More thanks for help with Christmas Clearing House We would like to add to the list of people who were thanked in the Christmas House ad [TheIndependent, Feb. 17]. Isabel Baker, founding director of The Book Vine for Children in McHenry, donated not only several hundred books but also a substantial amount of money toward […]
Six months ago, local schools took different paths to their classrooms amid the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic. Under the direction of the Diocese of Rockford, Marian Catholic High School and St. Mary School chose to bring students into their schools for in-school instruction in mid-August. Woodstock School District 200, on the other hand, developed […]
By Cheryl Wormley This is going to be a “rah, rah, Woodstock” column. For more than 35 years, my husband, Jim, and I have taken at least a week this time of year to head south. Our most visited spots were in the Caribbean, but we also checked out New Orleans, Florida, and even Australia. […]
Are you in line? (As the man asked the woman) Are you in line? (As the woman asked the child) A line is forming, yes, a line across America is forming. Are you next? Are you considered most essential? You will have to wait your turn. Priorities are established, selections are made, but rest assured, […]
Groundhog Days 2021 brought us a special coincidence – maybe even irony – amid the coronavirus pandemic. The sameness of the day-to-day routine that trapped Phil Connors on Groundhog Day in the story of “Groundhog Day” resembles the life too many of us have experienced since COVID-19 arrived in our lives last March. But this […]
By Cheryl Wormley Yay! The students in our public schools are back in their classrooms for several hours a week. Imagine their joy when walking through the front doors and making their way down the halls to their lockers and classrooms – something that hasn’t happened for 10 months. Their excitement over being with their […]
Wanting the chance for coronavirus vaccination Re: Vaccines for the Hearthstone elderly With the vaccines soon to be distributed, I wish to point out that a significant number of elderly people in the Hearthstone Community were not given the option to be vaccinated along with the residents and staff at the Hearthstone Village and Hearthstone […]
Starting Back in June we lamented that Woodstock was stuck in the restrictive Phase 2 as part of the Northeast Region in the governor’s five-phase Restore Illinois plan to combat COVID-19. We don’t have to worry about that now. There is no Phase 2, and no Northeast Region. All of McHenry County today is part […]
By Cheryl Wormley Like many, maybe most, of you, I watched the inauguration of President Joe Biden last week. There was much to take in and to celebrate. Flags, the Marine Corps band, the president’s remarks, a female vice president, celebrities singing the national anthem and “Amazing Grace,” past presidents, and the beauty of the […]
By Paul Lockwood As I write this column, it occurs to me that Wednesdays this month have ranged from: Horrifying (the deadly assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6), to … Sad, but unfortunately appropriate (the second impeachment of Donald Trump on Jan. 13 for incitement of the Jan. 6 insurrection), to … Reassuring and […]
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.
