Around Here: Da Bulls, Weird Hair on Athletes, Stucky's, Da Beatles and Stucky's Again

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

We had snow flurries all day, but there was no accumulation.  That's a real good thing.  We went to Stucky's and watched the Bulls game, which sadly, they lost.  They are on a losing streak right now, but before that playing very well for the first time since the fabulous 90s when they won six NBA Championships in eight years -- the Michael Jordan years.  Ever since, they have been very sad.

I wanted to show Liz the hair that Bulls player Coby White had last year compared to this.  Back then it was one of those very eye-insulting 'dos, but now just a regular cut.  I don't like long, weird hair on athletes no matter if they're Whites or Blacks.

While looking for pictures of him, I found out that he was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, which perked my interest since that is also where I was born.  However, he played high school basketball in Wilson, N.C.  He went to UNC-Chapel Hill, but unfortunately was one of those one-and-diners.  I'm not real happy with these guys or the schools that "hire" them for that one year before they go to the NBA.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

Bob Stroud featured the Beatles Album "Meet the Beatles" as later this week will mark the 58th anniversary of its release.  This was the fun Beatles in my book.  And, they were the ones who got me to listening to pop music.  I never did before.  And, of course, music has had a huge impact on my life.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and watched two NFL Wild Card Playoff games.

--RoadBeatle

Around Here: 2021 High School Football: Skyhawks, Rockets, Bull Dogs, Panthers, Pirates, Vikings

SATURDAY. OCTOBER 23

Well, Illinois high school football season ended and it was the second straight year that I didn't get to see any games.  I sure hope to start seeing them next year. 

Anyway, here are the final records of the teams I back:

Johnsburg:   3-6

Richmond-Burton:    9-0

Grant (Fox Lake):   2-7

Round Lake:  2-7

Palatine:  6-3

Fremd (Palatine):  1-8

Mt. Carmel (Chicago):  6-3

Goldsboro (North Carolina):  4-5

Some Good, Some Bad.  --RoadHigh

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  How long is the average woman in labor?  A:  Whatever she says divided by two.

Lest Ye Forget or Didn't Know: Tomorrow, April 13, Is Record Store Day

Always a big day for me.  A day to get back to my past.  A day to Flip Through the Albums.  A day to be amazed at all the young folks looking at albums instead of downloading.

It's RECORD STORE DAY.

I'll be heading over to my favorite mom and pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, in McHenry, Illinois.  And, then maybe over to Siren Records, also in McHenry.  I feel lucky to have not one but two record stores that close to me.

I'll be buying several albums and several CDs.

My favorite record stores that are no longer with us:

Full Cyrkle Records in Crystal Lake, Illinois
Record Revolution in DeKalb, Illinois
Record Rack in Goldsboro, N.C.

If you're not sure where a mom and pop record store is nearest to you, go to the site and they will tell you.

I should also mention that you should tune into Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM tomorrow as they will do a Saturday Morning Flashback to 1991 from 9 am to noon and then the rest of the day and night will be all album sides.  And, I mean album sides played on vinyl.  It streams.

Not That I Need Another Record or CD.  --RoadDog

From Great Lakes Navy Base to Kelly's 40th to Spring Grove Pub

SEPTEMBER 15, SATURDAY

I called my brother Bob in Goldsboro, N.C., who said he was without power as expected because of Hurricane Florence and there are many trees down.  he had eight inches of water in his basement.

Went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society meeting and heard an interesting presentation on the Great Lakes Navy Base in North Chicago.  It dates to 1911 and is the only Navy training base in the United States.

Later, we went to the Legion for Kelly's 40th birthday party.  Great food and the band Ask Jimmy outside on the grounds overlooking Nippersink Lake.

Afterwards to Spring Grove Pub.

SEPTEMBER 16, SUNDAY

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the Packer-Viking game.  It is always more fun to watch the Pack in Wisconsin for some reason.  Unfortunately, after dominating the game early on, the Pack (we pull for the Packers unless they play Da Bears) let Minnesota back into the game and it ended up tied after overtime.

--ToadDog

Hurricane Florence Hit Special Areas To Me

The last two weeks have been hard on me to the extent that this hurricane/storm hit a part of the United states that is very special to me.

