Record Store Day Today

Today marks the 17th anniversary of Record Store Day in the United States and in several other world countries.

This is a day to show our appreciation for independently-owned record stores, those great Mom and Pop stores.  

And, I am fortunate to have a lot of record stores in the area, starting with my favorite one and another one in McHenry, Illinois.  My favorite one also has one great name for this kind of place, The Vinyl Frontier at 4720 W. Elm Street (Illinois Highway 120).  Kind of tells it all.  Especially with the near extinction of vinyl records, you know, vinyl.

The other record store is Siren Records at 3902 Main Street in McHenry.  Then we have two more places called Reef Records in Antioch and Lakemoor.

I'm sure going to The Vinyl Frontier and plan on buying at least one LP and several CDs.  I actually like CDs better than LPs now.

I Good Day for the Cause.  --RoadRecord

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: No Dyed River, Parades or CB&C, But Old-Time Radio, A Beer and a Band

MARCH 16, SATURDAY

This was to be the big day of partying everywhere.  I had lots of options, but many I canceled if they involved spending time outside.  It was kind of cold and very windy.  Plus there would be crowds.  The older I get, the less I like any one of those things.

That meant a no go to McHenry to see the Fox River dyed green or the parade.  That also ruled out the parade in Lake Villa.  Sad, because I surely love parades.  I decided instead to go to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society's meeting and see the Lake County Old Time Radio Players put on an old time radio show.  They did "The Shadow."  Quite a neat and enjoyable job.

I then  went to Lake Villa and found myself in a long detour, but eventually got to the Lake Villa VFW which was having a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  I was sad to find they had already given out of it by the time I arrived.  Bummer.

However, I did luck into a seat at the very crowded bar and had a beer while enjoying the 50s-60s band, Accents.  However, the power went out and I left.

Not Finished With the Day Yet.  --RoadDog

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 5: Quite the Mess

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Sadly, when I got home (about half a mile away), the garage door didn't open so I knew the electricity was still off.  

Since I couldn't really do anything, I decided the time was good to do some shopping (in stores with electricity.)

So, drove over to Illinois Highway 31 in McHenry, a major shopping area.

This is the second winter event we've had in the last week.  Last Thursday we had about five inches of snow, now ths ice storm last night.  Both times, we got really hit along the Wisconsin-Illinois border.  The farther south you go, the less snow last week and less ice last night.  I am all in favor of sharing our good fortune with those folks.

The trees in the subdivision are still covered with thick ice and a while lot of limbs are down.  Same held true during my drive to McHenry.  Saw quite a few piles of limbs right up by the road and in several spots there were guys out clearing up the mess.  I could see a few spots where the remnants of limbs were actually on the road.

This was by far the worst ice storm I can ever remember.

--RoadIce

The Civil War, Some Hot Dogs, CDs and a Big Snow

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion meeting at Panera Bread.  Today's topic was the "The End, February and March 1865."  I, of course, brought up the Wilmington Campaign, also called the Battle of Wilmington, in North Carolina.  That was the follow-up to Fort Fisher's fall. 

It started snowing about half way through the meeting and coming down quite hard.  I decided not to go to Algonquin and visit Barnes & Noble or Half-Price Books because of it. Driving home, road conditions were getting quite bad.  

Stopped at Happy Jack's in McHenry for their great hot dogs and then The Vinyl Frontier Record Store, a real Mom and Pop store featuring albims, 45s and CDs as well as toys and stereo equipment.  One of my most fun places to go.

Snow conditions continued to get worse and I went home and stayed.  We had our biggest snowfall of the winter with around 8 inches by Sunday morning.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

Way too much snow to shovel by hand, and sadly, stoll couldn't get the snowblower started.  Later, I heard a snowblower out in front of the house and saw that a new neighbor was clearing my driveway and sidewalk for me.  I tanked him and said I couldn't start my snowblower so he took it home to take a look at it.  What a great neighbor.

Later I drove to Sunnyside and actually got a seat at the bar, something very difficult to do in Sundays when it gets reallycrowded.  Watched the NFC Championship game and part of the AFC one.  Came home and watched the rest of it.

