Do you know what oaks love more than anything? Sunlight! OK, I don’t know that for sure, but they certainly are healthier and grow better when they get lots of sunshine. Oaks are a keystone species in McHenry County, meaning that the health of local ecosystems depends on these magnificent trees. Since 1837, nearly 90 […]
This column was adapted from one Lisa Haderlein wrote in 2013. I heard them before I saw them, hundreds of Canada geese. A raucous honking as the birds circled a pond, vying for a spot to spend the night. The sun was near the horizon, and as I drove home, I noticed ribbons of the […]
The Winter Solstice was Dec. 21 this year. Believe it or not, there are about 2 minutes more daylight each day between now and the Summer Solstice on June 20, 2021, but the nights still seem awfully long (and the days far too short). While driving late one night between Woodstock and Harvard, it struck […]
The winter holiday season is a natural time to reflect on those things for which we are thankful. At the top of most people’s list are family, friends, and health. Those are quickly followed on my list by a deep appreciation of all that the land provides every day. Thank you, McHenry County’s oaks 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.
