A Busy Day On August 14-- Part 3: New Odyssey, Second Set

All the while New Odyssey was playing, we were enjoying some great food cooked up by the Knights of Columbus as well as the beer tent.  Several members of Liz's Our Lady of Grace Class of 1965 were there as well.  That was her 8th grade class of which one member of New Odyssey, Mike, belonged.

SECOND SET

1999--  Prince

BEATLES MEDLEY   This is always another highlight of their show.  During this, they play ten Beatle songs in a medley and all 30 of their instruments.  I was writing the songs down, but only came up with nine:

All You Need Is Love
I've Just Seen a Face
Blackbird
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Penny Lane
For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Lady Madonna
Eleanor Rigby
Hey Jude

Terri Hemmert, erstwhile deejay at WXRT and major Beatle fan, and who has a Sunday morning show called Breakfast With the Beatles, should definitely see this.

WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' GOING ON--  Jerry Lee Lewis
WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE--
ALL ABOUT THE BASS--  Meghan Trainor.

As You Can See, They Play All Sorts of Music.  Everybody Should Be Happy.  --RoadDog

Just Got Back from Topsail Beach, N.C.

You know, that little old beach town that was voted the #1 top little beach town in the U.S., which i wrote about earlier this month.

I had cancelled the cable, land line and internet since I am rarely there.  As such, I was without internet access since last Thursday.

It was sure a nice break for me.  I'll have to do it again.

Doing seven blogs is a real lot of work.

I've Got to Get a Life.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016:

AUGUST 21--  Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill allowing for Route 66 motorcycle plates.

AUGUST 22--  Tauqueria Moroleon, a Mexican restaurant, has moved into the old Sonrise Donut building in Springfield, Illinois.  You know, the place with that neat old neon sign that has been closed more than it has been open ever since we've been doing Route 66.   However, we once did catch it open and ate there.It features a horseshoe-shaped formica lunch counter.  Sonrise Donuts was the first doughnut and coffee shop in Springfield and open from 1947 to 1998.

AUGUST 23--  KSDK TV in St. Louis ran a two minute clip on Rich Henry in Staunton, Illinois.  he has been at his Route 66 and rabbit place for over 20 years now.  His place is located at 1106 Historic Old Rt. 66.

He was a big reason we got "hooked" on Route 66 when we stopped by his place on our first trip on Route 66 in 2002.

Wonder If the Tauqueria Serves Horseshoes?  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016: Springfield, Missouri

AUGUST 13--  Winslow, Arizona will soon dedicate a statue of Glenn Frey.  You know, that "Standing On the Corner" thing.

AUGUST 14--  Springfield, Missouri Old City Jail (1891) is now the Springfield Police Museum.  Always room for another museum.

AUGUST 15--  Record crowd attends Birthplace of Route 66 Fest in Springfield, Missouri.  Estimates have 38,000 attending over the three day event.  There were 28,000 on just Saturday.

Oh, Give Me a Route 66 Fest.  --RoadDog

Hey, New Odyssey Playing in Wilmington, N.C. Next Saturday

Here's a surprise, I was looking up to check how to spell the word Odyssey for the last post.  I thought, I knew how, and I sort did, but not really.  (Figure that out).  But, anyway, I found out how to spell odyssey and then saw the website of the band New Odyssey and took a look at it.

Wow, I see they will be playing in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 24th for a Music on Market show.  Market Street is a major street in the city.  I will be at nearby Topsail Beach next Saturday and am thinking of driving over to Wilmington to see the band (which I saw on Sunday, August 14th)  I am writing about their show right now in this blog.  I also saw them again Thursday August 18th at McHenry in Veterans Park.

I see that Hampstead, North Carolina, is also having their annual Spot Festival, featuring that bony fish and lots of Beach bands so I might also stop  there during the afternoon. Saturday, the White Loafers in the afternoon on the 24th and later that night the Carolina Band, which I saw at the Trailer Bar in July in Surf City.  Sunday they are having one of the best Beach bands around, the Band of Oz.

Good Times At the Beach and Close By.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016: When Route 66 Was Segregated

These are from the Route 66 News site.  You can find more information and entries there.  I just write about ones that are of particular interest to me.

