A Chain O' Lakes Oldie, a Long-Time Owner and Harley Wayne

MONDAY, AUGUST 1

We met Kevin and Kelly at Oak Park Lounge on Pistakee Lake where they were celebrating owner Tom Fuch's 46th year of owning the place.  That's a real long time to run a bar, especially considering that even though he grew up in the Johnsburg area, he had never gone there before buying it.  Talk about your on-the-job learning.

And, Oak Park Lounge is a Chain O' Lakes original, built in the 1890s and looking pretty much the same since then.  We had some drinks with Tom.

Afterwards, we went to Sunnyside Tavern for a couple or three more brews.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

A history day for me, and I love history.  I drove out to Marengo, Illinois, and had lunch at The Spot, home of the 3/4 pound cheeseburger for $7.99.  What a deal and what a meal.

Then, I went to the McHenry County History Museum in Union and met with Bob and Ellen, who are busy working on a book about McHenry County's Harley Wayne, a captain in the 15th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War who was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.

They let me peruse some primary source materials about him and I even put in a couple suggestions for the book.  Later, Bob and I took a walk by Harley Wayne's mansion which is just a couple blocks from the museum.

Congratulations Tom.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  If you can make amends, can you just make one amend?

Johnny's Cafe, Legion, Ray Chevrolet, USO, BBQ, Plaquing a Cabin

JULY 15,  Friday

Met the usual suspects at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois, and afterwards, adjourned to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

JULY 16, SATURDAY

Went over to Ray Chevrolet (where we bought our last two Malibus) in Fox Lake for their cookout to raise money for the USO and met Glen and Barb.  Outstanding brats for just $2 as well as a classic car show.  

We then went over to where Pink Harrison's used to be on Pistakee Lake.  The McHenry County Historical Association was plaquing one of the original vacation cabins and there was a huge crowd in attendance.  Makes you think that History might just have a chance.

Oak Park Lounge is right next to it and is an original Chain  O' Lakes bar and resort.  Pictures of it on display show that it still looks much like it did in the 1930s.  Had a couple brews there.  It opened in the 1890s.

--RoadOld

Going Green for Paddy's Day: Stucky's for Fish Fry and Dublin Burger, Moose Lodge for CB&C and Back to Stucky's

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

We met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's in Johnsburg.  Everyone had a fish fry but me since they have one of my favorite hamburgers, the Dublin Burger for just the month of March, something about a St. Patrick's thing.

This burger consists of a half pound of beef on a marble rye bun along with corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.  This is one of my all-time favorites.  But just once a year in March, so gotta eat 'em when I can.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Just found out that they will be tearing down my freshman dorm at NIU, Lincoln Hall.  A bit of history goes with it.  They already have torn down Liz's dorm, Douglas Hall.  Lincoln and Douglas Halls were built at the same time in the early 1960s.

This is the day many places are celebrating St. Patrick's Day, especially McHenry and Lake Villa.  McHenry has a parade, bar crawl, dying of the Fox River to green and a huge tent with bands all day and e into the evening.  But, today and yesterday are two of the coldest days I ever remember.  Temps were in the low 20s, but the wind really blew it through you.

As such, we didn't go to anything.  We did drive to McHenry to go to the Legion, but there were cars parked all over the place so decided not to try to get in.  Drove over to the McHenry Moose Lodge and had a corned beef & cabbage dinner and then to Stucky's for $1 drafts and karaoke.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

We went to Stucky's on the afternoon for their NASCAR party.

--RoadO'Dog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

Last Week: Eatin' and Drinkin' Cheap in the Neighborhood, Firebird Cruise, Car Show and Slow Tacos

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

We went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, for their half price pizza special on Monday.  We got a 16-inch Harry Caray pizza which is a real garbage pizza with four veggies and four meats.  It cost $13.50.  We also enjoyed a $5 pitcher of Miller Lite.  Then went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg where we had $1.50 pints.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3

Went on a short Firebird Cruise and went from  end to end on Pioneer Road.  It is one of McHenry County's Scenic Roads and well-earned at that.  I had taken it often from Illinois Highway 31 and that is a pretty stretch, but didn't know it continued on to West Solon Road to the north.

The McHenry Scenic Roads site describes it as 4 miles long in McHenry and Richmond townships.

I went to the McHenry Moose Lodge Classic Car Show on Il.-31 later and saw the most beautiful 1967 Firebird ever.  I am a big Firebird fan and at one time had a 1967 Firebird convertible along with my 1985 one which I still have and take on those Firebird Cruises.

But, if you want the Moose Tuesday special tacos, 3 for $5, I discovered you'd best go inside, place your order and then look at the cars.  It generally takes at least 30 minutes to get served.  Tonight it was a new record, 45 minutes.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, LAW OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS:  The probability of meeting somebody you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Coronavirus and the Spanish Flu (Which Hit 102 Years Ago This Week)

Sure has made the headlines with all the St. Patrick's and sporting events cancelled the last few days.

