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?

Wisconsin and Johnsburg

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

As usual, we're going to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, to play trivia with Uncle Jeffie and enjoy those great half price happy hour drinks.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

Drove to Bristol, Wisconsn, and met the Magee teachers for breakfast, something we do once a month.  It is good to see an d talk wih folks I worked with all those many years ago.

The gas gouge is really hitting hard right now with gas in Spring Grove, Illinois, at $5.56.

That evening, we went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed listening to Jim Seig and all the others at Open Mic.

--RoadDog

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

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

It Was Two Years Ago Today That You-Know-What Began

When I used to write about the 1918-1920 Spanish Flu outbreak that killed so many people all around the world, I never ever thought I would have something like it happen to me.  But, I was sure wrong.  We most certainly did.

Yesterday, we were up north across the border at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, when Liz mentioned we were there when the COVID-19 officially hit two years earlier on St. Patrick's Day 2020.

Illinois had already closed down the previous day on March 16.  Since we live just eight miles from the Wisconsin border, and Wisconsin was still open, we decided we'd get our St. Patrick's celebration in up there.

We drove there to Donovan's Reef  in Twin Lakes.  A  friend, Jeff,  from Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, Illinois, had the same idea and was already there.    We were having our beer and think corned beef & cabbage, but Barb the bartender, was on the phone a lot calling around Kenosha County and said she was starting to hear that he state of Wisconsin was going to shut down at some point that day.

Finally, she learned that all bars and businesses had to close down by 5 p.m.  A real bad thing as she had a whole lot of corned beef & cabbage to sell. We had drinks until 4:30, and sadly said our goodbyes for whatever lay in store for us.

Two Years Ago.  Oh Well.  --RoadDog

Second Weekend of This Year: Donovan's, 45 Diner, Stucky's, Da Bears and Sunnyside

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6

We met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. for happy hour and trivia.

FRIDAY, JANIARY 7

The extreme cold continues.  Drove to the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin, and met the Magee teachers.  Always good to get together with old friends.  Got gas in Trevor, Wo., for $3 a gallon.  It was $3.465 at Rock Corner just over the Illinois border which is why I fill up with gas in Wisconsin.

Later drove to Stucky's on Johnsburg, Illinois, and found that we had low air pressure in all of our tires, more than likely from all this cold weather.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8

I pit air into all four tires at the Mobil station in Johnsburg (which still has free air, believe it or not) and all the warning features turned off.

Went to Stucky's for the dinner special and $1 draft beers.  We should have come home earlier because it had started sleeting and getting out to the car in the parking lot was all kind of fun.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9

We didn't go to the McHenry American Legion today because it was closed because of a COVID outbreak.  Went to Sunnyside and watched the Bears lose to end the season with a stellar 6-11 record.  No playoffs for us, obviously.

--RoadDog

About Last Week: A Breakfast, Cheaper Gas, No Blue Nun, Snow Showers and a Shrimp Fry

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Met the Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It is on US Highway 45 and features some of the best breakfasts anywhere around.  I'm especially fond of the Mediterranean omelet loaded with gyro meat and feta cheese.  I end up with two breakfasts at home afterwards.  Always good to get together with friends I have known since the 1970s.

Got gas on Wisconsin Highway 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08 ($3.07.9) after quite a bit of maneuvering because of long lines of Illinois folks.  Gas in northern Illinois now goes for between $3.50 and $3,60, so this is quite a savings.

Went to Antioch Wine and Liquor store to look for Blue Nun wine.  The owner told me they no longer carry it because of lack of demand, but at one time they could hardly keep it in stock it sold so fast.  This is a special wine for Liz and me as her dad, Amby, a World War II vet, gave us a bottle of it on our wedding day back in August 1973, as we left the reception, in DeKalb, Illinois, and told us to have a drink on him when we got to Galena.  Ever after that, this was or "drink" on our anniversaries.

When soldiers returned from WW II, they started drinking Blue Nun wine from Germany and it became  very popular.

The store did have several other Riesling wines, so I bought one.  Blue Nun is a Riesling wine, so those will have to take the place.  Very close to the Blue Nun taste.

We had snow showers all day and kind of a blustery cold. No accumulation, though.

