GREETINGS HOMETOWN CITIZENS!Although in winter, you pretty muchonly see heads in cars, spring andsummer brings just about everyoneoutside. I hope this article finds youmostly thawed out from winter, andready to see who actually lives inthe house next to you.

Spring is here and summer is justaround the corner, so now is theperfect time to check out TheHomeTown Café!

In case you are new to theneighborhood, The Café is thecool, fun, hip, happening place inthe community. Not only is theCafé a great place to mingle andmeet neighbors, we also offer avariety of food and snacks juststeps from your door. We havemultiple events scheduled everymonth for both kids and adults andwould love to meet you.

ALL NEW! PARTIES AND CATERINGWe now offer a wide variety ofcatering options for both small andlarge parties or celebrations. Wecan customize orders for parties inThe Café, delivery (in HomeTown),or Pick-up. So the next time you’vegot a birthday, home party,wedding shower, Christening, orany other reason to celebrate,make sure you check out what theHomeTown Café has to offer.

Also, don’t forget to check out theEvents posters located at eachmailbox site in the Community forupcoming events at The Café

Caleb Luper

Store ScoopStore Scoop Saturday, December 13, 2003 – Santa Clauscame to HomeTown! Pulled in his horse-drawncarriage with bells ringing, Santa came downFour Seasons Blvd while children anxiouslywaited until they saw him in the distance tobegan cheering his arrival...SANTA CLAUS CAME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD!The scene was picture perfect as large glittering snowflakes fell from the sky, neighborsstrolled in from all directions, carolers’ melodies filled the air, and the light fromwindows in the heated tent called you to come inside. The festivities began around 5pm that evening as carolers sung joyous songs from the Pavilion as rosy-cheeked,bundled children and adults listened. Founder and President of The Bigelow Group,Perry Bigelow, welcomed the crowd and reviewed what a wonderful year HomeTownhas had. Bigelow was interrupted by phone, by no other than Santa Claus himself, thathe was on his way and to pass this message along to the children. Within minutes the“clippety-clop” of horse hooves could be heard down the street and then the white-bearded man dressed in red appeared atop the white carriage headed right towardsthe evergreen in Holiday Park!

Santa led the countdown and on “one” the tree was lit, sparkling bright for all to see.Carolers sung silent night as neighbors tied a red ribbon on the tree, a symbol of eachperson’s part in making HomeTown such a unique place to live.

Following the countdown, many warmed themselves in the heated tent while otherswaited in line to meet Santa and take a memorable photograph. Neighbors dinedtogether in the tent (an Italian buffet dinner was provided by the HomeTown Café),watched the slide show of pictures throughout the year, and enjoyed Christmas tunesspun by neighbor DJ Nick Latko.

It was truly a magical evening that was pulled off fantastically by HEAT (HomeTownEvent & Activities Team) volunteers which included our Santa Claus played by HerbWashington. Thanks to all who came and volunteered despite the cold, it was awonderful night that added another page “Christmas 2004” to the history of HomeTown!

From the Cover

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!1st Place: 968 Serendipity Drive

2nd Place: 946 Symphony Drive

3rd Place: 1737 Candlelight Lane

4th Place: 1080 Serendipity Drive

House Decorating Contest Winners

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The Music of ChristmasSomebody once told me that music is the universallanguage. I wholeheartedly believe that, and after thisyear’s HomeTown Tree Lighting Celebration, I believe itthat much more.

Two things made Christmas memorable for me this yearhere at HomeTown. As a co-coordinator for the treelighting celebration, I wanted to create an old-townatmosphere... one that you might see in the movies or onan old television show. The addition of carolers to theevent was just the touch needed (not to mention the snowthat we ordered especially for the occasion). As peoplearrived, they were greeted with carols sung in full 4-partharmony. People joined in when they could, and themusic rang throughout the neighborhood. The feeling I gotthat night was one of contentment and joy.

The second thing that made Christmas memorable forme was the night of HomeTown caroling. This is atradition that we would like to continue here in theneighborhood. A group of about 15 people gathered atthe café on the Monday before Christmas. Some ofthese people I could honestly say that I had never met!We split into two groups, each group traveling downone side of the neighborhood...and the music began.

As we knocked on doors and rang doorbells, we weregreeted with warm smiles and looks of surprise as peoplelistened happily to our songs. Caroling truly madeChristmas this year. It is always a blessing to me to beable to share the gift of music to others. Next year I hopeto be able to share it with even more!