AUGUST 19--  Candacy Taylor has researched into the Negro Motorist Green Book, 1936-1966, and has tracked down surviving places of business and produced a video.

She found that Esso gas stations welcomed black travelers and hired blacks.  They also distributed the book.  Also, Harvey House Restaurants in the American southwest welcomed blacks.

She found a 1955 newspaper article that said that just 6 of 100 motels in Albuquerque allowed blacks to stay with them.  She even came across a whites only Coca-Cola machine.

Of 350 black businesses along Route 66 (the Green Book also covered other roads and towns), less than half are still there.

In 1950, six of the eight Route 66 states had some form of segregation.  In Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma, racial segregartion was required by law.

Definitely An Aspect About Route 66 That Most Of Us Know Little About.  I Am Glad to See That It Is Finally Getting Written About After All These Years.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66: August 2016: Summit Inn Burns

AUGUST 17--  Wildfire destroys the famous Summit Inn at CajonPass, California.

We ate there on our 2006 Retirement End-to-End Route 66 trip.  Neat place.

AUGUST 18--  Owners say they will rebuild.

Sure Glad To Hear They'll Be Back. --RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14th-- New Odyssey at Parish Fest-- Part 2: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Like You've Never Seen It Before

Continuing with New Odyssey's set list for the day.  Remember, Three Guys, Thirty Instruments.

And, I should add, some skits like the two I'll be mentioning here.

PROUD MARY--  Ike and Tina Turner version.  Good old Gary Todd came out dressed in drag as Tina Turner, complete with giant-sized pumps for those big feet, and Tina couldn't have done better.  Something ya gotta see to believe.  Who says Gary can't shake it?

COUNTRY SONG/SYMPHONEY-- Eric Copeland.  A Real Hoe-Down.

IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA--  Iron Butterfly.  This song starts out with that Halloween Fugue song and the morphs into In-A-Gadda.   Then, the three members do their Blue Man Group on three drums on a stand, taking turns on drums and interacting.

This alone is worth the price of admission.  Wait!  There was no admission charge to Parish Fest.

Gary A-Shakin' It.  --RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14, 2016: New Odyssey at Parish Fest-- Part 1

We have been going to Parish Fest for a whole lot of years now.

New Odyssey  was set up under a large tent, a good thing because if a storm comes up suddenly, there will be no time to get everything under cover.

These Are Songs Played in the medley to the attack.

JAM--
ROCK THIS TOWN--  Stray Cats
HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL--  Huey Lewis & the News

MISERLU--  Dick Dale
WAGON WHEEL--  Old Crow Medicine Show
BANANA BOAT SONG--  Harry Belafonte

Wonderful World--  Louis Armstrong.  Drummer Gary Todd steps out from his kit and does his best Louis impersonation, right down to the handkerchief to blot the sweat.  Voice too.

25 OR 6 TO 4--  Chicago    Of course, Chicago had a ten-piece horn section.  But even so, the three members of New Odyssey do a great job covering it and playing instruments.
SWEET HOME CHICAGO--  What band from Chicago (or Chicago area) doesn't do this one?
MY GIRL--  Temptations

GET DOWN TONIGHT--
Medley:  "Get Down Tonight" and "Jungle Boogie."  K.S. & the Sunshine Band and Kool & the Gang
HAND JIVE--

Any More.  --RoadDog

A Busy August 14th-- Part 4: New Odyssey at St. John's Parish Fest

August 14, 2016

From the Vinyl Frontier, I drove back to Johnsburg and went to the St. John's Parish Fest, an annual celebration and fundraiser for St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  This church is beautiful, with towering steeples on top of a hill across from the Johnsburg Community Club on whose grounds the Fest takes place.

Every year they feature a band called New Odyssey or "Three Guys and Thirty Instruments" as they refer to themselves.  During the course of two sets, they will play all 30 instruments, prominently featured on the stage.

One of them, Mike, is a friend of Liz's dating back to her days in Chicago in kindergarten.  They went to the same school together until the end of 8th grade, then lost contact with each other until the obituary for Liz's mother back in 2008 appeared in the local paper.  Mike read it and thought this might be Liz's Mom, called, and she was.  He told her he earns his living in a traveling band called New Odyssey and that they were going to play in Johnsburg in August and we should come out to see him.

