This Past Weekend-- Part 3: Da Bears, Da Party and Double D

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018

The problem with having the McHenry County Civil War Round Table Christmas party when we did was that it was opposite the Bears game.  I sure would have been watching it somewhere.  But, I did listen to it on the car radio on the way back home from Huntley and got home just in time to see the end and was that ever exciting as the Bears tied it up as time expired.  Sadly, they lost in overtime.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, where they were having a fundraiser for a musician.  Two of our favorite performers, Jim Sieg and Uncle Will, were performing and we had a great time.  We also met Double D, who is a big-time NIU fan, so we had a great time talking Huskie football.

We found out he was also a big DeKalb Footstomper fan and he was the one who hired them to play at his birthday party at After the Fox in McHenry which was their second-to-last performance as they have retired after playing together for 45 years.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

DeKalb Footstompers Setlist, March 25, 2018-- Part 3

**  Footstomper original

Third Set

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Mountain of Love
Do You F*** on First Dates?**

Kansas City
Bring It On Home
I Fought the Law

Runaway
International Waltz**
Memphis

Secret Agent Man
Who Stole the Kishka
Polish Polka

Sweet Caroline
NIU Sorority Bitch**
Goodnight Irene

Purple Haze

Like I said, sure gonna miss dese guys.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Breaking Rocks In The Hot Sun."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

ABOUT US SEENAGERS (Senior Teenagers):  I have an ID that gets me into bars and liquor stores.  You don't.

"I Fought the Law"

DeKalb Footstompers Set List, March 25, 2018-- Part 3: "Guacamole"

**  Footstomper original

SECOND SET

Cheeseburger in Paradise (White Castle Version)**
Jump Into the Line
Whiskey Dick**

Iko Iko
Chevy Van
Peaceful Easy Feeling

L-O-V-E
M.T.A.
Guacamole

Green River
Lucille (Dirty Version)**
Big Balls In Cow Town

Sure Gonna Miss Dese Guys.  --RoadDog

DeKalb Footstompers Set List 3-25-18-- Part 2: "Ring of Fire"

We were having the party for Double D's 50th birthday.  he definitely seemed to be enjoying himself.  It was good to hear the band again, a bit strange with keyboards instead of Oscar on the accordion.

Born On the Bayou
Huskie Fight Song  (NIU, you know)  "Any Huskie fans in here?"  Real big cheer.
Ring of Fire

Honky Tonk Woman
Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother  "From McHenry, Illinois, USA."
Mustang Sally

In Heaven There Is No Beer
Please Help Me I'm Falling
Shake, Rattle & Roll

Bye Bye Blackbird
I'm Your Mailman
Rocky Top

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "And, He's Not Responsible For What He's Doing."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

WORDS NOT YET IN THE DICTIONARY:    AQUADEXTROUS:  Possessing the ability to turn the bathtub faucet on and off with your toes.


"Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother"

DeKalb Footstompers Set List 3-25-18--Part 1: "NIU Sorority Bitch"

So sad to see them go, but we sure had 45 years of good stompin' fun with them.  An NIU Homecoming would not be homecoming without them playing at Andy's and later Lord Stanley's.  I don't know what we'll do now.

And, three of the four members: Rick Peterson, Dave Guzzardo and Oscar Forsman have been with the group since the beginning in March 1973.

What other groups do you know of that have a guy on guitar, drums and then one on tuba and one on accordion?  I tell you, you haven't lived until you hear them play "Purple Haze."

Their third to last performance was March 25, 2018, at After the Fox in McHenry, Illinois, at Double D's birthday party, but it was open to everyone and there sure were a lot of Footstomper fans there saying goodbye.  Oscar Forsman wasn't there, but Dave's brother Rick ably filled in.

Set List:

It's All Over Now
Bad Moon Rising
NIU Sorority Bitch

Folsom Prison Blues
Margaritaville
Beyond theSea

Too Much Fun.  --RoadDog

WORDS NOT YET IN THE DICTIONARY:  (From Wassup Magazine):  ACCORDIONATED:  Being able to drive and refold a road map at the same time.   Or, for that matter, refold a road map anytime, anywhere.