– Heather Lambert

Community Life Groups & Activities2004 EVENT DATESApril 10 Easter EGGstravaganza

May 14, 15 Community Garage Sale

July 3 July 4th Parade & Picnic

August 14 Movie at the Park

October 31 Fall Festival

November 20 Craft Fair & Bake Sale

December 11 Tree Lighting Ceremony

Mark these dates on your calendar and invite family and friends. We’ve got somethinggoing on every season to celebrate the holidays “small town style” and gather theneighbors together. Look for a home delivered invitation for more details as each eventapproaches and signs at the main entrances. Volunteer for any event by contactingHomeTown Community Life at 630.978.0928.

BACK & BETTER THAN EVER FOR 04!What is it? A volunteer led story,craft, and snack time designedfor kids under 4 (accompaniedby an adult). Once a monthKreative Kids meets at 9 am inthe HomeTown Café. Eachsession is planned around atheme for that month (i.e. onFebruary 14th, Kreative Kidsread a Valentine’s story, craftedframes with hearts, and a sugarcookie snack). It’s a great way toget creative and make some newfriends. If you have anyquestions or would like to jointhe volunteer team, contactHomeTown Community Life at630.978.0928.

April 3Easter Theme

May 8Mother’s Day Theme

June 19Father’s Day Theme

JulyOFF

August 14Camping Theme

September 18Fall Theme

October 23Halloween Theme

November 20Thanksgiving Theme

December 18Christmas Theme

Kreative KidsKreative Kids

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From Our Porch to YoursHOMETOWN BEGINS ITS LOFTY TOWN CENTER PARK PROJECTLast fall, Bigelow Homes not only completed construction on their new corporate office, which is located on the east end of thenew Town Center Park, but it also began development on the Town Center Park itself. Massive trees were hauled in andreplanted in order to give the park an instant mature look once the park is completed. Sidewalks and much of the concreteinfrastructure were also installed on the east half of the park, with the remaining work scheduled to continue in the spring.The park was designed to support all of the community events currently being held in Holiday Park, as well as become aplace where residents can just hang out and relax. The park will feature a centrally located pavilion with an elaboratetrellised-covered sitting area. Additionally, there will be an outdoor amphitheatre, at least one water feature and aplayground for the kids.

The Town Center is also where Bigelow Homes is introducing their new urban/suburban lofts. Above the commercial/retailspace, which will occupy the first floor of all the surrounding buildings, the lofts will simulate a style of living that, up untilnow, was only available in the city. The lofts will include hardwood floors, 10’ ceilings, exposed ductwork, granite countertop in the kitchen and many more amazing features. Although the grand opening isn’t scheduled until April 1st, HomeTownresidents will be invited to a preview party which is currently being scheduled for late March.

Mike VenetisVice President of Marketing and Sales, The Bigelow Group

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Autumn in HomeTownWHAT HAPPENED AT THE SCARECROW STUFFING & FALL FESTIVAL 2003?October 4, 2003 – Kids’ Scarecrow Stuffing & Pumpkin DecoratingIt was a perfect sunny day, despite the occasional bees buzzing about. Childrenand their parents filed around the Café’s front porch ready to greet the fall season.The scarecrow stuffing took place on the west side of the porch. Little workersfilled old clothes with hay, for most of them, making their first home-madescarecrow. The south side of the porch held the pumpkin decorating. Piepumpkins were available for the picking, as well as an assortment of decorationscomplete with work station. This skill required more creativity, less labor, and afair amount of mess (imagine how a child would want to decorate a pumpkin:glitter, paint, glue, feathers, google eyes). It was a wonderful way to celebrate thestart of the season with friends, right at your own neighborhood Café.

October 31-November 1, 2003 – Fall FestivalOct. 31 – Little clowns and pumpkins, cowboys and ninjas, angels and fairiesscurried underfoot, bags in hand searching for sugary treats. The deliberate trot ofBelgian horse hooves as they echoed down the well lit streets of HomeTown, andthat of wagon wheels laden with hay joined in the joyous clamor that marked thebeginning of HomeTown’s Annual Fall Festival on Halloween 2003.

The festival (this year’s was the largest turnout of any event yet, we had some 300children and adults participate) opened with the little feet of trick-or-treaters whowere out and about from 4--8pm with parents and friends running from house tohouse (a special thank you to all the houses on corners and those facing the streetthat got swarmed with costumed candy seekers).