We did and we have been coming to see him at Parish Fest ever since.

--RoadDog

A Busy August 14th-- Part 3: The Vinyl Frontier

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Came home from the Rally By the Lake, picked up Liz and dropped her off at the Parish Fest in Johnsburg, I then went to McHenry and stopped at my favorite local mom and pop record store, The Vinyl Frontier, on Water Street (right by the Fox River).

Nothing like browsing through stacks of record albums and CDs, looking for that special one.  Something about flipping through those slabs of vinyl just brings back memories.  Today, I just bought two CDs (I try to limit myself to one or two CDs/LPs each time I go, but often there are more).

The two were "Phobia" by the Kinks and "We're Only In It for the Money" by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.  I had never heard these albums before, although I have heard a couple from Zappa on his "Mothermania" album.

Love Those Old Mom and Pop Record Stores.  --RoadDog

Missing Mom, Especially Today

This past June, I received a call from my sister Julie that I really wasn't expecting, at least for several more years.  Mom had died in Goldsboro at age 85.  I figured that considering her mother living into her early nineties, Mom would do it as well.  She didn't.

Today would have been her 86th birthday.

But, she was able to continue living by herself, with help inside and outside, but was still driving her car and getting around, although much slower,

I was so happy that Bob, Julie and I had gotten together for Mother's Day in May, the first time all three of her children were there for the day in many, many years.

In addition, I finished typing her memoirs then and we will be getting copies of it out to friends and family within the next year.

Sure Missing Mom.

A Busy August 14th-- Part 2: Rally By the Lake in Fox Lake

This day, I went to the Rally By the Lake in Fox Lake, St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg and the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive event in McHenry.  I also went to one of those great mom and pop record stores, The Vinyl Revolution, in McHenry.

First, I went over to the Rally By the Lake.

This is an annual classic car show put on by the Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce and held at the Lake front Park on Nippersink Lake.

Lots of cars including these I was particularly interested in:

'68 Olds 442
'66 Mustang
'69 Camaro
'68 Nova
'65 Chevy SS
'72 Nova
'73 Vega  (We had a '73 Ford Pinto for our first car, but never blew up, but died quite often.)
'67 Pontiac GTO  (We had a '67 Pontiac Tempest, the poor man's GTO)
'80 Malibu  (We have an '03 and '11 Malibu)
'64 GTO
'70 Trans Am  (I am a big Firebird fan, having had a '67 Firebird convertible and still have an '85.)
'67 Chevelle SS

I liked the Mayberry Sheriff car, a 1965 Ford Galaxie.

An old friend from my deejay days, Sherry was there and talked with her.  She has retired from the newspaper business, but now back on a part-time basis and working from home.

I entered a drawing and won two baskets of wine with $25 gift certificates for food from Diamond Deli in Fix Lake.

--RoadDog

A Busy August 14th-- Part 1: Rally By the Lake in Fox Lake

This day, I went to the Rally By the Lake in Fox Lake, St. John's Parish Fest in Johnsburg and the Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive event in McHenry.  I also went to one of those great mom and pop record stores, The Vinyl Revolution, in McHenry.

First, I went over to the Rally By the Lake.

This is an annual classic car show put on by the Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce and held at the Lake front Park on Nippersink Lake.

Lots of cars including these I was particularly interested in:

'68 Olds 442
'66 Mustang
'69 Camaro
'68 Nova
'65 Chevy SS
'72 Nova
'73 Vega  (We had a '73 Ford Pinto for our first car, but never blew up, but died quite often.)
'67 Pontiac GTO  (We had a '67 Pontiac Tempest, the poor man's GTO)
'80 Malibu  (We have an '03 and '11 Malibu)
'64 GTO
'70 Trans Am  (I am a big Firebird fan, having had a '67 Firebird convertible and still have an '85.)
'67 Chevelle SS

I liked the Mayberry Sheriff car, a 1965 Ford Galaxie.

An old friend from my deejay days, Sherry was there and talked with her.  She has retired from the newspaper business, but now back on a part-time basis and working from home.

