Last Weekend at the Legion: Cheap Beer, Fish Fry and an Afternoon Entertainment

Last week I ended up at the American Legion in Fox Lake for three straight days.

FEBRUARY 29, Thursday (As in Leap Year)

After a movie in Fox Lake I stopped by the Legion to enjoy those $1.50 pints of Lite.  This is the special every Monday and Thursday.  My buddy Frank joined me.  I left when the bingo folks started coming in.

MARCH 1, Friday

Saw the last episode of "Band of Brothers" at Frank's.  This was a great series which unfortunately I didn't get to see when it was on as I didn't subscribe to HBO.  Glad I finally got to see it.

Then I went to the American Legion in Fox Lake again and met friends Glenn and Barb at the bar and enjoyed the Grant Township annual fish fry.  It was AUCE for $12 and, as always tasty.  And, as always the place was jammed tight with folks.

MARCH 2,   Saturday

Met Glenn and Barb again at the Legion and thoroughly enjoyed the show that New Odyssey Guy put on from 3 to 6 pm.  Where else you gonna get entertainment in the afternoon in March?

--RoadLegion

Summer of 1972 Again-- Part 6: 'Highway Star'

The songs on the radio and in your record collection fifty years ago on July 10,1972.

HEART OF  GOLD--  Neil Young

ZIGGY STARDUST--  David Bowie

CITIES ON FLAME WITH ROCK AND ROLL--  Blue Oyster Cult

SCHOOL'S OUT--  Alice Cooper   This was the name of our boat.  If you saw us in it, school was out.  We were both teachers.  After we retired, we added "...Forever!"

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

HIGHWAY STAR--  Deep Purple

OUTA SPACE--  Billy Preston

HOEDOWN--  Emerson, Lake & Palmer   I always loved it when the New Odyssey band played it.

CONQUISTADOR--  Procul Harum

I NEED YOU--  America

TAXI--  Harry Chapin    Such a story teller this one.

HELLO IT'S ME--  Todd Rundgren

AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG--  Three Dog Night

THICK AS A BRICK--  Jethro Tull   Heavy Metal Grammy winners.

TROGLODYTE (CAVE MAN)--   Jimmy Castor Bunch   Love this song.  I can even do it at karaoke.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Gotta Find A Woman.  Her Name Was Bertha. Bertha Butt.  She Was One Of The Butt Sisters."   Answer below.  --RoadButt

"Troglodyte (Cave Man)"

Just Like Old Times Around Here-- Part 2: A Great Time at the Pistakee Lakehouse

THURSDAY, JUNE 24

This ended up as one of those decision days (well, not really).  I had planned on going to Antioch, Illinois,  for their It's Thursday concert out at the bandshell.  They always have great bands, plus food tents and lots of drinks.  The local restaurants all have stuff as well.  We especially like going to the Lodge, which is adjacent to the bandshell.

However, Liz informed me that the Pistakee Lakehouse, on Pistakee Lake, had a special guest performing with the New Odyssey Guy, Gary, and that was his former bandmate for 30+ years, Mike.  Mike went to elementary school with Liz in Chicago and was her boyfriend for part of that time.  Well, I didn't have much of a choice now, did I?

So, we went to the Lakehouse and got seat right next to the stage at the tiki bar and enjoyed a really good show.  Mike had retired when the band (New Odyssey) decided to call it quits a couple years ago and this was his first time back performing.  I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him.

--RoadDog

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

About Last Weekend: It's a Burnin' Thing, Third Band in Three Days, the Chain and Four Bars Today

SUNDAY, MAY 6

After several failed efforts, I finally got a fire hot enough and managed top burn a lot of the accumulated limbs in the burn pile.

We then went to Cabana's to meet with several of our Usual Suspects group and enjoy the New Odyssey Guy.  He is the former drummer of New Odyssey who is out on his own now that the band retired.  We knew he would be good and he was.  Enjoyed sitting out in the grass, in the sun and with temperatures in the upper 70s.  A great way to kick off another summer on the Chain of Lakes here in Illinois.

With him, that makes three bands that we saw in the last three days.

And, I guess we finally really broke that long list of weekends destroyed weatherwise by the infamous Round Lake Spring Carnival.

We then went to Oak Park Lounge, a holdout from the original Chain, dating back to 1890s and it hasn't changed much.  It is a bona fide Dive Bar.  We love it, but don't go as often as we should.  Plus, they have one of the most spoiled bar dogs who has ever lived, Bomber.  He has every one trained well.