--RoadSnow

A College Basketball Doubleheader in DeKalb, Happy Jack's, Sunnyside, McHenry Legion and Saylor Mick's

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

Drove to DeKalb, Illinois, to NIU's Convocation Center where I saw a basketball doubleheader.  Our women played the University of Ohio at 1 pm and then the men played the University of Toledo at 3:30.  Not bad for a total cost of $6.

The women won by a lot, but the men lost by a lot.  Enjoyed Victory Pub overlooking the court with its $2 Busch Light cans.  Plus, a giant hot dog for $4.

Decided not to spend the night and drove back to McHenry where I stopped at Happy Jack's on Il-120 with all its Coca-Cola decor and outstanding Chicago-style hot dogs.  I had the two hot dog, fries and drink for $9 (with tax).  Then went to Sunnyside and home to Margaritaville in my basement.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and enjoyed their $1 Hamm's drafts and had a small BLT pizza.  Unfortunately, I mistook a shaker of sugar for a shaker of parmesan cheese and that wasn't very good.

I Highly Recommend Not Putting Sugar on Your Pizza.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

New Year's Weekend 2022-2023

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in the afternoon and met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Diner in Fox Lake for dinner before going to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022

Met Pam at the Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry, Illinois, and enjoyed the Christmas decorations.  They go overboard.  Later met Kevin and Kelly at the Fox Lake American Legion for the afternoon New Year's Eve Party with toasting at 4:30 pm.  That's my idea of "celebrating" the new year as it is hard to stay up past 11 pm for me anymore.  Enjoyed DJ Goldy, a real dj, not one of the new ones who do not interact with the crowd.

Watched the college playoffs at the Legion and at home in Margaritaville and was happy Texas Christian beat Michigan and especially happy about Georgia getting lucky and beating Ohio State.  (I went to UGA for a year, plus a whole lot of family went there.)

I actually managed to stay up to midnight.  Happy New Year!!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023

I drove over to Squaw Bar in Ingleside to see the Bears play their game.  We used to get together with the "Usual Suspects" to watch the games here.  But, I hadn't been back there for years.  It was like old times, a fun place to watch the game with lots of fans.  Unfortunately, it was the 9th straight loss.

Then went over to Saylor Mick's, a new place in Spring Grove and had their $1 taco special and enjoyed the $1 pints of Hamm's.  This place used to be Tommy's and had huge crowds, especially during the Blackhawk games back 2010-2015.

--RoadNewYear

Veterans Day 2022

A day to thank our veterans for their service.  It is too bad that so many don't.  

I have or will write about veterans in all blogs today except one.

I was admiring the Ukrainian flag I have flying as I pulled out of the driveway and then remembered, "Hey, Veterans Day."  Pulled back in and put the big  U.S. flag on the garage and the smaller one out by the mailbox.  I already had a U.S. flag flying from the gazebo.

Went to Fox Lake to participate in the Veterans Day ceremony, but was unable to find it.  I sure wish the village and Legion would put out more information on these things.  So, drove over to McHenry and also could not find it at Veterans Park, so then figured that perhaps the ceremony would be at 11:00.  I had time to kill so went to Wendy's for breakfast.

Drove by Veterans Park, but no ceremony.  Same with Miller Park.  Then went to the VFW and caught the very end of it.  Oh well.

Later  tonight, I will be going to the Fox Lake Legion.

Thank You Veterans.  --RoadThankful

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

McHenry Fiesta Days and Christmas in July

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Between the Pink Harrison cabin and Oak Park Lounge, we paid our respects to the old Chain O' Lakes before it upscaled.  

Came home and then Liz and I drove over to McHenry for the annual Fiesta Day festival.  In the past they had Art in the Park where crafters had stands in Veterans Park and streets were closed off for bands, crafts and lots of partying.  

This was one of our favorite days of the year.  We used to call it "Drunk in the Park."  And it was quite the party.  There would be several bands playing in the street and every bar (and there are a lot of bars in McHenry) would be selling beer which you could drink in the street.

We usually hung out at the Tables for Ladies bar on the corner where they would have a portable bar set up outside, cooked brats and had a band as well.   

