News From Along Route 66, September 2016: The Pony Bridge To Be Closed, But Left As a Monument

Oklahoma may close two historic Route 66 bridges, but leave them a s monuments.  One is the famous Pony Bridge which is too far gone to be repaired and continue use.

The other is the Horse Creek Bridge near Afton.

However, you can probably still drive across the bridges until 2017, so if you want to drive them, you'd better get to cruisin'.

I can live with them closing them and leaving them as monuments.

--RoadDog

ShowDown Updates Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will have the complete standings of the Lincoln Highway-Route 66 Showdown and the US-14-US-12 showdowns.

--RoadDown

Talking Showdowns

I started this competition back in 2012 when I noticed quite a few Route 66 and Lincoln Highway towns with high school teams competing in the annual IHSA (Illinois) State High School Football Championships in all eight class levels.

The Class levels go from 8A, which are schools with the largest student populations down to 1A with the smallest.

I later added US-12 (Rand Road) and US-14 (Northwest Highway) which two roads go right through our area and have had a lot to do with my growing up in Chicago's Northwest suburbs.

The competition revolves around the last school(s) standing is the winner.

Lincoln Highway won in 2012, 2013 and 2015.  Route 66 won in 2014.

US-12 won in 2013, US-14 in 2014 and last year it was a tie.

Gearing Up for Some Football.  --RoadDog

Welcome to the 2016 Northwest Highway (US-14) Vs. Rand Road (US-12) IHSA (Illinois) Showdown

I also put the Illinois High School playoff teams along US-Highway 12 (Rand Road) and US Highway 14 (Northwest Highway) up against each other and have been doing this for four years now.

NORTHWEST HIGHWAY (US-14) teams:

8A

Fremd (6-3)  Palatine
Maine South (6-3)  Park Ridge
Barrington  (8-1)
Palatine  (9-0)

6A

St. Viator  (5-4)  Arlington Heights
Cary Grove  (8-1)
Prairie Ridge  (9-0)  Crystal Lake

5A

Woodstock North  (6-3)
Marian Central  (5-4)  Woodstock


RAND ROAD  (US-12) TEAMS

8a

Fremd  (6-3)  Palatine
Palatine (9-0)

7A

Lake Zurich  (7-2)

6A

St. Viator  (5-4)  Arlington Heights
Wauconda  (5-4)

4A

Richmond-Burton  (6-3)  Richmond/Spring Grove

Rah-RahRee.  --RoadDog

Welcome to the 2016 IHSA (Illinois) Lincoln Highway-Route 66 Showdown: Route 66 teams

8A

Edwardsville  (8-1)
Joliet West  (6-3)

7A

Plainfield North (7-2)
East St. Louis  (9-0)
Normal Community  (8-1)

6A

Sacred Heart  (9-0)  Springfield
Normal Community West  (5-4)

4A

Althoff Catholic  (9-0)  Belleville

3A

Wilmington  (9-0)
Central Catholic  (7-2)
Carlinville  (8-1)
Williamsville  (8-1)

There are 12 Route 66 teams versus 17 Lincoln Highway.  this is the first year there have been more Lincoln Highway than Route 66 teams.

Welcome to the 2016 Lincoln Highway-Route 66 IHSA Showdown: Lincoln Highway Teams

The playoff games start this Friday.

By class and records.  The schools are put into classes by number of students with *A having the largest populations of students.

8A

Joliet West (6-3)
Waubonsie (5-4)  Aurora
West Aurora (9-0)
Lincoln Way East (7-2) Frankfort
St. Charles East  (9-0)

7A

Plainfield North  (7-2)
St. Charles North  (8-1)
Batavia  (7-2)
Lincoln Way West  (5-4)  New Lennox
Lincoln Way Central  (6-3)

6A

DeKalb  (7-2)
Marmion Academy  (6-3)  Aurora


5A

Sterling  (9-0)
Rochelle  (5-4)

4A

Dixon  (7-2)
Central Catholic  (8-1)  Aurora

2A

Newman Central Catholic  (9-0)  Sterling

Lincoln Highway has 17 teams.

