Movies, Big Band Music and Da Bowl

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Saw a movie double header at Fox Lake Theatre:  "80 for Brady" and "Plane."  So good to be back at the movies again.  Enjoyed both movies.  Then met Kevin and Kelly at the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, ate at Taco Bell in Fox Lake and went to the Fox Lake American Legion where they were having a Valentine's dance with the Lakes Area Swing Band.  

They are 16 musicians who put on a great Swing/Big Band show.  There was a good crowd and most everyone was dressed like people used to when they went out dancing.  Most really could dance those style of dances.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 

Went to Culver's in Fox Lake for that great double butter burger meals and then the SAL (Sons of the American Legion) meeting at the Fox Lake Legion.

I then went to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, to Donovan's Reef where I had paid to have a seat at the Super Bowl party with AUCE and drink during the game.  I also had a room at the motel behind the bar, so driving home was not a problem.

That was sure a great game.

--RoadBowl

Movies, Expensive and Cheaper Beer, Round Lake Beach and the Groundhogs

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Went to see the movie "Avatar:  The Way of Water" at the Fox Lake Theatre and to Half-Times in Johnsburg.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes and got a room for the Super Bowl game.  Stopped at The Grove in Spring Grove and was shocked by having to pay $4 for a Miller Lite 16 ounce draft. Then to Saylor Mick's where I had the more reasonable $1 Hamm's pints.  Final stop was at Margaritaville at home.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Groundhog Day...Again.  Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania as well as Woodstock Willie in the much-closer Woodstock, Illinois, both saw their shadows, so six more weeks of winter weather.  Sigh.

Went to Round Lake Beach for a dentist appointment and then to Big Lots, a new grocery store called Tony's and Meijer.  I found that Meijer has half gallons of milk for $1.65.  At Jewel, a gallon of milk is $2.99 and a half gallon is $2.49.  I hate paying almost as much for half the amount.   Later met quite a few friends at Half-Times and had a beef sub and those $1 Miller Lite drafts.

Of course, watched the movie "Groundhog Day" on AMC.  So nice of them to have a 24-hour run of the movie.

Not Loving This Winter Thing.   --RoadHog

I Was Back in Woodstock... Again for 'Groundhog Day'

This past Sunday, I drove the eighteen miles from the house to Woodstock, Illinois, to partake in the last day of the town's annual Groundhog Days festuival which started on February 1.

I was too late for the pancake breakfast at the Moose Lodge (where the dance/bachelor auction was held in the movie), but managed to get a seat to see the movie on the big screen at the Woodstock Theatre (where the scene with Bill Murray as Bronco Billy and his date went to see the movie "Heidi.")  I found out earlier that day that his date was the wife of Chicago Bear player Gary Fencik of the Super Bowl XX champs.

From the February 2, 2023,  WTAJ, Rochester, NY.  "Bill Murray's 'Groundhog Day' celebrates 30th anniversary" by Bill Shannon.

ANYWAY, SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THE MOVIE:

**  Bill Murray's character, Phil Connors, evolved into a much nicer human being during the film.  At times when  director Harold Ramis would explain a scene, Murray would ask him:  "Good Phil or bad Phil?" so he would know how to play the character.

--RoadHog

About Last Weekend: Karaoke, Potholes, Bill Szymczyk and the Super Bowl

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg to eat, enjoy those $1 pint drafts and do some karaoke.

We have some mean old tire-eating potholes on Johnsburg Road by where Sunset crosses it.  We now have to go considerably out of our way to get to Johnsburg.

********************************

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Bob Stroud did his Rock and Roll Roots show on  Bill Szymczyk who, besides having an impossible to spell name also had a hand in a whole lot of great music.  And, I'd never heard of him.