I can't help but believe this is partially fueled by the media where disaster equals big bucks for advertising.  Just look at the weather channel come a good-sized hurricane.

But, diseases are nothing to ignore and it is better to be careful than not.  However, I didn't go out and stock up on toilet paper or food. When we have several deaths and a hundred cases here in McHenry County, Illinois, I will then be taking really serious steps to deal with it.

Yesterday, we were at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes,Wisconsin, and playing our usual This Happened on Today's Date trivia game.  And, one of the items on it was March 11, 1918, when the first known case of what became known as the Spanish Flu broke out in Fort Riley, Kansas. By the end of the day, over 100 soldiers were sick with it.

And, with all the Coronavirus going on right now, 102 years later.

Now, that Spanish Flu was a really, really bad pandemic.  It is estimated that anywhere between 17 million and 50 million people died of it across the world and the United States was particularly hard hit.

So.

Saufen Und Spiel Weekend-- Part 1: Friday Night Lights

SEPTEMBER 8, Friday

I went to the big rivalry game out here in northeast McHenry County, Illinois, the Johnsburg-Richmond-Burton (R-B) high school football game.  Had we had kids they would have gone to Richmond-Burton, but we are just a couple miles north of Johnsburg High School.  I pull for Johnsburg unless they play Richmond-Burton because I send a REAL lot of money there.

R-B scored a TD on an 88-yard running play on the third play of the game, but that was the high point in a 34-10 loss.

I came home and found a really great new internet station, Jukin' Oldies, which features one of my favorite deejays, 'Fessa John Hook.  There are 14 djs on it and they play all sorts of music, including Beach, Boogie & Blues and oldies you've never heard of before.

--RoadDog

25 Ways To Tell You're From Lake County, Illinois-- Part 6: Shoveling and Lamb's Farm

21.  You miss the albino crocodile in Gurnee Mills (a huge outlet mall), but know that you can get your reptile fix at the Wildlife Discovery Center.

22.  You complain about taxes.  A LOT!!  But, you would never, ever, dream of living in Cook County, McHenry County (Hey, that's where I now live), or, heaven forbid, Kenosha County, Wisconsin.  (Too many Cheeseheads and Packer fans.)

23.  You understand that no one is growing crops over at Lamb's Farm, but they are nurturing human dignity.  They also, in fact, do have lambs along with a sizable herd of goats and other lovable creatures.

24.  You help shovel your neighbor's driveway during a blizzard, but you don't stick a chair or ironing board on the space shoveled afterwards like they do in Chicago.

25.  If you're a parent, you follow Little Lake County to be in-the-know on where-to-go to  have fun with your kids.  (This is where I got the 25 things from.)

A Crock You Wouldn't Want to Wear.  --RoadDog

McHenry County Annual Tractor Trek

I just got back from the bank here in Spring Grove after being delayed by lots and lots of old farm tractors going down Meyer Road toward Horse Fair Park, I imagine.  The police had traffic on US-12 stopped and it eventually became one huge line, probably a couple miles long.  It was the McHenry County Annual Tractor Trek.

I wasn't in it, fortunately, but couldn't proceed to a couple other places I wanted to go to, so just parked the '85 Firebird, got out and watched the procession.

How often do you get to see a whole lot of antique tractors go by.  Of course, McHenry County, Illinois, is known for its farms and agriculture, so this is of special importance.  Every year, there are a lot of tractors in the Spring Grove 4th of July parade as well.

Had I known about it earlier, I would have been there for the whole parade, as I figure I only caught the tail end of it.

One of Those Unexpected Pleasures.  --RoadDog

Went to DeKalb for Da Game-- Part 4: The Day After

Like the song said, there has to be a morning after, and there was. After the continental buffet, I drove over to Lowe's in DeKalb (notice the capital "K") on Il-23 and found that they have a real nice collection of Christmas items and spent a bunch of money there and then over to Wal-Mart and did the same.

After Liz got up, we drove over to White Castle for our usual meal #1 (4 Sliders, fries and drink for $4.99, less 10% for senior discount which covers the DeKalb 10% food tax). Then to Big Lots for some treasure hunting (you never know what you'll find in there) and a crazy dancing Frosty the Snowman.

Then, Il-23 to Il-176 to Union where we toured the McHenry County Historical Society (we especially liked the Christmas store selling all those great toys from our childhood) and stopped at Classen's, a tavern dating to 1900. Union is quite a historical town which also has the Illinois Railroad Museum and Donley's Antiques and Western Museum.

Then, it was the Red Mill Inn in Woodstock and Twisted Moose in McHenry before going home. Every place was packed. Guess a lot of folks are off for Christmas.