Route 66 Teams Tomorrow.  --RoadDog

NIU Homecoming 2016-- Part 1: Meetin' and Greetin'

OCTOBER 22, SATURDAY

We took the usual way to DeKalb: Il-120, Il-47, Il-176 and Il-23.  There was a huge Fall Farm on 176 and we also saw two huge pumpkin fields along 176.  It's that time of the year, you know.

Stopped to have our slider crave at White Castle in DeKalb and then parked by the Barsema Center.  We had game tickets and parking at the Barsema Center (Alumni) because of our involvement in the NIU Foundation.

Checked out the gift shop in the Center then came across Terri, out NIU contact for the Foundation at the Alumni Tent area.    She took us over to meet the new Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Laurie Elish-Piper, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Christopher McCord and the President and CEO of the NIU Foundation, Catherine Squires.  All of them have been connected with Northern for a long time.

They had a band playing inside the tent and all alumni could pick buttons telling which decade they graduated in which helped with introductions.

The NIU Huskie Marching Band then came by for several songs, including out NIU Fight Song.  We talked with the President of NIU, Douglas Baker.

--RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14-- Part 7: All-Around Taps and White Doves

The combined rifle team of the McHenry American Legion Post 491, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600 and the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 188 then fired a three volley salute.  Then the All-Around "Taps" sounded.  One bugler starts and is joined in by one after another until at one point all are playing the mournful but respective song.  Then one after another quit until there is just one and then none..  This part of the ceremony always chokes me up and brings a tear to my eyes.

The singer sang "America the Beautiful" and then there was the dove release.

There was a really big crowd that I would estimate at between 400 and 500 in attendance.

Afterwards Bill's Little Big band provided music of the era and a local radio disc jockey had a radio program that you might hear.  The songs they played before I left were "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade" and "Sentimental Journey."

--RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14-- Part 6: Merchant Marine Recognition

As I said, the ceremony was nearing its end when I arrived and there was a prayer and then "God Bless America" was sung, accompanied by Bill's Little Big Band.  It is so sad to see the World War II vets so old and crippled.

Then  the band played the service songs of the Coast Guard (I don't believe I'd ever heard this one before), Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army.  I was also happy to hear (also for the first time) the song of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

I am very happy to see the Merchant Marine finally getting the recognition they so much deserve because of the important role they played in the war.  I am sure floating around in U-boat infested waters (often in the frigid North Atlantic) in a ship loaded with ammunition or oil is not my idea of a pleasure cruise.

--RoadMerchantMarine.

Meskers on Route 66 in Illinois

I have written about these prefab building fronts that came into vogue in the late 1800s, early 1900s.

Here is a list of buildings with Mesker fronts along Route 66 in Illinois:

Atlanta--  4

Carlinville--  2

Dwight--  1

Edwardsville--  2

Elkhart--  1

Lincoln--  1

Normal--  1

Plainfield--  1

Staunton--  1

Virdon-- 6

--RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14-- Part 5: Keeping the Spirit of '45 Alive

I left the Parish Fest and New Odyssey right as the last song ended.  I dropped Liz off at Sunnyside in Johnsburg and then drove to Veterans Park in McHenry, Illinois, for the annual Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive.  This event honors the Greatest Generation and is well-deserved.  It is also one of the biggest and longest-running observations in the United States.

Unfortunately, they always have it on the same day as Parish fest in Johnsburg.

I arrived for the last part of it.  Sad that the announcer told the World War II veterans to stand "as well as you can."  The World War II veterans and people are getting very old and their health is often failing.  It is sad to see them so old.  I was born in 1951 and growing up, World War II veterans were everywhere.  You didn't think much about them being around.  They were just there.  Nothing special.

But, as we lose them in increasing numbers, we need to honor heir sacrifices and efforts as much as we can.

Missing Those Old Guys and Gals.  --RoadDog

Saw New Odyssey in Wilmington, N.C. September 24th

As I was checking to see if I had spelled Odyssey correctly (I did, but for some reason it didn't look right) for the Busy Day posts, I looked up the word odyssey online and along with the spelling and correction, I found the New Odyssey site so decided to take a look at it.

While checking their appearances, I saw they were appearing at a church for a show in Wilmington, N.C., on September 24.  I also knew that I was going to be nearby that date in Topsail Beach so decided to see them again.

That day, I drove to Wilmington and toured the USS North Carolina battleship and the Cape Fear Museum before going to Casey's Buffet for a great southern meal.

