Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
This took place on February 14, 2008, and happened at the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
A murderer came to campus and killed five students and wounded another 17 before doing the right thing and killing himself. It is too bad that all the murderers in these instances don't do that.
The murders took place at 3:05 p.m. Central Standard Time at Cole Hall.
A sad time for NIU and also for alumni like Liz and myself.
Not Forgetting.
That would be fifty years ago, half a century, in case you're counting.
* means the song was climbing the charts. The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100.
* I GOTCHA-- Joe Tex #2 You just have to start moving to this song. Born Joseph Arrington, Jt.
** RING THE LIVING BELL-- Melanie #31 I sure don't remember this one. What a great voice. Melanie Safka.
30. *THE NICKEL SONG-- Melanie #35 So Melanie has two songs on this week's chart. Folk-pop singer/songwriter.
29. HEY BIG BROTHER-- Rare Earth #19 Rock group from Detroit, Michigan.
28. I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING-- New Seekers #7 For some reason I need a Coke.
27. HEY GIRL-- Donny Osmond #9 Born December 9, 1957, in Ogden, Utah.
26. *THE WAY OF LOVE-- Cher #7 Born Cherilyn Sarkision.
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Grow Apple Trees and Honey Bees And Snow White Turtle Doves." Answer below. --RoadDog
"I'd Like To Teach the World to Sing"
Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive, is playing songs with the word "Love" in them for some reason today.
Right now they are up to the Letter I.
Since I've been a-typin':
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS-- Foreigner
I NEED A LOVER-- John Mellancamp
I LOVE YOU-- People
I LOVE YOU-- Climax Blues Band
I LOVE ROCK AND ROLL-- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU-- Foghat
HOT GIRLS IN LOVE-- Loverboy
HIGHER LOVE-- Steve Winwood
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH)-- George Harrison
FOR YOUR LOVE-- Yardbirds
FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE-- Elvin Bishop
FEEL YOUR LOVE TONIGHT-- Van Halen
FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE-- Bad Company
EXPRESSO LOVE-- Dire Straits
ECHOES OF LOVE-- Doobie Brothers
EASY LOVER-- Phil Collins, Philip Bailey
DON'T PULL YOUR LOVE-- Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds
DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE-- Mamas & Papas
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Give Me Hope, Help Me Cope With This Heavy Load." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth"
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
This being the first weekend of the month meant that the Fox Lake American Legion was having their monthly first Saturday entertainment at the Drop Zone Bar. The Alonzo Bart band was playing. They have four pieces including a steel guitar and, of course, played lots of great old country music.
Where else are you going to go on a February Saturday afternoon for entertainment. Draft beer pints were just $2.
We were going to go to Stucky's in Johnsburg next, but they were way too crowded, so dropped by Sunnyside for a few before going home.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6
We found out last night that Sunnyside's owner, Amy and Denny had bought a place over in McCullom Lake near McHenry called the Cullom Knoll, one of our favorite places to go before the virus. So, this was a good reason to stop back by it.
They still had their great Sunday specials of a pitcher of draft beer for $5 and a 12-inch cheese pizza with 75 cent toppings. We had our usual pineapple, black olive and bacon pizza.
Afterwards, we stopped by Sunnyside on our way home.
--RoadDog
THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY: Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
It started snowing in the afternoon, but just maybe two inches, but enough to make me a bit nervous driving later.
Met Kevin and Kelly at Lakeview Place on Grasslake for their $1 pints. At times you couldn't even see the lake because of the snow coming down.
Then we went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road and enjoyed their beer battered fish fry (AUCE for $10.99) including some of the best fries around.
Love Those Fish Fries. --RoadDog
THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY: I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020.
145. THE PREDATOR- 11-4-- Nice doggie and an even bigger, badder Predator.
146. LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING-- 11-6-- They finally defeat those nasty, mean Orcs and Sauron. Gollum goes down with the ring.
