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‘Economic impact was incredible’: Annual February festival not just fun, but boon for Woodstock and its businesses

February 13, 2023

Groundhog Day and its movie-inspired festival provide ample opportunity for economic growth in Woodstock, local officials and businesses agree. “This being the 30th anniversary of the film helped,” Real Woodstock marketing manager Melissa McMahon said of this year’s five-day festival. “We noticed an uptick in interaction with social media and websites for both Real Woodstock […]

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‘Amazing voice’ globally: ‘Groundhog Day’ fans pay homage to classic movie at Woodstock festival

February 7, 2023

“I just wish Harold was still with us, to realize the impact he’s made on Woodstock,” said Bob Hudgins, locations manager for the movie “Groundhog Day,” filmed mostly in Woodstock in 1992. As he looked out at the crowd that had gathered Thursday on the Square for Woodstock’s Groundhog Days ceremonies, Hudgins reminisced about film […]

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‘It was wonderful’: Groundhog Days attracts movie writer, TV stations, foreign visitor

February 7, 2023

While much of the rest of the world might have seemed oblivious to the meaning of Feb. 2 and the 1993 movie that gave the national observance special meaning for Woodstock, local residents and knowledgeable visitors to the community relished what proved to be a Hollywood-esque year this Groundhog Day. Among the highlights, Danny Rubin, […]

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Groundhog Days: ‘The leading extra’ from 1992 filming has special souvenir from big screen debut

January 31, 2023

Woodstock resident Steve Aavang recalled a special status he enjoyed more than three decades ago during the filming of “Groundhog Day.” While Aavang sat in his living room last Friday morning, he reminisced about his time on and off the film set – and the gift he received from actor Bill Murray. As he spoke, […]

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Courthouse renovation costs climb; no comment from council

January 24, 2023

With no discussion, the City Council last week approved an additional $586,000 to the remodeling project of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House. The 26 change orders the council authorized building manager Bulley & Andrews of Chicago to proceed with the spending, about $30,000 of which is covered by the contractor’s contingency fund. The city […]

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Year in (P)review: Unfinished business from 2022 sets ambitious agenda for new year

December 29, 2022

What does the new year promise for Woodstock? Lots, it seems. Based on what happened – and didn’t happen – in 2022, several things could come our way in 2023. Some projects are due, and some (dating back four and even five years) are overdue. But all promise to be important to the community when […]

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What goes round comes ’round: Unique features during 2022 made it a special year in Woodstock

December 20, 2022

Did anything happen during 2022 in Woodstock that did more to affect the flow of daily life than construction of the city’s first circular intersection? That’s why you will see more than one entry about the Lake Avenue roundabout in the month-to-month diary of local life that The Independent has produced again this year as […]

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Continuous restoration work on the Square: After Old Courthouse, it will be the Opera House

December 14, 2022

Restoration and renovation of Woodstock’s 133-year-old Opera House should be underway by the time a similar project is wrapping up at the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House, themselves 19th century buildings. That might be handy if Bulley & Andrews, building manager for the Old Courthouse Center – as the complex will be known – decides […]

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‘Beautiful, magical place’: Even holiday weather cooperated for ‘Today Show’ visit to Woodstock

December 13, 2022

“Chicago area, we’ve got this,” NBC5 traffic and news reporter Kye Martin said. “Woodstock has the Merriest Main Street – there is no debate whatsoever.” For the second time in 16 months, Woodstock has been prominently featured on the NBC “Today Show.” In the summer of 2020, Woodstock was chosen as the recipient of the […]

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Public or private? City Council weighs two proposals for arts center in Old Courthouse

November 14, 2022

How the space designated for an arts center will be developed in the Old Courthouse is scheduled to be decided by the City Council at its Dec. 6 meeting. But that decision was expected to be guided by a council discussion planned for this week’s meeting Tuesday night. Two proposals have been made for the […]

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Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

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Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

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Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

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Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

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