I then surprised the members of the group when I showed up at the church.  Nobody had ever seen them so I told the people around me about what to expect.  There were seniors, middle agers and kids in attendance and they sure had a good time.  Everywhere I looked, there were smiles and people moving with the music.  And, this time they got to see Gary Todd's drum coat.

--RoadDog

A Busy Day August 14-- New Odyssey-- Part 4: No Drum Coat

Then they did a Santana song (I don't know the name, though).

GEORGIA

CRAZY

HEY BARTENDER

IRISH MEDLEY

WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND

BLUEGRASS SONG  by Flatt & Scruggs with the band playing each others' instruments at the same time.  Something you've got to see to believe.

OH WHAT A NIGHT--  Four seasons

UPTOWN FUNK

HOW GREAT THOU ART--  The horns were highly memorable on this one.

They ended it with a country song.

Everyone gets to hear their favorite type of music during a New Odyssey show.

We were disappointed that Gary did nor put on his Sgt. pepper's drum coat.  We asked Michael afterwards about not seeing the coat, always a favorite with audiences and he said they had done it.

A Sad Thing When the Mind Goes, Michael.  --RoadWhat

Good Times Here Last Weekend-- Part 8: Boating and the Chain Crawl

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10

Bob Stroud played New World songs on his Ten at Ten on WDRV in honor of Columbus Day.

We went out for a boat ride around Fox and Nippersink Lakes and stopped at Stormy Monday on Fox Lake for a drink.  After putting the boat up, we went to Dino's Den on Grand Avenue on the channel where we keep our boat and had a drink and got a passport stamp.

Next stop was El Puerto on Nippersink Lake for another passport stamp and enjoyed some seasonal beer and chips and salsa.  Then to Sunnyside and watched the Cubs lose to the Giants in Margarativille in the thrid game of the NLDS.

Gettin' Stamps and Drinki' Beer.  --RoadDog

Good Times Here Last Weekend-- Part 7: Filling Up on "Tastes" and Beer

We have learned that the best way to do a "Taste" walk like this is to just get one thing between us and split it.  That way you will be able to make it to more places before you get full.  And these portions to "taste" are definitely not small.  Of course, at many places we washed it down with liquid libations.

The next two stops were also ones we needed to go to to get passport stamps for the Chain Crawl (41 places to go during one summer and fall).  Between the weather and going to N.C. so often this year we still have a lot of places to visit for those stamps.  The big end-of-crawl party is October 22nd.  Unfortunately, we won't be attending because of Northern Illinois' Homecoming.

Chain' O' Lakes Brewing Company is a purveyor of craft beer and we got two samplers and sat outside in the biergarten and were entertained by a solo performer.  Hey, after all, it is Oktoberfest.  Then, we went to Corkscrew Pointe which had mini Bloody Marys for a buck.  We watched the end of the Bears loss to the Colts there.  We sure could have won this one.

We then had biscuits & gravy and mac & cheese at Little Chef Restaurant and country rigatoni at Bimbo's Italian Kitchen.

Next was pumpkin pancakes at Windhill Pancake Parlor which now has all their Halloween decorations up which sure are impressive.  Last stop was Foxhole Tap & Pizzeria, located in the basement of the 1880s hotel where we had bruschetta, pulled pork sliders and pizza slices.  We were joined by Glenn and Barb (some of our Usual Suspects) there.  We later adjourned to Sunnyside for a couple more before calling it a day.

Mighty Full for Some Reason.  --RoadAteTooMuchDog

Good Times in the Area Last Weekend-- Part 6: Da Bears and Da Taste

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9

Hard to believe today would have been John Lennon's 76th birthday.  Terri Hemmert featured him on her Breakfast With the Beatles show on Chicago's WXRT this morning.

I was able to take care of some yard waste in the burn pile as we can only do that on weekends in October, November, April and May.  I produce quite a bit of yard waste.

Liz and I went to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside, Illinois, on Rollins Road, and watched the first half of the Bears game with "The Usual Suspects."  It is nice this time of year as we can have the viewing outside in their pavilion.