That would be the North Carolina coastal area ab well as into South Carolina.

Plus, I have relatives living there still, including cousins, nephews, nieces and my brother.  Goldsboro was hard hit and that is where my brother and I were born and we spent many times at both grandparents homes (in Goldsboro and Mt. Olive, N.C.) and then my parents bought my mom's house and lived in it until their deaths.

Plus, my mom had a condo on the second row of Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  In addition, Carolina Beach was the vacation spot we went to for so many years as we grew up.  (Mom's parents even owned a cottage on the ocean there until Hurricane Hazel came through in 1954.)

And, Liz and I used to spend a lot of vacations in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

I tell you, that storm really hit home.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back

I arrived back home yesterday, January 21st, after a ten day trip to North Carolina to clean out Mom's condo at Topsail Beach.  I tell you, at age 65, I am getting too old to do that much moving.

Picked up my nephew Andy at RDU Airport and drove to the beach where I met my brother Bob and later my sister Julie and Ed met us.  We spent Friday night and all day Saturday clearing the place out and took two loads of stuff to the consignment shop in Holly Ridge.

Monday and Tuesday I spent at Carolina Beach and enjoyed Fort Fisher for a good long while on Tuesday.  I then spent Wednesday and Thursday at Goldsboro.

--RoadDog

N.C. Fall 2016-- Day 3 and 4: Mom's DAR Ceremony

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016, TUESDAY

  We spent the morning sorting through papers, documents (mostly financial) and books.  I took four loads of books over to Mom's Salvation Army Thrift Store.  She was very active in that group[s Auxiliary.

The big event for today was Mom's Daughters of the American Revolution David Williams group's graveside marking ceremony at her grave.  We were very fortunate that the earlier and later rains held off for it as it was outside.

Afterwards, we ate at B&D Restaurant in Goldsboro..

The rest of the afternoon and night was spent sorting through papers and books.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016, WEDNESDAY

I had planned on going to Topsail Beach today, but decided not to because of all the rain around eastern North Carolina.  The day was mostly spent going through Mom's papers and books and taking them to her church, the town library and Salvation Army.

Bob and I went to Wilber's for some of that great 'cue.

--RoadDog

N.C. Fall 2016-- Day 2: Zanesville, Ohio, to Goldsboro, N.C.

Monday, September 19

Drove on the old National Road/ US-40 from Zanesville to Cambridge, then I-77 south through West Virginia to Virginia.  Stopped at the Virginia Welcome Center for my Virginia peanut fix and Wytheville for gas and my Chocolate/Blueberry Ugly fix.

U.S.-421 from Winston-Salem to I-40 at Greensboro.  Made it through the Raleigh-Durham Sytangler on I-40 with no problems.  Then, US-70 to Goldsboro.

Met Bob at Mom's house then Julie arrived.  We ate at Pizza Inn and spent the rest of the night sorting through Mom's stuff.  I mainly concentrated on books.

--RoadDog

A Sad September 14th for Me: My Mother Is No Longer Here

This is a hard day for me as my mother, Barbara, would have been 86 today.  But we lost her suddenly back in June.

Visiting Goldsboro just isn't going to be the same.

However, she lived a good life and a long one.  My dad died at age 69.  Plus, other than some age ailments, she was getting around and doing what she wanted to do (and that was a lot).  She was involved in many things in her beloved Goldsboro, N.C..

She was born in the house she died in.  Not many can say that.

I Sure Miss Her.

North Carolina Summer 2016-- Part 10: Leaving the Beach and Beach Music

JULY 28, THURSDAY

Read the paper and had breakfast on the front porch and took a walk on the beach.

July 28th, Thursday.

The appraiser came over and looked at the condo and took a lot of pictures.  Before and after he came I worked on Mom's memoirs, making corrections.

Closed the place up (and only left my I-Pad charger and wash cloth and bath towel).  I went to the Topsail Beach Town Hall and had the water/garbage bill transferred to my name and then closed out the cable, telephone and wi-fi at Holly Ridge.

Stopped at Paul's Famous Hot Dogs (a family tradition) in Rocky Point, N.C..  Drove back to Goldsboro.

later that night, my brother Bob and I went to the Center Street Jam downtown and saw one of the hottest beach bands around these days, Jim Quick and Coastline, and ate at Torino's Mexican Restaurant.  One mighty good steak nachos.

