About Last Weekend: Two Legions, a Band, No Fireworks, Buck Drafts and Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

We went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) American Legion and saw the 50s-60s band Tony & the Effects from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

Then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, figuring we'd watch the Johnsburg Family fireworks display from there while enjoying the $1 draft beers.   Unfortunately, we could not see those fireworks from there.  But, we did enjoy those drafts.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Watched then first half of the Bears game at home in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar and the second half at the McHenry (Illinois) American Legion and enjoyed the excellent brats that Dave had made.

It was a good thing that the Bears were playing the Lions, who are as bad as DaBears or we would have lost the game.  But, at least our new wonderkid qb, Justin Fields wasn't sacked nine times.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here, August 1-- Part 3: Summer of 1971, PLAV's Street Party, Brats, Burgers, Beer and a Band

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1

The usual Sunday morning stuff.  Bob Stroud played part 3 of his annual Rock and Roll Roots to the Summer of 1971, fifty years ago.  Of course, I had to record it.  You can see what he played in the last several posts.  He'll have a part 4 on Sunday, September 5 from 9 am to noon CDST on WDRV. This was a fun college year for me, spent between NIU and UGA.

Watered and watered and watered.  We could sure use some rain.

I had planned to go to the McHenry VFW to watch their afternoon band and then go to the McHenry American Legion.  But Liz said she thought she had seen something from the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry about their annual summer street party.

There was no question where I wanted to go when  I got that bit of information.  Get me to the PLAV ASAP.

She was right.  Of course, we didn't have it last year because of you-know-what, so I was really looking forward to it and would not have been very happy to miss it.  I'm so glad Liz told me about it.

For $15, I got auce and aycd brats, burgers, side salads, corn on the cob and draft beer.  Now, that is what I call a deal.  Plus, we had a great country band playing and karaoke in between.  And the weather was hot, but breezy and felt fine under the tent.

Afterwards, to the McHenry Legion for an adequate $2.50 Bloody Mary.

A Real Good Time.  Thanks PLAV.  --RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, WARM WATER THEOREM:  When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.  And, I have an ADDENDUM:  Just as soon as you fall asleep for your nap, the phone doth ring.

We Raised Some Money for Veterans to Go to D.C. on Veterans Day 2016

And, we sure had a good time doing it.  The McHenry Polish League of American Veterans held their fundraiser at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois, over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

It was hot, extremely hot with temps in the nineties both days, but everyone had a good time.  There were plenty of brats (this was being called "Brat Fest" but, sadly, there was no sauerkraut and everyone knows a properly "dressed" brat has to have sauerkraut) as well as pints of beer.

Saturday, we had four bands and we stayed for two of them:  Wildwood Drive and we really liked Blindspot, a band we hope to see more often."  I know of no other band that plays Cream songs like "Badge" and "Sunshine of Your Love."

There were silent auctions and raffles as well as 50-50 all day.

Sunday kicked off with a leisure motorcycle ride to four area bars after a breakfast and then we had the band Practice in Public playing outside.

A Good Time for a Good Cause.  RoadDog

SILLY PUNS:  They told me I had type A blood, but it was a type O.

McRibs Are Back!!!!

Without a doubt, my favorite offering from McDonald's is the McRib sandwich. This sandwich's appearance guarantees a few stops while it is available. And, for $2.19, it is a good deal, used to be $1.99, but that non-existent inflation, you know.

Here in Fox Lake, Illinois, you can get a meal for about $4.

It made my poor, sick drive home from Tennessee a much better time when I got off I-65 by Remington, Indiana, and saw it advertised at the local McD's. Real fast stop.

Then that savory, tasty treat that I've been waiting for all these past months.

Other McD items I like: Johnsonville brats (also seasonal), the $1 double cheeseburger, and the steak, egg, and cheese breakfast bagel.

Of course, McDonald's history goes back to Route 66 in San Bernardino, Ca., with the original McDonald's, and the very first Ray Kroc McDonald's in nearby Des Plaines, Il., on the historic US-12. I've been told, Ray Kroc could often be found out cleaning the parking lot.

