Good Times Around Here May 14 to 16: A Movie, the Civil War, Bars and Specials, Good Eatin' and 'Young Sheldon'

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Went to Woodstock and saw "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", met members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner and then heard a presentation on the Queen of the West and USS Indianola at the Woodstock Public Library.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and had 75 cent wings at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove, Illinois.  Oh yes, then there were the $1 tall boys of Hamms.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Met with the funeral home to design grave stone for Liz and myself.  Then met Liana and Frank at the Fox Lake, Illinois, Senior Luncheon at the Lake Front Park and were entertained by a duo.  That "Young Sheldon" series finale was something else.  I am sure going to miss that show.

--RoadDog

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Pizza, Beer, a Movie, a Presentation and Trivia

And, it was unseasonably warm around here until Saturday.

MARCH 11--  MONDAY

Went to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for half price pizza and Bricks 'N Ivy for the $8 pitcher of Blue Moon.

MARCH 12-- TUESDAY

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, for the movie "King Fu Panda: 4" at the theater, then spent some time in the library before meeting members of the Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner.  Then we adjourned back to the library where the McHenry County Civil War Round Table has a presentation on Confederate Railroads during the war.

MARCH 13--  WEDNESDAY

Put up the spring flowers at Liz's grave and talked with the funeral director at the Spring Grover Funeral Home about a grave stone.  Then drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for snack day/trivia at Donovan's Reef.  We sure ate well.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 6: How to Keep Busy When There's Nothing to Do at Home

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

I went to Wal Mart and overheard several people talking about not having electricity and that was why they were out "shopping," also to stay warm.  Then I went to Meijer and I heard someone call to me, turned, and it was one of the couples from Midwest Breakfast Company.  Great minds must think alike.  Right?

Returning home, I walked around back to check for damage and sadly saw that one of my clump white birch trees was broken about two-thirds of the way up.  Too bad.  That is a pretty tree.  Plus, there were a lot of limbs down on both pine islands.

Like I said, this is by far the worst ice storm we've had in the thirty years living in this house.

Still no power when I got back to the house, so, what else could I do but take a nap.  I was awakened at 11:30 am when the power came back on. This means lots of resetting items that usually Liz did (and knew how to do).  But now I have to figure it out myself and remember, I'm pretty technologically challenged.  Electricity had been out 17 hours.

Then, there is that computer thing.

Actually, I somehow got it going again.  No idea how, though.

With roads in good shape, I drove over to Bulldog Ale House south of McHenry for their $2 draft beer special.  They have 32 draft beers, including domestics, imports and craft beers.  I like imports and craft beers, but not for $6 to $8, but am like a kid in a candy store at $2.  I tried quite a few different ones (No IPAs though, Yuck!!).

Came home and watched the Thursday TV shows (a favorite night).  Sadly, Wednesday night is also a favorite, but we all know what happened to that last night.

--RoadIce

Trying to Reason with an Ice Storm-- Part 2: All That Real Gone Electricity

Continued from March 2, 2023.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

That was a miserable night.  No flushing toilets and I had to take a flashlight with me everytime I had to go.  All those shadows.  No washing hands afterwards either. No fun to lose electricity on well water.  The pump is electric.

I was hoping that when I woke up we'd have power again.  We didn't.  And, it was getting pretty chilly in the house.  We have natural gas, but guess what the blowers work on?  No going into the freezer or refrigerator either to make sure food keeps cold.

At daylight I could see that I have some branches down and others hanging on the pines.  It is pretty though with all the ice on everything.  Nature's doing its icing.

I was hungry so decided this would be a great time to go over to the Midwest Breakfast Company in Spring Grove and have breakfast.  It's been here for many years and Liz and I had never gotten over there to give it a try.

I was going to take the Malibu over to it, but it was in the garage and guess what the door opener works on.  Then I remembered I could just go over to the door and pull a chord and it would open.  But, guess what the lights out there work on.  And then, after I opened the door and backed out I would have to get out of the car, penguin walk on the ice back to the garage door and pull it down manually as I wasn't going to leave it open while I was gone.

So, I decided to go out to the driveway and drive the Dodge Dakota.  But, guess what that was covered in.  

--RoadFun

15th Anniversary of NIU Valentine's Day Murders

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary since the five students were murdered and a whole bunch wounded on campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.  It took place on Valentine's Day.  A murderer entered Cole Hall and opened fire.