Met Kevin and Kelly at the Wilmot Riverside in Wilmot, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  Well, actually a shrimp fry as we all got shrimp dinners.  I usually don't order shrimp because it is of the popcorn shrimp variety which means a really small shrimp covered with a WHOLE LOT of breading.  Their fried shrimp is medium-sized and with a Calabash, N.C., style of breading, which means lightly breaded.

--RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  "I can see your point, but I still think you're strong."

Around Here: Wisconsin Gas, Omelets, Old Friends, and the Blue Gill

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

Drove across the border and met the former Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  It was also time to fill up the Dakota which was down to about an 8th of a tank.  It has a big gas tank and it takes a lot to fill it when it is that low.  Gas around northern Illinois is anywhere from $3.40 to $3.60 now.  Gas in Wisconsin is lower and along Highway C was $3.20.

We had a good turnout for our first get together since the coronavirus hit back in March 2020 with six:  Bob B., Maxine, Bob D., Karen and Cindy.  Great to catch up with old friends.  And, the Diner has really great omelets.  I usually get the Mediterranean one and have several meals off it at home.

On the way home, I got gas at a station on Wis. 83, just north of Antioch, Illinois, for $3.08.  A considerable savings for me as it took 18 gallons to fill up.

Later, we met Kevin and Kelly at Kelly's in Trevor, Wisconsin, for a fish fry.  I had some delicious blue gill.

--RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q   What is the most common craving for women during pregnancy?  A     For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Last Weekend Not Quite As Planned, But Good Anyway-- Part 1: Trivia, Beers, Bars, No Festival or Band, Fish Fry and a View

This past weekend did not go as I had originally planned, but I'm always ready to change with the flow as necessary.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14

As usual, met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and played Smartass Trivia with MC Jeff and enjoyed the half price drinks.

THURSDAY, JULY 15

Original plans were for a trip to Antioch, Illinois' Taste of Summer Festival and a band out by the stage, but a rain threat stopped that.

FRIDAY, JULY 16

Met Kevin, Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Kelly's Tap in Trevor, Wisconsin, for their fish fry.  Then went to Lake View on Grasslake and enjoyed the sweeping view and $1 Miller draft pints.

--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.

The Drive's 20th Anniversary Monday (Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, Classic Rock)

It's hard to believe in this day and age that a radio station has gone on the air and retained its format for 20 years, but that is exactly what WDRV, 97.1, simulcast on 69.9 FM  toward the Wisconsin border where we listen to it.  

It was a classic music station before that for many years (which also featured the late great Mr. A doing his Blues and R&B overnight show).  

This station is one of my three favorite radio stations in Chicago that I listen to most every day: WXRT and MeTV-FM are the other two.

I listen to the Sherman and Tingle Show every morning, then Bob Stroud at midday, especially his Ten at Ten at 10 AM and PM.  Plus, every weekend, they have the Time Warp with Bill St. James on Saturday mornings, the Acoustic Storm Sunday mornings and, best of all, Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Show.

Never let it be said I don't like my Classic Rock.

Bob Stroud has been with the station the whole time.  I think he has found his Radio Home as he ages.

This Monday marks the 20th anniversary of their first day and they will be playing the songs they played that day in honor of it.

So, Happy 3/15 Ides of March, WDRV.  --RoadDrive

Clark Weber, Big Voice on Chicago Radio (WLS and WCFL and Others)

CLARK WEBER, 89

Died March 8, 2020

This was not on the Hope I Die Before I Get Old site.  I didn't know about it until this week.

A pioneer rock and roll disc jockey in the 1960s and for decades later.  Known as "Mother Weber's Oldest Son."

First rose to fame on Chicago's Powerhouse station, WLS, 890 AM.  In 1965, he introduced the Beatles on stage at Comiskey Park.  Born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (outside of Milwaukee).  In 2008, wrote "Clark Weber's  Rock and Roll Radio: 1955-1975."

In 1968, jumped to rival WCFLAM and in 1971 to WMAQ AM.

At age 43, feeling he might be too old to keep spinning 45s, he segued to Talk Radio.

One of my favorites from back then.  Clark Weber ad the other Ls and CFL jocks back then made growing up in the Chicago area a lot more fun.  Our music.

Still Got Our CB&C for St. Patrick's Day-- Part 4: Last CB&C and Bar Beer

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

No more drinking in bars or eating in restaurants in Illinois anymore.  You can get delivery or take out at the restaurants, but that's it.

