Beacon- December 2021

Page 6B THE BEACON December 2021
AURORA
By
Margaret
Drury
Community
Correspondent
O
ur
Communities
aurora@goBEACONnews.com
As I sit here and contemplate
this month’s column, I
look out the window and see
the changing colors of Fall…
which make me think about
nature, life, and such. There
is SO much for which I am
thankful. This is the time
of year that God brings out
His paintbrush to entertain
us with His art. This time of
year, there also seems to be
more activities and gatherings
to entertain us… I am grateful
for all!
Hillforest Victorian House
Museum hosted “A Final
Farewell the Last Dinner
aboard the Titanic.” The
event was originally scheduled
for April 2020, 108 years
after the fated voyage. This
event did NOT disappoint.
“Passengers” boarded the
makeshift White Star Line
Ocean liner, many of them
dressed reminiscent of 1912.
As the Titanic went down,
the fall decorations were going
up in Aurora. The Aurora
Garden Club’s annual Fall in
Love with Aurora decorating
contest had so many GREAT
entries this year. The judges
from a neighboring city’s
garden club said this year was
the most difficult to judge in
the five years they have been
doing this. The Garden Club
wishes to extend its “Thanks”
to everyone who participated
in making our city even more
beautiful this Fall and for our
Debbie Murray was a big
winner at Farmer’s Fair.
Titanic dinner guests
Tabitha and Benny Turner.
(Photo by Nancy Turner)
Farmers Fair.
While we are talking Farmers
Fair, I must say having the
fair was WONDERFUL after
a year off. Thank you to the
Aurora Lions Club. Everyone
seemed to enjoy all the
activities… and the TASTY
fair food! And what would a
fair be without the rides and
games? My answer would be,
“incomplete!” And I think
that Debbie Murray would
agree with me! She was all
smiles as she won a marble
from the 25-cent crane game!
Thelma Howlett, formerly
of Aurora, has owned the carnival
crane game for thirtyseven
years now. She remembers
playing this very same
game in 1959 when she was
in high school. As she and her
late husband were in the carnival
business, she just had to
have this game that had given
her so many fond memories.
Chase Hanson, son of
Denny & Natalie Hanson,
Moores Hill gives Leo the
Lion a “high five” during the
parade.
Nancy Abdon with granddaughter,
Preslee Mattox
and their first-place Residential
trophy.
Her face was all smiles and
she beamed with pride as she
shared that this game only
comes to the Aurora Farmers
Fair. She also added that this
particular crane game has not
missed a Farmers Fair since
she can remember from her
high school days. Thank you,
Thelma, for helping to make
more memories for so many.
And what would the
Farmers Fair be without the
parade??? My answer again
would be, “incomplete!”
Main Street Aurora served as
Caroline Ward, daughter of
Amy Ward, Neve Scheidt,
daughter of Don Scheidt,
and Annabella Longo, Melany
Longo’s daughter with
the beloved Leo the Lion.
Tabitha Turner with Joey
Turner and dog, Krypto.
the Grand Marshals of the parade.
Brad Peddenpohl was
not on the float with the rest
of the Main Street gang because
he was in the parade…
more than once! The undiscerning
eye might not have
recognized him, but those
who know a little about him
(like the fact that he likes to
dress in costumes, and he is
just a big kid) would be able
to recognize him prowling
through the parade and the
fair. Leo the lion was a “kid”
favorite during the entire fair.
Debbie Fehling, Nancy
Turner, Judy Hizer, Jim
Waldon, Tabatha Turner,
Samantha Peddenpohl,
Wayne Schroeder, and
Kerrie Uhlmansiek.
Cindy Rottinghaus awards
Nicole Hufford the Garden
Club’s trophy for her Fall
display
Thanks, Leo (aka Brad) for
bringing so many smiles to so
many kids!
I am so thankful for all
of you who give your time
and talents to make our city
beautiful and welcoming. As
we approach December, I
invite you to decorate for the
Christmas Season.
Until next month, I wish
you health, happiness, and
peace.
MERRY
Friday, November 19th
Get Wine(d) & Dine(d)
5 - 9pm
Pickup Rack Card at
Main Street Aurora Office
231 Main Street
Aurora
Sunday, November 28th
Saturday, November 27th
Celebrate and support small
businesses and all they do for
our communities.
#shopsmallbeforeyoushopbig
Get it All at www.goBEACONnews.com
5:30 “The Blessing” Parade
6:00 Tree Lighting
Santa
17th Annual Miracle on Main Street
Saturday, December 4, 11, 18
9am - Breakfast with Santa
11am - Breakfast with Santa
Children FREE - Adults $8.00
Limited Seating
Reservations Required
Call 812.926.1100
1:00 - 4:00 Visits with Santa
Sunday, December 5, 12, 19
1:00 - 4:00 Visits with Santa
Sunday, December 5 & 19
1:00 - 4:00 Live Reindeer
Sunday, December 12
Pet Parade, Village Organist, Train
& Live Nativity
Entertainment TBA
Letters to Santa Scavenger Hunt Business Decorating Contest