Movie Scratches 2023: Groundhog-- Brady--Plane-- 65

Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw in the theater in 2023.

5.  GROUNDHOG DAY--  2-5--  Woodstock--  $2--  There wasn't one today.  What if there is no tomorrow.  Nothing like seeing this great flick on the big screen and in a theatre that was actually in the movie.

6.  80 FOR BRADY--  2-10--  Super Brady fans  What those ol' gals got into?  Four lasses on the loose and their "particular" skills that avoided disaster.

7.  PLANE--  2-10--  All the action you could possibly want from a storm, lightning strike, jungle landing and those mean old rebels.

8.  65-   3-31--  Fox Lake--  $7--  Earth 65 million years ago was not a friendly place.  If the dinosaurs don't get you, that big ol' asteroid thing will.

--RoadDog

A Day with the Groundhog in Woodstock then the Bars of McHenry and Johnsburg

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for the last day of their Groundhog Days Festival.  I saw the movie "Groundhog Day" in the big screen at the Woodstock Theatre which was in the movie as the Alpine Theatre where Bronco Billy Murray and date went.  I didn't know the date was Mrs. Gary Fencik, Chicago Bears player from Super Bowl XX.

The place was packed and everyone was laughing at the comments.

Then took a walk around the Woodstock Square past the Top Top Cafe (now a Mexican restaurant) and Bill's Puddle, where Ned accosted Bill, the Pennsylvanian Hotel (Woodstock Opera House) and the bar where they drank to world peace.

Of course, the entire square itself was the site of Gobbler's Knob where the groundhog was pulled out of his burrow.   It also was where they danced in the gazebo, where Bill did his ice sculpture and the snowball fight.

Stopped at Wayne's Lanes which was the bowling alley in the movie where Bill saw his glass as half enpty and where the drunks got in the car and led the cops on a chase.  They now have a cut out of Bill Murray at the spot he was sitting at.

Drove to McHenry and had Bloody Marys at the Polish Legion  ($2.75), mixed drinks at the McHenry American Legion (rail drinks $3) and beers at Sunnyside  ($2).

Busy Day.  That Darn Goundhog's Got To Be Stopped.  --RoadHog

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-- Part 2: The Groundhog Bit Murray

More Fun Facts:

**  Murray was bitten twice by the groundhog while filming and even had to get rabies shots just in case.

**  The film was not shot in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, but rather Woodstock, Illinois.   During a scene with Ned Ryerson, Phil's old classmate,  a sign for Woodstock Jewelers can be seen in the background.

**  Ramis, Murray and  Stephen Tobolowski (Ned Ryerson) have been honorary  Grand Marshals  in Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day.

**  Other famous actors were considered for the role of Phil Connors that director Ramis considered "too nice: were  Chevy Chase, Steve Martin,  Robin Williams and Michael Keaton.  Keaton reportedly turned down the role because he thought it was too confusing.

** Even though the movie was filmed in Punxsutawney, it had a big impact on the town.  Celebrations went from about 5,000 to 35,000 after the movie came out.

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

How long was Phil stuck in deja vu?  No one really knows, but a whole lot.  The movie shows him reliving it 38 times.

--RoadPhil

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

JSS: Pi Day-- Freezing Rain & Snow On the Way-- The Drive's 20th

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  PI DAY--   Yesterday was National Pi Day thanks to the date being 3/14, the first three digits in that math thing called pi.  So, I went to the local Jewel and bought a fresh-made apple pie.  You'll probably never guess what I paid for it.

2.  FREEZING RAIN & SNOW ON THE WAY--  Just what I wanted to hear, this last week of winter as it was and Ides of March as it is.  And, we just recently got rid of the rest of the snow that we gathered in January and February last week.

Oh, well.  What can I say, but our local groundhog prognosticator, Woodstock Willie, lied when he said we were going to have an early spring back on Feb. 2.

3.  THE DRIVE'S 20TH--  All day, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive will be playing the exact set list of songs they played om this date back in 2001 when they started playing Classic Rock.  Well worth a listen and it streams.

--RoadNoMoreWinter

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  The theory of evolution was greatly objected to because it made men think.

What?

Okay, It's Groundhog Day, Again. Did Our Local Varmint, Woodstock Willie, See His Shadow?

It is now 7:36 am on February 2, 2021.  As the old tale goes, if a groundhog sees his (or her) shadow at sunrise, there will be six more weeks of mean old winter.

