The Drive's Halloween A to Z: 'Riders On the Storm'

They're doing the alphabet again at Chicago's WDRV. 97.1 FM.  As a matter of fact, they are doing it right now.  

Here are the last songs they played:

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT--  Bruce Springsteen

SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD--  Police

SHOT IN THE DARK--  Ozzie Osbourne

RUNNIN' WITHTHE DEVIL--  Van Halen

RIDERS ON THE STORM--  Doors

RHIANNON--   Fleetwood Mac

PSYCHO KILLER--  Talking Heads

PEOPLE ARE STRANGE--  Doors

PARANOID--  Black Sabbath

PAINT IT BLACK--  Rolling Stones

NIGHT FLIGHT--  Led Zeppelin

MONSTER MASH--  Bobby "Boris"  Pickett

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR--  Beatles

MAGIC POWER--  Triumph

MAGIC MAN--  Heart

MAGIC CARPET RIDE--  Steppenwolf

MAGIC BUS--  Who

MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER--  Elton John

LUCIFER--  Bob Seger

LET IT BLEED--  Rolling Stones

Well, I'm scared now.  It's still going and its streaming.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I See A Red Door."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Paint It Black"

Some Scary Songs for You Because of You-Know-What: 'Monster Mash'

These were the songs Bob Stroud (well, Baron Von Stroud) played today on his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM.  They will play again tonight at 10 om, CDST.

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU--  Screamin' Jay Hawkins

SPIRITS IN THYE MATERIAL WORLD--  Police

SEASON OF THE WITCH--  Donovan

CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN--  Guess Who

SCARY MONSTERS--  David Bowie

GODZILLA--  Blue Oyster Cult

DEVIL INSIDE--  Inxs

MONSTER MASH--  Bobby "Boris" Pickett

DANCING WITH MR. D--  Rolling Stones

WEREWOLVES OF LONDON--  Warren Zevon

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh No, There Goes Tokyo."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Godzilla"

Along66,September 2021: That Lexington, Illinois Neon Sign

These are taken from the Route 66 News blog which has one or more entries every day along with pictures and much more information.  I just pick out the ones of most interest to me. 

SEPTEMBER 1

That neat neon sign pointing the way off Route 66 to Lexington's downtown celebrates its 75th anniversary.

It was placed there on August 31, 1946 with the purpose of getting folks off that big old highway to spend time and money downtown Lexington, Illinois.  It was restored a few years ago.  It is located by the bike trail that used to be the southbound lanes of Route 66.

It also points to the old Route 66 alignment known as Memory Lane which is opened a few times a year for special occasions (often when the Illinois Route 66 motor tour comes through)  This segment was the original Route 66 and used until 1946.

I remember one particularly hot motor tour when the good Lexington folks were handing out much-needed cans of pop along with copies of maps of the old road.

Thanks, Lexington.  --RoadDog

Along66: August 2021: Pops, Glancy and Roger

AUGUST 25

Clinton agency approves plan to remodel Glancy Motel, Pop Hicks properties.

The Clinton, (Oklahoma) Economic Development Authority has authorized $7.75 million for work on the two properties at 217 W. Gary Boulevard (Route 66)

The Glanton Motel has been in decline for years and in 2019 was condemned by the city for numerous code violations.  It was built in 1950 and extensively remodeled in 2007.

The former Pop Hicks restaurant is right next door to the Glanton Motel and opened in 1936.  It burned down in 1999 and was never rebuilt.

AUGUST 27

There will be a new Roger Miller mural in Erick, Oklahoma.

It will be on the side of the building that used to house his museum which closed in 2017.

Roger Miller was born in Texas, but spent his formative years in Erick.

He had some really great songs; favorites of mine like "King of the Road," "Dang Me, "Chug-a-Lug" and "Little Green Apples."

"Trailers for sell or rent.  Room to let 50 cents."  

--RoadDog

Good Times: Halloween Decs, Legion, Pack Wins. So Does NIU and the White Sox

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

Still enjoying this really warm weather.  I got to sit out FP again (Front Porch).

Worked on Halloween decorations.  Man, it sure came up fast.

Went to the McHenry American Legion and watched the Packers win their game.

But, best news yesterday was that Northern defeated our arch rivals, Toledo in a game which went right down to the final seconds.

