Face mask, or bare faced? Dining inside, or outside? Sports, or no sports? With less than two weeks from the first day of the new school year in Woodstock, the coronavirus pandemic has found another way to divide us: in-school instruction, or eLearning from home? As long as it’s safe, just about everyone would prefer […]
By Cheryl Wormley “Good Morning to everyone around the world!” wrote my friend Di in an email I received Thursday morning. Di lives with her husband, Richard, in South Africa. She and I shared an apartment back more years than either of us might want to admit. Di taught physical education and coached the girls […]
Reasons to remember to vote this November Jesus said, in his gospel, “Suffer the little children unto me.” President Trump allowed children to be kept in cages, run by his cronies. Was this the Christian response to dispossessed children? Jesus also said, in his gospels, “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Turn the other cheek.” […]
You didn’t think this would be easy, did you – like a wide-open layup, a chip-shot field goal, a can of corn to left field, a gimme putt? Despite the skewed thinking of hopeful politicians, the coronavirus was not going to just magically disappear. And wishing won’t make it so. Minimizing COVID-19 won’t help, either. […]
Graduates of Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools will receive their diplomas this weekend. Each graduate was given the option of an outdoor graduation experience with 40 peers, a drive-up conferring of diplomas, or a by-mail delivery. Marian Central Catholic High School graduates received their diplomas in late May. What follows is for each of […]
Is a cannabis growing center what we want? I am rather upset that local Woodstock people had not voiced themselves over the [proposed] taking away the children’s and young people’s spring, summer, and fall entertainment by taking away our little crazy golf, baseball practice nets, and the go-kart racing course, to be replaced by a […]
Before you leave the house again, make sure you’re fully prepared. Your checklist should include: • Create a list of tasks and errands in order to make efficient use of your time. • Take a face mask or shield to avoid the spread of COVID-19. • Complete your household’s 2020 Census form to benefit you and your community. […]
People who positively influence the lives of others are blessings to everyone. Jacqueline “Jackie” Dean, who died July 7 in Florida at the age of 90, taught fifth-graders at Dean Street School for decades. When she retired in 1987, she signed on as The Independent’sfirst proofreader. Before long, she also was keyboarding press releases that, in […]
School board should see alternatives to bond plan Jacob Homuth’s thoughtful remarks (The Independent, Guest Column, July 1) on the financing of the [school] district’s debt show that Dr. [Mike] Moan and the board are trying to do the right thing. As a former bond trader, I know that the commissions alone on a refinancing […]
Just to be on the safe side … That must the unwavering precondition we all adopt as we make our way through the Phase 4 jungle of Restore Illinois, the state’s recovery plan to navigate new norms amid lingering concerns about COVID-19. Just to be on the safe side … wear a face mask 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.