I entered a drawing and won two baskets of wine with $25 gift certificates for food from Diamond Deli in Fix Lake.

--RoadDog

Looking Back to 1916 and 1941: Watch Those Crazy Automobiles

From the September 7, 2016, Mid Week (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago:  "An automobile and buggy mix-up occurred last night at Grove street and resulted in a completely demolished buggy and a slightly damaged car.

Let's See, Interior Made of Steel?

1941, 75 YEARS AGO:  "Three stretches of road in DeKaln Township have been oiled during the past few days to provide a better highway and eliminate the dust nuisance."

Mighty Dusty in Here.  --RoadDog

9-11-16: Flags Up!!

I have already gone outside and put up my U.S. flags.  A day to remember.

I normally would have put up my Bears pennant today as it is the first regular season game versus Texas.  I have an older, somewhat tattered and stained flag which I think is one that I flew that day when I got home from work which I have on the front porch.

Also, I have U.S. flags on the mailbox, garage, gazebo and in the front porch flower garden.

While watching the Bear game and Saufen Und Spiel parade in Johnsburg, Illinois, today, I will be wearing my USA tee shirt and hat (usually they both would be Bears).

Plus, I usually don't post on Sundays, but today will post to all seven blogs about this date, fifteen years ago.

Not Forgetting One Bit.

Good Times in the Area for Labor Day Weekend-- Part 2

SEPTEMBER 3, SATURDAY:  Enjoyed the front porch and gazebo at the house and cut down a lot of dead branches from a tree.

We went to the Fox Lake American Legion and enjoyed all the oldies the Honeymooners played from 3 to 6 p.m..

On the way home, stopped at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg then enjoyed Margaritaville, out basement bar, and that ultimate juke box.

SEPTEMBER 4, SUNDAY:Found out Mom's condo at topsail Beach had gotten 2-3 inches of water in the lower floor thanks to Tropical Storm Hermine. One of those little problems you face when living at the beach.

We had intended to go to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake to see one of our favorite bands, Soda.  Unfortunately, a whole lot of other people had the same idea.  So we went to Boyd's Hideaway on Petite Lake and Steitz's Resort on Lake Bluff.  Both of these places are on the Chain Crawl.  Steitz's has been around since the 1920s.

In between these two places, we went to a party thanking customers at Bootlegger's and listened to a band.

--RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016: Laurel Kane Honored

AUGUST 8--  Melvina Heisch, Laurel Kane inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.  I don't know the first one, but sure do miss Laurel at the Afton Station in Afton.

AUGUST 10--  The Fanning 66 Outpost west of Cuba, Missouri, is closing down on Thursday due to economic conditions.  Hopefully someone will get it back up and running again.  It was sure a great addition to the old road.

AUGUST 12--  Two Route 66 sites are listed on the Missouri's Places in Peril.  The Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation has listed the Meramec Route 66 Bridge near Eureka and the Old Phillipsburg general Store in Phillipsburg

The Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen and the Diamonds Cafe in Villa Ridge are on the Watch List.

Save Those Bridges.  --RoadDog

A Few Things About Topsail Beach, N.C.-- Part 3: Missiles and Pirates

The article mentioned a top secret missile development program taking place during World War II.  Actually, it took place after the war was over.  It went a long way toward jet propulsion and missiles.  You can find out a lot more about it at the Missiles and More Museum.  Several concrete towers were built to observe and record the flights of the missiles and still remain standing.

Topsail Island and Topsail Beach (and North Topsail Beach) got their names from the age of piracy.  Pirate ships would hide behind the barrier island and wait for their prey to come by.  Merchants ships, however, were always on the lookout for the top sails of the pirate ships which could be seen rising above the low vegetation of the island.

Ahoy There!!  Pirate Ship A-Hiding Behind the Island.  --RoadDog

Here Are the 14 Beautiful Little Beach Towns in U.S.A.

Topsail Beach, N.C.
Jamestown Beach, R.I.
Traverse City. Mi.
Corolla, N.C.
Ogunquit, Me.
DePoe Bay, Or.
Cannon Beach, Or.
Hampton, N.H.
Chatham, Mass.
Morro Bay, Ca.
Wrightsville Beach, N.C. (not too far from Topsail Beach)
Haleiwa, Hawaii
Saugatuck, Mi.
Pismo Beach, Ca.