At least we got to visit two of our favorite places, Stucky's and Sunnyside yesterday.

But, today is St. Patrick's Day.  Celebrating at home just doesn't feel right and we didn't think the virus was here yet, so what to do.

Hey, Wisconsin bars and restaurants are still open.  And since we live just a few miles south of the Wisconsin-Illinois border, let's go visit Cheesehead Land.  And, what better place to go than our fav Wisconsin bar, Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.  And, they are serving cb&c (corned beef & cabbage) as well.

Went in and bartender Barb was on the phone and we heard that they too, were closing bars and restaurants in Wisconsin at 5 o'clock tomorrow.  Well, at least we got one last trip in.  But, a few minutes later, she talked to someone else and found out that the 5 o'clock closing referred to today.  Now, that sure wasn't much warning from the governor.

Oh, well, one last time.  Donovan's always fills up at the onset of happy hour when all drinks are half price plus 25 cents, but, as people learned of today's closure, the place really filled up with last-nighters.

We took our cb&c to go and finished it (as well as some of yesterday's cb&cs this past Friday).

So, We Sure Got Our CB&C and Last Drinking In.  --RoadIrish

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH V.--  "Who else is self-quarantining alone?  I'm this close to naming a volleyball."

From Happy to Sad-- Part 5: #3 Nebraska and #2 Wisconsin

3.  NEBRASKA--  Even if the game is a dud, you'll never forget your first trip to Memorial Stadium.  It is well-situated  near booth the campus and downtown Lincoln, where the most intense pregaming takes place.

The "O" Street area is full of college bars and the Haymarket part of downtown is just the place for you late 20s and 30s folks.

The experience of the fans of the visiting team is unmatched, with upbeat "Sea of Red" locals saying, "Welcome to Lincoln!  Hope you enjoy the game!" and inviting you to their tailgate for free food and drink.

Eat a corn dog and ask who the third-string punter is.  Husker fans will know.

2.  WISCONSIN--  Tradition and winning combine for a fantastic atmosphere.  Wisconsin has it all.  When "Jump Around" blasts at Camp Randall before the fourth quarter and the stadium literally starts rocking, you know you're at the Big Ten's best parties.

Wisconsin doesn't have a central tailgating area, but feel free to pop onto a lawn for a house party and buy a red Solo cup  and tap a keg.  Fans mill in and out of bars on regent Street.  Grab a couple of Spotted Cows (craft beer, hey, it's Dairy Land for crying out loud) and some brats to feel like one of the locals.

Fans even stick around for the postgame celebration with the marching band, known as "The Fifth Quarter."

So, Who's #1?  --RoadDog

DID YOU KNOW (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  The longest one syllable word in the English language is   "screeched."

25 Ways To Tell You're From Lake County, Illinois-- Part 6: Shoveling and Lamb's Farm

21.  You miss the albino crocodile in Gurnee Mills (a huge outlet mall), but know that you can get your reptile fix at the Wildlife Discovery Center.

22.  You complain about taxes.  A LOT!!  But, you would never, ever, dream of living in Cook County, McHenry County (Hey, that's where I now live), or, heaven forbid, Kenosha County, Wisconsin.  (Too many Cheeseheads and Packer fans.)

23.  You understand that no one is growing crops over at Lamb's Farm, but they are nurturing human dignity.  They also, in fact, do have lambs along with a sizable herd of goats and other lovable creatures.

24.  You help shovel your neighbor's driveway during a blizzard, but you don't stick a chair or ironing board on the space shoveled afterwards like they do in Chicago.

25.  If you're a parent, you follow Little Lake County to be in-the-know on where-to-go to  have fun with your kids.  (This is where I got the 25 things from.)

A Crock You Wouldn't Want to Wear.  --RoadDog

25 Ways to Know You're From Lake County-- Part 2: A Polish Connection

4.  You can correctly pronounce "paczki" and you know who Casimir Pulaski is... sort of.  (Well, I don't know for sure how to pronounce it, but they sure are good.)

5.  You understand that Route 83 isn't always Route 83 because sometimes it is Route 60 or sometimes it is Route 45, but it never is actually Route 137.

6.  People from Chicago think you live in Wisconsin.

7.  You know how to spell "Mundelein." ( "i" before "e", except when it is Mundelein).  Mundelein is one of our towns, or is it a village.

