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

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

A Busy Weekend Coming Up

Today, I was at the American Legion VA Hospital Fishing Derby and Picnic earlier and in a few minutes we will be going over to the annual Spring Grove Fish Hatchery Fish Boil at Horse Fair Park.

Saturday, we have an outside blues jam at The Grove in Spring Grove and then several bands outside at the Moose Lodge in McHenry.

Sunday is the Taste of McHenry.

I Need to Week to Rest Up.  --RoadDog

Good Times Around Here Last Weekend

JUNE 12, FRIDAY---  Great eating and music at the Spring Grove Annual Friday Fish Boil to raise money for the Spring Grove Fish hatchery Park.  AUCE fish, chicken & ribs.  Great two-piece band.  Then we went to the American Legion in Fox Lake for karaoke.

JUNE 13, SATURDAY---  Breakfast sandwiches at McDonald's, yardwork and then drove to Round Lake Park and saw Terry Spizziri sing at AJ's Horsin' Around and then the Blackhawk victory at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.  Everyone's getting excited about the possibility of clinching the Stanley Cup at home on Monday.  Lots and lots of "Chelsea Dagger" on the jukebox.

JUNE 14, SUNDAY---  Listened to Rock and Roll Roots and recorded Breakfast With the Beatles.  Used my last coupon for McDonald's new 1/3 pound steakburger.  Every bit as good as they said.  Moved furniture out to gazebo and the deck and enjoyed them.

In the afternoon, we went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw the excellent R-Gang band doing all that soul and R&B.  Then sat out b the tiki bar at Nauti-Knots on Bluff Lake

All Sorts of Entertainment This Weekend.  Go Hawks!!  --RoadDog

BAD QUOTES FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE:  "So we went to Atari and said, 'Hey, we've got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us?  Or, we'll give it to you.  We just want to do it.  Pay our salary, we'll come work for you.'  And they said, 'No.'  So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, 'Hey, we don't need you.  You haven't got through college yet.'"  Apple Computer founder Steve Jobs.  Hey, we've got this little band from Liverpool.

Good Times in the Area

Always something to do around here, especially in the summer.  Lst night we had the Door County Fish Boil here in Spring Grove to raise money for the Fish Hatchery.

Today, I was planning on going to the 8th Annual Rockin' Ribfest in Lake In the Hills, about 20 miles away, but we got a bit of rain and more is forecast.  Tonight's headliner is Soul Asylum.  But all four days they feature tribute bands.  Thursday was Kasmir, a Led Zeppelin band.  Last night was Bruce in the USA who call themselves the World's #1 Tribute to Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

Today features The Fortunate Sons, a CCR tribute band and Heartache Tonight, the Eagles.  Tomorrow is Dave Rudolf's Beach Party (not sure if they are a tribute or not) and then Hot Rocks, the Rolling Stones.

Love those tribute bands.  If you're going to be one, you'd better be good. We've seen Heartache Tonight at the Woodstock Opera House and it was like being at an Eagles concert in the 70s.

Oh well, no Rib Fest for us tonight as the Blackhawks play the Bruins in game two of the Stanley Cup Championship.  I trust everyone has rested up from Wednesday's marathon game.  We'll be joining the Usual Suspects at Tommy's here in Spring Grove for the game. 

Tomorrow, planning on Captain's for the afternnon band.

Good Times 'Round Here.  --RoadDog


IF CATS PERFORMED "CATS":  Sometimes the cast would perform, but sometimes not-- depending on their mood.

JSS: Fish Boil Tonight-- Mr. Myers Here-- Bless Their Greedy Little Hearts

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.


1.  FISH BOIL TONIGHT--  In a few hours we're going out to Horse Fair Park in Spring Grove for the annual Wisconsin fish boil put on by Fitzgerald's in Genoa City, Wisconsin, to raise money for the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery.  At one time, most of all the fish stocked into northern Illinois' waters were raised here.

It closed down and the state sold it to the village for $1 and we're in the process of turning it into a park and it is sure looking good these days.  There is even a little museum in the former Fish House.

Another thing Spring Grove is noted for is the birthplace of the farm silo.

Good eating, good times and a band will be playing.  A nice way to spend a Friday evening.


2.  MR. MYERS HERE--  Tuesday, while at Never Sink Inn, we saw that Mr. Myers will be performing at Spring Grove's Fourth of July celebration (always held on the actual day).  We've been following this group ever since the early 1970s when they started playing at Andy's in Dekalb, right on the Lincoln Highway.  I'd best describe them as playing CaribbeanRock, with lots of Buffett and reggae as well as Cowboy Beach Music.


3.  BLESS THEIR GREEDY LITTLE HEARTS--  Yesterday, I saw that gas at the station on US-12 had "dropped" all the way down to $4.23 from $4.27 (if you pay cash, otherwise add 4 cents).    Today I was in McHenry and see they were at $4.20, so perhaps Spring Grove is "down" to that as well.  Yesterday, I filled up with gas in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for $4.20 a gallon, the most I've ever paid for regular.  We just have to do something with the GRBs at Big Oil.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog

Snowed from Noon, Tuesday and Plans

Hopefully, it has stopped now.  But it snowed all day yesterday for the most part as well as a whole lot Tuesday.  I've lost count of how many times I've been out to shovel, but the last several were by snow shovel rather than snow blower, which means it wasn't too bad.

This morning, there was maybe a half inch on the driveway.  Temp was about 30 degrees and now wind.  That means shovel (mostly just pushing) and music from the garage radio.  I never mind doing that.  We have quite a few trees and bushes like the picture above that, as I say, have been nature-painted.  That's is always a great aspect of snow.  Few things are prettier than a tree in its snow colors.

I have to get over to Steak 'N Shake to lose my last $5 coupon as it expires today.  Tuesday, before the snow hit, I used the other coupon and had their new Steakburger Slinger breakfast platter: two steakburgers, chili on hashbrowns and biscuit for $5.99.  I think they've hit on a great one.

Thinking of going to a Wisconsin fish boil at a local church Friday.

Saturday, perhaps the NIU basketball game in Dekalb and 2013 football kickoff before it (if it doesn'r snow).

That's Enough of That White Stuff.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  Mahatma Gandhi walked barefoot most of the time and had an impressive set of calluses on his feet.  he also ate very little which made him frail (Do you know where this is going?) and his odd diet made him have bad breath.

This made him "A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis."  So Bad!