Archive for the ‘membership’ Category
Pre-App Workshop Held for 2020 CDBG
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019Hear About the New Smart Kiosks Coming to Town
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019
#AuroraChamber News for April 15, 2019
Monday, April 15th, 2019
Historical Society Fundraiser Invite
Saturday, April 13th, 2019The spring fundraiser for the Aurora Historical Society will be a tribute to 170th anniversary of the Burlington Railroad in Aurora. There will be drinks, a buffet supper and a showing of a classic train film at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 North Broadway, Aurora 60505. Executive Director John Jaros will speak about Aurora’s railroad history and the Burlington.
The film is the 1934 classic “Silver Streak” with stars of the day Charles Starrett, Sally Blane, and William Farnum. Although an actor portrayed the engineer in the movie, driving the train for the movie was Aurora’s own Jack Ford.
“The Burlington wouldn’t let anybody else touch those controls,” according to Jaros. And with good reason. Ford was the engineer who set a new record for non-stop speed and distance with his legendary 13-hour run from Denver to Chicago on May 26, 1934.
“The Zephyr was the rock star of the railroading world in the 1930s,” said historical society President Mary Clark Ormond. “Suddenly, bursting from the Industrial Age world of the steam-driven Iron Horse, came this sleek steel beauty of the Jazz Age. People couldn’t get enough of it. No wonder Hollywood made a movie with the Zephyr as the star.”
The event is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person ($60 for members) and may be purchased online at www.aurorahistory.net, by calling (630) 906-0650, or by sending a check to the historical society at P.O. Box 905, Aurora, IL 60507.
My Happy Place
Wednesday, April 10th, 2019Have you ever heard the phrase “Be a leader not a follower?” Well to me, that was a scary phrase growing up. It caused me to have so many questions that I ended up with anxiety over it. I thought to myself “How do I become a leader? What does it mean to be a leader? Am I a leader or a follower?”
As I grew older the phrase rang louder in my head. It was a bit more difficult to answer my own questions due to the fact that I was suffering from social anxiety. My place in life and at work had made me become a bit of an introvert, because of that I loved staying behind scenes. And since I worked as a teller at a bank and I could have stayed a teller forever! But I soon realized that my happy place couldn’t last forever if I wanted to be successful. I wanted more out of my career at the bank and I started thinking about becoming a banker.
My anxiety took hold of me and I started to question myself. “How can I as an introvert start a conversation without being awkward to potential clients?” If I couldn’t do that than I wasn’t going to succeed. This is where I knew I needed to be a leader in my own life and stop being scared! I’m sure it is easier to those that are naturally born leaders but for me it was a scary thought and I had to be taught. So those unanswered questions I had as a child came rushing back.
I have learned so much in the last three years due to the fact that I found a mentor at work who instilled in me a confidence I didn’t know I had. She was a blessing in disguise. She saw something special in me, so she listened to my doubts and answered my questions. She not only helped me in my professional life but also my personal one.
As I started to grow as a leader I realized being a leader is not an exact science but rather leading someone to believe in themselves, to be a coach on the sidelines, or be their fan in the stands. My mentor had seen my growth, she told me I was ready to become a fearless leader. I laughed nervously as I had yet to see myself as that leader she saw.
Without even realizing it I had emerged as a leader within my peers, leading by example. So when she told me that she was leaving my branch I immediately knew she had been preparing me for something big. I was scared, I wanted to go back to my happy place as a teller. To go back to being behind the scenes, but no I refused to let fear of the unknown set in and I decided it was my time to step up.
Taking these classes through the Aurora Chamber Leadership Academy has shown me who are the leaders in my life. That I too am a leader. Visiting different businesses and getting to speak with different people I’ve realized that you don’t have to be in management to be a leader. I can happily say that in my own way I’ve become a leader both at work and within my own life. I look forward to continuous growth and learning development. I want to be that coach on the sidelines for somebody else.
Claudia Tornero is an Aurora, IL resident. She has 14 years of banking experience and currently works at First Midwest Bank in downtown Aurora.
Historical Society Displays Crosses
Thursday, April 4th, 2019The five white wooden crosses memorializing the victims of the workplace shooting at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora are on display at the Piece Art and History Center through May 4, 2019.
The crosses were given to the Aurora Historical Society to be kept in perpetuity. In accepting the crosses at a ceremony on March 31, Executive Director John Jaros said, “Long after all of us are gone, people will still be able to remember and tell the story of what happened in Aurora on February 15, 2019.”