Although this years Fall Festival was not visited by the bitter cold of last year, itwas cold and the bonfire, which was lit at 5pm in the park, provided warmthallowing many to stay outside and skewer hot dogs, make s'mores, or socializewith neighbors. HEAT (HomeTown Event and Activities Team) volunteer HerbWashington acted as master fire starter.

For those little festival goers looking for lasting memories of the night, pictures withthe Scarecrow in the Café started at 6pm in the upstairs balcony area. HEATmember Heather Lambert did the honors as the Scarecrow. Meanwhile neighborDJ Rick "Hype" Poyser mixed tunes in the Pavilion from 5--8pm, with acombination of various "spooky music" and mixes/party music.

Hayrides were given for 3 hours starting at 6pm and were free this year, courtesyof Ryan Hill Realty! The friendly horses, Belgians, provided by A Zoo To You Inc.were a big success with the kids who all loved them.

This years Fashion Costume Show was a huge success as well. It was set to musicand the kids walked down lighted runway, had their name and costumeannounced, and an audience of neighbors cheered them on behind the platform –the largest show yet!

There was ample food available from the concession area provided by theHomeTown Café including: hot dogs, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, s'mores,popcorn, taffy apples, and nachos.

November 1 – HomeTown’s Annual Fall Festival was continued on Saturday withthe commencement of the first Craft Fair & Bake Sale from 10-3pm. Once againHEAT stepped up to the plate and brought in home-baked popcorn balls, mintbrownies, various cookies, sweet breads. In addition, HEAT starting selling firstcollector's series HomeTown 2003 Christmas ornaments with personalization(designed and created by neighbors Christy Hill and Molly Reimer).

Sweets were not the only items available at the bake sale. Over a dozen local 5

This favorite recipe is perfect for entertaining in the springtime as you can decorate with seasonalfresh fruit for a delicious and beautiful dessert to share with company. Why not impress family thisEaster and make a batch! If you have a recipe that’s too good to keep to yourself, share it with theneighborhood by sending it to julie@bigelowhomes.com or call 630.978.0928.

Ingredients:12 Vanilla Wafers2 (8 oz.) Packages Cream Cheese, Softened1/2 Cup Sugar1 Tsp. Vanilla2 Eggs

Directions:Line muffin tin with foil baking cups. Place one vanilla wafer in each muffin cup.Mix cream cheese, vanilla, & sugar on medium speed until well-blended. Add eggs.Mix well. Pour over wafers, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.Remove from pan when cool. Top with fruit, preserves, nuts, or chocolate.Makes 12.

Ry n Hill Realty has ld mo xi ing homes in H To n th ny othHomeTown Favorites MINI CHEESECAKES from the kitchen of Christy Hill

Realty & RelocationDid you know that Ryan Hill Realty, in conjunction with Harris Bank, is holding a monthly home-buyers seminar the fourthTuesday of every month?

The goal of the seminar is to prepare home-buyers for the buying process. The seminar teaches them everything they need toknow about purchasing a home. They start with pre-approval letters, the role of the attorney, the real estate agent, and thebank. Participants learn about the different types of mortgages, including low down payment options. They even cover the costof renting verses buying. Additionally, Harris Bank will pre-qualify participants’ right at the seminar. It’s just one more way thatRyan Hill Realty is working to bring buyers to HomeTown.

If you know anyone that is interested in purchasing a home, please have them contact Ryan Hill Realty at to reserve their spot.

DID YOU KNOW?Ryan Hill Realty has sold more existing homes in HomeTown then any other real estate agency. According to the MultipleListing Service, since June of 2002, when Ryan Hill Realty opened its HomeTown office, they have listed over 30% of theexisting homes and sold over 28% of all resale’s at HomeTown, Aurora. That’s three times more than any otheragency. If you’re considering selling your home, why not go with Ryan Hill Realty, your HomeTown specialists?

