Got My Irish On for Two Weeks-- Part 5: Mighty Cold St. Patrick's, Some History, Some CB&C and Lots of Beer

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

About as cold as I can ever remember it.  And, it was 20 degrees but that wind blew the cold right through you.  Had been thinking of going to McHenry and watching them dye the Fox River green and then the parade.  They also had two huge tents at Miller Park by the river where bands were playing and food trucks available.  Not likely in that cold.

Instead, went to the Fox Lake Historical Society and had a presentation of "The Midway."  This was a major resort area in Fox Lake in the early part of the 1900s with hotels, bars, dance halls and all sorts of fun.

Then stopped at the Fox Lake American Legion on Nippersink Lake to see when they needed help for the corned beef & cabbage dinner and had a beer.  Home and back to the Legion.  As it turned out, they didn't need me, but I was there in case they did.

In the meantime, enjoyed the $2 draft pints and had my second cb&c dinner, this time for $10.  Watched March Madness.  Kevin, Russ and Allie had their heads shaved earlier in the day at the Fox Lake Fire Department for St. Baldrick's to rase money for charities.

Came home and watched the rest of March Madness in Margaritaville (my bar in the basement).

--RoadO'Dog

Got My Irish On for Two Weeks-- Part 4: Donovan's, CB&C, Saylor Micks and March Madness

FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH   (You know what day this is!!)

Drove to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes to have some corned beef & cabbage and watch some of my favorite sporting event of the year, NCAA's March Madness.  That is the 2023 Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.

The place was already crowded when I got there and they were paying attention to and cheering teams on (possibly for betting purposes).  But, nonetheless pulling for teams.  I've been to bars where the games were ignord and that is not much fun.

Every TV was tuned into a different game.  As soon as one would get close, the front ones would tune to that.  Like the NFL's Red Zone TV.

The corned beef & cabbage dinner was $14.

On the way home, I stopped at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and had their $1 Hamm's green beer and most of the crowded house were watching and yelling for the games.  A guy came in and put on a good show on an electric piano.

Came home and watched the rest of the games at Margaritaville in the basement.

A Good Irish Sporting Day.  --O'RoadDog

Got My Irish On for Two Weeks-- Part 3: Strange Movie, Civil War, Donovan's and a Day Off

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

I went over to my buddy Frank's and watched the movie that won all those Academy Awards Sunday "Everything, Everywhere, All At Once" on his NetFlix.  This was a very strange movie.  I liked "A Man Named Otto" a lot better.

Then drove to Woodstock and met members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant on Il-47 and afterwards had a presentation on questionable deaths during the war at the Woodstock Public Library.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes for some good ol' Irish trivia with Uncle Jeffie and Irish treats on Wednesday Snack Out.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Took the day off to take it easy before this coming weekend.  You know what tomorrow is.

Getting My Irish On.  --RoadO'Dog

Got My Irish On for Two Weeks-- Part 2: No VFW or Hello Folks, But a Legion, Sunnyside and PLAV

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

After the parade, I went back to the VFW with intentions of getting a corned beef & cabbage dinner and eating in the bar while the band played.  However, it was standing room only in there, so I left.

Dceided to stop at Hello Folks in Fox Lake on my way home, but it was pretty dead so went on to the Fox Lake American Legion of Nippersink Lake and had a great talk with Ken and others while watching and commenting on "The Mummy" movie playing on TV.  The place started crowding up so left and went over to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and ended up staying there for way too long.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 12

We had snow last night and snow flurries all day, but again, no accumulation.  Thankfully temps in the upper 30s.  Went to Jewel and bought an apple pie for $3.14 in honor of March 14 coming up in a few days.

Then went to the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV) in McHenry for their $2.75 Bloody Marys.  I ended up talking so much with Cliff and Julie that I didn't get to the McHenry American Legion or Sunnyside as I had intended.

--O'RoadO'Dog

Got My Irish On for Two Weeks-- Part 1: A Fish Fry and Parade

Our St. Patrick's Day celebration around here lasted for two weeks.  I took full advantage of it.

FRIDAY MARCH 10

We had around 8-9 inches of snow, which was nice enough to stay off the roads.  Went to the Fox Lake American Legion for the annual (well, first in three years because of you-know-what) Grant Township fish fry.  Always something I look forward to.  The place was packed and there was all you can eat, but so much in the first serving I didn't go back for seconds.  Man does not live by corned beef & cabbage alone.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Drove over to Lake Villa, Illinois, for their annual St. Patrick's Day parade.  For over ten years I dejayed for it at George's Cedar Inn on Main Street and sure had a great time.  I told him that as long as he owned the bar and my equipment worked (after I had retired from deejaying) that I would play there.  Unfortunately he sold the bar.

Parked at the VFW and went to the bar to wait for the start of the parade, but they weren't open, so walked over to the parade route and got breakfast at the Lake Villa Cafe while waiting.  Then watched the parade which is a good-sized on for such a small town.

What, Me Green?  --RoadO'Dog

Along66, Feb. 3023: Using the Negro Green Book and 100th Anniversary of the Rialto Square Theatre

FEBRUARY 10

The Illinois Holocaust Museum is hosting a Negro Green Book exhibition.

