Good Times Around Here May 14 to 16: A Movie, the Civil War, Bars and Specials, Good Eatin' and 'Young Sheldon'

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Went to Woodstock and saw "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", met members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner and then heard a presentation on the Queen of the West and USS Indianola at the Woodstock Public Library.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and had 75 cent wings at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove, Illinois.  Oh yes, then there were the $1 tall boys of Hamms.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Met with the funeral home to design grave stone for Liz and myself.  Then met Liana and Frank at the Fox Lake, Illinois, Senior Luncheon at the Lake Front Park and were entertained by a duo.  That "Young Sheldon" series finale was something else.  I am sure going to miss that show.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here, May 1-5: Donovan's & Mick's, a $7 Breakfast, Patty Melt, Legion, Bart Alonzo Band and Steak & Eggs

We haven't even gotten to summer yet, but already lots to do around here.

So far this month:

MAY 1ST, WEDNESDAY

Donovan's for trivia and Saylor Mick's for $1 Hamms pints and 75 cent wings.

MAY 2ND, THURSDAY

Fox Lake Legion for $1.50 pints.

MAY 3RD, FRIDAY

Eggs over easy, hash browns and toast at Midwest Breakfast Company for $7.  A real good deal these days. K.C.'s Cabin for a patty melt and then Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

MAY 4TH, SATURDAY

Fox Lake Legion and the Bart Alonzo Band from 3 to 6 pm.  Magic Moon and glad to see buddy Frank is back.

MAY 5TH, SUNDAY

Steak and eggs at Pink House in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.

--RoadDog

Tournament Time Is Here!! Whoopee!!

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

Well, we are upon my favorite sporting event of the year, the NCAA Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.  And it arrived today (well, other than the four play-in games).  

This is a time I pull for the Little Guys vs. the Big Guys, even if the Big Guy is one of my favorites like Duke, UNC or Kansas.  For me, it's all about the upsets and especially Cinderella stories.  I remember when Gonzaga made that deep run which sent everyone to maps looking to find the location of Gonzaga.

I also like to see a high seed upset a low seed.

And, every year we get a lot of upsets and close games.  I am no fan of blowouts, even when it is one of my teams doing it to someone.  I especially liked it the last years when a #16 beat a #1.  Now that is just plain fun.

And, it is here.

I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and watched the game with my buddy Rich who knows aa while lot about college basketball.  I then came home and continued watching games in Margaritaville while enjoying my Ultimate 300-disc Juke Box.

--RoadB-Ball

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Pizza, Beer, a Movie, a Presentation and Trivia

And, it was unseasonably warm around here until Saturday.

MARCH 11--  MONDAY

Went to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for half price pizza and Bricks 'N Ivy for the $8 pitcher of Blue Moon.

MARCH 12-- TUESDAY

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for the movie "King Fu Panda: 4" at the theater, then spent some time in the library before meeting members of the Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner.  Then we adjourned back to the library where the McHenry County Civil War Round Table has a presentation on Confederate Railroads during the war.

MARCH 13--  WEDNESDAY

Put up the spring flowers at Liz's grave and talked with the funeral director at the Spring Grover Funeral Home about a grave stone.  Then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for snack day/trivia at Donovan's Reef.  We sure ate well.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Visit With Liz, Donovan's, Trivia, Saylor Mick's, Kent State, Star Wars and a Movie

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

Visited Liz at Cole Cemetery and then went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes,Wisconsin, as we so often did.  Played live trivia with Uncle Jeffie.  Stopped at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for the wing special and those great retro $1 Hamm's pints.

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THURSDAY, MAY 4

Today was the 53rd anniversary of the killings at Kent State in Ohio.  That set off rioting and troubles in college campuses across the United States, including at NIU where I was a freshman.  I thought I was seeing the end of the United States.

On a lighter note, today, being May the 4th, has a play on words "May the Force Be With You" so it is an "Star Wars" day.  All of Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten had to do with space.  I wrote them down earlier in this blog.

Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw "Renfield."  That Nicholas Cage makes a fine Dracula.