Sunrise here in Spring Grove, Illinois, was at 7:06.  I am looking at the window here deep in the basement of Key North and, there can be no shadows for Woodstock Willie if they have the same clouds we have (and Woodstock, where the famous movie was filmed) is just 18 miles away.

So, it is going to be an easy winter from here on out, or so they say.

And, it needs to be.  After a fairly easy November and December, January was a real bear.  We received a lot of snow on several different occasions and very little of it has melted because of cold temperatures and a lack of sunlight.  That snow is really piled up.  Just this past week, we received about 5 inches on Tuesday and another 9 inches Saturday-Sunday.

And, starting this Friday and going through to Thursday, Feb. 11 our forecasts call for cold, real cold.  Highs for those days:  15, 12, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14.  Lows for those days:  1, -5, -6, -1, -4, -2 and 1.

It is time for those Canadians to quit sending us their weather!!!!!  Build that northern border wall!!!

By the way, that "other" original groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, did see his shadow.  But that's Pennsylvania.

Are You Sure Woodstock Willie Didn't See His Shadow?   --RoadCold

Past Movie Scratches: Nightmare-- Cruisers-- Groundhog-- Hallows-- Hallows 2-- Beasts--

See if you can guess the movies in the headline.

Past Movie Scratches--  Movies I saw on TV in 2019.

25.  NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET--  1-29--  Real bad dude with a horrid sense of humor.

26.  EDDIE & THE CRUISERS--   1-30--  Twenty years later.  Where's Eddie Wilson?  Eddie lives.

27.  GROUNDHOG DAY--  1-31--  "Morons, your bus is leaving!"

28.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS--  2-3--  We find out what the Deathly Hallows are/is.  Old No-Nose, Lord Valdemort, gets his wand.

29.  HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS 2--  2-4--  The Battle of Hogwarts.  Harry finds out a lot.    Neville Longbottom the hero!!!  Lord Valdemort gets his.

30.  FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM--  2-7--  All he wanted to do was start a bakery.  Beware the Obscuras.

I'm a Big Harry Potter Fan.  --RoadPott

RANDOM ANIMAL THOUGHTS:  GOLDFISH:  "The knight never comes out of the castle to fight me for domination in the fish tank.   So I must continue patrolling, for I am lord and master."

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

JSS: BBBBrrrrr!!!!-- Cold Or Hurricanes and Floods?--- Groundhog Day Festival

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.    BBBBBRRRRR!!!  Yep, mighty cold here in Spring Grove, Illinois, of late.  Never got over -10 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday at 9 a.m., it was -23 degrees.  But, today, predicted high of 22 degrees.   Then Saturday our first day over freezing in weeks at 41 degrees and possibly 50 degrees by Monday.

When it hits 41 degrees on Saturday, folks will regard that as almost shorts and tee shirt weather.  We didn't go out at all Wednesday, but I'm imagining that even the dumb high school and college boys weren't out in their winter tee shirts and shorts.

2.  COLD OR HURRICANES & FLOODS--  Listening to the Surf in North Myrtle Beach, SC, on Thursday and  it was 27 degrees going to the mid 40s.  DJ Jim Morgan was talking about how much better it was living there than in Chicago.  But I just have to think of their hurricanes and floods.

Even when they don't get hit by these, they have to worry about pretty much any tropical storm out in the Atlantic.  If I have a choice between hurricanes and cold, I'll go with the cold.

3.  GROUNDHOG DAY FESTIVAL--  In Woodstock, Illinois, where the famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed.  It started Thursday and goes to this Sunday.  For the events, go to my RoadDog's RoadLog blog.  And, this year, Steve Tobolowski, who played Ned the insurance salesman will be there.

And, Lake Geneva, Illinois, has their annual winter festival with snow sculpturing and all sorts of other stiff this weekend.

--RoadDog

JSIS: Andie MacDowell-- Sox and Cubs Blow-Outs-- DaBears-- SOS Spring Safari

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  ANDIE MacDOWELL--  Oh, no.  That object of Bill Murray's affection in "Groundhog Day" is going to have a nude scene in her upcoming movie "Love After Love."  At age 59.  What happened to Rita?

2.  SOX AND CUBS BLOW-OUTS--  Yesterday, both the Cubs and Sox blew out their opponents.  The Cubs won 14-3 over Pittsburgh and the Sox beat Kansas City 12-1.  That means, of course, that both Cubs and Sox will lose today by one run as they "Used" up all their runs yesterday.