Crazy 'Bout Dem McRibs. --RoadDog

Been Out Boating-- Part 2

Later, Wednesday, we went out again with my buddy Frank. We did a slow cruise over to Electric Harbor for their $1 Johnsonville brats, but, they weren't running that special anymore, but got a a cheeseburger and fries for $2.50. Always enjoy sitting out there at the great gazebo with views the whole length of Fox Lake.

Thursday, we took a two hour cruise down the Fox River to the Broken Oar for lunch. This is also a great place to visit. They have specials everyday, like a big veal parmesan on spaghetti for $6.95 and 16 oz drafts for a buck. Starting next week, they will also have dollar burgers.

You can eat indoors or outside. Weekends they have live entertainment, but we won't go. If you aren't on a motorcycle, you become a second class citizen. They really cater to the bikers. I was the very first person to provide entertainment back in October of 1994, the weekend before we had our two month long strike. in the Round Lake Schools. Now, that is a real long time for a school strike, but that is another story.

Quite a few trees are starting to change into full fall foliage. Looking at lawns and cattails along the river really showed how high the floods of late August got. They are all two-tone; brown below flood stage. We saw several white herons by the lock and dam.

Both times we went through the lock, they waited for us to no wake it up to the gate. Very nice of them. Otherwise, it is about a thirty minute wait. Then, there's that nice slimy rope to hang onto while the water goes up or down, always a favorite thing to do.

There is a big sign telling boaters not to tie off their boats while in the dock. I asked the attendant if he'd ever seen anyone do this. He said he had. Dumb boaters.

Stopped at Kief's Reef on the way back (by the Illinois Highway 176 bridge). They also have outside entertainment on the weekends. We liked the pontoon boat up on the land that they used as the stage.

We also went out Friday afternoon and did a float before stopping at Baja Benny's to meet up with some friends.

Have to Hurry Up and Go Boating as the Season Quickly Wanes. --RoadDog

Chain is Open and No More No Wake

Yesterday, my buddy Frank came by and we went out boating as it was sunny, but humid.

Put gas in the boat. I buy from gas stations and container it out to the boat. As BAD as prices are at the land stations, on the water, it is at least 75 cents to a buck more.

We had checked the local waterway agency and saw that the no wake (where you can't make waves while moving) was still on. While cruising across Fox Lake to Electric Harbor, we saw quite a few boats going at high speeds and making wakes of course.

Once at the Harbor, we found out that the no wake had been lifted at noon. Good news!!!

The special at the Electric Harbor on Wednesdays is $1 Johnsonville brats. Now how can you beat that? Then, there's the fantastic view as we were sitting out at the gazebo and could see right down the whole of the lake.

We boated along, happy now that we could go fast, a great help when the wind dies down. Next stop was Baja Benny's with their great Caribbean decor. Baja's is at the old Costello's, a favorite watering hole for many years.

It Was a Good Day to be Out and About on the Chain. --RoadDog

Andy'll Be Sorry to Hear This

We have a brat-eater Down South in Tennessee and his name is Andy. He had never heard of a bratwurst before he came for visits during the summer (and I like to worked the poor little guy to death on the yard out here in Spring Grove). I took him out for them several times and he developed a taste for them, although I can't remember if he likes the VERY necessary condiment called sauerkraut on it.

I like mine with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions, either grilled or raw. Now that is a perfect brat. I'm always amazed how many places I go to that serve brats and DON'T have sauerkraut. That kind of defeats the purpose. It's like having Carolina bbq without coleslaw, hushpuppies, and tea.

Andy especially was impressed with the brats from Sheboygan, Wi. He had a very funny way of saying She-boy-gan brats. Ask him to say it sometime.

He also became quite fond of Johnsonville brats, widely considered the best you can get. He was quite happy when he found they had started selling them in Tennessee grocery stores.

Sad to report, that the founder of Johnsonville Sausage Co., Ralph F. Stayer, died yesterday at age 92. He took a butcher shop that was struggling in 1945 and turned it into a multimillion dollar company. You have to admire a person who sees a need, and through hard work, makes a success of himself.

For more info, see www.roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com

I'll Have a Brat for Mr. Stayer, What Do You Mean You Don't Have ANY Sauerkraut!!!!! --RoadDog