Good Times Around Here: May 8 to 12: Trivia, Retired Teachers, Two Legions, Fish Fry and a Band

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Donovan's Reef for trivia.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Breakfast with retired Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner.  Fox Lake Legion.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake for fish fry.  Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for the band Peter & the Versatiles.

SUNDAY,  MAY 12

McHenry Legion and Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

The Old Dummy Goes Smart...Well, Maybe

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4

Bob Stroud has been counting through the 1970s in his daily Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  Yesterday, he did 1970 with songs like "Teacher" by Jethro Tull and "The Rapper" by the Jaggerz.  Today, he did 1971 with songs like "Going Mobile" by the Who and "Everythings Coming Our Way" by Santana.  Those were two great college years for me at NIU.  He will continue this the rest of the month going to 1980.  It streams at 10 am and 10 pm.

Drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to the Target store and bought a Consumer Cellular Smart Phone.  My friend Kelly is going to help me shed my old dumb ways.  It's going to be a long haul as when it comes to technology, I am severely challenged.

Met Kevin, Kelly, Pam and Laura at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and we had a good time with trivia.

We had no luck with our attempts to set up the phone.

It's Going to be a Long Road to Hoe with That "Smart" Phone.  --RoadDumb

Oh, Those Pontiacs, Trivia at Donovans and Alan Snyder at Sunnyside

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16

Went to the Car Show at the McHenry Moose Lodge which was featuring Pontiacs.  Too bad I couldn't take my '85 Firebird because of a flat tire and I can't get it started.  They had several GTOs and Trans Ams, but no regular Firebirds.  A 1968 Pontiac Tempest brought back memories as we used to have a '67 Tempest, the poor man's GTO.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

THUSDAY, AUGUST 18

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois, and saw Alan Snyder do his show.  Great music and trivia.

I Sure Miss Pontiacs.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do we ship by truck and send cargo by ship?

A Movie, Meal and the Civil War As Well as Wings and a Concert

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

Bob Stroud played Ten at Ten from that great college year for me, 1972, including "Ventura Highway" by America and "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards.  Took me back.  

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie "Minions:  the Rise of Gru."  Gotta love those little yellow guys.  Then met some Civil War buffs at 3 Brothers restaurant in Il. Highway 47 and then to The Woodstock Library for a presentation on the USS Merrimac(k)/ CSS Virginia.  I especially like presentations on anything Civil War Navy.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

Trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and had those great 50 cent wings and a good talk wih a Sox fan where we figured out that the Sox really have stunk up the place this season.  Drove to Wisconsin and got gas just over the border for $3.87 ($3.86.9) which is 45 cents cheaper than in Illinois.  A whole lot of Illinois folks near the border do this these days.

Then went to Antioch's It's Thursday concert featuring a good party band, 28 Days.

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  How can a SLIM CHANCE and a FAT CHANCE  be the same, while a WISE GUY and a WISE MAN aren't.

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

Stucky's Is Closing, Granny's Diner, Gas Prices and 'Mikie' Dies

MONDAY, JUNE 20

We went to Sunnyside for the Monday $1.50 draft beer special and were not happy to find out that Stucky's was going to close June 30.  This is one of our main places to go in Johnsburg, Illinois.

So, we went over to Stucky's and found out it was true.  Deb, the owner, had just reached the point of no-return as far as the place goes.  That's too bad.  We'll have to see it out of business with a lot of trips these last few days.  We have a lot of people that we know from there.  (There was a general concensus that there were already some people interested in buying the place.)

We did have the $1 tacos, their Monday special.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

Met the Sunnyside folks at Granny's Diner in Johnsburg for breakfast, then went to some flower places and grocery shopping.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Gas in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, now "down" to $4.90.  Nice to see it going down, but man is that way too high.  Played trivia with Uncle Jeffie at Donovan's Reef.

We were saddened to learn that Mike Bornhorst, "Mikie," had died at Donovan's.  He lived in one of the motel rooms for many years and was quite a regular.  He was friends with everybody.  There will be a celebration of life in July for him at Donovan's.  We will be there.

--RoadDog

An Anniversary, Gas Gouge Continues, Pizza, Band and Bob Stroud Retires from Deejaying

MONDAY, JUNE 6

The anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944).

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg for the Monday beer special.

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

Met the Sunnyside folks at Granny's Diner in Johnsburg (right on the Fox River) for breakfast and did some shopping in McHenry.  I was shocked at gas gouge prices again which are now as high as $5.86 and $5.90.  But one place had an even more "reasonable" price of $5.51.  Curse you Big Oil GRBs for making me thing $5.51 was a good price.

