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During his State of the City speech, Mayor Mike Turner announced this Woodstock Pavilion concept as a park and event venue along the Metra train line downtown. (Photo from State of the City slide)

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Community

‘Giving back to the program that saved my life’: Peer recovery specialist has ‘lived the experience’

In January, Autumn Wilson stepped into a newly created position as a peer recovery support specialist with McHenry County’s Specialty Courts. Many of her 10 clients – who are enrolled […]

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One solution is to cause less pollution: Reduce use of plastic bottles

By Bethany Bellavia While plastic is a common and readily available material used in a variety of industries and products, it has an overall negative impact on the environment and […]

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‘It means a lot’: Tradition continues of military uniforms displayed in local store windows

For five years, Army veteran Butch Borchardt of Woodstock has ensured that the sacrifices made by military members and their families are never forgotten. When fellow Vietnam veteran John Sorensen […]

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Arts & Entertainment

Starting from a position of strength: Author Rebecca Makkai will kick off 58th season of Creative Living Series

On the same day that Zac Bleicher took the stage of the Woodstock Opera House to conduct audience members on a virtual tour of Chicago’s Glasner Studio, the Woodstock Fine […]

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‘To echo over time’: College celebrates on-campus art by Chicago-based sculptor Richard Hunt

McHenry County College In 1991, McHenry County College had just completed a massive expansion, increasing the size of its campus by nearly 40 percent in response to the significant growth […]

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Artist up for ‘awesome adventure’: Mauricio Ramirez of Chicago wins commission for Benton Street mural

Chicago artist Mauricio Ramirez will create Woodstock’s newest mural on the 30-by-12 foot west wall of the building at 220 N. Benton St., in the block north of Judd Street. […]

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Back on stage: High school combine to stage ‘Head Over Heels’ musical starting April 22

With foreboding prophecies of doom, what will become of the Renaissance-era Kingdom of Arcadia? Our lips are sealed, but audience members can find out on opening night of “Head Over […]

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‘Sharing a new secret’: Creative Living Series to introduce (largely) forgotten Chicago artist

Zac Bleicher, executive director of the Edgar Miller Legacy, said he hears a common response after giving a presentation about the 20th century Chicago artist. “Miller’s work is so compelling,” […]

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‘Sound’ on stage: Audiences at Opera House should expect differences from movie version

For “The Sound of Music” director Aaron Gomez, tradition runs deep. “I think this is such a classic,” said Gomez, secretary of Theatre 121. “I think audiences tend to be […]

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COVID-19 vaccine booster eligibility expands; health officials urge them for everyone 5 and older

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com The McHenry County Department of Health is offering COVID-19 booster doses at…

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Business

Colemans site for lease … again: Plans of Red Mill Tavern owner never materialized

‘It’s always tea time’: Casting Whimsy opens new shop on Madison Street

Connected to veterans: Local shop is only retailer in U.S. with Vera Bradley military merchandise

Ride on: Bike Haven Woodstock acquired by Avant bicycle chain

Napoli Pizza doubles down: Buys Dusty’s, will open second location in Wonder Lake in late May

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Helping people through food: Our Sunshine Kitchen slides into former Casting Whimsy spot

Shortly after Jeanice Nelson moved from Island Lake to Woodstock to take care of her parents, who were battling cancer, Nelson and her mother were out on the Woodstock Square. […]

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‘Focus on local, family’: Aavang family plans Bull Valley Farm retail meat store

People who regularly drive on Route 120 have likely noticed a structure going up near the intersection with Thompson Road. The new building is the future home of Bull Valley […]

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Popping up this spring: Things (retail and otherwise) developing around Woodstock

As the weather turns – slowly – from winter to spring, several projects are underway in and around Woodstock. By summer, the business landscape will have a new look. Train […]

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A “for lease” sign has gone up for the second time since Barry Coleman closed his tavern on Lake Avenue in December 2019. (Independent photo by Susan W. Murray)

Colemans site for lease … again: Plans of Red Mill Tavern owner never materialized

In what must come as a disappointment for the former patrons who still miss Colemans, a “for lease” sign popped up in front of the empty parking lot on Lake […]

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School & Sports

Marian Central students express their faith through art

Four talented Marian Central artists have created a work that expresses their faith through art. The result is a mural painted directly on an upstairs wall near the social science […]

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A student produced mural that depicts the four evangelists as they would appear on stained-glass windows in a cathedral is the backdrop for this photo. (Courtesy photo)

Crosstown cook-off: Woodstock North hosts first kitchen challenge of culinary students

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Call it a new twist on an old rivalry. Students from Woodstock and Woodstock North last week went head-to-head in a new competition: the Crosstown Cooking Challenge. […]

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No plan yet on merging high school sports programs: School board wants more information

Not dead, but “resting.” That’s how the Board of Education last week left the idea of combining the athletic programs of the two high schools in Woodstock School District 200. […]

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Student of the week

The Woodstock Independent’s Student of the Week…

David Peters, son of David and Sara Peters, is a senior at Woodstock North High School. He is active in sports at North, playing football and wrestling. Outside of […]

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The Woodstock Independent’s Student of the Week…

Cassandra Goudreau, a junior at Woodstock High School, is the daughter of Melissa and William Goudreau. Her past scholastic achievements include making high honor rolls, being an active member […]

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Athlete of the week

The Woodstock Independent’s Athlete of the Week…

Senior Luke Udelhofen plays varsity baseball for Woodstock North High School In the last five games, Luke has racked up some impressive stats, accumulating a .286 average, 3XBH, […]

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The Woodstock Independent’s Athlete of the Week…

Sophomore Sam Chapman plays outfield and pitches for the Woodstock High School baseball team. Sam helped lead the Streak’s offensively this week with a .350 batting average and a .500 […]

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Real Estate

Real estate market kept up torrid pace during 2021

When Illinois allowed nonessential businesses to reopen in late May 2020, local real estate agents were stunned to see the real estate market ignite, fueled by working-from-home buyers who wanted […]

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Wonder of the Wonder Lake market: Average price for homes jumps 17 percent

In the second half of June, Kim Keefe served as the agent for four home sales in Wonder Lake. The three transactions in which the agent with Keefe Real Estate […]

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Nothing ‘better’ came along: Frank Harrison marks 50 years as local real estate appraiser

When Woodstock resident Frank Harrison finished his undergraduate training at the University of Illinois and Milton College in 1971, he emerged with a bachelor’s degree in English and education. “About […]

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