Ryan Hill Realty1002 Four Seasons Blvd.Aurora, IL 60504630.862.3830www.ryanhillrealty.com

Paws for Play

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Ry n Hill Realty has ld mo xi ing homes in H To n thA Step Further

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Cohousing Neighborhood Comes to HomeTown AuroraNestled within HomeTown Aurora will soon be a new old idea. One of theneighborhoods now being planned here is the HomeTown Village cohousingcommunity, which will be located three blocks north of the new Town Center. Itwill look a lot like the other courtyard neighborhoods at HomeTown Aurora, butwith a few differences. For starters, the future residents are already meeting andgetting to know one another. As is typical in these resident-plannedcommunities, the members are working together to design the common areas,such as their Common House for cooking and sharing meals several times perweek, a community garden, and a kid's play area for all families to enjoy.Cohousing is based on a shared desire for residents to live together as a close-knit community where neighbors are friends, and many resources are shared.Neighbors will all own their own homes and be equal owners in the land andcommon facilities.

Bigelow Homes will be offering cohousing residents a choice of six modelhomes to choose from. The homes will look similar to other HomeTown Aurorahouses with elements such as private front porches and backyard patios, and apedestrian walkway that weaves between the homes. This design mirrors thedesire of many people to return to neighborhoods where residents know eachother and children can play safely under the watchful eyes of parents andfriends. The cohousing community will take this a step further in that the futureHomeTown Village neighbors will be able to enjoy occasional home-cookedmeals together, will manage the upkeep of their neighborhood, and will be ableto easily share resources from childcare to lawnmowers.

Innovative developer/builders like Bigelow Homes are interested in includingcohousing communities within larger developments because the cohousingneighborhood acts as a magnet to increase the experience of community in thelarger neighborhood. Here at HomeTown Aurora, the cohousing neighborhoodwill add to the sense of community we are already creating. Other examples ofcohousing neighborhoods which are part of a larger neo-traditional projectsinclude Davis, CA; Denver, CO, and one now nearing completion in Boulder,CO.

HomeTown Village is now actively looking for singles, couples, families andelders from all walks of life and all backgrounds. The cohousing group isexcited about creating a diverse environmental neighborhood in which all arewelcome. Keep your eyes open for these pioneering neighbors!

The HomeTown Village group will be hosting events in the upcoming monthsfeaturing presentations by national cohousing expert, resident and parentNeshama Abraham of Boulder, Colorado. On Saturday, February 14, she willgive a talk on “The Advantages of Living in Community,” including a slideshowand pre-Valentine’s Day chocolate tasting from 10 to 11:30 am at theCommunity Christian Church, 131 Montgomery Road in Aurora.

On Saturday, March 13, Neshama will be presenting a talk on “Parenting inCommunity” from 10 am to 12 noon at the Four Winds Waldorf School,30W160 Calumet Ave. in Warrenville.

For additional information about the HomeTown Village neighborhod, call (630)605-8370. Info is also available at www.HomeTownVillage.org

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Welcome to the Neighborhood!

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September 3 Colleen LoprestiSeptember 8 Adriana & Christina AriasSeptember 9 Brett Rasmussen & Meghan RochaSeptember 10 Keith & Nicole CampbellSeptember 12 Bradley BrownSeptember 22 Glen PowellSeptember 24 Joseph & Dana HughesSeptember 25 Aaron ReesSeptember 26 Willis BarnettSeptember 29 John PruskoSeptember 29 Robert Barwicki & Katarzyna Walczak

October 6 Daniel Alvarado & Fay KhouryOctober 10 Lisa LytleOctober 10 Michelle LeebOctober 13 Jiela De AsisOctober 14 Nicholas SmalecOctober 15 Angela KokkinosOctober 17 Aaron Fedanzo-Dudley & Mary BowerOctober 20 Mary KimOctober 20 Peter RoschOctober 23 Michael & Kirsten HammondOctober 27 Antwan CallahanOctober 29 April EtzkornOctober 31 Darren & April Finnegan

November 12 Marc & Lyn PottsNovember 13 Lisa ShulmanNovember 13 Scott HansenNovember 14 Glen TorresNovember 17 Antonio Casa & Zandra BarrazaNovember 21 Rickey D. Pennington Jr. & Kelli Rowland

November 24 Bryan & Jennifer Sirota November 25 Leonard Subaitis & Barbara FaranoNovember 25 Zheng Lu & Manqian WangNovember 26 Douglas MaxeyNovember 26 Michael Pfile & Heather Spring

December 3 Audrey & Thomas DumezDecember 5 Ryan StoneDecember 8 Charlene DouglasDecember 9 Nathan & Jean MillerDecember 16 Verdie SamkoDecember 17 Scott & Wendy HoltzDecember 18 Concepcion & Daniel AguirreDecember 18 Anthony Middona & Pamel KoehlerDecember 22 Steve & Thelma KirbyDecember 23 Carlos Fabela & Maria GonzalezDecember 29 Carolyn L. AllenDecember 30 Rachel & Roberto Pizano