The crosses, and some of the memorabilia left with them at the Pratt site, are exhibited within the second floor exhibit, “Aurora Story.” Pierce Center hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. There are extended hours, from 6 to 9 p.m., on First Fridays, April 5 and May 4. Admission to the Pierce Center is free, although donations are appreciated. It is located at 20 E. Downer Place.
After May 4, the crosses and memorabilia will be cleaned, cataloged, and archived. They will be put briefly on display again at the one-year anniversary of the tragedy.
There is more information online at www.aurorahistory.org and on Facebook and Instagram at aurorahistory.
April 1 Updates from #AuroraChamber
Monday, April 1st, 2019|
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Join JA at the Middle School Career Fair
Friday, March 29th, 2019Junior Achievement is partnering with the Aurora middle schools to host an after school Career Fair on Tuesday, April 16th. We would love you or your organization to participate!!
What? Career Fair for Aurora Middle School Students
Who? Roughly 200 Students
When? Tuesday, April 16, 3:30–6:00pm
Where? Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora, IL 60506
Why? Explore career options with experienced professionals. Research shows that getting students interested in careers in middle school helps improve school performance and job readiness after high school.
Our goal is to bring in people working in the trades or manufacturing to talk informally with individual or small groups of students about their careers from experienced professionals who have been there and are doing (or have done) that! Students love hearing about what you do, what you like and dislike about your field, how you found your career or how it found you! The format is strictly conversational – no presentations needed! You will have the opportunity to setup a table/booth; hands on and interactive activities are welcome and encouraged!
Please let me know by Friday, April 5th if you or someone from your group will join us for a great event!
Open House, Expo Planned at Abbey Farms: The Emporium
Friday, March 29th, 2019Abbey Farms announces that their annual open house will take place on Sunday, April 14, at Abbey Farms: The Emporium, from 1 to 4 p.m. Located at 2855 Hart Road in Aurora, this rustic-chic barn venue is in its fifth year of hosting wedding receptions, fundraisers, corporate outings, and other events. Abbey Farms specializes in creating personalized events that will wow guests.
According to Wendy Felder, venue and resource manager at Abbey Farms, the event gives the public the opportunity to tour the venue and surrounding grounds.
“The Emporium Annual Open House is for everyone and anyone who would like to learn more about hosting an event here,” Felder stated. “Admission is free, and it is a great opportunity to see the beautiful venue and its stunning surrounding landscape and outside spaces.
“Whether you are just starting to plan, thinking about planning, or well into your plans, this is for you,” she continued. “Everyone is welcome!”
Adam Voirin, chief operations officer, further commented on the flexibility of the venue space.
“Each of our wedding receptions is as different as the couples who book with us,” Voirin explained. “If vintage and country is your sweet spot, our reclaimed barn board walls are a perfect backdrop. If your tastes are more sophisticated, upgrade the elegance with perfectly chosen décor and floral arrangements.
“Our wedding partners and preferred vendors will expertly guide you toward achieving the desired atmosphere,” he added. “An event planner is included with a booking, which helps ensure your planning process is simplified.”
Upon arrival, attendees will be greeted with champagne and Abbey Farms’ famous apple cinnamon donuts. Besides touring the venue, attendees can visit with wedding ceremony partners and preferred vendors while enjoying light refreshments and catering samples. Vendors will include transportation specialists, hotel partners, ceremony and design planners, caterers, bakeries, florists, décor specialists, hotels, photographers, DJs, and more.
Although wedding receptions are the focus of the open house, anyone considering an event can find answers to their questions. This might include corporate events and fundraisers, along with family reunions and graduations.
All attendees will have the opportunity to register for an hourly raffle giveaway of a Picnic Movie Night for Two. The Picnic Movie Night for Two includes: two Pumpkin Daze tickets, two tickets to a movie night with s’mores and a private firepit, $20 gift certificate for concessions, six apple cider donuts, a bottle of wine (from the Abbey Farms preferred wine list), and more.
Pre-registration is suggested by visiting abbeyfarms.org/store, or attendees can register at the door. For more venue information, visit abbeyfarms.org or call (630) 966-7775, ext. 3.
About Abbey Farms: The Emporium: A venue with more than 8,000 square feet of private space, The Emporium’s hall is clad in antique reclaimed barn wood and lit with elegant chandeliers. Visitors can take in sweeping views of the Fox River Valley outside under a covered porch or on a custom brick patio with a stone fireplace. The vintage-inspired barn seats up to 300 guests and is fully heated and air-conditioned for comfort, no matter what the weather.
#AuroraChamber News for Week of March 25, 2019
Tuesday, March 26th, 2019|
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