It is located in Skokie.

Of real interest is an interactive driving tour from the 1940s and 1950s.  On one you use the Green Book and you can also make the same drive where you don't have to use the Green Book.  In other words, you are White, not Black on the second one.

It was too bad that Blacks had to even use the Green Book, but that was the way it was back then.

FEBRUARY 12

The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, will soon have a 40-foot long mural featuring tself and Route 66.  Both the theatre and Route 66 are celebrating their centennials in 2026.

The mural was made with an $85,000 grant.

--RoadDog

Along66, February 2023: Joplin's Union Depot and Grants in Illinois

I take these from the Route 66 News blog which has entries every day.  I just pick the ones of most interest to me.  But, if you want to know what is going on along our favorite road, this is the site you want to check out.  It has much more information and pictures.

FEBRUARY 7

It's now or never for the historic Joplin, Missouri Union Depot.  It has now been vacant and deteriorating for 50 years.

It is a very impressive structure even in its current state and the city would do well to make sure it has a comeback.

FEBRUARY 9

Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants which will be from $500 to $1,000.

The Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor is getting one for $1,000.

The Best Western Plus Bloomington East Hotel $1,000.

The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum in Joliet $1,0000 for marketing.

Palms Grill Cafe $1,000 for awning restoration.

City of Atlanta Tourism $1,000 for mural restoration.

Springfield Lucky Horseshoe / Robin Roberts Stadium $1,000.

--RoadDog

Along66, Jan. 2023: Deaths of Caitlin-Legitko and Okura

JANUARY 25

Illinois State Museum director dies shortly after appointment to Route 66 Centennial Commission.

Cinnamon Caitlin-Legutko, age 50.

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JANUARY 28

Albert Okura, restarantaur who owned the town of Amboy, California, died at age 72.  He also owned the Juan Pollo restaurant chain.

He bought Amboy in 2005.  In addition, he also owned the original McDonald's in San Bernanrdino, Calofornia.

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JANUARY 30

About $15 million in improvements are planned for the Old State Capitil Building in Springfield, Illinois.

The funds come from the state's Rebuild Illinois Program.  Money will be spent on the relacement of the roof and wooden flooring among other things.

--RoadDog

Along66, Jan. 2023: Gigantor and the Bridge

JANUARY 22

Giant guitar added to side of the Illinois Rock Museum in Joliet on Route 66.

Nicknamed "Gigantor", the 24-foot tall guitar toured Illinois Route 66 towns and now is in its permanent site.  The switch turning it on was thrown by Rick Nielsen of the Rockford, Illinois, band Cheap Trick.

Hard to miss it and now just another thing to see in Illinois along our favorite road.  I don't think the  museum is open yet, but wow, two of my favorite things in one building.

JANUARY 23 

The Missouri Route 66 Association could take over ownership of the historic Gasconade Bridge as early as this spring.  They will then have until 2024 to stabilize the nearly 100-year-old bridge or it goes back to MoDOT.

Well, let's hope they get it stabilized.  Sounds like agood time for a fundraiser get-together in Lebanon and a chance to thank Ramona Lehman for all her many years at the Munger-Moss.

Our Home Away from Home.  --RoadMoss

When & Where Did That Eating Place Start?-- Part 4: Taco Bell, Wendy's & White Castle

19.  SUBWAY--    Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1965.  At first known as Pete's Super Submarines, then Pete's Subway and then shortened to Subway.  They have 37,000 places in 100 countries.

20.  TACO BELL--  In 1948, Glen Bell opened  hotdog stand in San Bernardino, California.  In 1951, opened a taco stand and the first Taco Bell in Los Angeles began franchising in 1964.  When he had 868 locations in 1978, he sold Taco Bell to PepsiCo for $125 million.

21.  TGI FRIDAYS--  Manhattan in 1965.  Currently  300 locationsin U.S..

22.  WAFFLE HOUSE--  First one opened in 1955.  Now  1,900 locations in 25 states.  I always chuckled when my nephew referred to it as "Awful House."  Great food though.

23.  WENDY'S--   1969 in Columbus, Ohio.  Named for his daughter.  March 2022, opened 7,000th restaurant.  I'd put their chili up against anybody.

24.  WHITE CASTLE--  1921 in Wichita, Kansas.  Some 400 locations, mostly in the Mid West. Love Them Sliders.

So That's How the Bell Came In.  --RoadCastle

When & Where Was That Popular Eating Place Founded?-- Part 3: McDonald's, Pizza Hut & Red Lobster

13.  KFC--  Kentucky Fried Chicken--  Colonel Harland David Sanders was a real guy who opened his first chicken restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky, in 1930.   More than 24,000 locations world wide.  I would have loved to be there when the Colonel met our Route 66's Ernie Edwards at the Pig Hip in Broadwell, Illinois, to watch them try to do business.

14.  McDONALD'S--  The original McDonald was opened by brothers Richard and Maurice in San Bernardino, California, in 1940.  They had nine restaurants before Ray Kroc got involved.  Ray Kroc's first McDonald's opened in Des Plaines, Illinois.