At half, we drove over to McHenry, Illinois, to take part in their Flavors of Fall Taste Fest where 18 places offer "tastes" of food for $1 to $3 a taste.  We always have a great time doing this and made it to 7 of them.  We started at the Polish Legion of American Veterans and split smoked sausage and cabbage rolls.

--RoadDog

Good Times In the Area Last Weekend-- Part 5: Beer & BBQ Walk

Not all of the places were bars on the walk.

Next stops were:  Piggly Wiggly, Wings, etc., Chad Arnold State Farm, Hannah's, Merle Norman,  Lake Street Antiques, Rugan's, Village Thrift Shop, Ooh La La Boutique, Lodge of Antioch, Selinas Secret and PM&L Theatre.

Bars and restaurants were Limerick Lounge, Wings, etc., Rugan's and the Lodge of Antioch.

There were four more, but I'd had enough to drink and way too much to eat.

Best beers were the McKenzie's Pumpkin Cider at the Limerick Lounge and Shock Top twisted Pretzel at Merle Norman.  Best spreads of food (these two places had several items instead of just one) were the Lodge of Antioch with BBQ pork flatbread pizza and deserts and Rugans which must have had five things, all of which were really good.

I met a former student of mine at the PM&L Theatre as well as my State Farm agent.

Listened to NIU's loss to Western Michigan and watched the Cubs game at Sunnyside and Margaritaville,

--RoadDog

Good Times in the Area Last Weekend-- Part 4: Homecoming Parade and Beer & BBQ Holiday Walk

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

I went to the Grant High School Homecoming Parade in Fox Lake, Illinois, at 9 a.m.  They had two marching bands, Grant High School and Gavin Middle School.  Marching bands are my favorite parts of any parade.  As usual these days, very little effort was put into floats.

Then I drove to Antioch, Illinois, and got signed into their Beer and BBQ Holiday Walk.  They had 18 places each offering two Oktoberfest-type craft beers and at  least one form of something 'cue'd.  Two of my favorite things.  It cost $40 and money raised went to fund Antioch's Christmas celebration.

This lasted from noon to 4.  I managed to make it through 14 places before I threw in the towel.

My first stop was the Limerick Lodge, a big-time football bar.  When the Packers and Bears meet, they divide the place in half with Bear fans and Packer fans sitting in assigned areas.

Just Gettin' Started.  --RoadDog

Good Times In the Area Last Weekend-- Part 3: Hanging Out With the Usual Suspects

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7.

Drove into McHenry and went to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Meijer (and bought a much-needed CD storage unit.  I didn't even know that they sold it as everybody seems to download these days.  Maybe there are still a few of us holding out?)  Had those great sliders at Steak 'N Shake.  Also had their seasonal offering of a pumpkin spice milk shake.  I don't know of any other shakes as good as these.  Even better, it was happy hour so I got it for half price.

Came home and cut the grass.

We then went to the American Legion on Nippersink Lake in Fox Lake and joined up with a group of friends (The Usual Suspects) and watched the Cubs play a lose one in their victory over the Giant in game one of the NL Division Championship.

--RoadDog

Good Times in the Area Last Weekend-- Part 2: Southern Fried Rock

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7

Enjoyed listening to one of my favorite types of music, Southern Rock on Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive at 97.1 FM.

The songs played:

FLIRTIN' WITH DISASTER--  Molly Hatchett
CALL ME THE BREEZE--  Lynyrd Skynyrd
HEARD IT IN A LOVE SONG--  Marshall Tucker Band

CAUGHT UP IN YOU--  .38 Special
JACKIE BLUE--  Ozark Mountain Daredevils
IMAGINARY LOVER--  Atlanta Rhythm Section
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA--  Charlie Daniels Band

DIXIE CHICKEN--  Little Feat
CHEAP SUNGLASSES--  ZZ Top
SWEET MELISSA--  Allman Brothers

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Ain't Ever Been With a Woman Long Enough For My Boots To Get Old."  RoadDog


"Heard It In a Love Song"

Good Times in the Area This Past Weekend-- Part 1: Why Go Anywhere Else?

This past weekend, there was more than enough to do around here.  Between the high school, college and Bear football games, decent, but a little chilly weather, as well as the Chain Crawl, Beer and BBQ Walk in Antioch, Bears game in the outside garage at the Squaw Bar and Autumn Food Walk in McHenry as well as boating, it was a mighty good time.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6

It was a rainy day so we decided to hit some of the places we haven't visited yet on the Chain Crawl for the Chain of Lakes.  We still need some passport stamps.  Of course, this would be done by car, not boat.