I must admit it had slipped my mind until I saw a couple TV news segments on it.  One was about a student who was wounded and the other was about the professor who was teaching the class in geography (which was my minor) who was also wounded.

I was glad that neither show mentioned the killer's name.  I don't think the killers should ever have their name publicized.  Just refer to them as the killer or murderer.

Liz and I were eating dinner at K.C.'s Cabin in Spring Grove, Illinois, when we saw video on TV of what looked like NIU's campus.  The sound was off,  but the information was running across the bottom.  We were shocked and paying attention.  Our friend Gayle was a student there and another couple at K.C.'s was very concerned as their daughter went to Northern.

A sad time then and just this past Monday night three more students were killed at Michigan State.  At least this killer (and I notice they don't give his name most of the time) had the decency to, like NIU's killer, end his own life.

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 10: Cajun Jack's and the VFW

FRIDAY,  AUGUST 26

I was sitting out by the Grant Hills Motel's pool at 12:45 pm.  It was nice when the clouds rolled by, but very hot when they were gone.  They are cutting the grass and I sure love the smell of fresh mown grass.  One of those great smells of summer.

I've seen a place in Elizabeth called Cajun Jack's advertised quite often and we drive by it every time we  go to Galena.  But, we'd never stopped in.  Any place with a name like that will be of interest.  So, today was the day we would check it out.

They have great decor outside and inside.  We ordered beers and got a half order of Cajun chips with steak and all sorts of fixins' for $9.  We could not finish it.  We just had one draft beer apiece and would have had more had we known that they were just $1.75.  That is a good price these days.

Back to the motel then downtown Galena and, like yesterday, almost unbelievably found a parking place right in front of the VFW where I wouldn't have to parallel park.  This is especially hard these days since I lost my depth perception.

--RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 7: Galena's Log Cabin Restaurant

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25

We then drove to downtown Galena and amazingly, found a parking space, one that I could pull into and not have to back into (again, my depth perception has faded).  It was right in front of where we were going to eat our anniversary dinner, The Log Cabin Steakhouse (with that great old sign hanging over the sidewalk).  This is where we ate our first meal together on our honeymoon.

As we walked up to the door, they opened it as they open at 4 p.m. and that was the time.  We were the first customers of the day.  I had thought of having one of their notable steak dinners, but they started at $38, a bit more than I wanted to pay.  Instead, I got my usual catfish dinner for $19.95, only this time I had it made up Greek style.  Liz ordered the cod dinner.

The place looks exactly as it did 49 years ago.   Another reason we like it so well.

As usual, we got a hot loaf of bread and a relish tray with some of the best cheese spread anywhere.  I also got a baked potato with the order.

We had plenty left over.  Thankfully, our room at Grant Hills Motel has a minifrig.

--RoadAnniversary

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

Johnny's Cafe, Legion, Ray Chevrolet, USO, BBQ, Plaquing a Cabin

JULY 15,  Friday

Met the usual suspects at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois, and afterwards, adjourned to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

JULY 16, SATURDAY

Went over to Ray Chevrolet (where we bought our last two Malibus) in Fox Lake for their cookout to raise money for the USO and met Glen and Barb.  Outstanding brats for just $2 as well as a classic car show.  

We then went over to where Pink Harrison's used to be on Pistakee Lake.  The McHenry County Historical Association was plaquing one of the original vacation cabins and there was a huge crowd in attendance.  Makes you think that History might just have a chance.

Oak Park Lounge is right next to it and is an original Chain  O' Lakes bar and resort.  Pictures of it on display show that it still looks much like it did in the 1930s.  Had a couple brews there.  It opened in the 1890s.

--RoadOld

Movies, the Civil War and Sliders

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Drove to Woodstock, Illinois, and saw the movie "Elvis," met the folks from the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for a pre-meeting meal and then went to the Woodstock Public Library for the meeting and had a presentation by Bruce Allardice on "The Mysteries of the Hunley."  

That really made my night as we rarely have presentations on anything naval.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13

We joined Kevin and Kelly and we had Sliders that Jeff had picked up at White Castle in Kenosha for "snack day."  Cindy and Jerry usually bring in the heavy snacks.  We bring in butter pretzels.

