The Passing of My Friend Martin S. Kadner

I was very saddened to learn last night that Marty Kadner, a friend of mine and a fellow teacher for thirty years at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, died.  Unfortunately, we lost contact after he retired.  My friend Kip said he had found out on Monday and given a call to me, but unfortunately, I didn't get the message until Tuesday morning and didn't get a call back until Tuesday night.  He and his wife had gone to the funeral and burial service.

I went to his obituary in the Chicago Tribune and it didn't have much information, just that Marty was 68, a Vietnam War veteran and recipient of a Bronze Star and that he had taught many years at Magee.  He was buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery near Joliet.

His wit and sharp tongue got us through some trying times at school.  If I didn't know better, I'd say his brother from another mother was Richard Belzer (Detective John Munch) from the TV shows "Homicide" and "Law and Order: SVU."

Marty was not a dog lover, but we once ran into him at Bill's Pizza in Mundelein and he went with us out to Lamb's Farm when we found and picked out Brandy to be our puppy.  The poor guy ended up holding Brandy on the way back to Bill's.  But he dogged through it.

Marty put out an occasional little newsletter called Burnt Offerings, something that he started when the district ceased giving us out Christmas bonus turkeys.  This was one of the funniest things to read I ever set hands to.  He had a way with words worthy of Mike Royko.  If not a teacher, he could have been a journalist easily.

He graduated from Southern Illinois in Carbondale and loved that area of the state.  He always planned to retire there and spend his days fishing.

I was amazed at how many students entered onto the Legacy to thank him.  He brought that wit and dry, really dry, humor into the classroom.

My Life Was So Much Better for Having Known Marty.

I'm Sure he Is Off Somewhere, Probably Fishing and Making His "Observations."

A Football Weekend

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25--  Went boating in the afternoon.  Then attended the big rivalry game between Richmond-Burton and Johnsburg high schools.  Richmond-Burton won.  Then went to hear Arthur Wolff play outside at the Grove in Spring Grove.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26--  Went to the Grant High School Homecoming parade in Fox Lake, then boating.  Listened to Bill Baker call the plays on the radio as NIU lost 17-14 to Boston College and then went over to Nauti-Knots on Bluff lake to help close them down.  We were sad to learn they were closing on Sunday.  We saw the place out in style.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27--  Went over to Twisted Moose in McHenry to watch the Bears embarrass themselves against the Seahawks.  It was sad.  Also sad is the fact that the Twisted Moose is also closing for good this Wednesday.  But, we had a great time and enjoyed their half-time pizza/pasta buffet.

A football Kinda Weekend.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Going Back to 1967-- Part 1: "Incense and Peppermints"

Saturday, WXRT, 93.1 FM went back to 1967 on its Saturday Morning Flashback.  Lots of great music from the year I was a sophomore and junior at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.  This was also the year that I met and started going steady with Liz.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR--  Beatles
GROOVIN'--  Rascals
PAPER SUN--  Traffic

FUNKY BROADWAY--  Wilson Pickett
KIND OF A DRAG--  Buckinghams
TALES OF BRAVE ULYSSES--  Cream

INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS--  Strawberry alarm clock
RESPECT--  Aretha Franklin
BACK DOOR MAN--  Doors

Name That Tune: "When You Know She's Been Untrue" (Answer Below)   --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  I always thought the record would stand until it was broken.

Going Back to 1967 Right Now

Give a listen to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1967 which has just started.  It goes to noon on www.wxrt.com.  Central Time Zone.

Johnny Mars hosts it today for Wendy Rice.

--Going Back, Way Back.  Hard to Believe This Is 48 Years Ago!!  --RoadDog

A Football Kind O' Weekend

We finally have decent weather so that I can get out to some football games this weekend.  Last night I went to a Big North Conference rivalry game between Richmond-Burton (where kids in our subdivision in Spring Grove, Illinois, go to school) and Johnsburg (which is the village to the south of us).

It was tied 15-15 at half time, but our Rockets won 29-22.

Today, i am going to Grant High School in Fox Lake, Illinois, Homecoming parade in a few minutes and then to the game at 1.  Plus, NIU will be playing Boston College this afternoon.

Then Sunday, we have the Sad Bears game.

--RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  Nobody goes there anymore because it is too crowded.

Every Blooming Thing-- Late September 2015

The days are getting shorter and nights a bit cooler, but right now we are having some summer like weather with temps in the 70s and plenty of sunshine.

