From a large gray fortress to a downtown classic, Woodstock Classic Cinemas Theater presented its nearly-finished project at its grand opening celebration May 22. “That lobby, if you were blindfolded and we took you in there for the first time, you would not know that you were at Woodstock,” said Classic Cinemas marketing manager Mark […]
Banquets are booking back up at the former Marquise Banquet facility at 4117 E. Wonder Lake Road, Wonder Lake. Now named Birchwood Hall, the facility is owned by Debra Mindham and Ellie Railton and officially opened for Mother’s Day, May 11. A partnership that “formed over brownies” and shared culinary experience at restaurants and on […]
Though the students presented a tale as old as time, the Creekside Middle School Life Skills and Target programs’ rendition of “Beauty and the Beast“ May 15 was filled with modern musical dance numbers and fun onstage performances that kept the audience entertained. Creekside autism teacher Joan Thomas said about 25 special education students had […]
As the Class of 2014 took their seats for the 137th commencement ceremony at Woodstock High School May 18, a distinct chiming sound rang out above the cheers. “We call that the clank factor,” said WHS principal Dr. Corey Tafoya, referring to the sound made by the students’ many medallions. “It’s the sound of hard […]
The south side of Woodstock was buzzing with activity Sunday morning … literally. It was the sound of more than 1,200 motorcycles heading out on the 27th annual Little Angels Pledge Run. The charity ride, hosted by Woodstock Harley-Davidson where the center of operations was located, staged hundreds of bikes at the former Farm & […]
After learning to maneuver her wheelchair, Mary Martin, a third-grader at Westwood Elementary School, was ready to roll. Teams were selected, the ball was put in play and Mary and her classmates faced off in a game of wheelchair (quad) rugby -– one of many activities the school’s students experienced May 9 during the 15th […]
Members of Woodstock’s Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 932 shared their love of aviation with children May 3 at Galt Airport when they sponsored their popular Young Eagles Rally. About 25 children experienced the thrill of flying when they took a free ride in a single engine aircraft. As each child climbed out of a plane, […]
With a $10,000 lottery win, Woodstock Farmers Market vendor Troy Edmonds will be able to start this growing season in the black. As growing season neared, the Marengo farmer and owner of Edmonds Acres was preparing to head to the bank for his annual start-up loan. But April 11, his birthday, he decided to take […]
As plans for the first multicultural center unfold at Roosevelt University, Chicago, recent graduate Rafael Castaneda was recognized for his community-minded work toward social justice. Castaneda, a 2010 Woodstock High School graduate, was given honorable mention for the Matthew Freeman Social Justice award at Roosevelt – an award which annually highlights exemplary work by students […]
A casual dining place with an emphasis on video gaming opened on Eastwood Drive last month. Penny’s Place, 111 S. Eastwood Drive, is a 21-and-over cafe, one of about 30 corporately-owned video gaming restaurants going up in Illinois to take advantage of a video gaming law that went into effect several years ago. Mike […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