January 5 Justin Van Giesen & Catherine GlidewellJanuary 6 Andrew CurrensJanuary 7 John Gliniewicz & Joelle WolinskyJanuary 8 Brian & Karianne PejskarJanuary 9 Eric & Linda GallowayJanuary 9 Scott Larkins & Amber BokelmanJanuary 13 Jeffery & Maria CrosbyJanuary 14 Julia HeidenreichJanuary 15 John & Christine LawJanuary 16 Mark Nelson & Kimberly BrittanJanuary 20 Howard Mills & Jami Rasnick January 22 Lisa Michlesen & Christopher MorteoJanuary 27 Juan Diaz, Jessica Saaverda & Amilcar

New Neighbors

Justin Miguel Potts1/22/037lbs., 5oz., 20”Yvette & Carlton

Elizabeth Gail Hubert2/11/035lbs., 8oz., 18”Veronica & PeterBrother Geoffrey

Logan Riley Pearson8/21/038lbs., 2oz.Ann Pearson & KieuSandberg

Isabella Ruiz9/7/039lbs., 6oz., 22”Katie & Brian

Greyson Reid Blanchette10/3/037lbs., 8oz., 20.5”Valerie & SpencerSister Bethany

Michael F. Ramirez11/07/037lbs., 8oz., 20.5”Hiroe & Raul

Stavros Andreas Bakopoulos11/14/038lbs., 4oz., 19”Cookie & AndreasSister Amalia

Zoe Pietrowiak12/12/036lbs., 12oz., 19”Christine & RussellBrother Zachary

Collin James Wanta1/5/047lbs., 10oz., 18”Nicole & MarkBrother Joel

Azalea May Beaver1/16/046lbs., 4oz., 19”Melodie & Brett Beaver

Mason Campbell Rogers1/20/048lbs., 8oz., 22”Nicole & Charles

Danae Alexandra Jaggard1/21/048lbs., 11oz., 20”Wendygrace & MickBrother Michael

Andie Isabelle Wilson2/18/048lbs., 13oz., 20.25”Julie & HankSisters Alex & JonahBrother Trey

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Special DeliveriesCongratulations to all parents onthe arrival of your preciousnewborns. We hope they growup happy & healthy here inHomeTown. If you have aSpecial Delivery that we havemissed, please call Julie at630.978.0928 and we’ll publishhim/her in the next newsletter.

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HomeTown ClassifiedsHomeTown Classifieds allows neighbors to advertise their services, for sale items, as well as items or services people arelooking for FREE for a limited time.

Contact Person: John Garretson

To Submit An Ad: 1. Write a brief article including your name & contact info.2. E-Mail your article to JRGENT2@sbcglobal.net or call 630.851.3519.

"Flowers Forever"Designs by AnnettePaper flowers and arrangements.Colors and design of your choice.My flowers are for all occasions, homes, office, etc.Annette Fleck 630.229.6214Times 10 am-9 pmMonday thru Friday

Larissa Mulligan MUSIC STUDIO1784 Simms Street -Aurora, IL Piano Lessons for Children andAdults New! Larissa Mulligan can play in your Next event:Wedding ceremonies, retirement parties, anniversaries, dinnersand Christmas Parties.Phone: 630.898.2938LMmusicstudio@aol.com

Dog WalkerDog walker needed for 6 month old Labrador/ beagle mix.Needed three to five days a week at noon for 30 minutes forwalk and/or playing in the backyard. References required. Please call Jeff or Jennifer after 5:30 pm at 630.851.9758.

Catering and PartiesThe Hometown Café can help you with your party needs! Weoffer competitive prices and a variety of choices. Call Caleb orBecca for more information.630.499.0365

Need Help?Hometown Homeowner is seeking grass mowing and trimmingwork within our community. One time servicing and weekly ratesare available.Call John at (630) 851-3519

Car for sale2002 Hyundai Accent3 door *Top notch condition7000 miles$9500 oboCall Gail at 630.898.9419

Home Office For SaleDell computer(Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Word), Computer desk,3 two drawer file cabinets, Hanging file folders, Manila filefolders, Several 3-ring binders, Computer paper, Several CD-Rdata disks$1300 or best offerCall Gail at 630.898.9419

Place your ad in the next classifieds edition.Contact John at JRGENT2@sbcglobal.net or call630.851.3519.

