“If you have to have a job in this world, a high-priced movie star is a pretty good gig.” – Tom Hanks You know those hypothetical questions about which three people – living or dead – you’d want to share a dinner or an evening with? In Toastmasters, the international organization that helps people with […]
We’ve been patient with spring, but it hasn’t been easy. Here is the assessment from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. “April gave Illinoisans a taste of summer in the first half of the month, only to revert to winter-like conditions in the last week of the month,” he reported. […]
My September through February this past year were devoted to having 16 chemo treatments. That’s not bad news. By the grace of God, state-of-the-art and compassionate medical care, and friends who cared for my family and me, body and soul, I have recovered and am back to scribbling away for The Independent. Just before Christmas, […]
“A statesman,” said the great Prussian diplomat Otto von Bismark, “is a politician who thinks of his grandchildren.” Three years ago, former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and I decided to create the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award to shine a spotlight on remarkable leadership that is taking place in our state and our communities. We […]
Don’t think for a second that the Woodstock Plan Commission’s negative recommendation of the favored proposal for development of the former Die Cast site will derail the project. The appointed commission is an advisory body to the elected City Council, which can be held accountable by voters. So, the council has the last word on […]
By Cheryl Wormley If life moves in the direction of our most dominant thoughts, as motivational professionals advocate, let’s think summer. Because when we think summer, we’ll start living it. With that in mind, The Independent staff has its summer special section – “Sum Fun” – ready for you. It will be in next week’s […]
None of excuses justify high-powered weapons I agree wholeheartedly with columnist Paul Lockwood’s article of “More thought and prayers in an AR-15 world”[TheIndependent, April 26]. His article was very articulate, honest, and deeply insightful. I, too, have become weary of hearing the statement, “My thoughts and prayers are with you.” The statement has become trite […]
To understand the escalating costs involved with transforming the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House into a tourism magnet in downtown Woodstock, we must recall the wisdom of the late Donald Rumsfeld, a three-term Illinois congressman who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense for President George W. Bush. After the 2002 U.S. invasion of Iraq, in […]
Maybe you didn’t hear about a recent recognition of the tourism reputation of Woodstock. Our town was ranked No. 31 among 150 small towns across the country where people would love to spend time this year. That’s according to FamilyDestinationsGuide.com (You’ve heard of it, right?), which offers family- and kid-friendly vacation ideas. That website reported […]
High school productions continue excellent work I had the opportunity last night (April 21) to attend the WHS/WNHS production of “Mamma Mia” in the Woodstock North Auditorium. Wow, what an excellent production! There was an amazing number of very talented performers whose work was enhanced by Tish Lyon and her outstanding production staff. I was […]
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.
