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Around 16 months ago, Kim Groom was poking through her closet when she came across a favorite pair of her late husband’s knockaround pants – and decided to try them on. Let’s just say Joe’s 38 waists fit a bit too well. Or … “They were snug,” Kim says. “And I cried.” That was September… Read More

When it comes to sledding, skating and skiing, we’re sorta at the mercy of Mother Nature, but no matter the weather, plenty of cool programs and activities await this winter season. Get started by checking out these upcoming 10 events, or visit our calendar pages for a full lineup of winter adventures. Holiday Express With a nod… Read More

Believe. With a dash of imagination mixed with some holiday spirit, visitors to the Fox Valley Park District’s Holiday Express instantly re-experience the childhood vibes – hope, anticipation, cheer – that only the season can provide. An annual Yuletide celebration staged at historical Blackberry Farm, Holiday Express delivers Christmas spirit in the form of a… Read More

The group-text notifications ding, chime, or buzz anywhere between 4 and 5 a.m., sometimes even as late as 6, if they’re lucky. All depends on Dad’s time zone when his job takes him out of town, but the message generally remains the same: While you’re sleeping, I’m working. What time are you working out today?… Read More

Press Release – September 23, 2021 Six special activity dates headline annual fall event AURORA – Each fall, just about the time Mother Nature starts to change her outfit, historical Blackberry Farm and its natural beauty plays host to Pumpkin Weekends – a popular, monthlong event for families to celebrate the season and add memories… Read More

Now that we’ve settled into more of a traditional, back-to-school routine, check your calendar for some free space and consider joining us this fall for a wide selection of programs and activities tailored to residents of all ages. Pick a favorite and enjoy some family fun! Get started by checking out these upcoming 10 events,… Read More

Press Release – August 16, 2021 11th annual event staged for Saturday, Aug. 21 AURORA – Somebody say something about the great cicada invasion of ’21, when bazillions of those little noisemakers would emerge in plague-like fashion for a month or so during the spring? Anybody even see one around here? If you feel slighted,… Read More

Press Release – July 27, 2021 Free event at Red Oak Nature Center aimed at removing invasive crayfish species  AURORA – A curious visitor asks a naturalist to describe the appearance of a rusty crayfish. When she says, “It looks like they’ve been pinched with Cheetos fingers,” the mind wanders to something kinda cute, maybe… Read More

Keep your feet on the ground, but your eyes on the stars. It’s a quote made famous by Theodore Roosevelt during a speech in 1900 in Chicago. Nick Sargis has been repeating it half the summer. “We lived through so much darkness and we need to know that better days are ahead,” said Sargis, the… Read More

Pesky and persistent. Annoying and unflappable. Utter nuisances, especially around a picnic. Widely considered real pains in the … (depending where they sting), bees, mosquitos and an assortment of their other friends sure do get a bad rap. Truth be told, however, “Our lives depend on them,” says Lonnie Morris, an environmental activist and coordinator… Read More