Welcome New Owner by Martin Flowers

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. DayVillage offices will be closed on Jan.19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Chicago Bears pulled out yet another miracle wins last Saturday Night and to win their first playoff game in over 15 years. Caleb Williams put his cape on and drove the Bears for a late 4th quarter touchdown to once again add to his mystique as the emerging Quarterback and future star in the NFL. What makes this team the most fun to watch is the fact that the guy’s support and love each other and never give up. This is contributed to Ben Johnson and his staff getting their guys ready each week and ensuring that all the players are ready to suit up and take the field and give their best. Bears heading into this week’s contest with the Rams are going to have to improve on first quarter performance and set the tone by establishing the running game. Bears need to come out and take the Rams Defensive line out of the game by moving the chains and creating opportunities for Caleb Willams to pass the ball. The Bears need to control the clock and keep the Rams offensive off the field. Bears defense has yet been able to stop the run or the pass and relies on turnovers to win games. At this point in the post season that philosophy needs to take a back seat and figure out how to stop the high-powered Rams offense led by Mathew Stafford. If the Bears can establish this game plan, then they have a chance to be close heading into the 4th Quarter. Caleb Williams and the Bears have pulled out many miracles this season and heading into Sundays Game the Bears will need all the luck they can muster against this tough Rams Team. Winning, lose, and even draw this team has proven that they are heading in the Right Direction. So, let’s hope for one mor miracle and continue this Cinderella Season.

Help Shape Oswego’s FutureOswego Comprehensive PlanOswego’s future is being planned, and we still need your input.

Happy Birthday To Aurora Resident, Jessie Rangel Bourge, Who Turned 101!Mayor John Laesch laughs with Jessie Rangel BourgeLast Thursday, Mayor John Laesch visited the home of longtime Aurora resident Jessie Rangel Bourge, who celebrated her 101st birthday on December 25.

On Friday, December 12, Village Board members and staff gathered alongside Marilyn Michelini, her family, and close friends to officially designate Marilyn Michelini Way, honoring Montgomery's first female Village President and a trailblazing leader who served three consecutive terms from 2000 to 2012.

Ring in the New YearVillage offices will be closed on Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day as we ring in the new year.

Happy Birthday To Aurora Resident, Jessie Rangel Bourge, Who Turned 101!Mayor John Laesch laughs with Jessie Rangel BourgeLast Thursday, Mayor John Laesch visited the home of longtime Aurora resident Jessie Rangel Bourge, who celebrated her 101st birthday on December 25.

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Bears win on Saturday was nothing short of well the story of the season. All season the Bears have found ways to win football games. With injuries, underperformances, and a learning curve with the new coaching staff this team played through all their obstacles to arrive at 11 and 4, clinching their first post season in five years and ending what many consider the worst drought in franchise history. After starting 4 and 2 last year the Bears collapsed and lost a franchise record 10 straight loses and ending last season beating the Packers on a last second field goal. Caleb Williams went through his rookie season and was sacked a record 68 times and many critics thought that he was not the Quarterback for this franchise instead this season he has filled his role and managed the game and with an improved offensive line and with a reinvestment to the running game Caleb has been able to grow and learn how to play in the NFL at a higher level. The Bears defense continues to show that this is a unit who is capable of great things but because of injuries have had to piece meal the unit together to show improvement each week. With their bend but don’t break philosophy the defense has been able to keep the games close and with timely turnovers they have helped the Bears to win a lot of tight games. Looking long term, the Bears have two games left in the season against two tough opponents in the 49ers and the Lions. With the playoffs set the Bears need to use these two games to continue to improve on defense as they get some of their starters back. Focus on stopping the run and focusing on putting pressure on the Quarterback is key for their future success in the playoffs. Bears defense needs to focus on playing four full quarters and establish a presence early. On offense continue to let Caleb evolve and throw the football. Running attacks will make a difference in moving the chains. Moving forward in the playoffs the Bears will need to focus on just taking care of business and that starts this week with the 49ers, a tough team that will give the Bears a hard time. With the emergence of Caleb and the passing game Ben Johnson this week will flip the script and focus on improving on tis facet of the offense. Caleb is 600 yards away from setting the single season record in passing in a season. So lets see what the Bears will do this week.

Hats off to two local College Football teams for making the National Title on their perspective Division. The schools are the Illinois State Red Birds and the North Central College Cardinals. Illinois school became the first team in Division IAA to win all their games on the road enroute to their matchup with Montana State in the Finals. Illinois State has six local players from Yorkville on their squad so The Aurora Valley Times is well represented for this Historic Game the time for the Redbirds game is Jan 5th in Nashville at 6:30 and you can watch it on The ESPN network. North Central College will be playing in their sixth straight Division National Championship game and will be playing for their fourth National Championship. The Cardinals have been a national powerhouse for the last decade and continue to turn heads with a great program in place and terrific student athletes. The Cardinals will take on UW River Falls on Jan 4th at 7:00 pm. Great Job to both programs and their football communities Good Luck.

Holiday Play This WeekendPlaynfield Players is excited to welcome the community to the second annual production of A Christmas Carol this weekend at Plainfield Central High School. Hopefully, you find the same warmth of the season as the Cratchit family does! Tickets are available online.

Level: EasyTotal: 30 minPrep: 10 minCook: 20 minYield: 10 servings