Too Bad We Lost. --RoadDog

Get "Yer" Blackhawk Autographs, But Expect to Pay

From the June 27, 2013, Northwest Herald (McHenry County, Illinois).

Signings take place at Martin Chevrolet at 5220 Northwest Highway (US-14) and the shows are put on by Sideline Marketing.

Today:  Duncan Keith 7-9 PM.  Autographs: one for $89 or two for $169.

SUNDAY:

Noon to 2 PM:  Marcus Krugerd and Victor Stalberg--  one for $35 or two for $60.

2-4:  Andrew Shaw (see his famous cut)--  one for $45 or two for $80.

5-7:  Marian Hossa--  one for $79 ot two for $149.

A Real Keepsake.  --RoadDog

Sad Mystery in Johnsburg, Illinois

Johnsburg is just south of Spring Grove, where I live. I do the majority of my grocery shopping at Val's Grocery store, so this story hits home.

Five years ago, Dec. 20, 2007, 17 year-old store employee Brian Carrick disappeared. To this day, no knows for sure what happened, but foul play is suspected by Johnsburg police.

Brian was one of 14 brothers and sisters and a junior at the time of his disappearance. He left his home and walked across Johnsburg Road to Val's to pick up a $150 paycheck. He bought a pizza and was going to walk over to a nearby video store and rent a movie.

He never arrived at the video store or returned home.

The next morning, his parents found out he did not report to his job which alarmed them because he never missed work. His mother went to the Johnsburg police department and urged them to start looking for Brian.

The next day, police found blood inside Val's produce-storage space and on a trash compactor. It was later determined to be Brian's blood. An extensive search did not turn him up.

This past June, Mario A. Casciaro, 24, who worked with Brian, was arrested on nine counts of perjury for lying 9 times to a grand jury about the disappearance. He is out on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 24, 2008.

Dec. 21st Chicago Tribune "Another Christmas without answers" by Amanda Marazzo.

Let's hope that something comes of this. You just don't expect stuff like this to happen out here. I usually even leave my garage doors open when I'm working out in the yard.

A Real Mystery Out Here in Eastern McHenry County. --RoadDog

Dadburn Big Oil and Speculators

They're doing this to us again and arbitrarily raising the price of oil. It should be $100 soon, I know they won't stop until they get it. Unfortunately, there is nothing else to stop it either.

Something is definitely rotten. This should not be happening. There is no excuse whatsoever for it.

Gas here in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois is anywhere from $3.05 to $3.15. Isn't this when we should be getting some relief from their, well it used to be summer, but now is spring "in anticipation" of the summer driving season, feeding frenzy?

Something Smells in Denmark. --RoadDog

So, You Think You're an Oldies Fan?

Taken from the August Wassup magazine. This tells you what is going on at the bars and towns around the Lake County (there is also one for McHenry County) area. Lots of advertisements, jokes, and columns.

They have a quiz every week with ten questions on a particular topic. Last month's was on a subject dear to my heart, OLDIES.

See how well you do. I only missed the first question, but always have problems remembering words. There are two reasons I could never have been a band's singer. The first is that I can't sing. The second is that I couldn't remember the words. Even if I had written the song, I know I wouldn't remember the words. I'd have to have a karaoke setup onstage.

1. When did 'Little Suzie" finally wake up? a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock, b) The movie's over, it's 3 o'clock, c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock.

2. "Rock Around the Clock" was used in what movie? a) Rebel Without a Cause, b) Blackboard Jungle, c) The Wild Ones.

3. What's missing? _____ Baby, Earth ______, a) Angel, b) Head, c) Pretty.


4. "I found my thrill..." Where? a) Kansas City, b) Heartbreak Hotel, c) Blueberry Hill.


5. "Please turn on your magic beam, ____ ______ bring me a dream" a) Mr. Sandman, b) Earth Angel, c) Dream Lover


6. For which label did Elvis Presley first record? a) Chancellor, b) RCA, c) Sun

7. He asked, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" Who was he? a) Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, b) Charlie Brown, c) Buster Brown.


8. Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife", the one with the knife, was named: a) MacHeath, b) MacCloud, c) MacNamara.


9. Name the song with "A-wop bop a-loo bop a-lop bam boom"? a) Good Golly Miss Molly, b) Be-Bop-A-Lula, c) Tutti Fruiti.


10. Who is generally given credit for the term "Rock and Roll"? a) Dick Clark, b) Wolfman Jack, c) Alan Freed.




Answers


1. c. The movie's, it's 4 o'clock, 2. b Blackboard Jungle, 3. a) Angel, 4. c) Blueberry Hill,
5. a) Mr. Sandman, 6. c) Sun, 7. b) Charlie Brown, 8. a) MacHeath, 9. c) Tutti Fruiti,
10. c) Alan Freed