sherman
Reflections on the passing of a very special editor
All relationships teach you something. Some teach you many things. Reporting to Tim West at two different junctures during my years with the Sun-Times News Group was one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had. Tim was both my favorite and least favorite editor. …
Glorious season for markets, sales and spring cleaning is here
You know it’s spring when you see the markets and garage sales. Nothing says spring has finally arrived quite like garage sales and farmers’ markets. It was a very long cold winter (in fact last weekend I felt like we were still trying to pry …
Difficult transition to being a full-time mom
With Mothers’ Day approaching, I remembered that I had heard that a fellow Auroran, Dawn Staszak, had recently published a book about motherhood. It’s called “A Guru in the Nursery: 50 Ways to Remember Your Spirit While Changing Diapers,” and comes right on the heels …
Trying to understand why bad things happen
When bad things happen, people often ask why God allows it. School shootings, hurricanes, homemade bombs and other explosions, natural disasters like hurricanes and floods . . . . all these things prompt people to question God’s power and purpose. I’d like to offer some …
Book on faith, politics is well worth reading
My colleague, Anthony Stanford, just published a book that couldn’t possibly be more timely. As national debates rage about homosexuality, marriage equality, and the roles of Church and State in deciding legislation, his book, “Homophobia in the Black Church: How Faith, Politics, and Fear Divide …
Young election judges a true inspiration
Sometimes all the strife and bad news in the world seems overwhelming, so I go intentionally looking for some good news to share. Here’s what I found to make Aurorans smile this week: Get ready to see some new young faces at the polls. The …
Nation can’t turn away from responsible family planning
If I told you that most of society’s challenges — hunger, poverty, homelessness, bullying, violence, high crime rates, climate change, human trafficking, etc. — could be largely solved through addressing one single issue, wouldn’t you want to turn our energy toward addressing that? The issue …
West residents can be heard at the ballot box
This past year has been controversial for local school boards. Debates about the work they’re doing will likely intensify as election day approaches. On the West Side of Aurora, there have been many issues, but the underlying problem is the longstanding perception among parents, staff …
Marriage does not need a defense
Last week I read in The Beacon-News how local Roman Catholics had marched in “defense of marriage.” Monsignor Archimedes Vallejo was quoted as saying, “This is God’s law, no one can change God’s laws.” I see three different problems here: confusion about the separation of …
Aurora shows it’s community that cares
Gary Schramer graduated from West Aurora High School in 1973 and has owned a business in Aurora — Twin Liquors — for 30 years. On Jan. 29 two men, driving an older maroon Oldsmobile, entered his store at about 6:20 p.m. They beat Schramer and …
Speak out for our Post Office
In the immortal words of Joni Mitchell: “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got til it’s gone?” Right now America has an agency that is self-funding; does not ask for taxpayer money; is the nation’s second largest employer; provides …
Appreciating our men on Valentine’s Day
When we think of Valentine’s Day, we picture chocolate hearts and roses — usually with guys giving them to ladies. This year, I think we should take time to honor the gentlemen in our lives. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m absolutely crazy …
What is news and what is not
There’s news, there’s entertainment, and then there is useless gossip. I’m noticing lately that television “news” seems to contain all of these, sometimes seeming to intentionally blur the lines between news, entertainment, gossip and advertising. My husband and I were out to dinner recently with …
Common sense advice on gun control? Just ask mom
I grew up with guns. My family sold guns and hunting supplies for a living. I loved hunting and I miss having fresh venison for dinner. I spent endless hours target practicing and was a very good shot, though I’m sure my mother was better. …
‘Flipped classroom’ offers one solution to homework overload
Everyone hates homework. Students complain about doing it, teachers hate correcting it, and parents feel helpless when they lack the expertise to help with it. A recent Beacon article entitled “Homework Headaches” reminded us how much time some Fox Valley students spend trying to keep …
