As I write on Friday, Jan. 28, Woodstock’s Groundhog Days’ fun is about to begin. As you read, Woodstock Willie will have made his annual prognostication, the breakfast will have been enjoyed, tours of the filming sites walked, and the movie shown again and again. I don’t know whether he’ll see his shadow or whether […]
The icy winter temps in the Midwest mean a slow season for many. But for Illinois farmers like me, it’s the time of year to plan for the spring planting season. Many in agriculture are already feeling the strain of rising input costs and fractured supply chains because of the ongoing pandemic. Farmers are worried […]
Who could have known, 30 years ago, what a wonderful gift Woodstock was getting when director Harold Ramis brought the cast and crew of “Groundhog Day” to town? For that matter, who could have seen the impact the comedy would have on people around the world, many who have made the pilgrimage to Woodstock to […]
By Paul Wormley While gathering information for this week’s Flashbacks, my mom, who usually writes Declarations, came across a column I wrote a decade ago. Despite the time that has passed, she thought it might be relevant to run it again since Jan. 27 is Thank Your Mentor Day. I agreed with the caveat of […]
Several years ago, the staff of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute was preparing for our Renewing Illinois Summit for university and college students, and we wanted to provide them with suggested reading about Illinois. I checked my shelves at the institute and jotted down the titles of various books on state history and politics. […]
Downtown Woodstock has a parking problem. Even with its nearly 1,400 parking spaces within a few blocks of the Square, the city has a problem. That problem, some city officials have suggested, is merely a problem of perception – that people think there are too few places to park for special events downtown and during […]
By Cheryl Wormley It’s January, and COVID is still with us. So, go outside, have fun, and share joy! Let’s start with bundling up and going outside for some fresh air and exercise. Take to heart the saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothes.” Brit Alfred Wainwright is often credited with […]
Our government is by people who show up I don’t remember where I heard the line “Government is by the people who show up.” It is very true. In Woodstock, I have been on the Transportation Commission for 11 years and found it a demanding task, to review city changes that need to be studied […]
Young Jimmy has a muscle car, and he likes to drive it fast. He cannot understand why the police tell him not to drive 90 mph on Main Street. Sure, he would put his life and the lives of others at risk, but why is that any reason to deny his freedom to decide how […]
Only once in a generation will you have the chance to make the kinds of decisions you will be asked to make in 2022. This is a special year that will, in some ways, determine the future for the state of Illinois and its citizens. And all you have to do is vote. Not since […]
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.
