Mary’s was interrupted when
he went to St. Rose of Lima. He
also taught piano lessons. Personal
development continued as now
he was learning the organ. Sister
Presentia, OSF and Avis Walser
were responsible for this training.
Mr. Waldon has acted as
choir director. The challenge
of playing the organ has been
reduced by the happiness of
working with many people
sounds it makes. Kudos to
our hard-working department
for keeping the community
engaged.
Sunman Elementary students
worked hard making a virtual
presentation for Veteran’s Day.
Usually, the school hosts a
breakfast and ceremony for
veterans each year, but with the
current COVID climate it was
just not possible this year.
However, the challenging
situation did not stop the kids
and teachers from making a
wonderful tribute to all of our
veterans. Dedicated fifth-graders
trained to prepare for The
Presentation of Colors, fourthand
fifth-grade chorus performed
a beautiful rendition of “God
Bless the USA” and a video
montage honoring veterans from
all branches of the military was
wonderfully choreographed.
Thank you to everyone who
worked so hard on this.
Wishing everyone a safe and
very Merry Christmas!
of different ages and backgrounds.
He also led a bell
choir as a result of a donation
by an individual who wanted to
do something different for St.
Mary’s. Members range in age
from sixteen to seventy-four.
Main Street Aurora has
been a force for the Aurora
community, striving to make
Aurora a better place. It has
been recognized as one of
the top ten in the nation. Mr.
Waldon has volunteered with
Main Street Aurora for years.
Well that’s it. Except did
you ever wonder......with all
the traffic around our neighborhood
when will drivers
slow down?
This Holiday Season and All Year Long
Put Your Money where your is and
#SHOPSMALLBEFOREYOUSHOPBIG
Support the Specialty Retail, Personal
Services, Professional Services and
Restaurants of Downtown Aurora
Twenty-six Years of Bringing our Community and Businesses Together.