Some of his songs:

"The Thrill Is Gone"-- B.B. King

"Lookin' for a Love"--  J. Geils Band

"Rocky Mountain Way"--  Joe Walsh

"James Dean"--  Eagles

"Hotel California"--  Eagles

"Heartache Tonight"-- Eagles

"Thunder Island"--  Jay Ferguson

We watched the Super Bowl at Stucky's.  I was pulling for the Bengals, but was happy for Matthew Stafford after all those years with the Lions.

--RoadDog

Who to Back in the 'Big Game' or Is It the Souper Bowl?

**  Well, tomorrow, it is here and again, Da Bears aren't in it.  But, as usual, we don't know who our quarterback will be next year.  You want to see something sad, look up how many qbs have started for Da Bears during the Favre/Rodgers era at Green Bay.  Now that is sad.  (Answer below)

**  I hate the 5:30 start.  Should start at 3.  Come on, it gets dark real fast these early days of February.

**  Bet, Bet, Bet Your Money on all those sporting aps.  Win millions of dollars.  Yep, right.

**  Who to back?  Who to back?  When neither Da Bears or Da Packers are not in it.  Yep, I do back both teams and am a Packer fan unless they play Da Bears.

**  I am more of an NFC fan and do like the Buccaneers as my third favorite NFC team, but I have a problem.  I am not a New England Patriot fan, ergo, Tom Brady and he is the Tampa Bay QB.  Though, I must admit he is one of if not THE greatest NFL quarterbacks ever.  Just look at how badly he beat Aaron in the NFC Championship game.

**  But, Kansas City is a Midwest team and I back most Midwest teams.  And then, there is the young quarterback Patrick Mahomes.  But, he is becoming as ubiquitous as Ditka and Jordan were in their heyday in commercials.

**  And to think Da Bears could have had him, but went with Trubisky.  And they could have had Watson as well, but you know who they went with.

Reckon I will eat some soup at the Legion for the Souper Bowl and then go home and pull for the Chiefs before they have to change their name.

Oh Well.  RoadChallenged

ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION

Favre--  22 Bears QBs, Rodgers--  13 Bears QBs

JSIS: Democrats Behaving Poorly-- Just Mercy-- Congrats Kansas City

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  DEMOCRATS BEHAVING POORLY--  I watched the Presidential State of the Union Address, or should we have called it, "Democrats Behaving Poorly."  They hit a new low.  A bunch of petulant children.  Had they been in my classroom, especially the one sitting behind the President, they or she would have been sent to the principal's office.  And, both Liz and I did not vote for Donald Trump in the last election.  Maybe not this year, and we'd really like to vote against him again.

2.  "JUST MERCY"--  I just saw this movie this week and in my opinion should have had Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations.  This movie really moved me and perhaps there is something to Blacks saying they don't get proper credit in the film industry.

3.  CONGRATS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS--  What a game!  One of the best Super Bowls ever.  What a comeback!!  Liz and I were pulling for the Chiefs since they are Midwest and win about as often as Chicago.  Loved the Bill Murray Jeep commercial.  We also were pulling for the 49ers with the local connection of quarterback Tony Garappalo from local Arlington heights and EIU, Jimmie Ward from NIU and Robbie Gould from Da Bears.

Well Have to See.  --RoadDog

About This Super Bowl

Since neither of our two NFL teams are playing (Bears and Packers, Yep, that's right, Bears and Packers) Liz and I become free agents.  Especially since the hated New England Patriots are not in it.  Whenever that happens, we pull for the other team.  Thanks, Tennessee for knocking them out of the playoffs.

Normally, we pull for the NFC team, but not this time since Kansas City is in it.  They haven't been to the Super Bowl since IV, and it wasn't even called the Super Bowl back then.

However, San Francisco has two players of local interest on their team.  Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is from Arlington Heights, Illinois, played football at Rolling Meadows High School and college ball at Eastern Illinois.  Safety Jimmie Ward played college ball at Northern Illinois University, our alma mater.

Both played for non- Power 5 conferences which makes them playing in the NFL even more difficult.