On the way home we stopped at Sunnyside where they were having the annual Christmas in July party.  They had already had a decorated golf cart parade and had tables and a bar set up outside and a band called The American Psychos playing some great tunes from the 1980s.

Sure Miss That "Drunk in the Park."  RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  What if oxygen was actually killing you and it takes  75 to 100 years to do it

4th of July, 2022: A Reading, a Talk and Fireworks

JULY 4th

Another birthday for our country.

I drove to McHenry and stopped at Jewel after getting two Sausage McMuffins at McDonald's (two for $2).  Bought six 12-packs of Diet Coke at Jewel for $20.  That's just $3.33 a pack, a great price in these days of inflation.  Seems like everything in grocery stores is more expensive or downsizing.

I went to the 4th of July commemoration in Veterans Park, put on by the McHenry American Legion and Polish League of American Veterans (PLAV).  We keep two folding chairs (not those sling things) in the trunk of the Malibu all summer as you never know when you're going to need them.  I used one at the park and found a nice spot shaded by a tree.  

There was a reading of the entire Declaration of Independence,something that was often done in the early years of the celebration.  This was followed by a talk about formerly secret U.S. Army operations in Nicaragua and Central America back in the 1970s and 1980s.  It was a big secret and we lost quite a few military personnel in it.  

The wife of Jeffrey C. Schwab was there.  He was killed in a helicopter crash on January 11, 1984.

Afterwards, I went over to the McHenry Legion and a big crowd of people  came in from the ceremony.  I sat next to Mrs. Schwab and had a nice talk with her.

Watched the Spring Grove fireworks display from the foot of the driveway, the only place you can still see  them since all the neighborhood trees have grown so tall.  We used to be able to see them from the front porch.

Happy 246th Birthday U.S.A.  --RoadDog

Going Green for Paddy's Day: Stucky's for Fish Fry and Dublin Burger, Moose Lodge for CB&C and Back to Stucky's

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

We met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's in Johnsburg.  Everyone had a fish fry but me since they have one of my favorite hamburgers, the Dublin Burger for just the month of March, something about a St. Patrick's thing.

This burger consists of a half pound of beef on a marble rye bun along with corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.  This is one of my all-time favorites.  But just once a year in March, so gotta eat 'em when I can.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Just found out that they will be tearing down my freshman dorm at NIU, Lincoln Hall.  A bit of history goes with it.  They already have torn down Liz's dorm, Douglas Hall.  Lincoln and Douglas Halls were built at the same time in the early 1960s.

This is the day many places are celebrating St. Patrick's Day, especially McHenry and Lake Villa.  McHenry has a parade, bar crawl, dying of the Fox River to green and a huge tent with bands all day and e into the evening.  But, today and yesterday are two of the coldest days I ever remember.  Temps were in the low 20s, but the wind really blew it through you.

As such, we didn't go to anything.  We did drive to McHenry to go to the Legion, but there were cars parked all over the place so decided not to try to get in.  Drove over to the McHenry Moose Lodge and had a corned beef & cabbage dinner and then to Stucky's for $1 drafts and karaoke.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

We went to Stucky's on the afternoon for their NASCAR party.

--RoadO'Dog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.

Even in Winter: From Cold to Warm, Woodstock Willie, Sunnyside, Stucky's, Karaoke, the the McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Well, it's winter here in the Midwest, so no surprise of about an inch of new snow on the ground this morning, high of 12 degrees and the wind just blew that cold through you.  Come on Woodstock Willie (our local groundhog prognosticator) who said it was going to be an early spring back on Feb. 2.

We went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Still cold, but at least the wind died down.  

Went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, ate dinner and did some karaoke.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Hey, temp in the upper 40s!!  Has spring arrived?  We were going to go to Cullom Knoll by McHenry, but it was way too crowded.  Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Daytona 500.  Enjoyed talking with folks as this is a "Cheers" kind of place.  Unfortunately they will be closing for a week or so while they do a whole lot of renovating.  One thing they'll do is make the  bar bigger as it only seats ten right now.

