Everyone has harrowing stories about close encounters with bad drivers. We had a good discussion about that at last week’s meeting of The Independent’s news/editorial team. It’s a topic any driver can relate to with an anecdote or two from personal experience. What I don’t get is that even when police publicly announce they’re going […]
In the summer of 1977, I worked at Claussen Pickles in Woodstock as a packer. We spent eight-hour shifts standing at a bin putting cucumbers into jars. The cucumbers came along a conveyor from which we filled the bin. Another conveyor brought empty jars. A third conveyor took jars we packed with fresh cucumbers to […]
It’s New Year’s Day! I’m in Steamboat, Colo., with 11 and, at times, 12 other Wormleys. Matt’s and Paul’s families are here, and Cameron joins us on her days off from the guest ranch where she works. It’s cold – 2 below zero this morning. The skiing is quite good, though I chose to stay […]
In a recent edition of The Independent, a letter to the editor urged, “Let’s make Woodstock a safe walking community.” While the writer’s specific concern was the bizarre intersection of Throop and Washington (Route 120) streets, her point involved inattentive drivers. While we can do little about that (though a police presence is always helpful), […]
I like lists. Grocery lists, to-do lists – give me a list and I’ll endeavor to get things done for the greater good. In fact, writing this article was on my to-do list for today – I can cross that one off. But there’s something special about New Year’s resolutions. They carry more weight. They […]
2024 is an even number, but it was an odd year. It arrived a year ago with such promise. It left this week with a lot of unfinished business. That’s not to say that Woodstock saw no important positives during the year. For example, the Opera House saw significant progress on much-needed renovations, which will […]
By Susan W. Murray When it’s time for the Rotary Club of Woodstock’s annual Christmas Clearing House, The Woodstock Independent sends out a photographer to take pictures of some portion of the sorting, packing, and loading up for delivery. This year, TWI’s Andy Rousey went to all three events – packing of toys on Dec. […]
Dear Editor, I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say that there is no Santa Claus. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon 115 W. 95th St. Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have […]
A Qwazy Qwistmas Quotes Quiz When you gather with friends and family this holiday season, you might find it tough to come up with topics of discussion that everyone can agree on. The joy, excitement, and beauty of the Lighting of the Square last month is probably a safe subject, although I’ve even seen social […]
Are you wondering how to make a difference this season? What if I told you that there was a way to impact untold numbers of people – and it didn’t cost a thing? We all have had moments when we feel defeated and someone affirms that negativity. It doesn’t feel good. In fact, we might […]
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.
