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.

Finishing Up Oktoberfest

I came across a list of favorite Oktoberfest that folks like their oom-pah bands to play on those huge Munich tents.  I am not sure if they only have oom-pah bands playing or if perhaps some rock bands play as well.

These surprised me:

Seven Nation Army--  White Stripes
Sweet Home Alabama--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
We Are the Champions--  Queen

I Will Survive--  Gloria Gaynor
La Bamba--  Ritchie Valens
Born in the USA--  Bruce Springsteen

Don't Stop Believing--  Journey
No Woman, No Cry--  Bob Marley
You Shook Me All Night Log--  AC/DC

A Couple German ones:

Furstenfeld
Wahn Sinn Holle, Holle, Holle

Of course, a favorite Oktoberfest local group of ours here in Northern Illinois is the DeKalb Footstompers.  They are a four-piece group with the traditional drums and guitar.  But they get quite different with accordion and tuba.  You haven't lived until you hear them play Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze."

In the Mood for A Brat and a Beer, No Foam, Please.  --RoadDog


YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF:  You don't have any hats in your closet advertising feed stores.

How to Correctly "Ein Prosit"

As I said, the first time I ever heard it was from an Oom-pah band called Der Dumpkoffs playing at the Mount Charleston Lodge near Las Vegas, Nevada.  We sure had a great time with their antics and this song.

Ein Prosit (Eyn Proz-it) Sing it twice.

Der Gemutlichkeit (Dar Gay-mute-lish-kite)  I salute our friendship & good times.

Do it twice.

Then comes the countdown in German: Eins, Zwei, Drei.

Then G'suffa (zuffa)  Where you take a big ol' drink.

Then, someone says either "Zicke Zache, Zicke Zache

or, Ticke-Tacke, Ticke-Tacke

Then you respond Hoi, Hoi, Hoi.

Or, Something Like This.  It's All So Fast.  --RoadPrositDog


YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF: The last time you smiled was when you prevented someone from getting on an on-ramp to the highway.

Top Ten Oktoberfest Songs-- Part 2

Continued from yesterday.

4.  MOUNTAIN MOTHER--  Sierra Madre--  Spanish Sparkles

5.  COUNTRY ROADS--  John Denver (Wouldn't have expected this one.)

6.  THE DONKEY SONG--  Esellied--  The only traditional German song to make the list.

7.  HANDS TO HEAVEN--  Where you have to put your beers down, raise your hands and clap along.

8.  ANGLES--

9.  SWEET CAROLINE--  Oh, No!!  Oh, No!  You can't get away from this one anywhere.

10.  COWBOYS AND INDIANS--  Cowboy und Indianer--  the Lasso Dance.

Do I See a Stein Over There?  --RoadDog

Top Ten Oktoberfest Songs-- Part 1

Well, a little late.  Use it to get ready for this fall.

Is it polka music?  No say the Germans who refer to it as oom-pah music (as do I).  easy to sing along to and upbeat.  I wonder how the American bandstand kids would rate it.

Of course, regardless, the "Ein Prosit" song has to be played at least every 10-15 songs.  That would be the toasting song.

here are the Top ten Songs.  I forgot to write down the source (probably toasting too much).

1.  I Salute You--  Ein Prosit  (I first heard it played by Der Dumpkoffs in Las Vegas.)
2.  The Flier Song--  Fliegerleid (Actually a kids' animal song.)
3.  Hey baby-If You'll be My Girl--  DJ Otzi, European version

Ein Prositing All the Way.  --RoadDog


YOU MIGHT BE A YANKEE IF:  You think more money should go to important scientific research at your university than to pay for the salary of the head football coach.

Oktoberfest- Day II BEARS WIN!!!!

Sunday, the 7th of October, I drove to Antioch, Illinois, where I enjoyed my second straight day of German style partying. In the past, both Fox Lake and Antioch had their Oktoberfest celebrations on the same day. But this year, Fox Lake was on Saturday and Antioch's the following day. So, I got to double my fun.

The Alpiners were there as well, and this time with all five members and playing on the beautiful outdoor stage just to the east of Main Street. Definitely a better show than yesterday's meanderings.

I met Cindy, who is in charge of Antioch's functions along this line. She also organized the "It's Thursday" music and food vendor lineup. I enjoyed several of these this past summer, as well as Taste of Antioch, which went over four days. She does a great job.

Ate my fill of German food from the various offerings.

Came home and watched the Bears defeat the much heralded Brett Favre and the Pack at Margaritaville in the basement. Well, I should say it was the Pack beating themselves more than the Bears beating them. Oh well, the way this season is going, I'll take any win I can get.

Oompah Music and a Bears Win. Now That's a Great Sunday!! --RoadDog