15.  OLIVE GARDEN--  Launched in 1982 by the restaurant division of General Mills.  Nearly 900 locations globally.

16.  PIZZA HUT--  Opened 1958 in Wichita, Kansas.  Company sold to PepsiCo in 1977 for $300 million.

17.  RED LOBSTER--  1968, Lakeland, Florida.  Some 700 locations worldwide.

18.  SONIC-- Oklahoma in 1953.  First franchise location in 1956.

--RoadGarden

When and Where Was That Popular Eating Place Founded?-- Part 2: Denny's, IHOP and In-N-Out

7.  CHILI'S--  Opened 1975 in Dallas, Texas.  1,600 sites across U.S. and world.

8.  CRACKER BARREL--  Officially known as Cracker Barrel Old Country Store--  Founded 1969 in Tennessee.  They based the concept on the old Hen House chain.  There are only five states without a Cracker Barrel.  Love those rockers.

9.  DENNY'S--  Originally Danny's Donuts, opened  1953 in Lakewood, California.  In 1959, became Denny's  Coffee Ship and in 1961, just Denny's.  

10.  DOMINO'S--  First pizza joint named DomiNick's in 1960.  1965, changed named to Domino's.

11.  IHOP--  International House of Pancakes first opened in Los Angeles in 1958.  Around 1800 worldwide.

12.  IN-N-OUT BURGER--  Founded 1948.  Only around 350 locations, none east of Texas.  Oh, the craving.  Sorry Castle.

--RoadIn-N

When and Where Was That Well-Known Eating Place Founded?-- Part 1: Applebee's, Burger King & Chick-Fil-A

From the February 22, 2023, Yardbreaker ""When were these  24 iconic  fast food restaurants founded?" by Matt Sulem.

Next time you're driving down the road and see one of these places you'll know a little bit more about it.

1.  A&W   1919  in Lodi, California.  Hey, the CCR Lodi!!  Has about 1000 locations.

2.  APPLEBEE'S  1980 in Atlanta, Georgia   2,000 locations

3.  ARBY'S    Founded  1964 in Boardman, Ohio.

4.  BURGER KING--  Founded in 1954 in Miami, Florida.  Second biggest hamburger chain.

5.  THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY--  1978 in Los Angeles area.

6.  CHICK-FIL-A--  Opened in 1967 in an Atlanta mall.

--RoadBK

Along66, Jan. 2023: A Whale and Gas Station in Oklahoma

JANUARY 19

The City of Catoosa, Oklahoma, plans improvements to the grounds of the Blue Whale.

This includes trails behind the whale, rest rooms, gift ship and perhaps even a small RV park.  Then you can "Sleep with the Whale" along with "Sleep in a UFO" and "Sleep in a Tepee."

The Blue Whale was built in 1972 and closed in 1988 when it began falling into disrepair.  The city wosely bought it in 2020 from the Davis family for $1.5 million.

JANUARY 20

The Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, is up for sale for a second time in less than four years.  The former D-X gas station listed for $200,000.

David and Laurel Kane bought it in 1998.  Laurel died in 2016.

We sure miss Laurel Kane.  Always a friendly person to talk to.

--RoadDog

Five Things to Know About Arizona-- Part 2: The Shady Lady,

3.  THAT IS A BIG ROSE BUSH

The largest rose bush/tree in the world sits in Tombstone.  What started out as a clipping sent from a woman in Scotland to friends in Arizona grew to 8,000 square feet.

It is so big (how big is it?) that it was put on a trellis.  The rose tree, a Lady Banks species, was planted in 1855 near a shed at a boarding house.  The boading house was eventually turned into a hotel and that was renamed  the Rose Tree Inn in 1936.

Now the site is a museum and the Devere family sells cuttings from the Shady Lady, as the tree is called.

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4.  NOT EXACTLY RIBBIT

The official state amphibian  is a tree frog.  Who doesn't think of Arizona and amphibians?  Schoolkids came up with the designation in the mid-1980s.

5.  SAVE THE SAGUARO

It's against the law in Arizona to purposefully cut down, hack or otherwise ruin a saguaro cactus or other native plants.  You can be fined up to $500 a day for moving a saguaro around town without a permit.

And, then there are idiots like me who just can't not touch a cactus.  It's a painful thing I do.  Looks like I would learn after awhile.  BUT NO!!!

--RoadCactusToucher

Five Things to Know About Arizona

From the February 14, 2023, KTAR News  "Five things to know about Arizona as it celebrates 111 years of statehood."

1.  IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED:

In 1911, President   William Howard Taft vetoed Arizona's admission to the Union citing that the territory's constitution allowed the recall of judges  The voters pulled  the provision and Taft signed the bill to allow the state in.

And, then, in the next voting, the people voted 5 to 1 to reinstate the provision.

2.  THE USS ARIZONA

I wrote about this ship in my Tattooed On Your Soul:  World War II blog.

The ship was ordered a little over a year after its namesake state joined the Union.

--RoadZona