The color goes on, however.  The sedum have their red heads glowing and the mums are doing their mum thing with lots of colors.  The asters are blooming as well as are some sort of wild daisy thing where each plant gets hundreds of little bitty white blooms.  Most of the goldenrods are now brown though.

The bees are very much attracted to these plants and I have to be careful moving around them.

I have been doing a lot of work on the south ends of the east and west pine islands, which just don't get a lot of color.  I have been transplanting daisies, black-eyed Susans and trimming back the lavender and planting blue salvia.

Hoping for Color Next Summer.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  I think Little League is wonderful.  It keeps the kids out of the house.

"Not Too Long Ago" by the Uniques-- Part 2: The Uniques

From Wikipedia.

The Uniques were a Louisiana band primarily based there and in Kentucky, active from 1965-1970.  They recorded most of their material at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas, and released it on Paula Records of Shreveport, Louisiana.  Their two biggest hits were "Not Too Long Ago" and "All These Things."

One of its members was the future country star Joe Stampley, who would re-record these for his country career.  "All These Things" was written by Art Neville.

In the fall of 2010, the group was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame during their 45th anniversary tour.  Original members present were Joe Stampley, Bobby Stampley, Ray Mills, Jum Woodford and Mike  Love.

More Than You Ever Thought You'd Know About the Uniques.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  The future ain't what it used to be.

So Long Yogi

It was a sda thing tro learn this morning that baseball's Yogi Berra died yesterday at age 90.  he was born in 1925 and spent 19 years as a player, unfortunately mostly with the New York Yankees.  He is considered one of the greatest catchers in the history of MLB.

Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 and a 15-time All-Star, Yogi Berra compiled a lifetime .285 batting average, hit 358 home runs and had 1430 RBIs.  He was also a manager and coach.

He grew up in St. Louis.

Of course, he was noted for his unusual quotes and I absolutely loved him in the Lite Beer  and Aflac commercials.  That duck's expressions and head shaking while listening to Yogi speak on that barber chair is making me laugh right now.

I was intending to use these at the end of my first daily post on this blog, but I will just present my list now.

YOGI SAYS:

It's like deja vu all over again.

We made too many wrong mistakes.

You cab observe a lot by just watching.

A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.

He hits from both sides of the plate.  He is amphibious.

If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be.

If you don't know where you're going, you might end up some place else.

A Classic.  --RoadDog


YOGI SAYS:  I really didn't say what I said.

"Not Too Long Ago" By the Uniques-- Part 1

One of the really great songs from the 1960s, unfortunately, one that most people do not know.  Give it a listen on You Tube.  I'd heard it before as a Beach music song.

I noticed it on the March 5, 1965, WLS Silver Dollar Survey where it was at #35.  It was right behind #31 "Go Now" by the Moody Blues, #32 "Orange Blossom Special" by Johnny Cash, #33. "Hurt So Bad" by Little Anthony & the Imperials and #34 "Stranger in Town" by Del Shannon.

I didn't recognize it from the title until I listened to it.  Hey, that's a beach song!!  It is also as good of a 1960s pop song as you're going to get.

From You Tube:  Southern pop quintet that featured later country singer Joe Stampley doing the singing.  Record produce by Dale Hawkins and recorded and the Paula label.  It reached #66 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 20, 1965.

Hey, I'm a huge Moe and Joe fan.  I didn't know that.

"Now I've Got Tears in My Eyes."  --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  Work is good, but it's not that important.  Money is nice, but you can't take it with you.

About This Last Weekend

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH--   The weather sure didn't cooperate as the storms that began Thursday afternoon and continued all night.  They threatened all day today as well, but nothing materialized.  No boating, so decided it was a good time to go to Liz's parents graves at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights to change the flowers and U.S. flag.  Ambrose was an Army major in World War II.

Afterwards went to Half-Price Books and White Castle in Palatine, Illinois (two of my favorite places).  I was planning to go to the Richmond-Burton football game, but it started raining just before I left.  Just as well as the game was postponed until Saturday.  Ended up with the Usual Suspects at the Legion.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH--  Went to a friend's 65th birthday party and watched the amazing NIU Huskies nearly beat #1 Ohio State before losing 20-13.  Not bad for a little old school out in the corn fields, especially one that was a 35-point underdog.

Mitch Edwards played music for the party and we caught birthday boy Kenny by surprise.