--RoadDrac

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 1

The Icestorm of Wednesday, February 22.

Starting over the weekend of Feb. 18-19, we started getting dire warnings of a likely ice storm heading our way, with the worst part supposed to hit us along the Illinois-Wisconsin border and areas north.  To the south it would be more of a rain situation.  I always take it under advisement as the weather folks are often right, but also often wrong.  I was hoping they were wrong.

However, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 20 and 21, it was still predicted to hit Wednesday, my usual day to drive up to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  I adopted a wait and see attitude.  

Well, they were right on with their predictions.  We did have an ice storm and it was the worst I can remember having in the 30 years we've lived in Spring Grove, Illinois.  By the time I would have left for Donovan's at 1:30 pm, there was a thick coating of ice on all the trees and bushes.  Staying put now.

Really hoping we don't lose power.  At 6:15, the lights flickered and then ten monutes later, flickered and went out for good.  Of course, dumb old me had not put any flashlights nearby, so had to grope for some.  Finally found one and was in business.

But, now what.  I can't do anything without electricity and Wednesdays are one of my favorite TV days.  No TV, no radio, no stereo, no nothing.

Might just as well go to sleep.

--RoadIcedOut

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

Drinkin' and Eatin' on the Cheap

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

I must remember to always put the checkbook in the same place.  Whenever I don't, it goes on the "lam" for awhile.  Like it is right now.  

Met Kevin and Kelly at Half-Times in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed the $1 Lite pints and the $11.50 (half price) slab of ribs, fried and garlic bread meal.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Hey, Half-Times has $1 Lite drafts and half price pizza, sandwiches and ribs Monday to Thursday until the end of February.  I have to take advantage of ths deal.  I was back again.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

I found the wayward checkbook and put it where I always do.  Let's see how long  remember to do this.  Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played live trivia with Kevin, Kelly and a host of others.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Met Kevin and Kelly at Bulldog Ale House in McHenry, Illinois.  They have their old special back.  Any of their draft beer pints for $2.  And, that includes domestic, import and craft beer.  That's talking my language.  Plus, 89 cent chicken tenders.

Too Good of Deals to Pass Up.  --RoadDog

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

Little Ol' Texting Me, A New Insurance Plan Costs Me and the Moose

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11

Met Laura, Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and actually did my first real texts to Sue and Paul. A year ago I couldn't even imagine me texting anyone.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

I had to pay full price at Walgreens for a prescription as our insurance provider with TRS had changed.  I will make sure I get the new company in the files right away.  Expensive.

Went to Half-Times in Johnsburg for the $1 drafts.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13

Met Kevin and Kelly and a whole bunch of Sunnysiders at the McHenry Moose for fish fry and karaoke.  George and I got the "band" back together and sang "It's Hard to Be Hunble" and "I Like Beer."  We used to sing those two songs and others at Stucky's during the Saturday night karaoke.  We were pretty good on those songs but really butchered other efforts.

Got the Old Band Back Together.  The George and Don Band.  --RoadDog

The Old Dummy Goes Smart...Well, Maybe

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

Bob Stroud has been counting through the 1970s in his daily Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  Yesterday, he did 1970 with songs like "Teacher" by Jethro Tull and "The Rapper" by the Jaggerz.  Today, he did 1971 with songs like "Going Mobile" by the Who and "Everythings Coming Our Way" by Santana.  Those were two great college years for me at NIU.  He will continue this the rest of the month going to 1980.  It streams at 10 am and 10 pm.

Drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to the Target store and bought a Consumer Cellular Smart Phone.  My friend Kelly is going to help me shed my old dumb ways.  It's going to be a long haul as when it comes to technology, I am severely challenged.

Met Kevin, Kelly, Pam and Laura at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and we had a good time with trivia.

We had no luck with our attempts to set up the phone.