So, we will be pulling for Kansas City to win, but Garoppolo and Ward to do well.

--RoadDog

TAX FACTS:  Nearly 300,000 trees are cut down yearly to produce the paper for all the IRS forms and instructions.

Surviving the Cold Last Weekend: Teachers, Legion, Groundhog Day in Woodstock, Legion, Super Bowl

Last week was somewhat chilly here in the Chicagoland area as some of you might know.  But we sure had a nice warmup in the weekend and it sure felt like spring had arrived, despite temps in the 40s.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1   Met the retired Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  Good  to get together with old friends.  Went to the 50-50 at the Legion at night.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2    Went to Woodstock for their Groundhog Day festival.  This is where the famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed.  Enjoyed it despite the bigger crowds.  Then Liz and I went to the American Legion in Fox Lake in the afternoon and enjoyed the duo Twice As Nice.

SUNDAY, FEB. 3  Bob Stroud Root Saluted Buddy Holly on his Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV 97.1 FM on the 60th anniversary of his death in Iowa.  Watched the first three quarters of the Super Bowl game at Stucky's in Johnsburg.  Too bad you know who won.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back From PCB-- Part 3: A Super Bowl, Dusty's and a Woodstock Flashback

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Rain (not so good)  then sun and sat outside and enjoyed it.  Stayed put today as we'd sure driven enough the last four days.

Walked across the street to Donovan's and watched the Super Bowl drinking $1 pints and quite an array of food.  Mostly Eagle fans (everyone is tired of New England always being there.  Great game and first ever Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship.  Congrats, the Eagle Has Landed!!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Enjoyed the deck on a nice day.  Went to Dusty's, a favorite place of ours for a pitcher of beer and then Donovan's.  Watched as much of the movie "Woodstock: Director's Cut from 10:30 to 12:30 a.m., until I couldn't stay up any longer.  Earlier today an article in the Panama City News Herald about a woman living there who was at Woodstock and got her picture in Life Magazine.

So, Today Was Woodstock Day (Coming Up On Its 50th Anniversary).  --RoadDog

Living in Today's World-- A Proper Super Bowl Menu

From the February 5, 2017, Rhymes With Orange comic strip.

THE ULTIMATE SEVEN-LAYER DIP

This consists of:

Chex Mix
Hot wings
Meatballs

Jalapeno poppers
Chili
Cheese Doodles
Sliders

No Argument From Me.  --RoadDog

Watching the Game At Margaritaville

Margaritaville is my basement bar.

Half-time and I'm finishing my blogs.  Quite a Super Bowl so far with a tie score at half.  Overall, I'm pulling for the Seattle Seahawks despite Lynch.  But probably my favorite non-Bear/Packer play is New England's Gronkowski, the "Gronk."

We had a room at Donovan's in Twin Lakes but the blizzard conditions that still continue, took care of that.

I used the snowblower about 10:30 a.m. and cleared off at least 6-8 inches of snow (and a drift at 2 feet at both the top and bottom of the driveway).  At 4:45 p.m., I went back out and cleared a 3-foot drift by the garage and another 6-8 inches of snow.  It is hard to tell exactly how much we've gotten because of the 20-30 mph winds and constant blowing.

But, I know I've cleared off at least 16 inches of snow today!!

We have friends who are totally into skiing and snowmobiling who went to Arizona and Utah earlier this week because there was no snow.

They should come back and shovel my driveway.

I Hate Snow On My Driveway, Sidewalk and Roads.  --RoadDog


GOLDEN BUMPER STICKERS:  I'm in the initial stages of my golden years:  SS, CDs, IRAs, AARP...

JSS: Christmas Decorations-- Coast-to-Coast Super Bowl-- Bald Eagles

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS--  I took advantage of the 40 degree temps and took down the outside Christmas lights, garland and wreaths on Saturday. Always better to do it when it is a little bit warmer.  Five degrees and blustery wind make for a very unpleasant chore.