Busy Weekend-- Part 3: DeKalb Footstompers, After the Fox, PLAV and Tommy's

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

As usual, listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots in the morning.

We drove to After the Fox in McHenry to see one of the last performances of one of our very favorite groups, the DeKalb Footstompers, who are calling it quits after 25 years of playing together.  Three of the four members are originals.

They just announced they have just three more shows and this was one of them.

And, a unique band they were, playing lots of oldies, polkas and quite a few of their own songs which couldn't be played around children anyway.

As we figured, the place was standing room only and we sure had a great time.  I'll write down their playlist on another post.  Afterwards, thanked them for 45 years of really good times.

Afterwards, we went to the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry and then to Tommy's in Spring grove.

--RoadDog

Saying Our Goodbyes to the DeKalb Footstompers

In just a short time, Liz and I are going to leave to go to the After the Fox bar and grill in McHenry, Illinois,  to see one of our all-time favorite bands, the DeKalb Footstompers, play one of their last shows.  They announced a few weeks ago that they had three more shows and then it was all over.

They started in DeKalb, Illinois, back in 1973 and we have seen them many, many times since then.  They especially have played at NIU's homecomings all these years since 1973, first at Andy's and of late at Lord Stanley's.

We sure are going to miss them.

Plus, this is the last year for two other favorites of ours, Pat Dailey and New Odyssey.

In addition, another favorite of ours, Terry Spizzirri, died last summer.

Sure Gonna Miss Them.  --RoadDog

JSS: "Bad Moon Rising"-- Brave Combo-- Polka and Zydeco

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  "BAD MOON RISING"--  Sitting here a-typin' away with my two little fingers and WXRT, 93.1 FM in Chicago is playing "Bad Moon Rising" at 8:04 a.m..  I reached for my flip-phone, thinking perhaps I had a call as it is my ringtone.  But, the phone was upstairs.  I usually don't have it with me.

Of course, Creedence Clearwater Revival is my favorite group from the late 60s early 70s.

2.  BRAVE COMBO--  I was reading an article about FitzGerald's in Berwyn, Illinois, being for sale after being open for almost 40 years.  It is the home of Americana Music and, sad to say, since it is so far away, I've never been there.

But, they mentioned one band that plays there regularly, Brave Combo, and described them as a polka-rock band.  With that description, I just had to give that description I just had to give them a listen.

As soon as I got downstairs to the ole 'pute, I went to Good Ol' You Tube and am listening to them right now.  Great band!!  Reminds me a lot of The Happy Schnapps Combo and the DeKalb Footstompers.  Happy Schnapps Combo had a big hit called "No, I Don't Wanna DoDat" on Dr. Demento.  Their music is described as "Polka On Acid."  Check 'em out on You Tube.

3.  POLKA AND ZYDECO  --  Let's face it, Polka is real fun music.  You ever watch people when a polka song comes on?  Lots of smiling faces and then there is the movement, whether their dancing or not.  Same with zydeco music.  When we used to go to Summerfest in Milwaukee, you could always tell where the zydeco bands were as that is where you'd see everyone smiling and moving.

Serbian Heat As Brave Combo Calls Their Music.   --RoadCombo

The DeKalb Footstompers-- Part 1: Doing the Saints March

One of Liz and my all-time favorite bands.  We've been watching them since they started back in 1973.  In the early days they played at Andy's in DeKalb and now at Lord Stanley's in DeKalb and PJ's Courthouse in Sycamore quite often.  Of course, there are many other places they play, but these are our favorite ones.

They have played NIU's Homecoming every year since 1973.  And, we have been to most of those homecoming shows.  To us, the Footstompers at NIU Homecoming are as important as the game.

This is from part 2 of an interview you can find on You Tube.

They remember their famous "Marches" outside of Andy's as they played "As the Saints Go Marching By."  You just have to wonder what people driving by on Lincoln Highway (DeKalb's Main Street) thought seeing four guys playing a tuba, accordion, guitar and drum walking down the sidewalk with a whole big group of slightly inebriated folks yelling, hollering and dancing behind them.  The poor Andy's doormen would be grabbing drinks as fats as they could before they went out the door.