THURSDAY, JULY 14

Went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) Theatre and saw "Jurassic World Dominion."  I sure enjoyed the six "Jurassic" movies.  Later we went to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

Still Using Cassettes (Hopelessy Behind the Times)

FRIDAY, JULY 1

Went to Quality Tire in Spring Grove to check on the Malibu and then to McHenry to check out some garden centers at Wal Mart and Home Depot and then bought three 5-pack Maxell cassette bricks and a Sony Radio, Cassette and CD boombox player using a 30% off coupon.  Nowadays a cassette brick costs $9.99 at Meijers which is the only place I know of to buy a brick.  The boom box usually cost $69.99.

Gas on Illinois Highway 31 was $5.15 and $5.05.  Getting better, but still way TOO expensive

Stopped at the Spring Grove Jewel on the way home and bought six 12-packs of Diet Coke for Liz at 3 for $10, a real good deal these days of inflation in pretty much everything.  (Sale prices on these used to be 4 for $10.)

I see that USC and UCLA are going to join the Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.  That will make it the Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.  Time for a name change.  Another case of the rich get richer among the so-called Power Conferences.  I liked the old days where conferences were based on regional location, but not no more.

Picked up the Malibu which ended up with $460 in repairs.

Met the usual suspects at Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake and then went to the Fox Lake American Legion.

But, I Like Cassettes, and, Even More Important, Know How toUse Them.  -RoadDog

One Last Hurrah at Stucky's-- Part 1

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

We really thought that Stucky's in Johnsburg Road in Johnsburg, Illinois, had turned the corner and was starting to get a good turnout of diners and drinkers, but we were wrong.  And, they sure had some great prices and lost of fun times.

Mondays:  $1 tacos

Tuesday:  Half price burgers

Fridays:  $8.95  Fish Fry and $2 bottles

Saturdays:  $1 domestic draft pints

Everyday:  $2 domestic cans.

Plus, Saturdays fo awhile we had live trivia and then karaoke.  And every Thursday, Jim Sieg had his open mic.  There were also performers inside and outside at times.

But, today was the last day.

--RoadMissStucky's

Magee Teachers in Bristol. Bob Stroud Retires from Deejaying.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for trivia and those great 1/2 price drink specials during happy hour.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Met the usual group of former Magee Middle School teachers for breakfast in Bristol, Wisconsin, at the Bristol 45 Diner.  We had two newcomers to the "club", Karen and Linda.  Always good to get together with people I worked many years with back in the day.  

I also had an Magee '81-'82 yearbook and everyone got a kick out of that.  I must admit I looked quite a bit like Gabe Kaplan of "Welcome Back Kotter" but with less hair.

This was Bob Stroud's last day deejaying before his semi-retirement from Chicago's WDRV after four decades of work, mostly spent at numerous stations in Chicago, the last 21 with this station.  I recorded a lot of his show on cassette tape.

However, he will continue doing my favorite shows that he does: Ten at Ten, One 45 at 1:45 daily and Rock and Roll Roots on Sundays.

He said how he got into the radio business back when he was 12 and living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a friend of him told him to tune into WLS, 890 AM, out of Chicago and listen to a deejay named Dick Biondi...and that got him hooked on what turned out to be a long career.

--RoadStroud

Saying Goodbye to Stucky's: No Tacos But Oh Those Burgers

MONDAY, JUNE 27

This was to be the last week that one of our favorite places to go was to be open.  Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois.  (Stucky's was also the same place that Tom's Cafe was located back in the 1990s and we also hung out there a lot.)

So, we decided to go to Stucky's as much as we could.

I went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw "Top Gun:  Maverick."  Then Liz and I went to Sunnyside for their $1.50 Monday draft beer special and then over to Stucky's where we planned on getting their $1 tacos.  Sadly, however, they ran out of tacos before we could order.

That is a problen there right now.  They are running out of many things.  You never know "what" you can order and hope to get."  Enjoyed the $2 12 ounce cans, always ice cold.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 28

Went to Stucky's for the last half price burgers and were happy to find out that they had restocked a little, but there were many times employees were sent over to the next door Angelo's grocery store to buy stuff.  

I had my last Roland's Swiss cheese and mushroom burger with loads of grilled onions and Liz had her last bacon cheeseburger.  Both came with fries or tots of homemade chips.  I dare you to get a burger that good and big anywhere for $4.75 anymore, especially in these days of runaway food prices.