--RoadDog

About Last Week: Maxell Cassette Tapes, Alex's Gyros, The Vinyl Frontier Records and the Legion

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Went to McHenry, Illinois, and to Meijer and was all too happy to buy two more 5-pack bricks of Maxell cassette tapes for recording purposes.  Yep, I still record on cassettes.  This is one of the few places I know of where I can buy them.

We had plans to eat at our favorite Chinese buffet, the Grand Buffet, and got the door only to find they are closed on Tuesdays.  Disappointed, but I remembered I wanted to go to Alex's on 120 in town because I'd heard they had a great gyro sandwich.  They did.

Then, we went to The Vinyl Frontier on 120, a great mom and pop record store that had just moved in the fall from its long-time store on Riverside Drive.  I bought eight CDs.  

Then, we wanted to go to the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans), but they had too many people so went to the American Legion instead and had a really great time with the folks there and especially enjoyed the $1.50 rum and Cokes during happy hour.

I Was Very Happy.  --RoadDog

Last Weekend: An Afternoon Country Band, Sunnyside, Cullom Knoll and Sunnyside Again

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5

This being the first weekend of the month meant that the Fox Lake American Legion was having their  monthly first Saturday entertainment at the Drop Zone Bar.  The Alonzo Bart band was playing.  They have four pieces including a steel guitar and, of course, played lots of great old country music.

Where else are you going to go on a February Saturday afternoon for entertainment.  Draft beer pints were just $2.

We were going to go to Stucky's in Johnsburg next, but they were way too crowded, so dropped by Sunnyside for a few before going home.

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6

We found out last night that Sunnyside's owner, Amy and Denny had bought a place over in McCullom Lake near McHenry called the Cullom Knoll, one of our favorite places to go before the virus.  So, this was a good reason to stop back by it.

They still had their great Sunday specials of a pitcher of draft beer for $5 and a 12-inch cheese pizza with 75 cent toppings.  We had our usual pineapple, black olive and bacon pizza.

Afterwards, we stopped by Sunnyside on our way home.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  Thank you.  We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.

Around Here: No More Firebird Cruises This Year, MCCWRT Meeting, Donovan's Reef and Trivia

TUESDAY, OCTONER 26

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the '85 Firebird to start, so that's it for my Firebird Cruises until next spring.  Hopefully I can get the problem with starting it worked out then.  Well, actually I wasn't going to get much more in cruising as my Extended Antique license plates only go to the end of October.

I went to McHenry and bought two cassette bricks at Meijer and had a Wendy's four for $5 special, then a McHenry County Civil War Round Table Board of Directors meeting at Sandy's house.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

We had quite the spread of snacks at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.  No live trivia today, but we did enjoy playing along with the "Beast,"  "America Says" and Jeopardy on TV.

--RoadDog

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.

Good Times Around Here, August 1-- Part 3: Summer of 1971, PLAV's Street Party, Brats, Burgers, Beer and a Band

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1

The usual Sunday morning stuff.  Bob Stroud played part 3 of his annual Rock and Roll Roots to the Summer of 1971, fifty years ago.  Of course, I had to record it.  You can see what he played in the last several posts.  He'll have a part 4 on Sunday, September 5 from 9 am to noon CDST on WDRV. This was a fun college year for me, spent between NIU and UGA.

Watered and watered and watered.  We could sure use some rain.

I had planned to go to the McHenry VFW to watch their afternoon band and then go to the McHenry American Legion.  But Liz said she thought she had seen something from the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry about their annual summer street party.

There was no question where I wanted to go when  I got that bit of information.  Get me to the PLAV ASAP.

She was right.  Of course, we didn't have it last year because of you-know-what, so I was really looking forward to it and would not have been very happy to miss it.  I'm so glad Liz told me about it.

For $15, I got auce and aycd brats, burgers, side salads, corn on the cob and draft beer.  Now, that is what I call a deal.  Plus, we had a great country band playing and karaoke in between.  And the weather was hot, but breezy and felt fine under the tent.

Afterwards, to the McHenry Legion for an adequate $2.50 Bloody Mary.

A Real Good Time.  Thanks PLAV.  --RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, WARM WATER THEOREM:  When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.  And, I have an ADDENDUM:  Just as soon as you fall asleep for your nap, the phone doth ring.

