Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label Spring Grove Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring Grove Illinois. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Leading Up to St. Patrick's Day: Two CB&C Dinners, St. Baldrick's and Two Performers

MARCH 16, SATURDAY

Okay, so no cb&c at the VFW, but I remembered seeing a flyer at Sunnyside in Johnsburg offering a cb&c dinner (corned beef & cabbage) so went there.  But, upon closer inspection of the sheet, I saw that this dinner was offered at Cullom Knoll, about seven miles away so decided to be disappointed.

So, came home and went online for awhile before driving over to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove which had cb&c dinners so FINALLY got one after two false starts.  They also had a solo artist performing playing so got to enjoy that.

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

MARCH 17TH--  SUNDAY
Bob Stroud featured the music of Van Morrison on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  After all, the Van is Irish.

I drove over to the Fox Lake American Legion where they were having a St. Baldrick's head shaving event to raise money for diseases.  I didn't have my head shaved but did donate.  And, they had cb&c.  Two in a row!!  Plus, Matthew Holmes performed from 3 to 6 pm.  

Sadly, I left my to-go box when I left.

Oh well, I had my fill of corned beef & cabbage finally.

--RoadCabbage


Monday, March 18, 2024

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


Sunday, May 14, 2023

Visit With Liz, Donovan's, Trivia, Saylor Mick's, Kent State, Star Wars and a Movie

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3

Visited Liz at Cole Cemetery and then went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes,Wisconsin, as we so often did.  Played live trivia with Uncle Jeffie.  Stopped at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for the wing special and those great retro $1 Hamm's pints.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 4

Today was the 53rd anniversary of the killings at Kent State in Ohio.  That set off rioting and troubles in college campuses across the United States, including at NIU where I was a freshman.  I thought I was seeing the end of the United States.

On a lighter note, today, being May the 4th, has a play on words "May the Force Be With You" so it is an "Star Wars" day.  All of Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten had to do with space.  I wrote them down earlier in this blog.

Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw "Renfield."  That Nicholas Cage makes a fine Dracula.

--RoadDrac


Thursday, March 23, 2023

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 4: The Midwest Breakfast Company

I was happy to find all roads clear of ice both on the way to breakfast and afterwards.

The Midwest Breakfast Company has been mopen about ten years, but Liz and I had never been to it.  It has a great reputation for food and is usually quite crowded.  The only time we did think to go to it, there was too long of a wait to get seats.  

Plus, I understand they are also on the expensive side, but these days all places are expensive.  A breakfast anywhere is costing between $15 and $20 after paying for coffee and the tip.

The place wasn't crowded, but it did have a group of retired men there for a coffee club.  One of them turned out to be the owner.  I told him I was there because I didn't have electricity.  He said he didn't either and that he lived in Orchard Bluff Estates subdivision as I do also.

People continued to come in while I was eating and having several more cups of coffee.  What else did I have to do?  Most of the people coming in were in my boat with no elecricity.

The breakfast was every bit as good as I had heard it would be and really not more pricey than you'd pay anywhere these days.  Price:  $10.50 for Denver omelet, coffee $2.75, tax $1.07 and tip $3.  Just a bit ver $17.  Like I said before, breakfast is expensive these days.

I was kind of hoping to have electricity at home by then.

--RoadIce


Thursday, March 2, 2023

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 1

The Icestorm of Wednesday, February 22.

Starting over the weekend of Feb. 18-19, we started getting dire warnings of a likely ice storm heading our way, with the worst part supposed to hit us along the Illinois-Wisconsin border and areas north.  To the south it would be more of a rain situation.  I always take it under advisement as the weather folks are often right, but also often wrong.  I was hoping they were wrong.

However, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 20 and 21, it was still predicted to hit Wednesday, my usual day to drive up to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  I adopted a wait and see attitude.  

Well, they were right on with their predictions.  We did have an ice storm and it was the worst I can remember having in the 30 years we've lived in Spring Grove, Illinois.  By the time I would have left for Donovan's at 1:30 pm, there was a thick coating of ice on all the trees and bushes.  Staying put now.