--RoadStuck

JSS: As Crummy As It Gets-- Beer Nuggets-- Burning-- Wrigley Field Tonight

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  AS CRUMMY AS IT GETS--  Today set a new low in regards to crummy weather days we've been having so far this spring.  It was 32 degrees at 9 am with a forecast high of 48 (but I'm thinking we didn't make it).  Plus rain, overcast, windy and lots of cold in the air which the wind blew right through you.  But, we have a teaser coming though.  Supposedly it will be 80 degrees come Monday.

2.  BEER NUGGETS--  Last night we went to Bricks 'N Ivy here in Spring Grove, Illinois, and enjoyed the half price appetizers and pitchers of beer.  They have a new menu item and it is one of our favorites, something called beer nuggets which are fried dough.  Couldn't beat a basket of it for $3.50.  We also had half price wings ($8 for 12).  But, I can remember when a wing special was just 25 cents.

3.  BURNING--  We get to burn yard waste on the weekends during April and May.  The problem with that is that we haven't had a weekend which did not have rain or howling winds.  Come on guys.

4.  WRIGLEY FIELD TONIGHT--  The White Sox travel to Wrigley Field tonight to play the Chicago Cubs in our Crosstown Classic.  It is a battle of two 9-13 teams.  I am sure glad that I am not out there because of (see #1).

--RoadCold

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  What am I?   Flypaper for freaks?

Bringing April Showers: Breakfasts, Deals, Donovan's Reef and Taxes

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Met the usual Sunnyside crew at Granny's Dinner in Johnsburg for breakfast.  Hard to beat the special:  8 ounces chopped steak, two eggs, sour dough bread and hash browns for $8.95.

Rain off and on all day.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

Rained all last night and part of today.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef  in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and that great happy hour.  All drinks half price plus 25 cents.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Rain splatters all day.

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, and filled the tank on the '2005 Dodge Dakota for $3.80.  Gas in Illinois is still $4.10 and much higher.

I had called H&R Block to talk to Bill and when he called back he said they weren't taking any new taxes to be filled out.  But since we had used him the last four years or so, he did take us.

That was a bit frightening at this late of a tax date.

--RoadDog

Last of February: Johnny's Cafe, Legion, MCCWRT, Half-Price Books, Sliders, Chili Cookoff, Band and Stucky's

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Went to Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois, for their pasta special and then the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26

I can't imagine doing more of the things I like to do around home as I did today.

Drove to Crystal Lake, Illinois, for the McHenry County Civil War Round Table discussion group meeting at Panera Bread (about Sherman's March to the Sea and Through the Carolinas).  Then, on to Algonquin for Half-Price Books where I bought eight CDs and then to White Castle for a ten-pack of Sliders.  Ate two on the way home.

In the afternoon, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion for their chili cookoff and they had entertainment in the bar.  Came home and watched some movies on TV.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

We were going to go to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, but the parking lot was too full.  Ended up at Stucky's and had a great time there.

--RoadDog

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.

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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 Weekend: Beach Music and Billy Smith, Round Lake and Ace Hardware, Little Mexico in Downtown Round Lake

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Listening to Jim Morgan on the Surf, 94.9 FM WVCO out of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, via internet, and he did his Spotlight Song on "Hello Stranger" by Barbara Lewis and he said that was Billy Smith's favorite song.  I sure enjoyed listening to Billy Smith both when we were in Myrtle Beach and eventually over the internet.  Sadly, he died, but I still do remember him.  A great Beach Music deejay.

We drove to Round Lake for Liz's hair appointment, got there early and decided to drive around Round Lake some and went to some areas south of town that we had never been to before.  While she was at the appointment, I went to the Ace Hardware there and at one time, maybe still is, was the largest Ace in the country.  Sure did a lot of shopping there when we lived in Round Lake Beach.

After she was done, we had some great Mexican food at Rancho Nuevo in downtown Round Lake.  Probably 50% of the people of the Round Lake area are now Mexican and if you want to go to Mexico without going far, just go to downtown Round Lake.  Lots of businesses catering to them.

--RoadDog

Last Week: Donovan's Reef, Bristol 45 Diner, Wilmot Riverside and the Legion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, but didn't play trivia.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 

Met the former Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  Always great reliving those old memories and having that great Mediterranean omelet.  Lots of 50s stuff all over the walls.

For dinner, met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, but didn't have the famed fish fry as we have found they also have a real good shrimp fry.  Then, we went to the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion for Jeopardy and 50-50.

--RoadDog