By Ken Stoklosa Hope to see you again. Hope you’re feeling better. Hope you find your lost dog. Hope you pass your final exam. And on and on, the expressions of hope continue. But, why do we hope? In our endeavors, in our dreams, and in many of life’s twists and turns, we look for […]
No one could have seen this coming, this unique experience we call 2020 that is about to pass into history but never from the memories of those of us who have lived through it. For life in Woodstock, it started as a normal year, despite signs of approaching trouble that we – and our government […]
By Cheryl Wormley One of the traditions at The Independent – about 30 years now – is compiling a year-in-review paper the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. That’s what you’re reading right now. Staff members, especially Larry Lough and Sandy Kucharski, identified what they believe are the top news stories and sports accomplishments of the […]
Republicans must return to their honorable traits The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Housing and Urban Development Administration (HUD), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Department of Health and Human […]
2020 didn’t go quite like anyone had expected. After nearly three months of relative normalcy, we have experienced nine months of continuous disruption. The novel coronavirus has affected our work and play time, our personal and social lives, our plans and hopes for the future. So, we hope you will forgive the unmistakable thread of […]
By Cheryl Wormley For those of us who have read Dr. Seuss books, “What to do? What to do?” sounds like one of his well-crafted lines or themes. But for all of us who are accustomed to holiday traditions that aren’t happening this year, it’s a daily or even hourly query. December 2020 seems a […]
Every day during the final week before Christmas, Nathan arrived at the factory by 7 a.m. His division was putting finishing touches on angel ornaments, the most requested design. Many adults had ordered angels for teachers and grandparents who were working to educate their children online. Others were including truckers and garbage haulers, postal workers […]
For the first time, the coronavirus last week surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. So, no, it’s not just like the flu. About every five days, 10,000 Americans die from the disease – about 2,000 a day. So, no, it’s not going to magically disappear. Denying the seriousness of […]
By Cheryl Wormley I credit Peter Anderson with opening my eyes and heart to Howard Thurman. Peter concluded his and Patty’s 2013 Christmas letter with Thurman’s poem “The Work of Christmas Begins.” Many of you will remember the Andersons. Peter was principal of Northwood Middle School in the 1990s, and Patty owned Daybreak Bookstore. Their […]
Santa hopes to be back inside his hut next year I am rather upset by the Woodstock Santa Hut this year not having a Santa, and I understand why, because of the worldwide virus problem, even though I thought there could have been a safe way of having Santa from afar but still being in […]
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.