And, also great news was that the Sox played like they are able on occasion to play.  After getting down 6-1 (and all things sad), they came back for a 12-6 victory.  At least we will have a game tomorrow.

Go Sox.  --RoadSox

Good Times: The Legion, Two Bands and a Gun Raffle

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

We went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) American Legion on US-12, right on Nippersink Lake for their annual Sons of the American Legion Gun Raffle, a major money-maker for the organization.  The place was packed, because along with the raffle and instant raffles, they had entertainment.

We saw the same group we had seen there last week, Tony & the Effects who always bring along a considerable crowd of their followers.  They play only 50s and 60s music and do it quite well.  I've never heard another local band do many of the songs they have in their repertoire (I had to look up how to spell this word).

They finished playing in the bar area at 6 and then a group named the Loony Tunes played 60s and 70s classic rock in the banquet room.

We met friends Glen and Barb there, whom we had had a fish fry with yesterday at the Diamond Deli in Fox Lake.

Any day with two good bands is a pretty good day.

As usual, I didn't win a gun.  I don't know what I would do with one if I did.

Afterwards, we went over to Stucky's.

Oh, Well.  --RoadDog

Good Times: John Lennon's 81st Birthday and the Impact the Beatles Had On Me

SATURDAY. OCTOBER 9

Today would have been John Lennon's 81st birthday.  He was not my favorite Beatle (George Harrison was), but that group really turned my life around.  I'd never paid much attention at all to music before that, but when they came.  Wow!!   It was all over the radio and that music!!  Wow!!  Like nothing I'd ever heard before.

I started listening to the two main Chicago stations that played their music and other music that young people listened to:  WLS, 890 AM and WCFL, 1000 AM.  I couldn't get enough.  I even started buying 45s and albums and my condition just got worse and worse.  I was hooked on music.  Couldn't get enough.

I still am hooked on music.  I still record music on cassettes and have several thousand pre-recorded and recorded cassettes as well as hundreds of 45s, albums and CDs.  I even had a deejay business for almost 30 years (at one time I made almost as much in that as I did my full time job, teaching).

Yep, I'd say the Beatles had somewhat of an impact on me.

--RoadBeatle

Good Times in the Area: About That Good Old High School Football

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

One of my favorite places to go this time of the year is to the local high school Friday night games on good weather days.  You get all the action  of college and pro football with a whole lot less of the hassle and costs.

Sadly, I haven't been to a game now since 2019, that's two years that I've missed.  Of course, last year, Illinois didn't have high school football until a shortened six game season in the spring.  I'm hoping to get back to the games next year.

I usually go to either the Richmond-Burton or Johnsburg High School games as they are the closest to me.  I pull for both rivals, but when they play each other, I pull for Richmond-Burton as a lot of my money goes there.  That school serves Spring Grove and Richmond, Illinois.

I also follow Palatine High School and even rival Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois.  I went to and graduated from Palatine High (and even went to Fremd for my freshman year as the frosh-soph for Palatine went there, juniors and seniors to Palatfox line High).

I also pull for Round Lake High School as that is where we lived for 17 years and we taught for 33 years in that school district.  Also, pull for Grant High School in Fox Lake as we spent much time boating.

Two other schools I back are Mt. Carmel in Chicago because NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch is head coach there.  Also Goldsboro High School in North Carolina because that is where I was born and lived for five years.  My grandparents lived just down the block from that school.

--RoadHigh

Good Times in Area: Sad Sox Strike Again, Fish Fry, the Legion and That Good Old Fall Pumpkin Anything

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

As bad as yesterday's Sox American League Division Series game was, today's was even worse.  The Bad Sox outdid themselves losing 9-4.  Looks like it will be a short series.

Every bad thing the Sox did during the last two months when they played a blistering .500 (fortunately in a very weak Central Division) has come out big.  Sox bats go silent and a frightening relief.  At least back then the starters were doing well, but not so much in this series.

I didn't like MLB having all the most playoff games until the World Series on non-broadcast networks.  I listened to the game on the radio at home.

Oh well, sometimes not so much good times in the area.

We met Barb and Glen and Kevin and Kelly at Diamond Deli for their fish fry.  Our waitress was Patti who used to be at Dino's Den for many years before it closed.  It was good to see her again.