Really hoping we don't lose power.  At 6:15, the lights flickered and then ten monutes later, flickered and went out for good.  Of course, dumb old me had not put any flashlights nearby, so had to grope for some.  Finally found one and was in business.

But, now what.  I can't do anything without electricity and Wednesdays are one of my favorite TV days.  No TV, no radio, no stereo, no nothing.

Might just as well go to sleep.

--RoadIcedOut


Saturday, February 11, 2023

Movies, Expensive and Cheaper Beer, Round Lake Beach and the Groundhogs

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Went to see the movie "Avatar:  The Way of Water" at the Fox Lake Theatre and to Half-Times in Johnsburg.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes and got a room for the Super Bowl game.  Stopped at The Grove in Spring Grove and was shocked by having to pay $4 for a Miller Lite 16 ounce draft. Then to Saylor Mick's where I had the more reasonable $1 Hamm's pints.  Final stop was at Margaritaville at home.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Groundhog Day...Again.  Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania as well as Woodstock Willie in the much-closer Woodstock, Illinois, both saw their shadows, so six more weeks of winter weather.  Sigh.

Went to Round Lake Beach for a dentist appointment and then to Big Lots, a new grocery store called Tony's and Meijer.  I found that Meijer has half gallons of milk for $1.65.  At Jewel, a gallon of milk is $2.99 and a half gallon is $2.49.  I hate paying almost as much for half the amount.   Later met quite a few friends at Half-Times and had a beef sub and those $1 Miller Lite drafts.

Of course, watched the movie "Groundhog Day" on AMC.  So nice of them to have a 24-hour run of the movie.

Not Loving This Winter Thing.   --RoadHog


Saturday, October 29, 2022

A Fish Fry, a Lake View, Steak Fry, Legion and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

Met the usual folks at Kelly's in Trevor, Wisconsin, for their fish fry.  Afterwards, we went to Lake View on Grasslake and sat out on the deck and enjoyed the $1.50 drafts and the wonderful view.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

Went to the Spring Grove Fireman's Steak Fry at Horse Fair Park.  A delicious meal even after all those long lines to get it.  Enjoyed the band for awhile.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

Went to the McHenry American Legion and later to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do feet smell and noses run?


Tuesday, August 30, 2022

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


Saturday, July 23, 2022

All These Blogs Ago, Stucky's, a Fish Fry and Those Old Bars of Ours

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

Entered posts in all eight blogs.  Believe me, that is time consuming.  Got some yardwork done and we went to Stucky's in Johnsburg to use up some of out $25 gift cards that we had won in their live trivia games.  In a few days they will not be worth anything.  Local entertainer Jim Seig had a long-standing open mic night at Stucky's on Thursdays but canceled for the last two times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Breakfast on FP.  Again, finished all eight blogs.  Too hot to work outside.  Normally we go to the Spring Grove Fish Boil every year to raise money for the old Spring Grove Fish Hatchery which has been turned into a village park, but today was the last day of Stucky's fish fry so we went there instead.

We sure are going to miss Stucky's  It is always sad when one of your favorite hangouts closes.  But, usually another one comes along.

Several years back three of our favorite places closed:  Tommy's and Antonio's in Spring Grove and the Twisted Moose in McHenry, but we ended up getting Sunnyside and Stucky's in Johnsburg.  And then there was Costello's in Fox Lake where we hung out for a really long time.  And, there was also Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, when Jeff Stewart sold it, but we still hang out there.

Things Go On.  --RoadDog


Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Gas Gouge Getting Out of Control: May the Fourth Be With You, Donovan's Reef, Gas Gouge Shock

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

How about this, 38 degrees this morning.  Welcome spring!  Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV on "May the Fourth Be With You" for some reason.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie and, of course, enjoyed those half price (plus 25 cents) drinks from 4 to 6 pm.