We ran into a couple who we found out had a lot in common with us.  He graduated from Fremd High School in 1974.  They have a house near where we were seriously looking at a lot on the Chain back in 1991.  They met each other in Panama City Beach.

We then went to Sunnyside for a pizza and $1.50 drafts and finished up with a lot of juke box playing at Sunnyside.

That's four bars today.

Too Much Fun.  --RoadFun

Keeping Busy-- Part 3: A Farewell to New Odyssey At Parish Fest

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

Did the usual FP (Front Porch) and OD  (On deck) and listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV. 93.1 FM from 7-10 a.m. and recorded Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles on WXRT, 93.1 FM.

Liz and I went up early to get a table at St. John's Parish fest in Johnsburg, Illinois.  An elementary school friend of Liz's plays guitar and many other instruments in the the group New Odyssey which was playing today and had for the last ten or so years.  They bill themselves as "Three Guys, 30 Instruments" because they play 30 different instruments during the course of a show.

The do a ten-song Beatles medley and play all 30 of them in the ten-twelve minutes.  Quite a show.  They also play Beatles songs in one medley where the drummer wears a Sgt. Pepper's drum coat and plays that.  Quite impressive.

Sadly, after 40 years, this is their last year performing together.

Of course, there is all kinds of great food at the Parish Fest and we took advantage of much of it.  Plus, plenty of ice-cold beer.  I got a free beer when one of the people serving saw me in my Stan Mijita shirt.

Sure Going to Miss New Odyssey.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  You become physically ill at the mention of RIAA, and visibly excited at the mention of object-oriented programming.  (Now ask me if I have any idea what this was/is all about.)

Keeping Busy-- Part 1: No Odyssey, PLAV, Half-Times, Yard, Legion and Margaritaville

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9

We had rain threaten all day, but, unfortunately, didn't start until a couple hours before we were to see New Odyssey play their music at Veterans Park in McHenry, but the show was cancelled.  We did enjoy $1 miniburgers and $1.75 bottles at the PLAV  (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry and $1 pints at Half Times in Johnsburg.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

Still no boat, the latest that we have never had the boat out in a season.  Difficulties getting parts being the reason.  Still working in the yard.  I can never seem to catch up in the yard.  My fault though as I planted way TOO many plants, bushes and trees.

Went to the Legion for 50-50, but didn't win.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Julebox in the basement.

No Band, But Found Something Else To Do.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  You have a monitor tan.\

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

Saying Our Goodbyes to the DeKalb Footstompers

In just a short time, Liz and I are going to leave to go to the After the Fox bar and grill in McHenry, Illinois,  to see one of our all-time favorite bands, the DeKalb Footstompers, play one of their last shows.  They announced a few weeks ago that they had three more shows and then it was all over.

They started in DeKalb, Illinois, back in 1973 and we have seen them many, many times since then.  They especially have played at NIU's homecomings all these years since 1973, first at Andy's and of late at Lord Stanley's.

We sure are going to miss them.

Plus, this is the last year for two other favorites of ours, Pat Dailey and New Odyssey.

In addition, another favorite of ours, Terry Spizzirri, died last summer.

Sure Gonna Miss Them.  --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--  "

Closing Out July-- Part 1: New Odyssey at McHenry's Veterans Park

JULY 27, THURSDAY

As usual, FP and yardwork.

We went to McHenry and had the $1 mini burgers at the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) and then walked over to Veterans Park to watch the band New Odyssey (Three Guys, Thirty instruments) put on a show at the gazebo.  As usual, we had  the famous "Drumcoat" and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" Blue Man Group impression.  They sure had the crowd going.  We'll be seeing them again on August 13 at Parish Fest in Johnsburg.

Sad, but the Cubs took three of the four games against my White Sox in Chicago's Crosstown Classic.  But, with all the players the Sox have traded for future prospects, if we win any games that's pretty amazing.

--RoadDog

Recent Stanley Cup Sightings: The People's Cup

As I mentioned before, the Stanley Cup is a touring championship trophy. Regular folks get to see and touch it, not just the millionaires and upper crust.

Liz received a photo from her long time friend, Michael (who plays in the band New Odyssey) and he was sitting and smiling broadly next to the Stanley Cup. He said it was on his Bucket List.

At some point this month (probably during the Illinois State Fair), it will be on display at the Executive Mansion (Governor's home) in Springfield. On July 29th, the Stanley Cup was carried to the Jimmy Buffett concert on Northerly Island (by Chicago's Lakefront) by Patrick Kane.

It was also in St. Peter's, Missouri, at a children's hospital, carried there by St. Charles native and Blackhawk player Brandon Bolling.

Sure Gets Around. --RoadDog