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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.

Celebrating 100 and looking ahead

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…

September 15, 2024

Independent Photo by Tricia Carzoli

Historian Leslie Goddard portrays Lucille Ball at Stage Left Cafe Aug.

Friends help the Opera House, community

September 14, 2024

‘Helping them feel like community’

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…

September 14, 2024

SOAR@Dorr welcomes new personnel

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 …

August 30, 2024

Arts & Entertainment

Friends help the Opera House, community

By Tricia Carzoli news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Friends of the Opera House co-sponsored Leslie Goddard’s Lucille Ball historical presenta…

September 14, 2024

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…

September 14, 2024

State News

Consumers likely to pay more each month for utilities’ infrastructure improvements

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…

March 18, 2024

Critics of governor’s budget proposal: Disappointed, insulted, deeply concerned; but comptroller praises ‘targeted approach’ as revenue proposals draw ire of GOP, interest groups

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 …

February 22, 2024

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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.

If you love popcorn, say ‘Pop-adoodle-doo!’

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…

September 14, 2024

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.

The clock is ticking!

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…

September 7, 2024

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

‘It’s great, just the way it is’

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 …

September 7, 2024