On the way home, I was shocked at the price of gasoline at Rock Corner at the intersection of Illinois 173 and Wilmot Road.  I think I saw it listed at $4.70.  We've got to do something with these GRBs at Big Oil.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 5

I set two new records today.  I drove to Bristol, Wisconsin,, and met the Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner (it's on US Highway 45).  Gas on the way was $4.60 ($4.59.9) at Rock Corner, so I had made a mistake yesterday when I thought it was $4.70 (a whole ten cents cheaper).  My excuse is that I was shocked.  Gas at the three stations in Wisconsin was $4.20.

On the way home, I bought gas for the Dodge Dakota for $4.20.  This set a record for the highest I'd ever paid for gas.  Thanks GRBs.  Later, I cut the grass for the first time this year and unfortunately ran out of gas, so had to go to the Mobil station in Spring Grove and paid $4.60 for it.  A new record for highest gas for me.

Two Records in One Day!  Lucky Ol' Me.  --RoadDog


Friday, May 6, 2022

Gas Gouge Really Hits Home: Gas in Illinois to $4.60 and $4.20 in Wisconsin

Yesterday, the gas gouge really hit home in a big way.  Driving from home in Spring Grove, Illinois, to meet friends from my teaching days at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin (just over the border), I saw that gas at the Rock Corner gas station at the corner of Illinois Highway 173 and Wilmot Road was the highest I've ever seen it, at $4.60 (well $4.59.9).

Sadly, I then passed three stations in Wisconsin, who had been at $4, but now were at $4.20.  That's the highest I've ever seen gas prices in that state.

On the way home, I filled up at one of the Wisconsin stations, of course, saving 40 cents a gallon.  But this was a new high price for gas for me that I have ever paid.

Later, I was cutting the grass when I ran out of gas in the tractor (we have an acre) and I had to go to the Mobil station in Spring Grove where that new record high gas price I had paid was broken when I had to pay $4.60.

These are not really the records I want to break, you know.

GRBs and Their Gas Gouge.  OUCH!!!

--RoadBroke


Saturday, August 28, 2021

White Sox, Margaritaville, Ultimate Jukebox, Steak Fry, Miller Park in McHenry, Legion and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.  Watched the Sox game there and came home and saw the rest of it.  The Sox won.  Enjoyed Margaritaville (my basement bar) and the Ultimate Jukebox (my 300-disc CD player).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

Took a Firebird Cruise through Solon Mill and Spring Grove as well as Pioneer Road.  Liz and I went to the Spring Grove Firefighters steak fry at Horse Fair Park.  Great steak, baked potato and Stade corn on the cob.

We were going to go to Stucky's for their $1 draft beer special, but there must have been 300 people out in the parking lot. Johnsburg was having their annual golf cart tour de force to six bars and they were there.  So, we went to Sunnyside nd had a couple beers there, but when those golf carters started showing up at Sunnyside (last stop) we quickly adjourned back to Stucky's.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

As usual, the radio shows in the morning.  I went to Miller Park in McHenry where they had a band playing outside at the gazebo (with the Fox River in the background).  Then to the McHenry American Legion for their famed "Adequate Bloody Mary" for $2.50.  Stopped at Sunnyside on the way home.

--Good Times All Week.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANNSWERS:  Q:  I', two months pregnant right now.  When will my baby move?  A:  If you're fortunate4, right after he finishes college.


Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Trivia, Dog N' Suds and American Pop Standards-- Part 1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18th

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played live trivia with Professor Jeffie and enjoyed the half price drinks.  Had a half-price burger at Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19TH 

Because of the recent storms, I had to cut the grass for the first time in three weeks.  

Went to Dog 'N Suds on Ingleside, Illinois for their 2 for $4 Charcoburger special and washed it down with a large root beer.  There are only seven of these old eating places left in the United States and we have three of them within 25 miles of us.  The other two are in Richmond and Grayslake, Illinois.  They, of course, still have the gal come out to your car with the food and put the tray on your window.  

This is real old-school eating.

I then went to the last It's Thursday concert in Antioch, Illinois, and saw Peter Oprisko do his show of American Pop Standards by such folks as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin,  He had an eight piece Big Band backing him.

Stopped at McDonald's on the way home for a Coke Slushie.