Last Weekend Not As Planned-- Part 2: No 'Drunk in the Park' or 'Christmas in July', But the Legion and Stucky's. No Parade, But Legion and Sunnyside

Last Saturday offered an array of options.  Number one was a trip to "Drunk in the Park" in the afternoon at the McHenry Fiesta Days where they block off River Side Street and have bands and the bars offer beer which you can drink on the street.  Always a real fun time.  Then, we were going to go to Sunnyside in Johnsburg for their Christmas in July Golf Cart Parade, party and band outside.

Sunday was to be  the huge McHenry Fiesta Days parade at one, a band at the VFW at 3 and a stop at the McHenry American Legion afterwards for their "Adequate" $2.50 Bloody Marys.  Either this or the Antioch Taste of Summer festival and a band outside in the afternoon.

But, things sure didn't work out as planned.

STAURDAY, JULY 17

There was no "Drunk in the Park" in McHenry.  And, we weren't the only disappointed people there.  We ended up in the American Legion where we drowned our sorrows.  

We went over to Sunnyside Tavern, but there were no parking places to be had, so went to nearby Stucky's to wait and see if there were any openings at Sunnyside, but enjoyed the $1 pints and then went home.

SUNDAY, JULY 18

Sunday, the plan was to see the McHenry Fiesta Days parade, but we were too late to get to it.  Ended up back at the Legion, enjoyed the Bloody Marys and Happy Hour prices.  They had a karaoke guy there and had fun with that.

Stopped at Sunnyside on the way back home.

--RoadFun

Just Like Old Times Around Here Last Week: Bars, Car Show, Plants, Margaritas, Trivia and the White Sox

Things sure are looking up this summer as compared to the last one we had.  Here's what I did  this past week.

MONDAY, JUNE 21

Obviously pretty much every day I am in the internet posting to as many of these eight blogs as I can.  And, this past week, we finally started getting some rain after an extended four week drought.

Monday, we went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed their $1.50 draft pints.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22

Made the rounds of the nurseries for plants in McHenry, Illinois: Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Meijer's.  Drove back to the McHenry Moose Lodge for their weekly car show.  I am a big Firebird guy and as I entered the grounds, I immediately saw a 2002 Firebird and a 1977 Trans Am.  Sadly, you don't see that many Firebirds.  Lots and lots of Camaros and Mustangs, but nor many Firebirds.  They were the only ones there.

Enjoyed a $3 margarita and their taco special (3 for $6 including rice and beans).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played trivia while watching the White Sox game.  Afterwards, enjoyed the half price burgers at Bricks & Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois.

Sure Good to be Back to These Fun Things in the Summer.  --RoadDog

One Year Anniversary of You-Know-What

Today and yesterday mark the one-year anniversary of the arrival of the virus here in the Midwest.  I could never imagine the impact just one year under this would have.  But, it sure has.

We were very aware of the virus the beginning of March 2020 and it just kept spreading and spreading.

We were at the McHenry, Illinois, American Legion on the Sunday, March 15, 2020, when we heard that all bars and restaurants in Illinois were going to be open just one day longer and close indefinitely after Monday, March 16.  There was a lot of grumbling to say the least.

On Monday, March 16, we went to our local hangout, Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois, for one last drink for however long this would be.  Again, the closure and virus were the topic of discussion.  With sad hearts we left Sunnyside and went home.

But, restaurants and bars were still open in Wisconsin, which is about eight miles from us, so we decided we would still have our St. Patrick's Day celebration as well as corned beef & cabbage at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes (another of our favorite hangouts).

So, about 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, we drove to Donovan's and found one other friend from Sunnyside there who had the same idea.  Again, discussion revolved around the Illinois closures and whether or not Wisconsin would follow suit.  At 3 p.m., Barb, our friendly bartender, received a phone call saying that all Wisconsin bars and restaurants were to close at 5 p.m.

There were a lot of upset folks, I tell you.  Barb, even more so because of all the corned beef and cabbage she had on hand for the day.

Anyway, that was our welcome to you-know-what.

--RoadDog

STUDENT TEST ANSWERS:  The law of gravity was enacted by the British Parliament.