Recreation briefs: Take Oswegoland quiz
How well do you know Oswegoland Park District? The Park Foundation invites you to take this 12-question, multiple choice quiz.

Residents honored for character
Last week, the Character Counts Coalition of the Montgomery/Oswego area presented awards to nine people at the Oswego Village Board Meeting.

Residents invited to Georgetown meeting
Residents are invited to attend the Georgetown Relief Efforts Neighborhood Organization (GRENO) monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday in Room 100 of Eola Community Center, 555 S. Eola Road.

Aurora Kiwanis appoints new officers
The Aurora Golden K Kiwanis recently held its 30th annual Installation of Officers. The new officers for 2009-2010 are: President Larry Miller, President Elect Art Zillgitt, Secretary Cele Sanders and Treasurer Dick Harrison.

New cath lab system to deliver sharper images
What could turn a seven-hour surgery into a seven-minute procedure? It's called the Allura Xper FD20, and the new digital imaging X-ray system at Provena Mercy Medical Center makes vascular procedures quicker and safer.

Put aluminum toward Oswego girls’s trip
Laura Hartman: Kaysea and Kelsea Baker, eighth-graders at Thompson Middle School, have the opportunity to participate in an educational program over Spring Break 2010 with a trip sponsored by Oswego School District 308. They came up with a great idea to supplement their trip without costing others a dime. They are recycling aluminum.

'Rent' speaks to audiences of all ages
HALO Productions, a Plainfield off-Broadway performance company, is bringing "Rent" to Aurora at The Paramount Theatre, and Katie Arko, the theater's director of development, said she is excited about it.

Spring Lake Park becomes refurbished ‘gem’ in Aurora
The toughest part was the anticipation. Whenever passers-by on McCoy Drive would whiz past Spring Lake Park this summer, they saw exciting glimpses of what was taking shape. But it always left them with one burning question: When will it be ready?

God's handiwork
The amazing part about the Loving Hands Ministry at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church is that the effort serves both the givers and receivers. Cecelia Sharp was the perceptive founder of this group who saw a unique opportunity for service.

Heart attack survival rates improve in women
Two new studies show that heart attacks have become more common among middle-aged women in the last two decades, but in-hospital survival rates, especially for younger women, are improving compared with men. Both studies were published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Don't avoid colon screenings
I've noticed that having a discussion about colon cancer screenings with patients older than 50 often makes them feel uncomfortable. In light of this, I feel I must explain this issue. Let me address some of the questions I often encounter...

In search of the valley's ghosts
In the spirit of the season, The Beacon-News did some paranormal research of its own. This week we tell the tales of some legendary Fox Valley spirits who seem to have an uncanny way of keeping their stories alive.

Marmion Abbey founder celebrates 100th
Abbot Emeritus Gerald Benkert radiates joy, peace and gratitude. Marmion Academy this week hosted a birthday celebration in the academy gymnasium where brethren, friends from Guatemala, students and faculty gathered.

'We were all such special friends'
A unique event honoring two generations of graduates from Aurora's St. Therese Catholic School was held last weekend. Members of the grade school's class of 1955 organized a luncheon at the Turners Club in Aurora for an informal reunion of 11 of their classmates.

Antiques show reflects on America's bounty
At the 35th annual Fall Fox Valley Antiques Show, held Saturday and Sunday in St. Charles, more than 300 visitors had an opportunity to learn about historic preservation through antiques reflecting America's bounty.

Recreation briefs
Recreation briefs: Try your hand at farm chores at Primrose Farm. Meet the farm's animal residents while learning about their care and feeding. Dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Class for ages 4 and up meets from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road. Fee is $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents.

Rescue is for the birds
An exotic bird owner since 1978, Kathy Forst decided to put her knowledge and devotion to broader use when, seven years ago, she began volunteering for a Northbrook parrot rescue. There, Forst saw the overwhelming need for similar rescues and decided to begin her own.