The article had a write-up on each one.

--RoadDog

Topsail Beach, N.C., Most Beautiful Little Beach Town in U.S.-- Part 2.

Here is what Trip Advisor had to say about Topsail Beach:

Topsail Beach shares a 26-mile long barrier island (Topsail Island) with two other sandy destinations:  North Topsail and Surf City.  Without huge hotels or glitzy attractions, Topsail Beach is a place to enjoy the beach in its simplest, purist form without the crowds or chaos of some popular coastal towns.

If your idea of paradise involves long days spent relaxing in the sun, lazily casting a line or catching up on your to-read list, you'll love the island's private, cozy cottages and beachside retreats just steps from the ocean.

Spend a rainy day at the Missiles and More Museum, where exhibits explore the secret missile testing program on Topsail during World War II and the pirate lore behind the beach's name.

A Great Place to Relax and I Now Have a Piece of It, For Awhile At Least.  --RoadDog

Topsail Beach Edges Out Others for Best Little Beach Town in USA

From 27 June 2016, Trip Advisor "14 Beautiful Little Beach Towns in USA."

Topsail Beach, North Carolina edged out 14 other small beach towns in voting for best beach town in the country.  It just barely squeaked by Jamestown, Rhode Island, Traverse City, Michigan and Morro Bay, California.

I have now inherited a condo at this beach, but unfortunately, live too far away to get to it much.

Anyone Looking for a Place at the #1 Best Little Beach Town in the USA?  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016: Andy Payne Featured

From the Route 66 News site.  More information, pictures and other items at the site.  I just write about the ones of particular interest to me.

AUGUST 3--  Grants, N.M. will open the Route 66 Neon Drive-Thru on Saturday.  Looks like a neat new thing to visit.  Photo op, anyone?

AUGUST 4--  Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum opened to the public in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.  You can never have too many museums, especially those with those oldies and classics.

AUGUST 5--  The Cherokee Indians have put out a seven-minute film about the 1928 Trans-American Footrace, called the Bunion Derby.  It is mostly about Native son Andy Payne of Oklahoma who won it.  This footrace helped promote Route 66 and is well worth watching.

--RoadDog

Good Times in the Area for Labor Day Weekend-- Part 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Did some yardwork and then went to McHenry and ate at the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV 188).  We then went to Veterans Park for the Thursday night concert and saw the country and rock band Derringer & Rye.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Drove to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and placed flowers on the graves of Liz's parents and did some cleanup.  Then went to Palatine and had lunch at Photo's on Northwest Highway.  This is on the former site of the Burger King I worked at back in high school and where Liz and I hung out a lot at back in the day.

Then stopped at Half-Price Books, my favorite store with all the stuff I really like.  I bought two 2017 calendars, a Jan & Dean double CD set, and two navy books.

Back to Fox Lake and too the boat out for a bit.  After that, I went to Richmond-Burton-Sandwich high school football game in Richmond.  Close game, but the home team eventually pulled out the victory.

Next Friday is the great rivalry game between Johnsbirg and Richmond-Burton.

Busy Friday.  --RoadDog

Going Back to the Early 1970s for Music This Week

Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's Drive, WDRV, 97.1 FM, will be going back to 1970 today and 1971 on Friday.  Thursday he features ten Cars songs.  I'm not sure is that is songs about cars or music by the Cars.

The show airs at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. at www.wdrv.com.

Great Listening.  --RoadDog

Ten at Ten for 1968: "Suzie-Q"

On September 1, 2016, last Thursday, Bob Stroud played ten songs from 1968 on his popular Ten at Ten show on Chicago's Drive, WDRV 97.1 FM.

A great high school year for me at Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois.

RIDE MY SEE-SAW--  Moody Blue
BLACKBIRD--  Beatles
HOOKED ON A FEELING--  B.J. Thomas   Like this one, but really love the later version by Blue Suede with that "Ooga-Chaka."