A Real Fine Day Indeed.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (From the Dec. 15, 2016, Orange Peel:  Q.  Should I have a baby after 35?  A.  No, 35 children is enough.


Saturday, August 21, 2021

JSS: Missing Bob Rohrman-- Recreational Marijuana-- Firefighters' Steak Fry

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  MISSING BOB ROHRMAN

Bob Rohrman died Tuesday, September 1, 2020.  And, I miss his wacky TV commercials for his family-owned auto group were standard TV fodder and who put the ROAR in ROHRman.

2,  RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA COMMERCIALS--  And, on the subject of commercials, now I hear commercials telling people to save money on their recreational marijuana by getting a doctor's excuse.  I really never thought I'd be hearing these on the radio.

Of course, we have had legal marijuana sales here in Illinois for a year now and every month they set new sales records.  And a whole lot of the cost you pay for it is taxes.  Hey, our state is broke so nice to have the revenue.  As for us, we have yet to go buy any.  Personally I have enough problems with drinking and don't need another problem.

We also have never played any of the gambling slot machines that seem to be everywhere in the state these days.  I'm waiting for them to start putting them in bathrooms.

3.  FIREFIGHTERS' STEAK FRY--  Today, the Spring Grove Firefighters are having the annual Steak Fry, so we will be going over to that.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, THE BEHIND YOU LAW:  When you finally give up looking for that item in a store and ask an employee where something is, you know very well that it will be right behind you.


Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Last Week: Eatin' and Drinkin' Cheap in the Neighborhood, Firebird Cruise, Car Show and Slow Tacos

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

We went to Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove, Illinois, for their half price pizza special on Monday.  We got a 16-inch Harry Caray pizza which is a real garbage pizza with four veggies and four meats.  It cost $13.50.  We also enjoyed a $5 pitcher of Miller Lite.  Then went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg where we had $1.50 pints.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3

Went on a short Firebird Cruise and went from  end to end on Pioneer Road.  It is one of McHenry County's Scenic Roads and well-earned at that.  I had taken it often from Illinois Highway 31 and that is a pretty stretch, but didn't know it continued on to West Solon Road to the north.

The McHenry Scenic Roads site describes it as 4 miles long in McHenry and Richmond townships.

I went to the McHenry Moose Lodge Classic Car Show on Il.-31 later and saw the most beautiful 1967 Firebird ever.  I am a big Firebird fan and at one time had a 1967 Firebird convertible along with my 1985 one which I still have and take on those Firebird Cruises.

But, if you want the Moose Tuesday special tacos, 3 for $5, I discovered you'd best go inside, place your order and then look at the cars.  It generally takes at least 30 minutes to get served.  Tonight it was a new record, 45 minutes.

--RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, LAW OF CLOSE ENCOUNTERS:  The probability of meeting somebody you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.


Thursday, July 1, 2021

Just Like Old Times Around Here-- Part 3: A Fish Boil in Spring Grove

FRIDAY, JUNE 25

Another decision day, well, not really.

Quite often we get together with Kevin and Kelly, Barb and Glen and go out to eat at a local restaurant/bar for their fish fry.  I am a huge fan of fish fries.  They are a carryover from when Catholics couldn't eat meat on Fridays, but fish was ok.  Favorites in this area are Cuda's in Antioch, Stucky's in Johnsburg in Illinois and Kelly's and Wilmot Riverside in Wisconsin.

However, tonight, the Spring Grove (Illinois) Fish Hatchery was hosting their annual Fish Boil at Horse Fair Park.  At one time, the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery provided small fish for much of the state, but was closed and then bought by the Village of Spring Grove and has since been turned into quite a nice little park with catch and release fishing.

This is their major fundraiser for the year, and of course, they didn't have it last year because of the virus.

So, this is where we went.

The food preparation is done by Fitzgerald's at nearby Genoa City, Wisconsin, which is noted for their fish boils, chicken and ribs.  And, their food is sooooooo good.  It cost $20 and was all-you-can eat.  The place was packed and we also had a very good band playing.

We went to Stucky's afterwards.