Later met Sue and Paul (who I went with to the Indy 500) and Pete and Gail at Half-Times in Johnsburg for pizza and catching up.

Afterwards, Liz and I went over to the classic car show at the McHenry Moose Lodge and enjoyed the Rosie & the Rivets band playing oldies.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

I was really sad to learn that one of my all-time favorite deejays, Bob Stroud was going to retire at the end of this month.  I've been listening to him a long time, the last 21 years of Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  But, the good news is that it is only a semi-retirement as he will continue doing his Ten at Ten and One 45 at 1:45 shows Monday to Friday and his Rock and Roll Roots show on Sundays.

Gas in Twin Lakes was $5.20, so guess where I filled up?  Went to Donovan's Reef for trivia and then home.

--A Good Start to the Week.  --RoadDog

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

March Coming In Like a Gas Gouge: Ukraine, Donovan's Reef, Trivia, Magee Teachers, Gas Gouge and GRBs

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2

Who'd have figured at this date, we'd have a new Hitler grabbing land in Europe.  I have Ukrainian flags on two of my blogs, including this one.

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and met Kevin and Kelly and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie, and, of course, played along with Jeopardy.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 

Met the Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.

I see out wonderful folks in Big Oil and the 1 percenters are out to make their ill-got profits again.  gas was $4 in Illinois and $3.60 just over the border in Wisconsin.

Let the Gas Gouge Begin!!   --RoadDog

About Last Weekend: Bristol 45 Diner, Donovan's Reef, Johnny's Cafe and the Legion

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10

Met the Magee teachers at the Bristol 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin.  The two Bobs, Maxine and Karen were there.  I'm a big fan of the Mediterranean omelet which is $11.49.  It is huge (gone are the days o $5 to $6 breakfasts) and I get two more breakfasts at home.

The GRBs are at it again with gas in Wisconsin between $3.20 and $3.30, but gas in Illinois is $3.50 and higher.  Needless to say, everyone up here on the Illinois/Wisconsin border, goes north for gas.

At 2 pm, Liz and I met Kelly and Kevin at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia with Uncle Jeffie.  We had quite a few players.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11

We went to Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake, Illinois.  For many years it was the Channel Inn and is on the same channel where we used to keep our boat.  Kevin and Kelly told us the portions are massive and they sure were.  I had the swai fish fry and there were two huge fillets along with potato pancakes, cole slaw, a roll and bowl of soup.  All for $9.95.  I'll sure be back.

Then we went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the fifty-fifty, bu, alas, won nothing.

--RoadDog

Ending January: Warms Up, Donovan's, Round Table, CDs, Sliders, Stucky's & NFL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27

Felt good to get outside after not even venturing out at all the last two days because of highs in the single digits without wind chill figured.

Picked up newspapers and mail from the driveway and mailbox (Like I said, I didn't even go outside the past two days).  Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28

Drove to Crystal Lake and Algonquin (the farthest I've driven since the virus arrived in 2020, about 35 miles).  Met with other board members of the Civil War Round Table I belong to in order to discuss what's happening at Panera..  This virus thing has sure been rough on us.

Then, drove to two of my favorite places and made purchases.  I bought nine CDs at Half-Price Books and a ten-pack of Sliders at White Castle.

Went to Sunnyside.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 29

Went to Ron's 61st birthday at Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois.  Ron and his wife Deb own the place.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

Went to Stucky's and watched the Kansas City-Cincinnati AFC Championship game and then home to Margaritaville for the Rams-49er game.  Between the Division Playoff games last weekend and the two games today, we sure saw some great football.

I'll be backing the Bengals in the Super Bowl since they have never won it.

--RoadFoot

Last Week: An Automotive Double Whammy, Pizza, Sunnyside and Trivia at Donovan's Reef

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 

Well, great news, the '11 Malibu is ready from Ray Chevrolet as we're down to just the '05 Dakota running at present, but it has been making strange noises.  Went in and paid my $1,743 for the repairs after I hit the raccoon.  As I pulled out of Ray Chevrolet in the truck, all of a sudden it started to jerk and shudder and I made it into the next BP station.  Then got it back to Ray Chevrolet.

Oh boy, an automotive double whammy.  They were nice enough t take me home in their courtesy vehicle.

Later had a great pizza at Half-Times in Johnsburg (for half-price and $1 14 ounce drafts, then went to Sunnyside.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

It will cost $1,050 to repair the truck.  Ouch!  That was on top of the $1,500 to repair the Malibu.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

This was one really windy day, by an equally windy night.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and had a real good time with Uncle Jeffy in trivia.