--RoadDog

Music Deaths: Arthur Lee Andrew Thompson (Lee Andrews & the Hearts)

ARTHUR LEE ANDREW THOMPSON, 79.  Died March 16, 2016.

Lead singer of Lee Andrews & the Hearts.  Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina and raised in Philadelphia.  His father had sung with the Dixie Hummingbirds.

His "Long Lonely Hearts" (#45 Pop, #11 R&B- 1957) became a Doo-Wop staple.

He also had "Teardrops" (#33 Pop, #3 R&B-1958) and "Try the Impossible" (#33 Pop- 1958).

N.C. Summer Trip 2015-- Part 8: Coming Home

JULY 29, 2015

Spent this day getting ready to go back to Goldsboro.  Took a last walk along the beach collecting shells and "lima beans."  Checked out the cemeteries where Dad and my grandparents are buried once we got back into Wayne County, where Goldsboro is located.

Went to Cook-Out in Goldsboro for dinner,  They have probably the best Carolina BBQ deal around.  For $3.99 you get a big helping of pulled pork, cole slaw, hush puppies and fries.  And their BBQ is as good as any you can get elsewhere.

Bob and Chia came over.  Chia made some of her absolutely famous dessert and also a big bag of jerky for me.

In Jerky Heaven.  --RoadJerk

Back Home Again-- Part 2

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23RD:  Went to a Zaxby's for the first time.  Good food.  Did some shopping.

THURSDAY, JULY 24TH:  Some serious rain.  Bob and I drove out to Bentonville Battlefield, about 20 miles from Goldsboro and went to the museum.  We didn't get to go on the battlefield because of the off-and-on rain, at times really heavy.

Originally the plan was to go to Topsail Beach today, but the great beach band, The Embers, were playing at Goldsboro's Main Street Jam downtown so stuck around for it.  Unfortunately, it was rained out.

Oh Well.  --RoadDog


SIGNS OF OLD AGE:  When you do the "Hokey Pokey" and you put your left hip out, it stays out.

I Was Busted About the Wedding Ring-- Part 3

As, I said earlier, the ring wasn't lost because I didn't look for it. I stopped at every place we went to on our way to the beach. No luck. And then I looked all over the house in Goldsboro. Again, no ring. I decided not to tell Liz, just in case it turned up, but that sure wasn't likely by then.

Left Goldsboro for home on December 3rd. At some point in Virginia, I evidently received a call on the cell phone, but didn't hear it go off because of the music playing too loud. I noticed it had a message in West Virginia. It was from Mom who said the person cleaning the townhome at the beach had found it!! Wow!! I'm sure glad she found it. Called Mom back and got the details.

I think I'm not going to wear it anymore until I get it resized to fit my ring finger.

Must be Doing Something Right. --RoadDog

NC Bound 2013-- Part 4: Gettin' My 'Cue and On to Goldsboro/Cheerwine Fix

SEPTEMBER 8TH.

The Mayberry Motor Inn in Mt. Airy, NC, has a nice little continental breakfast which I ate out at that wonderful gazebo. Then, I read some more of Mark Bradley's book on the Battle of Bentonville as I plan to go to a seminar on it September 14th. LOVE THAT GAZEBO.

Sadly, had to get on the road and took the US-52 bypass, Andy Griffith Bloulavard south to US-52 (soon to be the I-74 Corridor). Took it past Pilot Mountain to Winston-Salem, then US-421 east to I-40.

Stopped at the Hursey's BBQ in Burlington, but found it was closed on Sundays. Then stopped at Smithfield's BBQ and Chicken in Mebane and got my 'cue fix. I had also had 'cue at the Golden Corral last night.

Heavy traffic, but no jams all the way through the Durham-Raleigh horror. Stopped at J.R.'s in Smithfield to check out their stuff and then drove on into Goldsboro and bought six two-liter bottles of Diet Cheerwine, a real treat.

Arrived. --RoadDog

Back Home Again

JUNE 8TH

Driving around Goldsboro with my brother Bob.  Went to Trade-It, a favorite store there now that The Record Rack is gone.  Also went to the antique store where he has a booth (didn't buy anything), but was tempted and to several other places.  Met my cousin Joe at Wilber's for for some 'o that great Carolina BBQ.