2.  COAST-TO-COAST SUPER BOWL--  We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes yesterday and watched the Seahawk-Packer NFC Championship game.  The place was packed and we even had an obnoxious Seattle fan.  But, the Pack was playing well all game until those last horrible five and a half minutes.  What in the world happened?

The Seahawk fan got so noisy we were considering getting the duct tape out.

It was an exciting game , though, and a WHOLE lot more than that Patriot-Colt game.

I had hoped it would be a Midwest Super Bowl with Indianapolis playing Green Bay.  But now it will be a Coast-to-Coast one.  Go Seahawks!!

3.  BALD EAGLES--  We've been enjoying watching the eaglets in southwest Florida and now, the eggs at Berry College in Georgia.  The eagles in Decorah, Iowa, are working on their nest.  We're hoping to get out to Decorah soon to see them.

--RoadDog

Super Bowl Wasn't So Super

We just got back from Wisconsin, where we watched last night's Super Bowl and spent the night. We got a room at Donovan's Reef Motel and went to the party at the bar with plenty of food and drinks, all covered in the price. One night you don't want to be driving is Super Bowl with all the police out there. //// Huge crowd on hand for what I expected to be a really close game. Since neither the Bears or Packers were in it, it really didn't matter, but I was kind of backing the Broncos because of Peyton Manning, a favorite of mine ever since he played at Tennessee. However, Da Bears are NFC and Seattle had never even been to a Super Bowl, so I backed them as well. //// That safety on the first play from scrimmage set the tone. //// Today, I drove over to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and viewed the snow sculptures which is a major part of the town's Winetrfest. //// Congrats Russell Wilson and teh Seahawks. --RoadDog

Music for Your Super Bowl-- Part 4: X to XIII

Stroud took us from Super Bowl I to Super Bowl XIII covering 1967 to 1979, the years his Rock and Roll Roots Show covers.  Hopefully, he'll make this an annual event, covering one year at a time for a full three hours.

SUPER BOWL X--  Jan. 8, 1976

FIFTY WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER--  Paul Simon
SQUEEZE BOX--  Who


SUPER BOWL XI--  Jan. 9, 1977

DREAMBOAT ANNIE--  Heart
ROCK 'N ME--  Steve Miller Band


SUPER BOWL XII--  Jan. 15, 1978

YOUR SMILING FACE--  James Taylor
THE POINT OF NO RETURN--  Kansas


SUPER BOWL XIII--  1973

FAT-BOTTOM GIRLS--  Queen
BICYCLE--  Queen
STRANGE WAY--  Firefall

Music and Super Bowl Just Kind of Go Together.  --RoadDog


OVERHEARD IN 1955:  Young couples may have to hire someone to watch their kids.

Music for Your Super Bowl-- Part 3: VII to IX

Continuing with songs playing on the radio from Super Bowls past.

SUPER BOWL VII--1973

YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE--  Loggins & Messina
VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America
YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon


SUPER BOWL VIII--  January 13, 1974

YOU'RE SIXTEEN--  Ringo Starr
TIME IN A BOTTLE--  Jim Croce
ONE TIN SOLDIER--  Coven


SUPER BOWL IX--  January 8, 1975

LADY--  Styx
JUNIOR'S FARM--  Wings

Back in January Back Then.  --RoadDog


OVERHEARD IN 1955:  Women may have to go to work to make ends meet.

Music for Your Super Bowl-- Part 2: IV to VI

SUPER BOWL IV--  Jan. 11, 1970

HOLLY HOLY--  Neil Diamond
WHOLE LOTTA LOVE--  Led Zeppelin
EVIL WOMAN--  Crow
VENUS--  Shocking Blue


SUPER BOWL V--  Jan. 17, 1971

AFTER MIDNIGHT--   Eric Clapton
MY SWEET LORD--  George Harrison
WE GOTTA GET YOU A WOMAN--  Runt
LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH--  Steven Stills


SUPER BOWL VI--  Jan. 16, 1972

OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night
LET'S GET TOGETHER--  Al Green
STAY WITH ME--  Faces
AMERICAN PIE--  Don McLean

Football and Music.  Just Somehow Goes Together.  --RoadDog


OVERHEARD IN 1955:  I see where a major league baseball player is getting $50,000 a year.  Someday they'll be making more than the president.

