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Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Seventh-grader Emma Strange (above), as Rafiki, holds up baby Simba. “My favorite part is holding up baby Simba because it’s such an important part of the show,” she said.

St. Mary kids work on ‘Hakuna Matata’

School will stage “The Lion King JR.” on March 13, 14 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com When “The Lion King” premiered in 1994, its young fans quickly adopted the phrase, […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 11, 2026
Dr. Joseph Luzzi, lecturer, teacher, and award-winning author.

‘The past comes to life there; the past is present’

Joseph Luzzi to share ‘A Grand Tour of Italy’ at the Opera House on March 19 By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM Dr. Joseph Luzzi – teacher, speaker, and award-winning author – […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 11, 2026

‘This is one way we do God’s work’

Free Methodist Church members bring a cup of joy to La Bella residents By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindepenDEnt.com The congregation at the Woodstock Free Methodist Church hosted an old-fashioned tea party at […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 11, 2026

‘Different adventures around town’

SOAR@Dorr programs boost local businesses By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com SOAR@Dorr (Serving Older Active Adults) was created in 2021 to establish a center in Dorr Township for actively engaged people over […] Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
March 11, 2026

Community

A group of women from Woodstock Free Methodist Church recently sponsored a tea party for La Bella Healthcare residents. The tea organizers pictured (from left) are Jan Haggerty, Peggy Grasley, Vicki Peters, Classey Nehrke, Carol Greasley, and Julie Krieger. Courtesy photo

‘This is one way we do God’s work’

Free Methodist Church members bring a cup of joy to La Bella residents By Janet Dovidionews@thewoodstockindepenDEnt.com The congregation at the Woodstock Free Methodist Church hosted an old-fash…
March 11, 2026
Courtesy photo. Some SOAR@Dorr attendees won tickets donated by Friends of the Opera House to see “Singin’ in the Rain” in February.

‘Different adventures around town’

SOAR@Dorr programs boost local businesses By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com SOAR@Dorr (Serving Older Active Adults) was created in 2021 to establish a center in Dorr Township …
March 11, 2026

‘A very humbling experience’

Family Health Partnership Clinic’s Suzanne Hoban attends State of the Union address By Susan W. Murraynews@thewoodstockindependent.com Suzanne Hoban, founder and executive director of the Family Healt…
March 6, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

(c) Tricia Carzoli TLCPHOTOGRAPHYAND

Time to light up Woodstock for the holidays

Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com The city of Woodstock will officially kick off the holiday season in its historic downtown on Friday, No…
November 26, 2025
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Business

Independent file photo. Napoli Pizza took over Dusty’s Pizza in Wonder Lake in May 2022. Last week, Shawn and Brigitte Baker nnounced thet would close the Wonder Lake location.

Business Buzz

All that’s new in openings, closings, moves, and ownership changesBy Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com In Wonder Lake restaurant news, Napoli Pizza announced on Facebook on Jan. 26 that…
February 5, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. While modestly priced by Woodstock standards, this home northwest of the Square was listed for 77 percent over the price that it sold for in 2020, reflecting fast-rising prices that have been the norm for five years.

Woodstock home prices rise in 2025

Average price for a single-family, detached home hits $410,359 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com For the first time, the average price for a detached, single-family home in the 60098…
January 28, 2026
Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. A shuttered Dairy Queen used to be a sure sign of the approaching winter in Woodstock, but this year, owner Rafael Castaneda is experimenting with remaining open during the winter months, with the exception of a 10-day break between Christmas and New Year’s.

Business Buzz

In the spirit of the season of leftovers . . .By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com Always, when The Woodstock Independent runs a Business Buzz, a few stray items straggle into [……
December 4, 2025

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Schools

Independent photo by Susan W. Murray. Seventh-grader Emma Strange (above), as Rafiki, holds up baby Simba. “My favorite part is holding up baby Simba because it’s such an important part of the show,” she said.

St. Mary kids work on ‘Hakuna Matata’

School will stage “The Lion King JR.” on March 13, 14 By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com When “The Lion King” premiered in 1994, its young fans quickly adopted the phrase, “H…
March 11, 2026
Courtesy photo. Seniors Eshaan Virani and Krishna Patel work on their award-winning app at Woodstock High School

WHS students win UN app competition

Global app benefits farmers worldwide By Kevin Lyons District 200 Two Woodstock High School students and an alumnus are part of a small team that has achieved global recognition, winning […] …
March 6, 2026

Sports

Two swimmers from Marian Central qualified for the IHSA Boys Swim and Diving Championships. They also swim for Ready Aquatics, a Hoffman Estates-based club. (From left) Antonio Aguirre, coach Vince Chiapetta, and Justin Bernstein. Courtesy photo

Two swimmers rep Marian at state meet

Hurricanes finish among top eight in IHSA Class 2A team competition By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Marian Central High School senior Antonio Aguirre made his final high school swim…
March 11, 2026
Independent photo by Steve Peterson. Woodstock North goalie Alex Occocha makes a save during a practice drill. Chloe Peacock, also a goalie, looks on.

Thunder girls soccer eager to get started

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Woodstock North girls soccer team hopesto work toward a strong Kishwaukee River Conference season this spring.  “Our goal is to take it one game …
March 11, 2026

Student of the week

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3/11/25 Student of the Week – Meadow Roth

Meadow Roth, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the daughter of Dawn and Jason. Her teacher said, “Meadow is an exceptional student who consistentl…
March 11, 2026

Athlete of the week

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