Not In Wisconsin!!  --RoadDog

Out to Pumpkin Land: This Past Weekend

Lots and lots of places selling pumpkins here in southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois this time of the year for some reason. And, we sure saw a lot of modified ones yesterday.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25TH: Drive around Geneva Lake, Wisconsin and bars (Sit N' Bull, Main Street and Donovan's) on way home.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH: Drive to DeKalb, Chessick Practice Center dedication at NIU. NIU alumni tent, NIU President's reception, NIU beats Eastern Michigan 59-20. Rosy's Roadhouse, O'Leary's, Pizza Pros, Fatty's.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27TH: White Castle, Sycamore Pumpkin Festival and parade. Cub and Spanks and P.J.'s. Fat Boys for parade, Fossils Band plays after parade. Red Mill in Woodstock on way home.

Time to Rest Up From the Weekend. --RoadDog

JSS: Geneva Lake-- Dekalb-- Sycamore

JSS-- Just Some Stuff

1. GENEVA LAKE-- Yesterday, we took a ride around Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, looking for color. Found some, but the wave is still not there yet (and perhaps not coming as then has been a strange fall foliage season).

2. DEKALB-- Driving out there in a few hours for the Chessick Center dedication (indoor football practice field), president's reception and my third college football game in three weekends (NIU, Northwestern, NIU).

3. SYCAMORE-- Sunday we are going to see the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade.

Coming to the End of Fall, Sigh! --RoadDog

Enjoying This Last Gasp of Summer

Warm, sunny and enjoying it. Especially after the crummy weather we had Thursday to Sunday. Hoping to hit our 40th time out on the boat by Friday. We were out both Monday and yesterday (37th) and plan on going out today. (We always shoot for 40 times boating every season and had some doubts we would get it this year because of all the bad weather and flooding. We didn't even get the boat into the water until mid-July.)

Yesterday, we did a fast cruise on Fox Lake and then a slow cruise along the shore from Fox Lake to McDonald's on Pistakee Lake. (Well, except for Kamikaze Alley where Grasslake, Nippersink Lake and Fox Lake come together, where the Waterway management Agency had taken down the no-wake buoys and I just had to take that at speed once.)

Then, we went for a drive around Geneva Lake in Wisconsin to see if the "Color" had arrived. It hadn't for the most part. We'll try again next week. We tried out their new Burger King Johnsonville brat sandwich and new lower calory fires at Flatiron Park along the lake in Lake Geneva (home of the famous Andy Gump statue) and enjoyed that great view. Can't say the same for the brat or fries, though. Way too dry.

Enjoying It While We Can. --RoadDog

It's Them, Not Me: Help Us!! Gas Gouge IS ON!!!!

On June 1st, gas in Fox Lake, Illinois, was "down" to $3.94 in the afternoon.  I say "down" because it was coming back down from a gas gouge up to $4.10.  We've had around five different gas gouges so far this year.  That evening, it had gone up to $4.10.

On the way to Milwaukee's airport the next day, gas was $3.86 in some stations and $4 in others.  Landing at Savannah's airport, the closest-in station was $3.60 and I thought, "Wow, gas is 'sure' cheap here."  Then, I saw gas for $3.24 at the next station.

Gas in Georgia (around Savannah ans Stateboro) was $3.20 to $3.26 (except for that one station).  Driving to North Carolina, I got gas on June 3rd for $3.17 in Florence, SC.  Gas in North Carolina (around Goldsboro and Raleigh) was between $3.30 to $3.40.

Then, yesterday, real "sticker shock." when I saw gas from between $4.16 and $4.20 in Wisconsin.  That was bad, but not as bad as good-old rip-off Illinois, where it was $4.20 to $4.40.  I heard something about three refineries being closed, supposedly for repairs.  I was told gas in Fox Lake was up to $4.35, that's a 41 cents jump in eight days.

A mighty good way to make profits if you ask me.  Of course, they know they can get away with it as our government won't do anything about it.  Obama's administration clearly has the GRB's back even if it hurts the majority of people in the country.

If I'm running things, there'd be a 99% tax on all profits like this.  Hey, the government needs money, anyway.  Then, perhaps there would be less incentive to make obscene profits like this.

Burning Again.  --RoadDog