It's Going to be a Long Road to Hoe with That "Smart" Phone.  --RoadDumb

Oh, Those Pontiacs, Trivia at Donovans and Alan Snyder at Sunnyside

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16

Went to the Car Show at the McHenry Moose Lodge which was featuring Pontiacs.  Too bad I couldn't take my '85 Firebird because of a flat tire and I can't get it started.  They had several GTOs and Trans Ams, but no regular Firebirds.  A 1968 Pontiac Tempest brought back memories as we used to have a '67 Tempest, the poor man's GTO.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

THUSDAY, AUGUST 18

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois, and saw Alan Snyder do his show.  Great music and trivia.

I Sure Miss Pontiacs.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do we ship by truck and send cargo by ship?

A Movie, Meal and the Civil War As Well as Wings and a Concert

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Bob Stroud played Ten at Ten from that great college year for me, 1972, including "Ventura Highway" by America and "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards.  Took me back.  

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie "Minions:  the Rise of Gru."  Gotta love those little yellow guys.  Then met some Civil War buffs at 3 Brothers restaurant in Il. Highway 47 and then to The Woodstock Library for a presentation on the USS Merrimac(k)/ CSS Virginia.  I especially like presentations on anything Civil War Navy.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had those great 50 cent wings and a good talk wih a Sox fan where we figured out that the Sox really have stunk up the place this season.  Drove to Wisconsin and got gas just over the border for $3.87 ($3.86.9) which is 45 cents cheaper than in Illinois.  A whole lot of Illinois folks near the border do this these days.

Then went to Antioch's It's Thursday concert featuring a good party band, 28 Days.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How can a SLIM CHANCE and a FAT CHANCE  be the same, while a WISE GUY and a WISE MAN aren't.

No 'Dumb Ass Trivia', A Taste of Carolina, Elvis, a Band and $1.1 Billion?

WEDNESDAY  JULY 27

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and met Kevin and Kelly and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie and his "Smarty Pants Trivia."  Should be called "Dumb Ass Trivia."

Came home and heated up a Brookwood Farms pit cooked Carolina-style pork bbq which is as close to Wilber's as you can get.  A little taste of Carolina.

THURSDAY, JULY 28

Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw the movie "Elvis."  Great music.  

Went to Antioch and ate at the Burger King before going to the village's It's Thursday music festival and saw an excellent band called Pet Rocks.  On the way home, stopped at Liz's Spring Grove Liquor Store and bought a couple raffle tickets for Mega Lotto which was "only" $1.1 billion.  We don't usually play, but when it gets that high, oh well.  Who knows?

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Tell a man there are 400 billion stars and he will believe you.  Tell him a bench has wet paint, and he just has to touch it.

Whoppers, Old Cars and Old Friends

MONDAY, JULY 18

We drove to McHenry, Illinois, and had Whopper dinners at Burger King.  Still one of my favorite burgers after all these years.  We then walked around the Green Street car show admiring the rides, especially ared '67 Firebird convertible, my favorite oldies car.

We saw the same band as yesterday, Aging Teen Idols, who were providing entertainment.

Afterwards went to Sunnyside and had a great time with the Stucky folks:  Angie, Wayne and Carrie.

TUESDAY, JULY 19

Met the Sunnyside folks at Granny's Diner on the Fox River River in Johnsburg and had that excellent chopped steak, two eggs over easy, gash browns and bread.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

National Hot Dog Day,  One of my favorite foods.  Didn't have one though.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and happy hour.

--RoadDog

Movies, the Civil War and Sliders

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and saw the movie "Elvis," met the folks from the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for a pre-meeting meal and then went to the Woodstock Public Library for the meeting and had a presentation by Bruce Allardice on "The Mysteries of the Hunley."  

That really made my night as we rarely have presentations on anything naval.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

We joined Kevin and Kelly and we had Sliders that Jeff had picked up at White Castle in Kenosha for "snack day."  Cindy and Jerry usually bring in the heavy snacks.  We bring in butter pretzels.

THURSDAY, JULY 14

Went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) Theatre and saw "Jurassic World Dominion."  I sure enjoyed the six "Jurassic" movies.  Later we went to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

A Celebration of Life, Summer of '72 and a Legion

SATURDAY, JULY 9

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the Celebration of Mike Barnhorst's Life.  A very appropriate place to hold it since he spent most all of his most recent years there living in a room in the motel.