147. DEAD POOL 2-- 11-9-- He got family. I really liked the metal, Russian-talking guy.
148. MY COUSIN VINNY-- 11-13-- Talk about your fish out of the water and then there's Sheriff D-Day as well. One really funny movie.
149. 27 DRESSES-- 11-14-- Always the bridesmaid, never the bride until her sister and the newspaper writer.
150. WEDDING CRASHERS- 11-14-- Until they crash the wrong wedding and meet the crazy family.
--RoadDog
These were the top ten songs and debuts in Chicago, Illinois, this week fifty years ago according to powerhouse WLS, 890 AM.
1. AMERICAN PIE-- Don McLean (Six weeks at #1)
2. LET'S STAY TOGETHER-- Al Stewart
3. PRECIOUS AND FEW-- Climax
4. STAY WITH ME-- Faces
5. DOWN BY THE LAZY RIVER-- Osmonds
6. HURTING EACH OTHER-- Carpenters
7. NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN-- Three Dog Night
8. DAY AFTER DAY-- Badfinger
9. WITHOUT YOU-- Nilsson
10. JOY-- Apollo 100
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DEBUTS
26. MY WORLD-- Bee Gees
27. EVERYTHING I OWN-- Bread
28. AIN'T UNDERSTANDING MELLOW-- Jerry Butler & Brenda Lee
I CAN'T HELP MYSELF-- Donnie Elbert
THE NICKEL SONG-- Melanie
Name That Tune (from the above songs): "In the mornin' don't say you love me, 'Cause I'll kick you out the door." Answer below. --RoadDog
"Stay With Me"
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020.
139. THE FIRST PURGE-- 10-31-- Let it hang out. Let it all hangout. Beware the Skeletor, he's a real nut case.
140. BLACK KKKLANSMAN-- 11-2-- Infiltrating the good old boys at your local Klan and David Duke.
141. THE EQUALIZER 2-- 11-2-- Don't mess with Denzel. he has those certain skills. Even if you'e former friends.
142. STAR WARS VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI-- 11-2-- Like brings out the good in dear old Daddy. The Wookie and Ewoks to the rescue. The Imperial forces never had a chance against the lil' teddy bears.
143. BOOK CLUB-- 11-3-- Four ladies rekindling old and new flames.
144. GODFATHER 2-- 11-3-- Today and flashbacks tell the story. The Cuban Revolution.
--RoadDog
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020.
133-- THIRTEEN GHOSTS-- 10-15-- Beware of uncles bearing gifts.
134. EVIL DEAD-- 10-15-- Don't read the book. Friends killing friends as gory as possible. The more the better.
135. JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM-- 10-16-- Humans being mean to dinosaurs. Dinosaurs eating humans.
136. FRIDAY THE 13TH-2-- 10-29-- When will those kids learn? Teen sex will get ya killed.
137. VENOM-- 10-31-- For sure the beginning of a wonderful relationship. Please don't eat the good people (or daisies).
138. A QUIET PLACE-- 10-31-- A real good time to keep your mouth shut. A whole new thing to scare you.
Continuing with the scary movies for some reason.
--RoadTober
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020.
127. CARRIE-- 10-6-- New Carrie, old Carrie. Same results.
128. LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT-- 10-6-- Everybody dies hard (Hey, that's another movie), including, and especially, the last one in the microwave.
129. JURASSIC PARK: FALLEN KINGDOM-- 10-7-- Good ol' Blue saves the day again. Good Velociraptor.
130. HANSEL & GRETA: WITCHHUNTERS-- 10-12-- How many different ways can a witch or human die. Here are some suggestions.
131. TRICK OR TREAT-- 10-14-- Make sure you keep your Halloween traditions going or Sam will get 'ya.
132. PUMPKINHEAD-- 10-14-- Be careful when seeking revenge or you might get a pumpkin with an attitude.
I wonder why we're having all these spooky movies this tome of year?