Afterwards, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion for fifty-fifty.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

If it is Fall, it must be pumpkin time, and I mean eating and drinking the tastes of the season.  I added a new taste this year:  Clyde's frosted pumpkin doughnuts.  Pop that into the old microwave for 15 seconds and it is a bite into mighty good.  I also am working on my gallon of apple cider (not apple juice).  Other highlights of the season for me are candy apples with peanuts, pumpkin spice cappuccinos and pumpkin spice cereal.

Waiting for That Good Old Pumpkin Soap.  --RoadDog

Good Times in the Area: Weekday Radio, 1970 and Da Sox Lose

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

Listened to the usual weekday stations while working on these blogs.  I listen to WDRV, 7.1 FM over the air waves and the Surf, WVCO 94.9 FM out of North Myrtle Beach over the internet.    Bob Stroud went back to a great college year for me, 1970, spent at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on his Ten at Ten show on the Drive.   The #1 album back then was "Cosmo's Factory" by my favorite group, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Liz and I went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg to watch the first game of the ALDS between the White Sox and the Houston Astros.  The place was crowded and people watching the game and there would have been more cheering, but sadly, this was the Bad Sox/Sad Sox playing and the bats were essentially silent, plus pitching questionable.  It was a 6-1 loss.

But, I had what I consider the best Chicago hot dog anywhere at Sunnyside, and, for just $2 and an extra $1 for fries.  Beat that deal!!

Drowning My Sorrows, You Know.  --RoadDog

Good Times in the Area: Da Ten at Ten, Da Reef, Da Trivia, Da Jeopardy and Da Sox

Again, plenty to do around here as we stay close to home because of you-know-what, even though we have both shots.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

Bob Stroud was to 1982 for his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM.  I had finally gotten my Masters Degree from NIU and was hard at work getting things together to start deejaying.  That meant listening too a lot of music, much of which he played today.

We went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played live trivia and watched Jeopardy which still had that guy with the amazing streak of wins and money playing, Matt Amodie.  Jeopardy is going to have to d something about players like him and James Holzhauer.  It is not fair for regular folks, even really smart regular folks to have to play them.  It gets boring.

Of course, much excitement about the White Sox playing in the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.  If the Sox play to their ability this should be fun, but there is just as good a chance that they will play like they did the last two months of the season.  If that happens, the Cub fans will have something to cheer about, though most are at least reluctantly pitching in for the Southsiders.

--RoadDog

Going Back to 1971-- Part 3: 'Madman Across the Water'

Cruising back to those yesteryears.

ANGEL--  Jimi Hendrix

AIN'T NO SUNSHINE--  Bill Withers  (I know, I know, I know....)

ONE OF THESE DAYS--  Pink Floyd

MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER--  Elton John

SIGNS--  Five Man Electric Band

REASON TO BELIEVE--  Rod Stewart

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE--  Carle King  (She was sure all over the radio back then with her "Tapestry" album.

TELL MAMA--  Savoy Brown

STATESBORO BLUES (LIVE)--  Allman Brothers Band

INNER CITY BLUES--  Marvin Gaye

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Ooh Baby, When I See Your Face Mellow As The Month Of May."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Feel the Earth Move"

Going Back to 1971-- Part 2: 'Angel From Montgomery'

I was driving a 1963 Rambler station wagon that used a quart of oil every fifty miles or so.  You always knew where I was, just whiff the air.  Called it the "Ramblin' Wreck" for some reason.  Of course, station wagons were the SUVs of their day.

It stuck out at UGA where most all the rich boys and girls had newer and much more expensive vehicles.  It blended in at NIU whose students weren't as rich.

STARSHIP TROOPER--  Yes

TIRED OF BEING ALONE--  Al Green

ANGEL FROM MONTGOMERY--  John Prine   A great Chicago performer.

 CROSSEYED MARY--  Jethro Tull   They won the Grammy's first Heavy Metal Group Grammy.  Heavy Metal?

SUNSHINE--  Jonathan Edwards

PROUD MARY--  Ike and Tina Turner

NO ONE TOO DEPEND ON--  Santana

BROWN SUGAR--  Rolling Stones

TOO MANY PEOPLE--  Paul McCartney

SMILING FACES--   Undisputed Truth

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well, How Much Does It Cost, I'll Buy It."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

Sunshine"

Going Back to 1971-- Part 1: 'Baby Blue'

This past October 9, 2021, Saturday Morning Flashback on Chicago's WXRT went back to 1972.  That's 49 years ago for those of you counting.