Music for Your Super Bowl-- Part 1: Super Bowls I-III

Sunday morning, Bob Stroud went back to the music playing at the time of the first 13 Super Bowls on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV, the Drive, 97.1 FM in Chicago.  Brought back some memories.

SUPER BOWL I-- Jan. 1967

KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams
LOVE YOU SO MUCH--  New Colony Six
GOOD THING--  Paul Revere & the Raiders
I'M A BELIEVER--  Monkees


SUPER BOWL II--  Jan. 14, 1968

I WONDER WHAT SHE'S DOING TONIGHT--  Boyce & Hart
WEAR YOUR LOVE LIKE HEAVEN--  Donovan
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE--  Cream
BEND ME, SHAPE ME--  American Breed


SUPER BOWL III--  Jan. 12, 1969

TOUCH ME--  Doors
CRIMSON & CLOVER--  Tommy James & the Shondells
GOING UP THE COUNTRY--  Canned Heat
I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU LOVE ME--  Supremes and Temptations

He also gave the final score and MVP for each one.

Some Memories.  --RoadDog

So, What to Call Sunday's Game: Har Bowl?

Time has come to drop the Roman Numerals.  Like with old building foundation stones, that is too many Roman numerals to decipher.  Regular number the games from now on.  OK, Super Bowl XX was easy, Da Bears.

But this year, we can get a bit more creative.  We could call it the Har Bowl, or even the Bro Bowl.

What You Think?  --RoadDog

Why Watch the Super Bowl If the Bears or Packers Aren't In It?

So, it will be the brothers, Jim and John Harbough coaching their respective teams, 49ers and Ravens.  And, Jim Harbough of the 49ers IS A FORMER BEARS QB.  Plus, you have to give him credit for taking a joke of a college team, Stanford, and turning them into a winner and then doing pretty much the same thing with the 49ers.

Then, there is that 49er QB Colin Kaepernick.  I'd never heard of him before the playoff Packer-49er game, but then he impressed me.  He single-handedly ran over one of myteams.  And, even better, he is from a Mid-Major college program, the only school to offer him a scholarship, the University of Nevada, where he was a 3-sport star.

Why, he was even drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2009 Major League Draft in the 49th (get it) round, but decided to stay with football.

His first start was November 19th against another of my two teams, Da Bears and a 32-7 massacre of Chicago.  I was on the road, so didn't get to see it, fortunately.

And, then again, the 49ers are a team from the NFC, as are the Packers and Da Bears.

Only problem I have is that I don't like the 49ers (or Cowboys) dating back to problems Da Bears had with those two teams back in the 80s.

Reckon I'll have to wait to game time to pick a favorite.  Either that or depends who I have on the pool and how many points I need.

Decisions, Decisions.  --RoadDog


WHAT SHE SAYS AND WHAT SHE MEANS:  I'm sorry = You'll be sorry

So, A Big Old Who-Cares Super Bowl

Since neither the Bears nor Packers were playing, it wasn't all of that important of a game to watch for us. I used to back the Patriots, especially since the first two times they went, they lost to the Bears and Packers, but since they recently have been to it a lot, I don't back them any more.

Not a Giants fan either, but they are NFC.

We were somewhat pulling for New York, but it didn't really matter.

We attended a Super Bowl party at our usual hangout at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, where we had free drinks during the game and food as well. Most people were only interested as far as what lines and squares they ad on various pools around the area.

Even better, we had a room for the night at the motel behind the bar, so no need to fear the ride home.

Congrats to the Giants. --RoadDog