--RoadDog


Tuesday, June 29, 2021

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


Saturday, June 19, 2021

Good Times in the Area: Last Weekend and This

Last weekend is a good example of why we like to stick around the area here in northeast Illinois during the summer.

The bars are open again and the bands are playing.  Spring Grove and the towns around us are in an area of Illinois known as the Chain of Lakes (or Chain o' Lakes).  There are about nine interconnected lakes and a long stretch of the Fox River.

And, boating is king.  As a matter of fact, we had three boats over a period of time ranging from 1985 to 2019.  The waterways go crazy on the weekend with hundreds of boaters out to have a good time.

An example of the fun we have took place last weekend.

On Saturday, our friends Kevin and Kelly had a party for their new granddaughter and a keg of beer and lots of food.  They have a house right on Mineola Bay on Fox Lake.  There is something about ice cold beer, the sun and watching the boats go by.

However, many folks brought their own libations and that keg wasn't empty, so we signed up for a Day After Party on Sunday with some other friends.  We worked as hard as we could, but we couldn't finish that keg.

So, it became necessary to have a Day After Party Part 2.  This time we succeeded.

Last night, we went out for one of those great Midwest fish fries at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois.  In just a little bit, we're going to Rosie's on Grasslake where they will have a band out on the deck.

Oh, Well, Somebody's Got to Do It, and We're Just the Guys to Do It.  --RoadParty


Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Okay, It's Groundhog Day, Again. Did Our Local Varmint, Woodstock Willie, See His Shadow?

It is now 7:36 am on February 2, 2021.  As the old tale goes, if a groundhog sees his (or her) shadow at sunrise, there will be six more weeks of mean old winter.

Sunrise here in Spring Grove, Illinois, was at 7:06.  I am looking at the window here deep in the basement of Key North and, there can be no shadows for Woodstock Willie if they have the same clouds we have (and Woodstock, where the famous movie was filmed) is just 18 miles away.

So, it is going to be an easy winter from here on out, or so they say.

And, it needs to be.  After a fairly easy November and December, January was a real bear.  We received a lot of snow on several different occasions and very little of it has melted because of cold temperatures and a lack of sunlight.  That snow is really piled up.  Just this past week, we received about 5 inches on Tuesday and another 9 inches Saturday-Sunday.

And, starting this Friday and going through to Thursday, Feb. 11 our forecasts call for cold, real cold.  Highs for those days:  15, 12, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14.  Lows for those days:  1, -5, -6, -1, -4, -2 and 1.

It is time for those Canadians to quit sending us their weather!!!!!  Build that northern border wall!!!

By the way, that "other" original groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, did see his shadow.  But that's Pennsylvania.

Are You Sure Woodstock Willie Didn't See His Shadow?   --RoadCold


Saturday, August 15, 2020

We Had a Very Windy and Hard-Hitting Storm on Monday, Even a Tornado


In just a few minutes I will be going outside to pick up some more twigs and branches from Monday's storm.  I have been doing this for the last few days as I sure had a lot of them.  There was even one medium sized branch that came down.

But our neighbors in the subdivision here in Spring Grove had more damage.  My neighbor to the west lost about half of his Bradford pear tree, but they have notoriously weak wood.  As a matter of fact, I used to have three of them, but just one remains now after wind storms.

Drive down any street in the subdivision and there are lots of bundles of branches sitting out by the street.

Monday's storm raced west to east across Illinois at about 70 miles per hour and packed winds of up to 100 miles.  We even had an EF-1 tornado touch down in the northeast corner of Spring Grove and run along the ground 3.5 miles before ending up in Wisconsin.  That would be a touchdown about four miles from us.

Wednesday, when we drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, we saw lots of downed trees, even more so as we neared the Wisconsin border.

I was at Walgreens when it started raining and I just got home before it hit and got wet trying to put away stuff that would blow over or away.  The trees were really bending over for what we could see in the driving sheets of rain that we had.

--RoadDog

FOX HUNTING:  What is the name of Peter and Jason's sister in the comic strip "Fox Trot?"


"Paige"