Then went to the Grove in Spring Grove and saw a guy sing and play a lot of great classic rock outside in the biergarden.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH--  Went to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside and sat outside in their annex and watched the horrible Bears game against the Cardinals.  Then went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and enjoyed the happy hour, but not the Cubs loss.  The Sox lost as well, so Chicago was a three-time loser today.

Football and Bands.  Not Bad.  --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  If you wake up breathing, congratulations!  You have another chance.

What About Those Five Emprees?-- Part 4: No Impressions Here

Continued from Sept. 14.

Their song "Little Miss Sad" had some success in other regions, but did best here in Chicago where it peaked at #3 on the WLS Survey.on August 27, 1965.  They were just behind the Beatles at #2 with "Help!" and Sonny and Cher at #1 with "I Got You Babe."  Pretty good company.

The song went to #74 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Most of the few recordings the band made were covers..  They did record an album and released a few singles through to 1968.

They were originally named the Five Empressions, but changed their name to Five Emprees after the soul group Impressions got an injunction against them.

Their big hit's "B" side was "Hey Lover" which was originally done by Debbie Dovale (cowritten by Don Covay).  I liked the Five Emprees' version better than Debbie Dovale's.

--RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  When you make a mistake, make amends immediately.  It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.

Movie Scratches: Ultra-- Impossible-- Sinister-- U.N.C.L.E.

A dog's-Eye View of Today's Movies.

49.  AMERICAN ULTRA--  8-25--  Round Lake Beach, $5--  Move over James Bond.  there's a new and stoned secret agent in town.  The stoner who thinks he might be a robot.

50.  MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: ROGUE NATION--  8-26--  Fox lake, $5--  "Open the door, Benjy!"  "That doesn't sound too impossible."  Is she or isn't she.

51.  SINISTER 2--  9-8--  Woodstock, $5--  Making movies of their evil deeds for the mean-old, Michael Jackson-looking, Boogie Man.

52.  MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.--  9-8--  Woodstock, $5--  Should be Men and Gal from U.N.C.L.E..  "He tore the trunk of my car off."

Made My Quota.  52 Movies in a Year.    --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, Will this matter one year from now?  How about one month?  One week?  One day?

WLS Top Ten for September 17, 1965: "Help!"

1.  HELP!--  Beatles
2.  THE IN CROWD--  Ramsey Lewis
3.  HANG ON SLOOPY--  McCoys

4.  I GOT YOU BABE--  Sonny & Cher
5.  YOU WERE ON MY MIND--  We Five
6.   ACTION--  Freddie Cannon
7.  THE WORLD THROUGH A TEAR--  Neal Sedaka

8.  IT AIN'T ME BABE--  Turtles
9.  CATCH US IF YOU CAN--  Dave Clark Five
10.  HEART FULL OF SOUL--  Yardbirds

Name That Tune:  "Go Away From My Window, leave At Your Own Chosen Speed."  (Answer Below)  --RoadDog


"It Ain't Me Babe"

Bears Rockin' Tailgate Party-- Part 2: "Start Me Up"

RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL--  Van Halen
START ME UP--  Rolling Stones
SOMEBODY TO LOVE--  Queen

SPIRIT IN THE SKY--  Norman Greenbaum
CRAZY OVER YOU--  Heart

HEARTBREAKER--  Led Zeppelin  (It must be some sort of law, but if you play this song, you have to play the next one.)
LIVING LOVING MAID--  Led Zeppelin

SOLSBURY HILL--  Peter Gabriel
BAD MOON RISING--  CCR  (My ringtone)
LIMELIGHT--  Rush

KEEP ON ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD--  Neil Young
GIVE A LITTLE BIT--  Supertramp
READY FOR LOVE--  Bad Company

SWEET CHILD O' MINE--  Guns 'N Roses
ROCK AND ROLL BAND--  Boston

Name That Tune:  "When I Die and They Lay Me to Rest, Gonna Go To the Place That's the Best."  --RoadDog


"Spirit in the Sky"

Bears Rockin' Tailgate Party-- Part 1: "Flirting With Disaster"

Last Sunday, Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, "The Drive" had a two hour block of great tailgating music leading up to the noon game versus the rival Green bay Packers.  We didn't win, but played well.  At least we had some great music getting ready for it.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO--  Blues Brothers
SHARP DRESSED MAN--  ZZ Top
THE JOKER--  Steve Miller Band

INVISIBLE TOUCH--  Genesis
BORN TO BE WILD--  Steppenwolf
ERUPTION/LONG TIME--  Boston

EMINENCE FRONT--  Who
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER--  Molly Hatchett
MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL--  Cars

THE CHAIN--  Fleetwood Mac
TWIST AND SHOUT--  Beatles
LONELY OLD NIGHT--  John Mellancamp

Name That Tune:   "Get Your Motor Runnin', Head Out On the Highway."   --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  If he.she says that you are too good for him/her- believe them.

