Major improvements to Woodstock’s 133-year-old Opera House are the focus of a nearly $3 million state grant the city received this week. Woodstock is the only community in McHenry County to share in $106 million from the Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program that is part of capital project funding through Rebuild Illinois. The $2.96 […]
After more than a month of ferrying carloads of merchandise to Woodstock from her Ridgefield store, Deb Corcoran opened the door to The Peacock Shoppe at 120 N. Benton St. – the former home of Soul Focus – on July 26. The store carries antiques and vintage items, as well as handcrafted goods – “and […]
By Julia Eastham news@thewoodstockindependent.com Community members wrapped in blankets as they filled the Park in the Square last week to listen to the 138th annual concert season of the Woodstock City Band. While it was a cold beginning to the summer series, some people were brave enough to enjoy the ice cream offered by the […]
When Santa’s Hut, located in the Park in the Square every Christmas season, was in disrepair, the Rotary Club of Woodstock stepped up to carry out needed renovations. And the club added a new feature this year: an “Elf Hut” for Santa’s helpers. The former Woodstock Lions Club originally provided the Santa Hut, which has […]
The continuing popularity of the Woodstock Square as a filming site is good news and bad news for downtown businesses. On the one hand, filming crews mean more traffic and potential diners and shoppers. On the other hand, accommodating equipment and setting up camera angles can disrupt or block off traffic. And often, schedule changes […]
The Hat is Back on the Square. After the annual Witches and Wizards festival went virtual in 2020, the event will return for a fifth year next month to the Woodstock Square – the week before Halloween. From noon until 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, the all-ages event will feature the magical talking hat, the […]
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.