Dingy Walls?Give Pete a Call!Pete’s Painting ServicesFor free Estimates Call 630.244.7777

For Sale!Whirlpool Commercial Upright FreezerOnly 2yrs old/Great condition/White19.6 cubic feetKey lock door/magnetic door gasketFull range temperature control with alarm$350.00Call Christine at 630.692.1972

Day CareLoving grandmother waiting to care for your child in herHometown Home! 6 am to 6 pm 5 days a week. Meals andSnacks included. Will care for children ages 6 months to 12years.Please Call Cathy Holland at 630.898.4832 or815.791.0222.

"Flowers Forever"Designs by AnnettePaper flowers and arrangements.Colors and design of your choice.My flowers are for all occasions, homes, office, etc.Annette Fleck 630.229.6214Times 10 am-9 pmMonday thru Friday

Larissa Mulligan MUSIC STUDIO1784 Simms Street -Aurora, IL Piano Lessons for Children andAdults New! Larissa Mulligan can play in your Next event:Wedding ceremonies, retirement parties, anniversaries, dinnersand Christmas Parties.Phone: 630.898.2938LMmusicstudio@aol.com

Dog WalkerDog walker needed for 6 month old Labrador/ beagle mix.Needed three to five days a week at noon for 30 minutes forwalk and/or playing in the backyard. References required. Please call Jeff or Jennifer after 5:30 pm at 630.851.9758.

Catering and PartiesThe Hometown Café can help you with your party needs! Weoffer competitive prices and a variety of choices. Call Caleb orBecca for more information.630.499.0365

Need Help?Hometown Homeowner is seeking grass mowing and trimmingwork within our community. One time servicing and weekly ratesare available.Call John at (630) 851-3519

Car for sale2002 Hyundai Accent3 door *Top notch condition7000 miles$9500 oboCall Gail at 630.898.9419

Home Office For SaleDell computer(Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Word), Computer desk,3 two drawer file cabinets, Hanging file folders, Manila filefolders, Several 3-ring binders, Computer paper, Several CD-Rdata disks$1300 or best offerCall Gail at 630.898.9419

Place your ad in the next classifieds edition.Contact John at JRGENT2@sbcglobal.net or call630.851.3519.

Dingy Walls?Give Pete a Call!Pete’s Painting ServicesFor free Estimates Call 630.244.7777

For Sale!Whirlpool Commercial Upright FreezerOnly 2yrs old/Great condition/White19.6 cubic feetKey lock door/magnetic door gasketFull range temperature control with alarm$350.00Call Christine at 630.692.1972

Day CareLoving grandmother waiting to care for your child in herHometown Home! 6 am to 6 pm 5 days a week. Meals andSnacks included. Will care for children ages 6 months to 12years.Please Call Cathy Holland at 630.898.4832 or815.791.0222.

HomeTown Classifieds allows neighbors to advertise their services, for sale items, as well as items or services people arelooking for FREE for a limited time.

Contact Person: John Garretson

To Submit An Ad: 1. Write a brief article including your name & contact info.2. E-Mail your article to JRGENT2@sbcglobal.net or call 630.851.3519.

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HomeTown Hero“The Oxford dictionary defines a hero as a person noted or admired for nobility, courage, outstanding achievements, etc. I saw many heroes with my own eyes this past holiday season…

After a conversation with the OC Allen Elementary School social worker about the needs of those less fortunate in ourcommunity, came the idea for the 1st Annual HomeTown Giving Tree. She gave me the names and needs of forty-two childrenattending the school. Their information was placed on the back of ornaments and hung on the Christmas Tree inside the café.Many HomeTown neighbors took the ornaments. One family took several names and returned back to the café with armloadsof overflowing gift bags and huge smiles on their faces. They had each of their children pick one ornament and shop for thegifts, explaining the importance of sharing with those in need. Another neighbor worked at a shoe store and purchased shoesfor dozens of tiny toes. Yet another neighbor filled in at the end with a generous financial gift to help purchase presents forchildren whose name had not yet been chosen.

When dropping off the carload of gifts to the school, the principal was moved to tears to see so many gifts for childrenthat would not have had any otherwise. The highlight of my holiday season was to see the Spirit of Christmas moving thehearts of my friends and neighbors. Thank you, we deem you HomeTown Heroes! You are making a difference right herein your backyard.”