We drove to Fox River Grove and went to the Dead End Saloon, right on the Fox River by the US-14 (Northwest Highway) bridge.

Next stop was further upriver at Herman's Lowlife Bar and Grill in Lake Barrington Shores, one of our favorite places on the Chain.  Unfortunately, it is at some distance so we rarely go there. The name says it all.  These first two bars are what some would call dive bars.  We love our dive vars.  As always, lots of great conversation with other patrons.

Last two stops were at Riverside at Burton's Bridge on Illinois Highway 176.  These three bars were all on the Chain Crawl and Fox River (well, Herman's is on a channel to the river).

Last stop was at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.

News From Along Route 66, October 2016: Miles of Possibility Conference Conference Speakers Announced

SEPTEMBER 19--  This is a time sensitive report, so I moved it up.  Normally I run the News from Along Route 66 a month behind time.

The speaker lineup for the Miles of Possibility Conference to be held at the McLean County Museum/ Cruisin' With Lincoln building in downtown Bloomington, Illinois, has been announced.

And it is a big and good one.  Lots of people, lots of experts.

I started to write them down, but it would take too long so stopped after the first several of them:

Vory Jobe, Illinois Office of Tourism
Ellie Alexander, Pontiac Director of Tourism
Joel Blake, expert on the Muffler Men
Paul Butterfield.

You can see the whole list at this date in the Route 66 News web site.

The conference will be held Thursday October 20 to Sunday, October 23.

I's ure like to be there, but we already have plans for NIU's Homecoming that weekend.

It Is So Good To see Bloomington-Normal Finally Doing Something About Their Route 66 Heritage.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, September 2016: Of Sinkholes and Mills

SEPTEMBER 10--  A massive sinkhole near Route 66 in Pacific, Missouri.   It was a real big one measuring 50 by 70=-feet and deep enough to swallow a two-story building.  It was caused by the collapse of a sewer pipe.

Watch Your Step!!

SEPTEMBER 12--  The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois, is likely to open as a museum by April 2017.  This is thanks in large to the $10,720 cost-share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.  The Mill will also have stuff from the old Pig Hip restaurant.

The first time we saw the Mill in Lincoln, i was sure it wasn't long for this world, but here it is, looking about as good as it did back in its heyday.  The people of Lincoln and Route 66 folks are to be commended.

Go, Mill!!  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, September 2016: Standing On That Corner in Winslow

SEPTEMMBER 3--  The Paul Bunyan muffler man statue in Atlanta, Illinois, got a new coat of paint.  Now, if they would just paint over that stupid water tower.

SEPTEMBER 6--  Seven historic Route 66 bridges in Oklahoma are on the endangered list, including the Pony Bridge, which likely will be saved.  That is one neat bridge.

SEPTEMBER 7--  A Glenn Frey statue will be installed September 23 in Winslow, Arizona, at the famous "Standing on a Corner in Winslow, Arizona" corner.

Takin' It Easy.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August 2016-- Part 2: Route 66 Grants

**  Rialto Square Theatre marque restoration, Joliet, Illinois ($27,855)

**  The Mill of Route 66 accessibility in Lincoln, Illinois.  ($10,720)

**  Del Rhea Chicken Basket neon sign, in Hinsdale, Illinois  ($17,300)

**  Sprague's Super Service Station rehabilitation in Normal, Illinois  ($15,699)

**  Nelson's Old Riverton Store floor in Riverton, Kansas  ($6,356)

**  Donut's Drive-In exterior sign restoration in St. Louis  ($6,300)

**  Western Host Motel door rehabilitation in Grants, New Mexico  ($12,500)

Sure good to see all the Illinois places on this list.

Illinois Route 66er.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, August, 2016-- Part 1: Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Announces Grants for 2016

Again, these articles come from the Route 66 News site which goes into greater detail and also has a lot more information about our favorite road.

AUGUST 30, 2016:

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announced their grants for 2016.  A total of eight cost-share grants worth more than $103,000 will be given out this year.