--RoadWeen
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020
121. GUARDIANS OF THE UNIVERSE-- 9-23-- "I am Groot." Do you suppose Groot can replace Chief Wahoo in Cleveland?
122. DR. STRANGE-- 9-25-- All those alternate lives and universes. Talk about your kaleidoscopes.
123. CASINO-- 9-26-- Living the high life in Vegas.
124. AIR CON-- 9-28-- Messing up Las Vegas. All he wanted to do was to go home to his daughter.
125. HALLOWEEN-- 10-1-- This will always be the Wendy movie for me. Warning. Do not sit next to her in a scary movie.
126. HALLOWEEN 4-- 10-1-- Who would you rather guard? Hannibal Lechter or Michael Myers?
--RoadDog
THINGS YOU' LIKE TO SAY: I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
Past Movie Scratches-- Movies I saw on TV in 2020
115. DEATH WISH-- 9-13-- Mild-mannered doctor turns into super vigilante. Word to bad guys: Don't mess with his family, or else.
116. THE ACCOUNTANT-- 9-15-- He can run your numbers and shoot you in the head, too.
117. THE TOWN-- 9-15-- All the Boston accents you can ever hope for. Bank robbery team gets in trouble at Fenway.
118. DEAD POOL II-- 9-17-- Gets posse, loses posse, gets another posse. Loses love of his life.
119. ZOMBIELAND-- 9-21-- Follow the Survival Rules. Looking for that elusive Twinkie and hanging out with Bill Murray.
120. SHARKNADO-- 9-21-- About as dumb as you can get. Don't you just hate it when those sharks get into your house?
--RoadDog
THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY" I have plenty of talent and vision. The fact is, I just don't care.
ROSA LEE HAWKINS, 77
Died January 11, 2022
Sang with girl group Dixie Cups.
Youngest member of the group. Formed with her sister and cousin while in high school. Hit the big time with "Chapel of Love" which went to #1 in 1964.
Also had hits with
"People Say" (#12-1964)
"Iko Iko" (#20-1965)
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
Well, the predictions are in. Punxsutawney Phil says six more week s of winter out in Pennsylvania. More locally to here in northeast Illinois, Woodstock Willie says it will be an early winter.
From the February 1, 2022, ListVerse "10 Weather-Forecasting rodents not named Punxsutawney Phil" by Jaycee Miller. I am just listing and telling the location. For more information, go to the site.
Here are the names of other furry weather prognosticators who are having their day today:
10. Buckeye Chuck-- Marion, Ohio
9. Chattanooga Chuck
8. Concord Charlie-- West Virginia
7. General Beauregard Lee-- Jackson, Georgia Reckon this name will have to be changed as it might offend certain folks.
6. Jimmy the Groundhog-- San Prairie, Wisconsin
5. Mount Joy Millie-- Central Pennsylvania
4. Octararo Orphie-- Quarryville, Pennsylvania
3. Shubenacadie Sam-- Nova Scotia, Canada
2. Unadilla Bill-- Nebraska
1. Wiarton Willie-- Canada
What? No Woodstock Willie? --RoadHog
WANDA YOUNG, 78
Died 15 December 2021
Vocalist with the Marvelettes.
"Please Mr. Postman" (#1-1961)
"Playboy" (#7-1962)
"Beechwood 4-5789" (#17-1962)
"Don't Mess With Bill" (#7-1966)
PHIL CHEN, 75
Died 14 December 2021
Bass player. Worked with Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck and Donovan.
Of Jamaica. One of England's most-utilized bassist in the1970s and 1980s.
Performed on "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy", "Young Turks" and "Hot Legs."
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ROBIN LE MESURIER, 68
Died 22 December 2021
Worked with Rod Stewart and Johnny Hallyday.
LES EMMERSON, 77
Died 10 December 2021
Singer / guitarist with Five Man Electrical Band from Canada.
Said he wrote the song "Signs" because he was inspired by a trip on Route 66 in California. Part of it was after seeing huge blocks of stone with all sorts of graffiti on them.
I once was under the impression that I could sing this song at karaoke. I was wrong.
What did the sign say? Who can't apply?