-– Christine Walker

Do you know of someone who has helped out a fellow neighbor or has taken positive action in the neighborhood? If so,contact the Community Life desk at 630.978.0928 or julie@bigelowhomes.com.

THE

editor-in-chief Julie Luper, 630.978.0928

columnist Caleb Luper

reporters Vincent Martin & Cathryn Ropson

classifieds editor John Garretson

photographers Eric Metcalf & Lamont Lambert

design Dan Schultz, 630.881.8802

If you would like to join The Front Porch staff, we arealways looking for reporters and photographers.

Please call Julie for more information.

1002 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 60504630.978.0928 • www.bigelowhomes.com

If Your Dining Table Could TalkI was recently wiping down my dining table when I noticed several scratches and nicks that had occurred over time. I started to rememberhow different marks had come along and began to reminisce of all the good times that have been spent right here in the seats surroundingthis very table.

I think the importance of the dining table has been lost over time as so many of us hurriedly grab a bite to eat at a drive-thru or localrestaurant. It deceivingly seems like too much work to plan and cook a meal for your own family, let alone inviting friends over. Althoughif you add the time spent driving to your destination, ordering, waiting, and paying for your meal away from home, the difference in timethat you save is not much if not less than if you had eaten at home.

Being Italian and a “Communitarian” enjoying food with family and friends has always been a natural way of life—whether at a home orrestaurant. Dinners are meant to be shared in the company of others. When my daughter Naomi was born, dinners out with friendsbecame more and more difficult as a toddler finds it boring to sit in the same place for more than five minutes. Being used to hanging outwith friends over meals, at first we felt as if we were on “lock down” to our own house. Out of convenience, my husband and I started toeat more dinners at home. The more we ate together at our dining table, the more I enjoyed the time spent there. At our dining table weeat at our own pace and are open to talk about anything and everything. There are no distractions from TV’s, crowds, or servers. Themenu is usually healthier and exactly to my taste—since I decide what to shop for earlier in the week.

Now, since I’m cooking for two adults anyway, it’s not very hard to cook for more—remember I’m Italian, I’ve been taught to feed smallarmies! Living in HomeTown, we have an abundance of friends right around the corner that we can invite over an hour before dinner isready and share an easy dinner together. My daughter enjoys the extra little playmates and my husband and I can relax and chat withfriends.

I challenge you to start sharing dinners with friends AT HOME. Even better, invite a new neighbor over, or one that’s been there for awhile but you really don’t know that well. What I have learned from my past experiences of hosting…

1. When inviting a new neighbor(s), I usually extend the invitation to another as well. It seems that 6 is a better number than 4. This waywhen I’m busy bringing out dinner or my husband is busy cleaning it up, there is enough people at the table to continue conversation.Also, with a group of 6, there is much less silence and you are more likely to share something in common with at least one in the group.Again, this is for company you are just getting to know.

2. Forget the china and extravagant recipes. People are more comfortable when dinner is not a formal affair. When making a simplemeal, you as the host are more free to relax and join in the conversation, rather than running around like a chicken with your head cut offbecause the soufflé is about done, the roast needs to be basted, and the salad needs fresh ground pepper all at the same time. AND youare more likely to get an invitation for dinner in return from your guests when you haven’t set the bar too high.

3. Don’t restrict yourself to weekends only. We eat dinner every night, so why weekend-only company? If your guests only live down thestreet or relatively nearby, extend an invitation whenever you’re making that favorite recipe or grilling out—which is always easy to invitepeople over for.

4. If someone offers to bring something over, accept it! The old way of thinking followed that you cook a fancy dinner, only made everyonce in a great while (usually just holidays) and you had to provide everything to be a good host. The community way of thinking is that ifyou all pitch in towards the meal it makes life much simpler. Thus you’re more likely to invite others over more often. Remember to do thesame when the invitation is extended your way, people will probably refuse at first (it’s like we’re trained to) but insist you don’t like tocome empty handed.

If my table could talk, the stories it would tell of friends laughing, good food shared, spilled drinks—seasoned memories made.

Julie Luper • Director of Community Life • 1002 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 60504 • 630.978.0928 • julie@bigelowhomes.com

Community Life Corner

1002 Four Seasons Blvd., Aurora, IL 60504630.978.0928 • www.bigelowhomes.com

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