Trust the Torch!

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A very special guest at Bill Lyford’s 100th birthday celebration was Sylvain Ducrot, who flew in for the party from Bourges, France. Ducrot, a passionate World War II reenactor, wore a re-creation of Lyford’s uniform for the occasion. To Lyford’s great delight, Ducrot had arranged for a Zoom call with 89-year-old Alain Trousses, whose family lived across the street from the French family that hosted Lyford during the liberation of France. Ducrot served as translator for Lyford and Trousses, whom Lyford befriended when Trousses was nine years old.
Bill Lyford marks 100th birthday with party and special guestsBy Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock resident William “Bill” Lyford celebrated his 100th birthday on August 29 as more than 80 friends, relatives, and […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
Independent Photo by Tricia Carzoli

Historian Leslie Goddard  portrays Lucille Ball at Stage Left Cafe Aug.
By Tricia Carzolinews@thewoodstockindependent.comThe Friends of the Opera House co-sponsored Leslie Goddard’s Lucille Ball historical presentation at the Stage Left Café that was provided at no cost for 50 Soar@DORR participants.  “We […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
By Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.comBecause Dan Annen, the owner of the recently opened Pop-a-doodle-doo – a gourmet popcorn and shake shop at 201 Main St – loves popcorn, he can fondly […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
Full-length feature “Beyond Belief” to begin filming in OctoberBy Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.comWoodstock is not Hollywood – not quite yet.But after hosting filming for a scene from 1987’s “Planes, Trains, and […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
courtesy  photos
A very special guest at Bill Lyford’s 100th birthday celebration was Sylvain Ducrot, who flew in for the party from Bourges, France. Ducrot, a passionate World War II reenactor, wore a re-creation of Lyford’s uniform for the occasion. To Lyford’s great delight, Ducrot had arranged for a Zoom call with 89-year-old Alain Trousses, whose family lived across the street from the French family that hosted Lyford during the liberation of France. Ducrot served as translator for Lyford and Trousses, whom Lyford befriended when Trousses was nine years old.
Bill Lyford marks 100th birthday with party and special guests By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com  Woodstock resident William “Bill” Lyford celebrated his 100th birthday o…
Independent Photo by Tricia Carzoli

Historian Leslie Goddard  portrays Lucille Ball at Stage Left Cafe Aug.
By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Friends of the Opera House co-sponsored Leslie Goddard’s Lucille Ball historical presentation at the Stage Left Café that was provided at n…
Mexican Independence Day comes to the Woodstock Square on September 15By Tricia Carzolinews@thewoodstockindependent.com Hispanic Connections’ Mexican Independence Day celebration returns for its eight…
By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindependent.com SOAR@Dorr (Serving Older Adult Residents), our local Woodstock seniors program, now has a new co-director to help Director Laura Wassinger. Linda Rohe …
Independent Photo by Tricia Carzoli

Historian Leslie Goddard  portrays Lucille Ball at Stage Left Cafe Aug.
By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Friends of the Opera House co-sponsored Leslie Goddard’s Lucille Ball historical presenta…
The Square charms another filmmaker
Full-length feature “Beyond Belief” to begin filming in October By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Woodstock is not Hollywoo…
Illinois Commerce Commission Chair Doug Scott presides over a commission meeting in Chicago in late January. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
 By ANDREW ADAMSCapitol News Illinoisaadams@capitolnewsillinois.comCHICAGO — State regulators are again considering massive electric utility spending plans that would affect the state’s climate goals – and 5.4 million electric customers’ monthly […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Inde…
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza – the state’s chief financial officer – is swarmed by reporters for her reaction to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget moments after leaving the House of Representatives chambers. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
By ALEX ABBEDUTO, COLE LONGCOR  and JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.comSPRINGFIELD – The annual process of negotiating the state budget kicked off Wednesday with Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposing a $52.7 billion […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …

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Business

Independent Photo by Andrew Rousey
Owner Dan Annen stands above the entrance to Pop-a-doodle-doo at 201 Main St. The below-ground location looks largely as it did when it was the Public House restaurant. “I didn’t want to change the charm of the place,” Annen said.
By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Because Dan Annen, the owner of the recently opened Pop-a-doodle-doo - a gourmet popcorn and shake shop at 201 Main St - loves popcorn, he can…
Independent file photo  
Business owners who operate within Woodstock’s city limits must register with the city by October 1 or pay a $50.00 late fee.
Anyone doing business in Woodstock must register with the city by October 1By Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.com Under the city of Woodstock’s new business registration program, anyone do…
Rafael Castaneda and his wife, Mayra Toledo, stand in front of the Dairy Queen at 310 Washington St. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to grant the building landmark status, pending City Council approval. Castaneda and his family purchased the Dairy Queen in 2019 and also own the Dairy Queen in Cary, which Toledo manages.








Independent  Photo by 
Tricia Carzoli
Historic Preservation Commission greenlights landmark status for Dairy QueenBy Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.com“When you get to the Dairy Queen, take a right . . .”“When you get to the …

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30 years:
(From left) Todd Clement, Colleen Roth, Melinda Zingrone (not pictured, Marianne Hatch)
District 200Woodstock District 200 recently recognized staff with service awards based on years of service.Recognized for 15 years were:Sonia Arnold, Cristina Mazzanti, Alex Baker, Kristin Baldwin, Je…
Courtesy Art
An artist’s rendering of what the new entryway is expected look like.
Major gift funds new entryway at Marian CentralBy Tricia Carzolinews@thewoodstockindependent.com “Our namesake – Mary – will be looking out over the school and the [athletic fields],” Liam Kirwin, Mar…
courtesy photo
Anthony Carney runs cross-country for the University of Dubuque.
By Dan ChamnessOne race, one record. Anthony Carney, a Marian Central Catholic graduate and Woodstock resident, broke the existing University of Dubuque school record in the 5,000-meter run on the cro…
Independent Photo by Vicky Long
Jaydyn Grismer wears the medal she won in the 50 freestyle at the D200 Invite Sept. 7, as well as a poster showing swim team spirit.
Riding the Wave:Woodstock co-op girlsswimming By Jen NicholsNEWS@thewoodstockindependent.comAfter graduating 2024 seniors Bella Borta, Addison Walker, Ella McClurg, Addison Saunders, Ashley Janezcko, …

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