SPOOKY--  Classics IV   This past Monday I learned that local performer Jim Sieg was a member of that band way back when they started.
MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS--  Grass Roots
MRS. ROBINSON--  Simon & Garfunkel
SUZIE-Q--  CCR

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER--  Jimi Hendrix
MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf   This song was REALLY played a lot on the jukebox at the Senior Lounge at Palatine High School.
RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN--   Bob Seger System

Name That Tune from the above songs:  "Jesus Loves You More Than You Know."  --RoadDog



"Mrs. Robinson"

Ten at Ten Goes to 1969 Today: "Proud Mary"

Today on Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, he went back to 1969, that great year I graduated from Palatine High School.  This show will replay at 10 p.m. tonight.  It streams at www.wdrv.com.

HONKY TONK WOMAN--  Rolling Stones

WHIPPING POST--  Allman Brothers

PROUD MARY--  Creedence Clearwater Revival

BEGINNING--  Chicago

MY NAME IS SUE--  Johnny Cash

UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK--  Band

UNDUN--  Guess Who

IN THE YEAR 2525--  Zager & Evans

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN--  Led Zeppelin

OH DARLIN'--  Beatles

--RoadSue

Looking Back to 1941: The Problems With Automobiles

From the February 3, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago:  "Wesley Pasamen, speed demon, reckless driver, and a young man with a record, is back in Milwaukee and in jail.

"Arrested in Sycamore a week ago after a chase at the death-defying speed of 80 miles an hour, he was first taken to Geneva to the Kane County jail from here."

**  "A runaway automobile which broke through the door at the Russell Smith garage on North Second Street and shot across the sidewalk and road, nearly caused considerable damage last night about 7:00 o'clock but fortunately no one was injured and the resulting damage was slight."

Even Car Problems Back Then.  --RoadDog

Looking Back to 1940: Wheel Tax and Auto Deaths

From the April 1, 2015, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back"

APRIL 2, 1940, 76 Years Ago:  "About 1,200 wheel tax stickers issued by City Clerk William Wallmarte by noon this Thursday.  Limit of 1,400.  Deadline to purchase vehicle wheel tax licenses is April 1.  Could be arrested if you don't have one."  (Obviously, too late by now.)

**  DeKalb and Winnebago counties each had eight auto deaths during the first three months of 1940.  They led the other northern Illinois counties where 25 died in the ten counties during the same time period.

It's Dangerous Out There.  --RoadDog

Looking Back to 1916: Oiling the Streets to Deal With the "Dust Nuisance"

From the August 3, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back"

1916, 100 Years Ago:

"The work of oiling the streets in the addition was commenced yesterday and is getting well along to completion.  A good healthy coat of oil is being placed on the streets and will relieve the dust nuisance which was getting pretty bad."

--RoadDog

Lovable North Carolina Landmarks-- Part 3: World's Largest Strawberry

WORLD'S LARGEST STRAWBERRY

ELLERBE

This self-proclaimed "Fruit Wonder of the Highway" was added to the Berry Patch produce stand in 2003, complete with a stem.

Since then, it has offered ice cream made with wooden Amish churns, and homemade local products.

Although this shop is shaped like a strawberry, we don't recommend trying to take a bite of the building.

Nearest Highways:  Interstate 74, U.S. 220.

--RoadDog

Lovable North Carolina Landmarks-- Part 2: Truck Stop Lighthouse and Eiffel Tower Replica

TRUCK STOP LIGHTHOUSE

KENLY  A seaside sentry stands watch over travelers who stop for gas or a meal at the Kenly 95 Truck Stop.  The 65-foot-tall version of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is "a symbol of hospitality for truckers and travelers alike.'

Find another replica of the Hatteras Light to the northeast, in Wilson.

Nearest Highway:  Interstate 95.

EIFFEL TOWER REPLICA

FAYETTEVILLE:  Enjoy a piece of Paris in the South, where an 80-foot-tall version of the Eiffel Tower sits within driving distance.  Built in 1963 to advertise the nearby Bordeaux Shopping Center, this little monument is a one-twelfth scale replica of the original.

Nearest Highways:  U.S. 401 Business, U.S. 301

Light My Tower.  --RoadDog

Great Listnin' Music On the Radio This Weekend

If you're out cruisin' around or sittin' 'round the old homestead, we've got some good music to listen to out of Chicago this weekend.