Ain't Owning Cars a Lot of Fun?  --RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  It sounds like English, but I can't hear a word you say.

Last Week: Trivia at Donovan's Reef, Backing Our Richmond-Burton Rockets in the High School Football 4A Semi Final Playoff Game and a Fish Fry at the Rusty Nail

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 

First time with sun in a long time.  Sure peps everyone up.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for live trivia with Uncle Jeffie and that great half-price Happy Hour.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19

I went to our local Walgreens in Spring Grove, Illinois, and bought my Richmond-Burton High School gear for Liz and myself. I bought a hat and hooded sweatshirt for myself and a tee shirt for Liz.  Tomorrow, we play probably one of the best schools in the state in the IHSA football playoffs, Joliet Catholic, ranked #4 in the state, despite having only 600 students.  But, they draft their players.

Figured we'd support our boys even if we're not going out to the game.  It is way too cold to sit outside at our age.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Rusty Nail in Ringwood, Illinois, for their fish fry which is considered one of the best in the area.  We can see why with the quality and amount of food you get AUCE for $14.  Neither one of us came anywhere close to finishing our first round.

--RoadDog

About Last Week: Back to MCCWRT, USMC 246th BD, Germanfest, Salute to the Vets and Donovan's

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Drove to Woodstock for my first McHenry County Civil War Round Table meeting since March 2020 thanks to you-know-what.  It was back at the Woodstock Library.  Sure was good to be back.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

A big happy birthday to the USMC, number 246!!  

Went to Stucky's for a Germanfest feast.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

A salute to all of our veterans on their day.  I went to Fox Lake for the ceremony at the train station but it was not there this year.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's in Twin Lakes Wisconsin, for live trivia and that great Happy Hour.

--RoadDog

Around Here: No More Firebird Cruises This Year, MCCWRT Meeting, Donovan's Reef and Trivia

TUESDAY, OCTONER 26

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the '85 Firebird to start, so that's it for my Firebird Cruises until next spring.  Hopefully I can get the problem with starting it worked out then.  Well, actually I wasn't going to get much more in cruising as my Extended Antique license plates only go to the end of October.

I went to McHenry and bought two cassette bricks at Meijer and had a Wendy's four for $5 special, then a McHenry County Civil War Round Table Board of Directors meeting at Sandy's house.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

We had quite the spread of snacks at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes.  No live trivia today, but we did enjoy playing along with the "Beast,"  "America Says" and Jeopardy on TV.

--RoadDog

No FP for Me, Fall Arrives, Donovan's, Trivia, Sunnyside, Craft Brews, Da Bears and a Fish Fry

WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 22

Fall has arrived and with it considerably cooler in the morning  I haven't sat out FP (Front Porch) for the last several days.  Went to Donovan's Reef as we do most every Wednesday to play live trivia with Jeff and enjoy the cheap beers.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

We went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and I enjoyed this month's Thursday special which was the craft beer called Beach Blonde for $2 a pint.  I really like craft beers (but definitely not IPAs), but do not like paying $5 to $7 for one.  I am what you call a cheap drinker.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Still no FP.  Fall has definitely arrived.  Lots of talk around here about the Bears moving to Arlington Heights since they have evidently bought Arlington Park Race Track.  Makes no difference to me.

Met Kevin, Kelly, Barb and Glen at Cuda's for their fish fry.

--RoadDog

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.

Last Week: Chipmunk Training, Trivia at Donovan's, Drought, No Wings for Me, Rosie & the Rivets and Classic Car Phobia

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4

The FP (Front Porch) chipmunk about has me trained to its expectations.  I get in big trouble if I don't give it something to eat every time it comes by.  We played trivia at Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and enjoyed happy hour with half price (+25 cents) drinks.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5

Watering, watering and watering.  We could SURE use some rain.  We're in our second drought of the summer.  

I drove to Antioch, Illinois, for their It's Thursday party.  Along the way, I had in mind to stop at Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake for their 35 cent wings and 35 cent loaded potatoes.  No dice son, too crowded.  Then figured I'd stop at Bootlegger's on Grasslake Road, but they too were packed.

Ended up at Roost On 59 (on Illinois Highway 59) and had their great Chicago dog meal.

Then to Antioch for the 50s-60s band Rosie & the Rivets and the car show.  Watched an hour, but left early when we started getting some raindrops.  You should have seen those classic car guys scramble.  I think they think their cars will melt of they get wet.  (Heaven forbid if even a speck of dust gets on it.  Out comes the chamois and lightly move it off the exterior!!)

Why Go Elsewhere.  --RoadDog

LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE, LAW OF THE RESULT:  When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work it will.

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

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