One of the guys selling hot dogs from push carts outside of Andy's back in those days was the current owner of PJ's Courthouse in Sycamore where the band often plays.

Always A Good Time.  --RoadDog


CHOCOLATE RULES:  If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet?

Homecoming Weekend at NIU

OCTOBER 24, SATURDAY--  Drove to DeKalb enjoying the fall color.  Parked at the Baymont Hotel and walked over to the alumni tent area and enjoyed a porkchop sandwich and the swag.  Heard the university president and athletic director speak and the Huskie Marching band.

Decided not to buy tickets for the game because of the crummy weather, but watched part of it from outside Huskie Stadium.

Went back to the hotel and drove Lincoln Highway downtown and went to Lord Stanley's where we saw the game and enjoyed the DeKalb Footstompers, a homecoming tradition since 1973.  Ended up at Pizza Pros.

OCTOBER 25, SUNDAY--  Drove around campus, Greek Row and did some shopping for NIU stuff.  Had lunch of sliders at White Castle and then intended to see the Pumpkin festival parade in Sycamore, but couldn't find a parking place so drove to Woodstock and walked around the Square.  Stopped at Benton Street Tap and Wayne's Lanes, which was the bowling alley in the movie "Groundhog Day."  This is also from where Bill Murray and friends took their race around town and on the railroad tracks.

Last stop was Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

A Good Weekend.  --RoadDog

MORE TO PONDER:  In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism it's your county who votes.

It's Homecoming Time Again at NIU

In just a short time, Liz and I will be preparing to drive out to DeKalb, Illinois, for yet another Northern Illinois Homecoming, this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of Huskie Stadium.  We play Eastern Michigan in a MAC matchup.

Of course, there is always the alumni tailgating/tent area near the Barcema Alumni Center as well as souvenirs to be bought.  Then, there is the game at 2:30.

Even better, we then go to Lord Stanley's to celebrate with the great DeKalb Footstompers who have played at every Northern Homecoming since 1973 and still has three of the original four members.  They are every bit as much of a NIU Homecoming tradition for us as is the game.  We saw them at Andy's back then and have seen them most homecomings since.

They really pack 'em into Lord Stanley's, the old Shamrock when we were students.  And everyone has a great time listening to oldies and great originals by them.  You haven't lived until you've heard "Purple Haze" played by a four piece band featuring a guitar, drums, tuba and accordion.

Fight On You Huskies!!  --RoadDog

Finishing Up Oktoberfest

I came across a list of favorite Oktoberfest that folks like their oom-pah bands to play on those huge Munich tents.  I am not sure if they only have oom-pah bands playing or if perhaps some rock bands play as well.

These surprised me:

Seven Nation Army--  White Stripes
Sweet Home Alabama--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
We Are the Champions--  Queen

I Will Survive--  Gloria Gaynor
La Bamba--  Ritchie Valens
Born in the USA--  Bruce Springsteen

Don't Stop Believing--  Journey
No Woman, No Cry--  Bob Marley
You Shook Me All Night Log--  AC/DC

A Couple German ones:

Furstenfeld
Wahn Sinn Holle, Holle, Holle

Of course, a favorite Oktoberfest local group of ours here in Northern Illinois is the DeKalb Footstompers.  They are a four-piece group with the traditional drums and guitar.  But they get quite different with accordion and tuba.  You haven't lived until you hear them play Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze."

In the Mood for A Brat and a Beer, No Foam, Please.  --RoadDog


YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF:  You don't have any hats in your closet advertising feed stores.

DeKalb Kind of a Weekend-- Part 2: DeKalb Footstompers, Naked Nuggets

October 11th.

Watched the rest of the NIU-Central Michigan game at Lord Stanley's and it sure never got any better.  Northern had no defense and very little offense.  We played badly and they played very well and Northern's 28 game winning streak came crashing to a halt.

Oh, well, that's never been a problem before when NIU lost most of its games every year, and we weren't going to allow it to stop us from having fun this time and Da Footstompers are just the guys to get you through it.

Talked with the tuba player Rick during the game.  He is a Northern grad and an even bigger fan than we are and he was nothing short of disgusted.

