Saturday, October 25th, 2003, was a huge success!!!

Almost 300 people jammed the hall at the Aurora Legion to reminisce and remember.  The entranceway became a crowded spot as people met up with co-workers and friends, some of whom they hadn't seen since Sterling Drug closed it's doors 12 years ago.  Every few minutes someone could be heard screaming "Oh my God!!!!" as they walked in the door and spotted a long-lost friend.  I;m sure that our committee members taking tickets at the door, Cathie Broadbent, Lil Rowland and Ruth Cole-Fitzpatrick will have to have their hearing checked after being subjected to the constant screams of former Sterling employees entering.

The hall was beautifully decorated with blue and white balloons and streamers, floating candles and hundreds of pictures of days gone by.  Walter Hlady did an amazing job as our historian, compiling 12 bulletin boards of pictures for everyone to see. 

The night got off to a great start with a short welcoming speech by Joe Kiefer.  Joe told of how Laurette Ayres and myself, Marilyn Bruzzese, while out for a walk one night, germinated a seed of interest with the simple phrase "I wonder what happened to.....".  After that, it was like a snowball careening down a ski hill........we couldn't have stopped it if we'd tried.  As people came on board to help out, things started falling into place.  Many people helped to sell tickets to the Reunion, gather door prizes, decorate the hall, sell 50/50 tickets.  We are thankful for every one of them.

As a result of the 50/50 draw, one lucky former employee went home with $217.00, but the big winner of the night was the Aurora Legion Poppy Fund, which also was the recipient of $217.00.  The money was presented to the Poppy Fund Chairperson that night, and they were very thankful for the donation. 

There are some pictures from the evening posted on the link (to the left).  As you can see, everyone had an amazing time.

Thank you all for your interest.