3.  DaBEARS--  It will be interesting to see if out beloved Bears will make a "Good" choice" in Thursday's NFL Draft in Chicago.  We need a quarterback.  Looking at the Bears' last three big choices, it doesn't look good.  These three "wonder qbs"  (because we wonder why they picked them) were Jay Cutler, Rex Grossman and Cade McNown.

4.  SOS SPRING SAFARI--  Listening to the Surf, 94.9 FM, right now and they are talking about the SOS Spring Safari that kicked off last weekend and goes to Sunday in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  This is considered the epicenter of Beach Music, one of my favorite kinds of music.  One of these days, we hope to go there.  Not to dance but just to listen to all that great music.

DaBears Need a Break.  --RoadDog

JSS: Illinois State-- Jonquils-- Crazy Weather-- Deja Vu All Over Again-- Robins

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  ILLINOIS STATE--  You'd think with a 27-6 record that it would get you into the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  It didn't.  So ISU in the NIT.

2.  JONQUILS--  I have two jonquils blooming in the house.  I picked them while frozen Saturday.  I didn't think they would make it, but their blooms opened and I got to enjoy their color and smell.  Monday, they would have been under four inches of snow outside.

3.  CRAZY WEATHER--  Sure has been since we got back from Florida.    First, it was warm, but the windiest I've ever seen.  Then, it got cold and then we had 4-5 inches of snow this past Monday and Tuesday.  It has also been highs in the upper 20s until today.

4.  DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN--  Monday I saw the movie "Before I Fall."  Thought I was seeing "Groundhog Day 2."  But without the happy ending.

5.  ROBINS--  We saw our first robins of the year over the weekend.  Guess they must have gotten fooled by all that warm weather in February.

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO  MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You name your cats "Cream"and "Sugar."

Good to have Them Back, Though.  --RoadDog

DeKalb and Woodstock-- Part 4: Drinking to World Peace and the Glass Is Half Full

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Sunday morning we checked out, drove around campus and the Lagoon and stopped at White Castle and tried one of their chicken waffle sandwiches.  Mighty good.

Then drove to Woodstock, Illinois, where their Groundhog Days Festival was still underway.

I've always wanted to go to the Public House next to the old court house, where the bar scenes featuring "I drink to world peace" were filmed.  usually this place is packed during the Groundhog Festival, but today it wasn't and we even got to sit where Andie and Bill sat at the edge of the bar.

Even better, we decided to give the sweet vermouth with a twist a try.  And, of course, they had it.  You could get a drink of it in a small glass with the Groundhog Day varmint on it and "I Drink to World Peace."  It wasn't as bad as Bill Murray made it seem like.

We then went over to Wayne's Lanes, the bowling alley featured in the movie where Bill was sitting with the two guys complaining about having to live  the same day over and over.  We parked where the car was that they got in before being chased by the cops and playing chicken with the train.

A Groundhog Kind of a Day.  --RoadDog

Groundhog Days in Woodstock, Illinois Yesterday

Yesterday, February 2nd, of course, was Groundhog Day and Woodstock, Illinois, had their annual celebration with a prognostication by resident groundhog Woodstock Willie (unfortunately, he saw his shadow, so, six more weeks of  winter weather for us).

I missed that part as it was too cold.

But I did see a free showing of the movie "Groundhog Day" in the Woodstock Theatre's Harold Ramis Auditorium (in the movie for the "Bronco Billy" segment and I ate at the Tagueria La Placinto Mexican restaurant on the site of the Tip-Top Cafe from the movie.  I ate in the very spot that Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell sat at.

I then went over to the Woodstock Public Library and saw scrapbooks, photos and artifacts from the filming of the movie.

Got My Hog On.  --RoadDog

Three-For-Free on WXRT FM, Chicago: Groundhog Day

I was listening to WXRT, 93.1 FM, and they had their daily Three-for-Free contest where they played snippets of three songs pr three movies dealing with something pertaining to the day.

Today was Groundhog Day.  The three songs all had to do with the theme of the "Groundhog Day" movie, being stuck repeating things.

Their three songs today"

HERE IT GOES AGAIN--  OK Go

DO IT AGAIN--  Steely Dan

DEJA-VU--  Crosby, Nash, Stills & Young

"Do It Again"--  Beach Boys.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You can jump-start your car without cables.