Tonight, Bob Stroud has a repeat of his Ten at Ten on WDRV FM, 97.1 FM at 10 p.m..

Tomorrow, Wendy Rice goes back to 1980 from 8 a.m. to noon on WXRT 93.1 FM, Chicago's Finest Rock.

Sunday, Bob Stroud concludes his four-part trip back to the Summer of 1976 (40 years ago) on his Rock and Roll Roots show on WDRV 97.1 FM from 7 a.m. to 10.  Then, Terri Hemmert has her Breakfast With the Beatles show on WXRT, 93.1 FM from 8 to 10.

Then, at 9 p.m., WXRT has Little Steven's Underground Garage for two hours.

All times are CDST.  WXRT streams at www.wxrt,com. and WDRV streams at www.wdrv.com..

--RoadMusicDog

Lovable Landmarks in North Carolina-- Part 1: Big Red Rocker and Tail of the Dragon

From the July 2015, Our state magazine "Lovable Landmarks" by Alexa Dysch.

BIG RED ROCKER

MAGGIE VALLEY:  Looking for a place to sit.  the owner of Country Time swings has the place for you.  He built a, 11-foot-tall rocking chair, plus steps for those who can't hoist themselves up to it.

So, kick back and relax.

And, don't worry about kicking too far back because, for safety reasons, this rocking chair is stationary.

Nearest highways:  U.S. 19 and U.S. 276.

Of course, we have an even bigger one on Route 66 at the Fanning Outpost in Missouri.  Just saying.

TAIL OF THE DRAGON

DEAL'S GAP

Motorists who are riding the twisted section of U.S. Highway 129, with its 318 curves in 11 miles of road, can mark the occasion by stopping on the cusp of the Tennessee line and admiring the dragon sculptures that represent the danger and thrill of the area.

Nearest highway:  U.S. 129.

Well, Rock My dragon.  --RoadDog

Lin Braehmer Recommends Not Letting Kids Take Your Albums to College

In his Lin's Bin segment this morning, Lin Braehmer said that you should not let the kids take your old albums off to college, even if the sound quality is better.

One big reason is that they don't know how to handle and care for them.  Little things like not touching the grooves, handling by edges.  disc washer, wipe down needle care and so forth.

Also, even worse, at college you"loan" your records to others.  And chances are that you will never get them back, or id you are lucky enough to get them back, they are in horrible condition.

And, what if they leave the album in the car on a hot summer day?
I think it was too bad they didn't come up with a way to play albums in your car, but thatbheat and holes in the road wouldn't be the best thing.

Pizza Will Do that to the Grooves, You Know.  --RoadDog

Should You Let Your Kids Take Your Vinyl Albums Off With Them to College?

At about 7:15 a.m. today, WXRT's Lin Braehmer will discuss this on his Lin's Bin segment of his morning show.  It streams on www.wxrt.com. so you can hear it.  It repeats between 5 and 7 p.m..

A real good question.  Although these days it probably more likely involves downloads.

I remember that when I went off to Northern Illinois in the fall of 1969, I left most of my prized vinyl albums that were in good shape at home.  I had heard that college was not a good place for them because of borrowing, loaning out and the scratches when (if) you got them back.

Little did I know that my brother decided to play them while I was away and they got badly scratched and messed up anyway.

I did bring my stereo with me and a few of my more "battered" albums as some things I just couldn't do without.

Give It a Listen.  --RoadDog

500 Facts About the Indy 500-- Part 30: Leading the Race

149.  AL  UNSER, SR. was in front of everybody for the most laps, 644, before he retired.

150.  BILLY ARNOLD led the most laps in a single race with 198 in 1930.

151.  That is also the most lead laps by the eventual winner.  He took the lead on lap 2 and never looked back.

152.  DAN WHELDON had the fewest lead laps by a winner with just the one at the end in 2011.

153.  RALPH DEPALMA holds the record for futility.  He led for 196 laps in 1912, but didn't win.

155.  And, when it comes to career futility, MICHAEL ANDRETTI, Mario's son, has led a record 431 laps and never won.

--RoadDog