This was a college year for me, split between the University of Georgia and Northern Illinois University so these songs mean a lot to me.

Johnny Mars was our tour director.

BABY BLUE--  Badfinger

GOING TO CALIFORNIA--  Led Zeppelin

BEWARE OF DARKNESS--  Leon Russell

HALF MOON--  Janis Joplin

LOOKING FOR A LOVE--  J. Geils Band

TUPELO HONEY--  Van Morrison   I had heard that tupelo honey was considered the best honey around.   friend of mine, Robert, from the McHenry American Legion comes from that par of Florida by where the panhandle attaches to the rest of the state which is where it is produced and he got me a bottle of it.  It is every bit as sweet as Van says it is.

JUST MY IMAGINATION--  Rolling Stones   Doing an old Temptations song.

I'M EIGHTEEN--  Alice Cooper

BARGAIN--  Who

WANG DANG DOODLE--  Howling Wolf

MILITARY MADNESS--  Graham Nash

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Can take All The Tea In China."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

Along66, August 2021: Reopening the Old Meramec River Bridge in Missouri

AUGUST 24

The Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore the bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri.

The Meramec River Bridge has been long-closed and its deck removed ten years ago.

The cost of reopening the bridge has been placed at $9 million.

It was built in 1932 at Times Beach, Missouri.  In the 1980s, Times Beach had to be abandoned because of dioxin contamination owing to attempts to keep the dust down.

The soil of the town was incinerated and then it became a part of the Route 66 State Park with its main office at the old Steiny's Inn and the bridge connected the two parts of the park, but it was found that the bridge could no longer support traffic, leading to its closure.  

Now, you have to get back on I-44 to go to the two parts.  Kind of a dangerous thing.

We were fortunate to get a chance to drive across the bridge before it was closed.

--RoadDog

About Last Weekend: Two Legions, a Band, No Fireworks, Margaritaville, Da Bears and Da Sox

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

We went to the Fox Lake American Legion on US-12 and enjoyed the 50s-60s music of Tony & the Effects from 3 to 6 pm.  We then went to Stucky's for a bite to eat and drink those $1 draft pints.  We had expected to see the Johnsburg fireworks from Stucky's but couldn't see them from there, unfortunately.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Watched the first part of the Bears game at our home bar, Margaritaville, and then went to the McHenry American Legion for the second half.  And, Da Bears won which was a big improvement from the manhandling of last week where our qb was sacked nine times.  Offensive line?  They were just plain offensive last week.

The White Sox lost the last game of the season, but won the previous five games so hopefully they will be going into the playoffs on a roll.

Go White Sox.  --RoadDog

Along66, August 2021: The Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois

AUGUST 19

The Route 66 Monarch Flyway in Illinois.

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered to develop a 66-mile wide Route 66 Monarch Flyway.

Route 66 follows a natural migratory path for the famed butterflies whose numbers have been dropping dramatically in recent times.  

The effort will involve around 400,000 acres of roadside vegetation and other sides extending for 33 miles on either side of the Mother Road.

Current Illinois sites are in Litchfield, Elkhart, Wilmington and Darien.

Myself, I have been growing milkweed plants at several locations in my yard and plan on adding more plants for next year.

--RoadFlyWay

Along66, August 2021: Got $29,000 Laying Around? Apache Motel in Tucumcari

AUGUST 11

Muffler man for sale.  Just $29,000.  You can buy it from Lumberjack's Firewood in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

I would like t buy it, but I doubt our local Subdivision group would appreciate it.

AUGUST 18

Apache Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico won't reopen anytime soon.  Property put back on the market.

Had been scheduled to reopen this year in June.

For sale for $685,000 asking price.

Here's hoping it will get sold.

--RoadDog

Along66, August 2021: The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge-- Part 2

Work on the Old Chain of Rocks bridge is one of 19 projects nationwide to develop new or to improve 15 parks and 4 trails in economically disadvantaged areas.

The 5,300-foot bridge was built in 1929 and had the famous 22-degree bend in the middle of it.  