"Born to Be Wild"

About Last Weekend: Saufen und Spiel, Why Go Anywhere Else?

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH--  I went to Fox Lake and saw "The Visit."  Boy, that was one creepy movie that just got creepier.  Makes you wonder about  "To Grandmother's house we go."  We then met up with the Usual Suspects at 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road in Antioch and enjoyed the $2 craft pints and watched Terry and Gregg Spizzirri play music from across the ages as they call it.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH--  Went to Stormy Monday on Fox Lake for an End-of the Summer party.  Then went to the Legion on Nippersink Lake and enjoyed a great blues band while chowing down on bbq chicken, corn on the cob and fixins while we had the SAL gun raffle and a benefit for Joe Gliniewicz where $4,000 was raised.  Too tired to go over to Johnsburg to watch the Rolling Stone tribute band Hot Rocks playing at Saufen und Spiel.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH--  Went to the Bears/Parade party at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg where they had a tent set upside and were grilling brats.  Watched the Saufen und Spiel parade pass by the tent and then the Bear-Packer game on a big screen under the tend.  Sdaly, Da Bears lost, but played well.

Then went to the Saufen und Spiel grounds by the Johnsburg Community Center  (Johnsburg has a lot of German folks) and enjoyed Hans & the Harmones and a German oompah band.

Ein, Schwein.  --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:  Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom.

#1 Songs in Chicago 1950-1980-- Part 2 "Harper Valley PTA"

For the week of September 13th.

1965.  HELP!--  Beatles
1966.  CHERISH--  Association
1967.  ODE TO BILLIE JOE--  Bobbie Gentry
1968.  HARPER VALLEY PTA--  Jeannie C. Riley
1969.  SUGAR SUGAR--  Archies   (Go ahead and TRY not to sing it.)

1970.  WAR--  Edwin Starr
1971.  GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL--  Donny Osmond
1972.  BRANDY (YOU'RE A FINE GIRL)--  Looking Glass  (One of my favorite all-time songs.)
1973.  LET'S GET IT ON--  Marvin Gaye  (I can't help but think of that "King of Queens" episode.
1974.  (YOU'RE) HAVING MY BABY--  Paul Anka with Odia Coates

1975.  FALLIN' IN LOVE--  Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
1976.  IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW--  Chicago
1977.  BEST OF MY LOVE--  Emotions
1978.  THREE TIMES A LADY--  Commodores
1979.  MY SHARONA--  Knack
1980.  MAGIC--  Olivia Newton-John

Name That Tune:  "Absolutely Nothing, Say It Again, Y'all." (Answer Below)   --RoadDog


"War"

#1 Songs in Chicago 1950-1980-- Part 1 "Bel Blu Dipinto Do Blu"

#1 Songs in Chicago for the week of September 13th.

From the Oldies Music Site.

1950.  GOODNIGHT IRENE--  Gordin Jenkins
1951.  BECAUSE OF YOU--  Tony Bennett
1952.  I WENT TO YOUR WEDDING--  Patti Page
1953.  EH! CUMPARI--  Julius LaRosa  (One of the most fun songs of all time.)
1954.  SKOKIAAN--  Ralph Marterie

1955.  YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS--  Mitch Miller  (I'm humming it right now.)
1956.  TONIGHT YOU BELONG TO ME--  Patience & Prudence
1957.  WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' GOING ON--  Jerry Lee Lewis  (First rock and roll song on the list.)
1958.  NEL BLU DIPINTO DI BLU (VOLARE)--  Domenico Modugno
1959.  SLEEP WALK--  Santo & Johnny  (Probably one of the best instrumentals of all time.)

1960.  MR. CUSTER--  Larry Verne  (Hey, I don't want to go.)
1961.  THE MOUNTAIN'S HIGH--  Dick & Dee Dee
1962.  SHERRY--  Four Seasons
1963.  BLUE VELVET--  Bobby Vinton
1964.  THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN--  Animals

Name That Tune.  "Chi Si sone?  U friscalettu."  (Answer Below)  --RoadDog


THE 10 RULES OF LIFE:    Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

""Eh! Cumpari"