JUNE 9TH

Raleigh-Durham Airport, connecting flight in Detroit and into Milwaukee.  TODAY'S GAS PRICES:  Gas in Goldsboro is $3.30 to $3.33.  Gas in Wisconsin is $4.16 to $4.20 and in Illinois $4.25 to $4.40.  Something mighty wrong here.  Stopped at Captain's Quarters and officially kicked off summer with the great R&B, soul band R Gang.

Always Good to Be Home.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  When cannibals ate the missinary, they got a taste of religion.

Still Hangin': Weed Choppin', Research and Andrea

JUNE 6TH THURSDAY

Spent the morning working in Mom's garden, pulling up weeds and mounding around the tomato plants.  The afternoon, I spent time at the Wayne County Library right down the street.  Mostly looked at old census reports.  Kind of interesting how many slaves were held in New York in 1790.

Kenansville and Warsaw have a lot of signs up saying "Pray for Baby Layla."  She is a three-month-old baby who has advanced cancer.  She is getting a lot of support.


JUNE 7TH FRIDAY

We had lots of rain and flooding today here in eastern North Carolina from Tropical Storm Andrea.

RoadDog

Hanging Around Goldsboro

JUNE 4TH, TUESDAY

Had my usual meal at Wilber's BBQ out on the US-70 Goldsboro bypass.  Love that Carolina 'cue and Wilber Shirley has been serving it up there for over fifty years.  A real family favorite.  And this was the first time for some friends from Idaho.

Returned the Dodge Avenger at the local Enterprise place.  They made out like bandits on this one, charging us $260 for what amounted to a little over one day's use.  When you don't return it to where you got it, be prepared to pay HUGE BUCKS.


JUNE 5TH, WEDNESDAY

Took a ride (not in an Enterprise car) to Kenansville, NC.  Quite a bit of history in this tiny town with a museum and Liberty Hall.

RoadDog

A Pretty Good Vacation Thirty Years Ago-- Part 1

I've been going through my journal from 1982, thirty years ago.  I was just beginning to start my deejay career and was getting experience on the equipment in various bars around Round Lake Beach, Illinois, where we lived.

That summer, I took an extended vacation to Georgia and North Carolina, including two whole weeks at Carolina Beach.


JULY 22, 1982, Thursday

Mom, Dad, Andy (my nephew) and I left Dunwoody, Georgia, and drove I-20 to I-95.  I took over driving in Florence, SC, and drove to Fayetteville, where Dad took over again.  "Arrived at Goldsboro and Mama Gert (my grandmother) had Wilber's BBQ waiting for us.

Aunt Dot and Gayle came over.  Gayle had gone to Greensboro College two years ago and then to Mt. Olive College last year.  She reports that it is very hard.  Next year she will be going to UNC at Wilmington and working on a psychology degree.  Aunt Dot is connected with the United Way campaign.

After they left, Graham, my cousin, and family Vicki, Chris and Angie dropped by.  He wants me to meet someone near Turkey (NC) who is considered to be quite the expert on the Civil War.

Before they arrived, I went to the park (Herman Park) with Andy as he wanted to see the (miniature) train.  He was disappointed to find it wasn't operating, but I soon got him and about twenty other kids involved in playing on the artillery piece in the park.  They also now have goldfish in the fountain."

I am also writing about my Fort Fisher experiences on my Civil War Navy blog.

Sure Bringing Back Some memories.  --RoadDog

Arrived in North Carolina

March 20th

Drove to Milwaukee, stopping at the White Castle in Kenosha for our slider crave. Bought a Civil War book at that great bookstore in the terminal. Connected at O'Hare and through to Raleigh-Durham. Rented car at Thrifty and drove to Goldsboro.

MARCH 21st

Set up for barbecue at the Salvation Army in Goldsboro, then to Lenten service at the Presbyterian church and Bible study at the First Baptist at night.


MARCH 22nd

I really wasn't needed at the Salvation Army bbq, but was there if needed. Great Wilber's bbq, though. Afterwards, some work around the house and now, b-ball. Too bad Wisconsin lost.

Back in the Home State. --RoadDog