Since 2001, some 122 projects pertaining to Route 66 have been awarded, totaling $1.9 million.

This year's grants:

Navajo County Courthouse in Holbrook, Arizona, for roof repair.  ($7,000)

More to Come.  --RoadDog

Mail Boats on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin-- Part 5: Some More Facts

WHERE:  The tour starts and end at the Riviera Docks (a neat place in itself) at 812 Wrigley Drive, in downtown Lake Geneva.

TIP:  For optimal views (why you get there early) of both the scenery and jumper, get a window seat in the  middle of the boat on the starboard (right) side, lower level.

ANOTHER TIP:  The entire 23-mile shoreline of Geneva Lake is accessible to the public via a walking path around the lake.  It's a fantastic hike that typically takes 8-10 hours to complete.  You can also do it in sections, especially the 8-mile stretch between the towns of Lake Geneva and Williams Bay.

ANOTHER TIP:  Either before or after your boat tour, check out Popeye's right across from the Riviera Docks for great window seating overlooking the boats, docks and lake.  Great rotisserie chicken and food.

--RoadWalkingDog

Mail Boats on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin-- Part 4: Just the Facts

WHEN:  Lake Geneva Cruise Line's U.S. Mailboat Tour runs seven days a week June 15 to September 15.  Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. for the two-and-a-half hour tour that runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., but most people start lining up as early as 8:30 a.m. to get the best seats.

PRICE:  Tickets cost $35 for adults (ages 18-64), $33 for seniors (65 and older) and $20 for children.

This is the cruise line's most popular tour, and it often sells out in advance.  To make reservations call 262-248-6206 or www.cruiselakegeneva.com.

--RoadDog

Mail Boats on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin-- Part 3: Chicago's Elite

The mail boat tour lasts for two and a half hours and in between jumps, passengers learn a lot about the history of the huge homes dotting the shoreline.  The rich families in Chicago were intent on turning Geneva Lake into the "Newport of the West.

This movement got started soon after the Great Chicago Fire.  Everybody who was anybody built a place on the seven-mile long lake.  Names like Schwinn, Selfridge, Wacker, Drake, Swift and Wrigley began to appear.

Nowadays, most of Geneva Lake's shore residents get their mail the regular way, by land, but some 75 addresses hew to tradition and opt for the free water service which is available during the summer only.

--RoadDog

Mail Boats on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin-- Part 2: Miss the Boat, Hit the Water

What began in 1916 as a service born out of necessity has evolved into a popular tourist attraction in this historic resort town 80 miles northwest of Chicago.

Everyday, at 10 a.m. from June 15 to September 15 (looks like you'll have to wait until next year for this one), passengers on the Lake Geneva Cruise Line's Mailboat Tour go along for the ride as jumpers do their thing.  (No doubt there is much hope for a miss of the boat).

The boat is often sold-out and 155 people watch as jumpers go from the moving boat to a pier, sprint to the mailbox, jam the mail in, and then make a run and jump back onto the boat.

When rich folks started building their mansions on Geneva Lake around 1900, roads were essentially nonexistent, hence the need for mail to be delivered by boat.

--RoadDog

When At Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, Take the Mail Boat-- Part 1: Watch the Mail-Jumpers

From the August 14, 2016, Chicago tribune "Lake Geneva's first-class fun" by Lori Rackl.

Mail jumpers deliver parcels, and entertainment, from moving vessel's deck.

This year marks the 100th season of the U.S. Mailboat on Geneva Lake.

There is much confusion as to whether the body of water is Lake Geneva or Geneva Lake.  The name of the town is Lake Geneva, but the real name of water is Geneva Lake.

When you think of occupational hazards that go along with delivering the mail, inclement weather and aggressive dogs come to mind.

Falling into a lake?  Not so much.

But that's what happens when the so-called mail jumpers on Geneva Lake literally miss the boat as they leap to and from a moving vessel, delivering letters, packages and newspapers to waterfront homes --  a tradition that turned 100 years old this summer.

Travelin' CDs, North Carolina Fall 2016-- Part 5: A Soap Opera

A SOAP OPERA (Or, THE KINKS PRESENT A SOAP OPERA)  By the KINKS

This was a 1975 concept album, the 13th made by the group.