The New Chain of Rocks Bridge carries I-270 across the Mississippi River and opened in 1966.  The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge closed in 1970.

The Old one was in a key scene of 1983's "Escape From New York.

At one time it was thought that the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge would be destroyed, but that would be too expensive.

In 1988, Trailnet leased it for $4.5 million for use as a cycling and pedestrian trail.  It was added to the NRHP in 2006.

We have been fortunate to cross the bridge several times over the years as it was on the itinerary of the Route 66 Association of Illinoi' annual Motor Tour.  Quite an experience.

--RoadDog

Along66, August 2021: A Grant to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge-- Part 1

AUGUST 12

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge gets $990,000 federal grant to improve visitors area. The Great Rivers Greenway is running this project.  On the bridge's west side is where much of the work will be done.  The entire project is expected to cost $5 million.

Work on it is expected to begin at some time in 2022 and last from 19-12 months.

Different aspects of the project will deal with the removal of invasive plants, new nature trails, upgrading parking areas and installing additional security features like lighting,  cameras, fencing and more.

One of the major problems at this time revolves around vehicle break-ins on the west side.  The west side of the bridge is near a very dangerous group of people, unfortunately, who are doing the vehicle break-ins.

--RoadDog

Along66, August 2021: Cost-Share Grants for Route 66 Corridor

SEPTEMBER 6

The newest cost-share grants from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program have been announced.

Six projects, including four historic sites will receive more than $103,000 under the auspices of the National Park service.

Among them:

**  Imperial Motel sign restoration in Albuquerque $24,675.  Part of the long-defunct 50s-60s Imperial 400 Motel chain.

**  Shamrock Court restoration in Sullivan, Missouri:  $30,000 (Our own Rich (Roamin' Rich) Dinkela.

**  Road Runner's Retreat sign, Chambless, California $5,386

**  Threatt Filling Station restoration in Lither, Oklahoma:  $20,872

**  Music and Entertainment Project on Missouri Route 66:  $7,484

**  Route 66 Women film.

--RoadDog

Along66: August 2021: New Book on Sports on Route 66

AUGUST 3

Review of a new moon:  "A Sports Fan's Guide to Route 66" by Ron Clements.

The book follows a traditional east-west trek across the famed Mother Road stopping at professional, College Division 1 and smaller schools.  There are even some high schools in it.  Also included are golf courses, race tracks, rodeos, hunting and fishing spots.  Every site is either on the route or within a few miles of it.

Some of the places visited are the Chicago United Center (I'm guessing Soldiers Field, but probably not the recent possibility of Da Bears moving to Arlington Park Race Track), Pasadena Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, Jackie Robinson playing at Pasadena College.

There is a place in Normal, Illinois, that I have often wondered about called the Corn Crib which hosts a team called the Normal Cornbelters.

Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois has won 103 state championships.

Plus, there is Ken Leonard, coach of Sacred-Heart-Griffith High School in Springfield, Illinois (who are always in the running for a state football championship.

Myself, I am a big sports fan, this book is of interest to me.

Go Bears!!  --RoadSports

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 3: A History Meeting, Buddy Frank, Celebration of Life for Dennis Dohse, Da Bears and Da Bloody Mary

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Few things I enjoy more than going to a history group and learning something new about that subject and today, for the first time since September 2019, I was able to go to a meeting of the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society.  And, we learned about the time the Towne Theatre in Fox Lake, Illinois, had an explosion.  Fortunately, no one was injured, but the theatre was a loss.

They now know this was part of a move by organized crime to make them and other theater owners allow the Film Projectionist Union in.

I got to catch up with the last year and a half with buddy Frank.

That afternoon, we went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for a Celebration of Life for our good friend Dennis Dohse, who died  a week and a half ago of a sudden heart attack.  We've been friends of his since the old NTN days and he was the main reason we ended up having the '85 Firebird redone.  We will sure miss him.  The place was packed.

A great as that victory two weeks ago over Georgia Tech was for NIU, today was a different story with a 63-10 destruction by the University of Michigan.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

The usual, internet, blogs and radio.  Then watched part of the Bears game at home in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar, and then the rest of it at the McHenry American Legion and enjoyed the $2.50 Adequate Bloody Marys.

--RoadDog