The official big bash bicentennial dinner, celebrating Church in Aurora's two centuries of faith, history and service, will be held Nov. 28 at the Bertram Inn, 600 N. Aurora Road. Beginning with a 6 p.m. reception, members and friends will enjoy browsing displays and be entertained by some of Aurora's favorite musicians, including Joan Horine, Anne Ramsay, Gordon Ober, Katherine Womer-Benjamin and the Aurora High School Orchestra.
The 7 p.m. gourmet dinner of apple-and-brie stuffed chicken breast with rice, vegetable, salad and dessert will be followed by a special presentation of the music of The Art Company Band for everyone's listening and dancing pleasure. Elaine Ober promises "a few surprises are sure to pop up along the way, including members of the Chancel Choir singing 'More Than a Landmark,' a memorable musical anthem commissioned for the bicentennial with music by W. Watson and lyrics by Ann Womer-Benjamin." Hats off to Ober and the rest of the hard-working gala committee: Mary Wallace, chair, Dotty Channel, in charge of dinner reservations, Ed and Lynnette Mills, Brian and Diana Miller, Barb Kudley, Donna Ridgley, Mary Ann Doerzbacher and Cheryl Miller. Deadline to order tickets, just $20 per person, is Nov. 14. Contact Channel at 330-562-5482.
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Stella Lockmiller of Aurora celebrated her 100th birthday recently with family and friends at the Aurora home of her family Gary Lockmiller and Rita Williams, pictured above. Granddaughter Jenny Lockmiller, left, helped Stella open cards and blow out the candles on 100 cupcakes.
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Turkey Trot, the third annual opportunity to work off that holiday dinner before you overindulge, will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, 549 S. Chillicothe Road. Day-of-race registration ($20) begins at 7:30 a.m. for the 8:30 a.m. four-mile run and walk. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items to benefit Family & Community Services, Inc. Pre-registration ($18) is available in person or by mail at the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department, 129 W. Pioneer Trail, or at the Nike Factory Store at Aurora Farms. For more information, call 330-562-4333 or log on to parks.auroraoh.com.
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Aurorans with small children should circle two big dates on the calendar. First is Nov. 16. That's the day you'll be in line before 9 a.m. to ensure you'll score a coveted spot at "Breakfast with Santa" on Dec. 12, which is the other date you should decorate with red and green.
This delightful, city-sponsored event at Doogan's of Aurora, 55 Barrington Town Square, is so popular that it's held at three different times. Seatings begin at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Price is just $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Anyone taking a seat (including children in highchairs) must purchase a ticket. Each child will receive a photo with Santa Claus and a gift. Tickets will be sold only in-person and only in advance. Seating is limited, so like all great holiday gifts, buy early!
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Aurora Community Theatre kicks off the 50th season with a laugh-out-loud Neil Simon comedy, "Rumors," at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 21. As always, the talented ACT construction and design volunteers have outdone themselves with a set that features a two-story window, full staircase and balcony, white on white wallpaper and elegant furnishings.
Bravo to Jean Arbuckle's decorating and to her husband, Arbie, who led an amazing building crew including Joe Lykins, Joe Vero, Tom Dean, Greg Fetzer, Mark Howard, Bernie Keister, Bob Levy, Bob Shellhammer and Daniel White.
Kudos, as well, to Fetzer's lighting design and to Marcy Sykes for bringing it all to life while making the gunshot and toilet flushing sound like we are all right in the middle of this crazy posh party where the host's been shot in the ear and the hostess has disappeared.
Tickets at $16 are available at auroracommunitytheatre.com or 330-562-1818. Directed by award-winning Barbara L. Rhoades and produced by Marianne Paul, the cast includes Aurorans Tari Lyn Bergoine, Chris White and Michael Green, plus Mark Moore, Kathy Steiner, Adam Young, Jen Klika, Sharon Brandon and Deb Young.
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Coming soon: Crossings Café, an all-American restaurant with all-Aurora roots. Owner Jim Mehallis and general manager Ray Jobin, proud of their longtime residence in our town, are aiming for a late November opening for their comfortable, new eatery at 329 E. Garfield Road, across from the old Aurora railroad station.
Initially, they will serve from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an emphasis on great breakfasts and super sandwiches. Jobin says they will use only brisket to make their own corned beef on the premises while Mazzulo's Market will provide their highly touted roasted turkey breast and freshly made, family recipe sausage for other choices. Early next year, Jobin said, they will be looking to open for dinner. The new awning goes up this week. Look for the open sign late in the month.
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Send Aurora news to Christine Patronik-Holder, 440-708-1755 or cph@cphcommunications.