According to the Wikipedia article, the plot went like this.  A musician named Starmaker changed places with an ordinary guy and this is the story of how he found life in the regular world was like.

And, there were a lot of really great songs (none of which I had ever heard before).  Sure enjoyed it.

I especially liked "Everybody's a Star (Starmaker)," "Holiday Romance" and "You Can't Stop the Music."

Ray and Dave and Group At Their Best.  --RoadDog

Travelin' CDs, North Carolina Fall 2016-- Part 4: Jumpin' At the Record Shop

JUMPIN' AT THE RECORD SHOP--  Compilation

This was a real different one for me.  It took me back to the 1940s, when there were not even albums or 45s.  You'd get your music on those old, heavy, clunky 78s

The CD is named after a song by Slim Gaillard by the same name where he lists most of the performers on this 20 song CD.

I recognized the majority of the songs, some of them I am listing here:

Marie--  Tommy Dorsey
Night and Day--  Frank Sinatra
Unforgettable--  Nat King Cole
Begin the Beguine--  Artie Shaw
Minnie the Moocher--  Cab Calloway

Plus, we even had some Western swing by Bob Wills and Spade Cooley.

There were even several I didn't know like:

Cotton Club Stomp--  Duke Ellington
Ciribiribin (They're So In Love)--  Bing Crosby
Swingin' Uptown--  Jimmie Lunceford

The songs ranged from 1929 to 1951.

The Cream of Jazz and Pops Hit makers From the Thirties and Forties.  --RoadDog

Travelin' CDs, North Carolina Fall 2016-- Part 3: Croweology

CROWEOLOGY--  BLACK CROWES

Probably one of the hardest to read track listings I've ever had to do.  This style of print would have fit right in at Haight-Asbury back in the good old hippie days.  Thankfully, the tracks were listed on the Malibu's CD player.

Judging by the songs  "Jealous Again," Remedy" and "She Talks to Angels," I was at first under the impression that this was a greatest hits compilation.  But the three I just listed didn't quite sound like the versions I had heard of before.

Today, I looked up the album on Wikipedia and found out that this was a redoing of their old songs.

They did not, however, have "Hard to Handle."

I liked how the Wiki article listed this album for genres as all rock, but: blues, hard, Southern, acoustic, folk and jazz.  There's a little bit of everything in this double album with twenty tracks.

I especially liked the songs "Share the Ride," "Downtown Money Waster" and "Thorn in My Side."

Plus, you get your own little "Croweology" sticker and a four panel Cd to open with a pop up.

Such a Deal.  --RoadDog

Travelin' CDs, North Carolina Fall 2016-- Part 2: Back to the 50's

BACK TO THE 50'S

This four disc compilation had 100 songs and pretty well covered the 50s, from both rock songs to pop songs, things that parents and kids could listen to had it come out back in the 1950s and both would be happy.

Lots and lots of 2-3 minute gems.

What I really liked about this CD set was that they had the usual big hits as well as some that I haven't heard very often and even ones that I had never heard.

I'll just go through the songs on the first CD (all of them have 25 songs).

Some of the ones I had heard of before:  Rock Around the Clock, Bye Bye Love, Stupid Cupid, Honky Tonk Part 1, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Bo Diddley, Only You and Young Love.

Ones that I have heard on occasion:

Butterfly--  Charlie Grace, Let Me Go Lover--  Teresa Brewer,  Here In My Heart--  Tony Bennett and Auf Wiedershe'n Sweetheart--  Vera Lynn.

Ones that I had never heard:  That's Right--  Carl Perkins, The Girl Can't Help It--  Little Richard,  Someone Else's Roses--  Joan Regan,  The Man From Laramie--  Jimmy Young.

A Great Cruisin' Compilation--  RoadDog

Traveling CDs, North Carolina Fall 2016-- Part 1

I just got back from two weeks in North Carolina, one whole week at Topsail Beach.  Of course, on my way down and back, I alternate between finding local radio stations and listening to a selection of CDs I brought along with me.

The four CDs with me this trip:

BACK TO THE 50s--  (4 Cd set with 100 songs) compilation

A SOAP OPERA--   Kinks

CROWEOLOGY--  Black Crows

JUMPIN' AT THE RECORD SHOP--  compilation

--RoadDog