He was well-known and well-liked by all and always personally greeted everyone who came in.  He was just called "Mikey."

His family has all sorts of quirky people in it.

SUNDAY, JULY 10

Did some planting and yardwork.  Recorded Bob Stroud's second Roots Salute to Summer 1972, fifty years ago.  He has four parts to summers fifty years ago where he plays the songs on our radios and in our record collections from that date.  I was going to summer school at the University of Georgia to get some classes I needed before transferring back to Northern Illinois University to finish my college career.

The first three songs he played were "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies, "Hello Mary Lou" by CCR and "Brandy" by Looking Glass.  I listed all the songs he played in my Down Da Road I Go July blog.

We went to the American Legion in McHenry and I enjoyed their $2 every day rail drink special and Liz had the Hamm's beer Tall Boys for $2.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why is W pronounced "double U" instead of "double V?"

Trivia, Food, Captain's, the Beatelles, a Fish Fry and Lake View

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and, as usual, we had a smorgasboard to eat as folks brought food in.

THURSDAY, JULY 7

Drove to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had their 50 cent wing special said hi to former neighbor Mel who used to live next to us and is an unbelievably good bartender there.   Then drove to Antioch, Illinois, for the It's Thursday concert series, today featuring an all female group named  Beatelles singing Beatles songs.  That was sure a different way to hear the Beatles.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

Met Kelly and Kevin, Glen and Barb at Cuda's for their fish fry then went over to Lake View Place for their $1.50 draft beer and had never seen the place so crowded.  Former neighbor Mel and a lot of the Captain's Quarters folks were there.

Fun and Games Around Here.  --RoadDog

THINGS TO PONDER:  Which letter in "Scent" is silent?  Is it the "S" or "C?"

Magee Teachers in Bristol. Bob Stroud Retires from Deejaying.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for trivia and those great 1/2 price drink specials during happy hour.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Met the usual group of former Magee Middle School teachers for breakfast in Bristol, Wisconsin, at the Bristol 45 Diner.  We had two newcomers to the "club", Karen and Linda.  Always good to get together with people I worked many years with back in the day.  

I also had an Magee '81-'82 yearbook and everyone got a kick out of that.  I must admit I looked quite a bit like Gabe Kaplan of "Welcome Back Kotter" but with less hair.

This was Bob Stroud's last day deejaying before his semi-retirement from Chicago's WDRV after four decades of work, mostly spent at numerous stations in Chicago, the last 21 with this station.  I recorded a lot of his show on cassette tape.

However, he will continue doing my favorite shows that he does: Ten at Ten, One 45 at 1:45 daily and Rock and Roll Roots on Sundays.

He said how he got into the radio business back when he was 12 and living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a friend of him told him to tune into WLS, 890 AM, out of Chicago and listen to a deejay named Dick Biondi...and that got him hooked on what turned out to be a long career.

--RoadStroud

All These Blogs Ago, Stucky's, a Fish Fry and Those Old Bars of Ours

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

Entered posts in all eight blogs.  Believe me, that is time consuming.  Got some yardwork done and we went to Stucky's in Johnsburg to use up some of out $25 gift cards that we had won in their live trivia games.  In a few days they will not be worth anything.  Local entertainer Jim Seig had a long-standing open mic night at Stucky's on Thursdays but canceled for the last two times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Breakfast on FP.  Again, finished all eight blogs.  Too hot to work outside.  Normally we go to the Spring Grove Fish Boil every year to raise money for the old Spring Grove Fish Hatchery which has been turned into a village park, but today was the last day of Stucky's fish fry so we went there instead.

We sure are going to miss Stucky's  It is always sad when one of your favorite hangouts closes.  But, usually another one comes along.

Several years back three of our favorite places closed:  Tommy's and Antonio's in Spring Grove and the Twisted Moose in McHenry, but we ended up getting Sunnyside and Stucky's in Johnsburg.  And then there was Costello's in Fox Lake where we hung out for a really long time.  And, there was also Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, when Jeff Stewart sold it, but we still hang out there.

Things Go On.  --RoadDog