Pumpkin Fest Greets 30 New East Rangers

Perhaps I take for granted the number of folks who are moving to the Range. But when Mary Mulari shared her stats from last weekend’s Pumpkin Fest in Aurora–she gave 30 swag bags to East Range newcomers last Saturday –I was excited. Not only do we have folks moving in and bolstering our economy and culture. But we have a region of people and business owners willing to give time and products to warm their welcome.

Mary worked with local businesses to create swag bags for all and create two gift baskets for a drawing. Each basket contained five $25 gift cards from the 5 restaurants in Aurora, a bag of coffee from the Hive, gift cards from Embarrass Vermilion Federal Credit Union and Bradach Lumber, a candy jar from Palo Mutual, a sweatshirt from Rudy’s, and more. The value wais about $200 each.

I picture what it would be like if I moved to the East Range and won this basket. I would be eating at five different restaurants. I would learn how amazing the Hive is, I would get connected with the bank… I learned from Mary that one of the fun bits of Bradach Lumber is that they sell tickets to the opera and concerts during the Northern Lights Music Festival Season. If you look at that from a metro perspective, a lumber business selling opera tickets, that’s really cool.

It inspires me to think about the unique places each of our Range communities house. We are a creative bunch, combining enterprises and interests unlike anywhere else. I can’t think of a better place to call home.