Lord Stanley's filled up to standing room only. mostly us older grads.  This was the 42nd straight NIU Homecoming the DeKalb Footstompers have played (beginning at Andy's and now Lord Stanley's).

We had a mighty good time, but left after their second set to get closer to the hotel.

Stopped at Pizza Pros and had their naked nuggets (essentially plain beer nuggets but with a lot of marinara to dip them in.  Beer nuggets (fried pieces of dough) are getting quite popular in northern Illinois and to the best of our knowledge, started in DeKalb at Sgt. Pepper's.  It is becoming one of those regional delicacies.

Sure were a lot of police out on Lincoln Highway at night.  We watched a stop right by Pizza Pros where a lot of police were making a very detailed search of a car while we were eating.  At least all we had to do was walk across Lincoln Highway to get back to the motel.

"In Heaven There Is No Beer, That's Why We Drink It Here."  --RoadDog


SAY WHAT?  "Pencil me in.'--  On your smartphone calendar app?

DeKalb Kind Of a Weekend-- Part 1: Alumni and Game

This past Saturday, October 11th, we drove to DeKalb, Illinois, for the Northern Illinois Homecoming game.  There was sporadic color among the trees along the way and in DeKalb.  We went to Wal-Mart and Village Commons Bookstore and bought some NIU souvenirs and then checked into the Baymont.

Walked over to the Alumni Tailgating area, always a good time with the tents, free food and give aways.  Saw NIU President Bill Baker walking around on several occasions and were serenaded by the NIU Marching Band.  Talked with Terri, our financial person at NIU for our scholarship.

Walked over to the party area west of Huskie Stadium and then decided not to buy tickets, despite perfect weather, because we would have to leave at half time if we wanted to get a place to sit at Lord Stanley's for the DeKalb Footstompers after the game.

Watched the first quarter on a small rise by some apartments south of the stadium.  The Huskies received the ball and in a minute had a TD and we were right by the ROTC howitzer when they fired it.  Quite loud when you're that close.  But then, the Chippewas score and then scored again and led 14-7 at the end of the quarter.

We walked back to the hotel and drove downtown to watch the second quarter at Sully's, but they didn't have it on so went to Lord Stanley's on Lincoln Highway, DeKalb's Main Street (Il. Route 38).

--More to Come.  --RoadDog

Football, Parades and Boating Over Last Five Days

FRIDAY, OCT. 11TH:   Boating. Richmond-Burton High School victory over Burlington Central.

SATURDAY OCT. 12TH: Drive to Dekalb for NIU's 108th Homecoming. Alumni Tent Area. Met author of new "Huskie Football" book and new NIU President Doug Baker. Seats on the 45 yardline. NIU wins. Dekalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's.

SUNDAY, OCT. 13TH: NIU souveniers and CDs at Wal-Mart and Barnes & Nobles. Breakfast of Champions at White Castle. Marengo Settler's Day Parade. Bar-Hopping at Coleman's and Red Mill in Woodstock.

MONDAY, OCT. 14TH: Halloween decorations. Boating. Kevin and Kelly. American Legion and NTN and pizza at J's.

TUESDAY, OCT. 14TH: Movie "Gravity." Shopping in McHenry.

Great Time. --RoadDog

NIU Homecoming 2013: Congrats Dekalb Footstompers on 40th Anniversary

After the game, as has been our custom for most of the last 40 years, we adjourned to Lord Stanley's in downtown Dekalb on the Lincoln Highway for the Dekalb Footstompers. The first whole bunch of years they were at Andy's, right down the street. They then moved to the Shamrock which is now Lord Stanley's, a hockey bar. Win or lose (we won), we get to hear and yell out "The Huskie Fight Song," a Footstomper staple.

We were a bit too late to find seats at first, but Liz, the master seat/barstool acquisition expert, eventually got two together. We are not the only alumni who don't consider it a proper homecoming unless they get their yearly Stomper dose.  Hey, a four piece band featuring drums, guitar, tuba and accordion can't be all bad. You haven't lived until you've heard them play rock songs like that, especially "Purple Haze." Of course, they can play polkas and oom-pah music. In addition, they have all sorts of their own songs like "Vasectomy" and "NIU Sorority Bitch." "Rocky Top" always gets a great ovation.