Good Times Last Weekend

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29  Went to Popeye's (not the fried chicken chain) in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for their most excellent fish fry overlooking the famous Riviera Docks on Geneva Lake.  Great view and plenty of nautical effects as well as some of the best broiled and fried fish, potato pancakes and seasoned fries, cole slaw and hush puppies you're going to get anywhere.

Stopped at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on the way home.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30--  The whole weekend I spent a lot of time chopping back the ice/snow from the sides of the driveway as we had temps into the 40s.

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for their annual Groundhog Days Festival.  This is where the famous movie "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray was filmed.  Listened to Bob Hudgins, movie site manager, for a bit as he led a large group to the many movie sites around the famed Woodstock Square and downtown.

I walked over to Wayne's Lanes, featured in the movie and watched part of te movie.  Outside of the bowling alley was where they got into the car before going on the chase where they ended up on the railroad tracks.

Last stop was at the Public House by the old courthouse, where the "Drink to World Peace" scenes were filmed, but it was too crowded so came home.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31--  Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX Championship at the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, by watching the "Super Bowl Shuffle" and the game.  Huge , loud and appreciative crowd cheering the whole way.

Good Times For All.  --RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S JULY IN FLORIDA WHEN:  Hot water comes out of both taps.

Groundhog Day Festival in Woodstock on Saturday

I went to Woodstock, but was too late for the free showing of the famous movie at the Woodstock Theatre which was the Alpine Theater in the movie.  Instead, I went to the Square Mall and went to the Defenders' Book Store which sells donated books and CDs.  I did my part to support them.

I walked by the site of the Top Cafe, where Bill stuffed his face and knew everyone, but it was too crowded.  Walked by the theater and saw on the marque that they had "The Imitation Game" which I have been wanting to see, so saw it and missed the chili cookoff.

I did go by Wayne's Lanes, the bowling alley where Bill had his glass half full discussion with the two townies.  Afterwards, they got into the car and went for their wild ride.

Had a couple brews and watched part of the movie.  It was neat to see the scene and be sitting right there.

A Fun day.  --RoadDog

JSIS: Gov's Out-- Urlacher-- 20th GhD

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff


1.  GOV'S OUT--  We're so proud here in Illinois as we now have just ONE former governor in prison.  George Ryan got out and does not have to spend time in the half-way house.


2.  URLACHER--  Bears great and future HoF'er, Brian Urlacher is coming to the end of his contract.  To his credit, he was always a Bear and will always be a Bear.  However, with his declining abilities and really high price-tag, either he needs to be released or renegotiate for a much lower price.  We need an offensive line and a qb.


3.  20TH GhD--  Hard to believe, but 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of that great "Groundhog Day" movie.  I watched it a couple times on the AMC four-movie mini set on Saturday.  Plus, saw it Friday at Donovan's.

JSIS.  --RoadDog

Well, It's Groundhog Day...Again

And, I'm not there.  Well, not there in the annual festivities in Woodstock, Illinois.  I was planning to go, but didn't wake up until 6:30, and the prognostication was at 7.  I'd never have made it in time.  Plus, we received around 3-4 inches of snow last night so ended up having to use the old snowblower for the first time this winter season.

Right now you can tune into AMC and catch the beginning of the third straight showing of the movie.  There will be one more showing as well.  Plus, I took a DVD into Donovon's Reef yesterday and we watched it.  Everyone enjoyed it and some said they hadn't seen it in a long time.

With our little snowstorm continuing at 7 AM, there was no way our local 'hog, Woodstock Willie, was going to see his shadow.  This means an early spring, way before March 20th.  Good news for most folk.  And that other prognosticator out east, Punxsutawney Phil, also didn't see his shadow.

Perhaps I'll get Out Next Year.  --RoadDog

BOY, Did it Ever GET Cold

Just a week ago, we had temps in the lower 90s, but someone slipped us a Siberian Express because (as they said in the movie "Groundhog Day") it's cold out there.

I had to cancel boating yesterday and even had to dig out the jeans and sweatshirt. Temps yesterday were in the low 60s with a strong north wind. BBbbrrr.

I decided to bring a lot of the plants on the deck inside last night. This morning, there was frost on the windows of the vehicles parked outside, but fortunately, none of the plants I left out had died.

Definitely chilly out there at the Lehman Mansion in Lake Villa, Illinois, where I spent the afternoon at the SCV table at the Civil War Encampment.

It is supposed to warm up this next week. I guess we had our little winter preview.

Way Too Cold Way Too Early. --RoadDog