Mayor's Fish Fry, Two Legions, Sunnyside Shuffle, Parish Fest and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Liz and I met Glen and Barb at the Fox Lake Mayor's Fish Fry at Lake Front Park.  A great deal for AUCE for $9 for seniors.  Unfortunately, the line for refills was always too long so I didn't get seconds.  Too bad as it was excellent fish.

Afterwards, we all went to the Fox Lake American Legion (across Nippersink Lake from the Lake Front Park) and played 50/50.  They now have pull cards on Fridays where you either pay full price, half price or 50 cents for your drink.  I had two full price ($2 pints), a half price and a 50 cents.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

We went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg and eventually, doing what everyone calls the Sunnyside Shuffle, were able to move from a table to the edge of the bar and finally the horseshoe part, the primo seating and most fun with others.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

Liz and I went to Parish Fest in Johnsburg and enjoyed brats, beer, ice cream and the excellent oompah band Die Musikmeisters.  Then, we went to McHenry for the annual Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive, a tribute to our World War II and Korean War veterans.  Sadly their numbers are getting lower every year so now Vietnam War veterans have been added. Enjoyed the sounds of Bill's Little Big Band.

Afterwards, we went to the McHenry Legion.

Always Something Going On Around Here.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  If you rip a hole in a net, you have less holes than you started with.

Last Week-- Part 3: Cubs-Sox Game, Stucky's, Parish Fest and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

Decided to go to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to watch the afternoon White Sox-Cubs game.  Also knew that buddy Coz would be there and he is a huge Sox fan.  And, this was one unbelievable game.  

The Sox had a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th with the Cubs at bat.  We were thinking Sox victory, but no.  Former Cub reliever  Craig Kimbrel, he with the funny right hand posture when he pitches, blew it and the score was 4-4.  But the Sox scored 4 times in the 10th and held on for an 8-6 victory.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg for  the $1 draft pints.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

I went to Parish Fest in Johnsburg and enjoyed Die Musikmeisters Oompah band and had some great food.  Later, Liz and I went to McHenry and I went over to the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive salute to the Greatest Generation at Veterans Park.  I enjoyed Bill's Little Big Band playing all those great songs from WW II.

I wrote about both of these events in more detail in my RoadDog's RoadLog Blog.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, THE COFFEE LAW:  As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

One Great Time Last Weekend-- Part 3: Parish Fest and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

We went to Parish Fest at St. John the Baptist Church in Johnsburg, Illinois, something we have done for the last 13 years.  However this time it was the first time that the band New Odyssey had not played in it.  Their guitarist was one of Liz's elementary friends back in Chicago.  This year the band Cirrus Falcon played and did a great job.  They are well known in the Chicagoland area.

As usual, we availed ourselves of the brats, corn on the cob and beer.

Then we drove to McHenry, Illinois, and went to the American Legion on Riverside Drive where our friend Mark was bartending and the members were getting ready for the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive commemoration where the members of the Greatest Generation are honored for their service in World War II and the Korean War.

That is always a moving ceremony complete with Bill's Little Big Band playing the music of the era, a radio program, speeches, introductions, 21-gun salute, rolling taps and the release of 21 white doves.

Quite A Fitting Honor.  Thanks Greatest Generation.  --RoadDog

One of Those Busy Days Around Here Today: Parish Fest and Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive

In just a few minutes, we'll be leaving for the St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg, Illinois, which runs from noon to 5 p.m.  This year the group Cirrus Falcon will be playing.  For the last ten years the group which played was New Odyssey, a group featuring Liz's ex-schoolmate Michael on guitar.

Of course, lots of food, games and beer.

Then, we will go over to Veterans Park in McHenry, Illinois, for the annual Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive day where we honor the Greatest Generation, our World War II folks, both military and civilian.  This is also a national event and McHenry's is one of the very largest events anywhere.

We will then adjourn to give buddy Mark a hard time over at the McHenry American Legion where he will be bartending.

Why Go Anywhere Else.  --RoadDog

Way Too Much To Do Today

Just one of those summer weekends in northeastern Illinois with way more things I'd like to do than I can accommodate.

The Fox Lake American Legion is having their annual Legion picnic.  Always something we like to attend...

But, the St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg is today and they have one of our favorite bands, New Odyssey playing.  And, this is the last time for the band because they are breaking up after 40 years together.

And, the Keep the Spirit of '45 salute to the veterans of World War II and the Korean War takes place at Veterans Park in McHenry.

Not to mention bands playing this afternoon at various bars around the Chain of Lakes.

Unfortunately, these are all afternoon affairs.

Decisions, Decisions.  --RoadDog

Good Times Here In the Chain O' Lakes This Weekend

Well, things are back in action again on the Chain of Lakes here in Northeast Illinois by the Wisconsin border after the flooding in July.  The bars are open, bands are playing and boats out on the water.

This will be a particularly busy one for Liz and myself.

Today, we have an in-water "Woody" boat show at Famous Freddie's on Pistakee Lake.  A "Woody" is, of course, a wooden boat and they are old.  Today boats are almost always fiberglass.

Then we give a final salute to friend Amy, the "Soup Nazi" as her hearse goes by Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

This afternoon we will have two bands and lots of food and fun at the Legion picnic on Nippersink Lake and then I hope to have a bonfire out on the Grand Strand patio in the evening.

Tomorrow, Bob Stroud will be going back to Summer 40 years ago, August 12, 1977, on his Rock and Roll Roots Show on WDRV, the Drive at 97.1 FM from 7-10 a.m. CDST.  I will be going to the Rally By the Lake motorcycle and classic car show at Fox Lake's Lakefront Park on Nippersink Lake and then we will go to the St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg and see the great band New Odyssey.

After that I will drive to McHenry where they will be having the annual "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive" salute to the Greatest Generation with lots of ceremony and a Big band playing in the gazebo at Veterans Park.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

CUBS-SOX CROSSTOWN RIVALRY:  Cubs fan to Sox fan--  "

Way Too Much Going On Around Here This Weekend

I really hate it when there are way more things to do than I can possibly attend.  that is the situation this weekend.

We plan to go to the Fox lake American legion picnic this afternoon and Sunday, Liz and I will go to the St. John Parish fest in Johnsburg, Illinois for the food and entertainment by the great New Odyssey Band.  I will leave early from that and go to the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alice ceremony in nearby McHenry, Illinois.

However, here is a partial list of other things going on withing twenty miles of us:

Captains Quarters has bands tonight and tomorrow afternoon.

LAKE VILLA DAYS  August 6-9, 82nd annual, Featured Modern day Romeos last night and Bella Cain tonight as well as the famed water fights.

LAKEMOOR FEST--  August 7-9  Started in 1993 and has grown into one of the area's biggest events.  Entertainment and what is regarded to be the county's biggest fireworks displays.  Draws some 30,000 people a year,.

FOX LAKE RALLY BY THE LAKE--  Sunday.  Several hundred classic cars and entertainment at Lake Park.

McHENRY COUNTY FAIR

CRYSTAL LAKE BEACH BASH--  Today, featuring food and entertainment headlined by local favorites Modern Day Romeos.

So Many places to Go, So Little Time.  --RoadDog