Thanks For All of the Good Times, Footstomper Guys. It Wouldn't Be Homecoming Without You. --RoadDog

Homecoming Wins Out

I had several things I would have liked to do today. The McHenry Historical Society has a meeting and presentation this morning; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, has their annual Oktoberfest and Marengo, Illinois, their annual Settlers' Days festival.

But, Northern Illinois has its homecoming against the Akron Zips (who came with a minute of defeating Michigan earlier this season. We already have tickets, anyway.

Plus, the DeKalb Footstompers play afterwards at Lord Stanley's in downtown DeKalb, right on the old Lincoln Highway.

There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town. --RoadDog

A trip Out to the Country-- Part 2

October 15th-- Saturday

Met up with some NIU folks at the alumni tailgating section and had a great meal at the College of Education tent where we met the dean and some profs.

Decided not to see the game at Huskie Stadium because it was too cold with the wind.

Drove downtown and went to Sully's and watched the first half of the game (with NIU losing 15-13). Then staked our seats at the bar at Lord Stanleys's and watched the second half when Northern came roaring back to win 51-22!

The Dekalb Footstompers played their 38th straight NIU Homecoming show and had the place jumping as usual.

Stopped at Pizza Pros for beer nuggets and a few more drinks before turning in.


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16th

Breakfast of Champions at White Castle. Home. Then watched the Packers win at Donovan's in Twin Lakes. Watched Da Bears actually play some football at Margaritaville.

All In All, Not a Bad Weekend. --RoadDog

JSS: Route 66-- End Boating?-- World Series-- Too Much Fun

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. ROUTE 66-- Real happy to see a front page article in the October 15th Chicago Tribune on our beloved Route 66 here in Illinois "Foreigners' ultimate road trip" by Vikki Ortiz Healy. You should check it out. Too bad foreigners seem to know and love the old road better than most Americans.

Like I tell foreigners, "You get to see the real America with the "Good, the bad and ugly." And take a trip back to the 40s-50s as well.


2. END BOATING?-- Thinking of taking the boat out one more time, making our goal of 40 times for the season, despite not starting until after the 4th of July and some pretty bad September weather. Not great today, only about 60 degrees, but let's hit out goal.


3. WORLD SERIES-- Watched the Brewer-Cardinal game last night. Too bad. Same with the Tiger-Ranger game. I was hoping for an all-Midwest World Series with Brewers vs. Tigers. At least we did get one Midwest team in.

Not sure who to pull for now. The Cards are my 4th favorite team (Brewers 3rd) and they are Midwest. Texas is American League (my favorite) and even though in the Series last year, have a history of losing going back to their Washington Senators days (even though they and equally hapless Kansas City As swept my all-time favorite team, the 1967 White Sox at the end of that season to knock us out of the World Series). I'll have to think about it.


4. TOO MUCH FUN-- One great weekend this past. Relived the glory daze of our college experience to the fullest at Northern Illinois' 104th Homecoming. Met our college dean, some profs, some bar owners, lots of alumni and lots of drunks.

Went to one new restaurant and one new bar. Did the Lincoln Crawl (as in the famous old Lincoln Highway), hitting seven bars on it in the space of a half mile. NIU won!! Got our fill of beer nuggets. And, then, the Dekalb Footstompers did their usual fun show at Lord Stanley's.

What to Do next. --RoadDog


PARAPROSDOKIAN SENTENCE: Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of a pool and throw them fish.

A Trip Out in the Country-- Part 1

Yesterday, we drove to Sycamore, Illinois, and had a fish fry at the Towne Square Restaurant, checked into the Best Western Motel in Dekalb and did the Lincoln Crawl (bars along the Lincoln Highway (Il-38) in the downtown starting with Andy's, then to Hometown, O'Leary's (located in the old J.C. Penney's building) and ending up at Fatty's by the motel.

This morning I went to the Homecoming parade from downtown to NIU. We'll be leaving soon for some serious tailgating over by the Barsema Alumni Building. Then, the game vs. Western Michigan.

A good time should be had at Lord Stanley's starting at 6 when the Dekalb Footstompers take the stage.

Enough Fun? --RoadDog