Parish Fest-- Part 2: Oompah Band, Brats, Beer and a Sundae

I go for two reasons:  great food and drink and entertainment.

Even with the fewer people attending, there was plenty of the two main reasons why I went.

Like I said before, New Odyssey Band had played there for about ten years and then another band in 2019 before the event was canceled in 2020.

Today's band was Die Musikmeister's, an oompah German band that sure looked the part and played the music.  I've seen them before and had a great time and sure did today.  I am a big fan of oom-pah music and polkas.  I don't care what they say, an accordion is a great instrument.  Why, even our old DeKalb Footstompers had an accordion.

Plus, the food.  I always get the brat which come with sauerkraut unless you request to not have it.  But, who would eat a brat without sauerkraut.  Almost sacrilegious if you ask me.  And, oh yes, mustard and onions.  Good eatin' in the neighborhood.  I washed it down with two draft beers and had a Culvers sundae for desert.

 Enjoyed talking with a couple from Johnsburg who were heading to North Chicago afterwards for a Serbian Orthodox Church festival.

This was the first of my two places I went to today.  Next I went home, picked Liz up and drove to McHenry for the Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive event.

The Parish Fest takes place every second Sunday of August.

--RoadDog

A Trip to DeKalb for NIU Basketball-- Part 13: About Lord Stanley's and Da Footstompers

Lord Stanley's is what you'd call a classic dive bar.  Definitely nothing too fancy.  A shot and beer kind of a place, although I notice college students tend to drink more of the premium shots and drinks (but they all have charge cards and we were lucky enough to scrape enough coin together for cheap beer).  Our pint drafts of domestic cost $2, something I can live with.  A pint of beer at Pizza Pro's, further west on Lincoln Highway is $3.25.

Lord Stanley's gets its name for the Stanley Cup and uses that as well as a caricature of Stanley Laurel.  And, of course, it is a rabid hockey bar and an Official Blackhawk Bar.  Unfortunately, no Blackhawk game today.

We inquired as to their well known, long-running special of a two-topping pizza and two pitchers of beer special, which is now at $21, but had started at $15.  They still have it.  For many years we left the NIU Homecoming game early so we could get seats at the bar for the DeKalb Footstompers, a real fun band.

The Footstompers started playing together back in 1973 and three of the four members were still with them when they "retired" a couple years ago."  They played at Andy's for many years before moving over to Lord Stanley's

--RoadStomper

NIU Homecoming 2018-- Part 14: No 'Stompers But Good Time Anyway

Continued from January 8, 2019.

As I said, Lord Stanley's was crowded, but not near wall-to-wall as it is when the Footstompers play.  We were kind of hoping that the group would "come" out of retirement at least for this date.  Hey, I mean it just isn't a Huskie homecoming without the 'Stompers.  But, there was hide nor hair of any of them (and we would definitely recognize the three original members still with the group as we have grown "old" together).

And then we were hoping that Lord Stanley's would at least have another band playing, but they didn't.  Too bad.  We did get to watch the last quarter of the Huskie homecoming game and despite doing pretty much everything to lose the game, we won!!!  Now, had the 'Stompers been there we would have had a rousing rendition of the Huskie Fight Song.  But no.  We sang it ourselves anyway.

A good-sized crowd anyway.  Two people fell down off their bar stools due to severe gravity storms.  And both of them were at least in their sixties.  You just can't teach an old Huskie new tricks.

We had a couple pitchers then drove back to the motel and went to Pizza Pro's across the Lincoln Highway from the motel.  We watched all sorts of football games on the TVs and had some good conversations.

A Huskie Good Time.  --RoadDog

NIU Homecoming 2018-- Part 13: Andy's and Bands

OCTOBER 13, 2018, SATURDAY

Besides the DeKalb Footstompers, Andy's in DeKalb also served as a starting point for Mr. Myers, a reggae/Caribbean band and Howard & the White Boys, a rockin' blues band.  We sure had fun with those groups and still catch Mr. Myers around here on occasion.

Sadly, however, both Andy's and McCabe's are closed these days.  I sure wish they reopen these two places.

We went into Lord Stanley's which gets its name from the Stanley Cup and is a huge Blackhawks bar.  There is hockey stuff all over the place.  A great place to watch a game.  There are two levels, but the upper level has been closed ever since a girl fell from it back in the 1980s.

And, today, Lord Stanley's was a destination for lots of NIU alumni, including us.  The DeKalb Footstompers have played here for the last twenty years for every Northern Homecoming.  But sadly, this year they weren't.  They called it quits after 45 years and played their last shows this summer.

We always would leave the Huskie football game early so we could get seats at Lord Stanley's.  If you waited to the end of the game, you would have to stand.   But there were far fewer people there today since they weren't going to play, so we got seats at the bar very easily.

--RoadDog

NIU Homecoming 2018-- Part 12: The DeKalb Footstompers At Andy's

OCTOBER 13, SATURDAY

Those two bars across the street and to the east of Lord Stanley's, Andy's and McCabes, are special to Liz and me, especially Andy's.

Andy's used to be strictly what we called a "townie" bar, one frequented by townspeople, not students.  But my fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi, and Alpha Kappa Lambda started going in there and pretty soon it was both a townie and student bar.

We spent a lot of time in Andy's, especially on quarter beer night.  (We were, of course, all of legal drinking age.)  Cheap beer all the time, a great juke box and bands.  Hard to beat that.  And, it was one of those "Dive Bars."  Nothing to look at, but comfortable.

We continued going to Andy's after graduation and it would not be a homecoming without a visit.  Over the years we saw several bands there who remain favorites despite lineup changes.

By far our favorite was the DeKalb Footstompers, a four piece band with drums, guitar, a tuba and accordion.  You haven't lived until you hear their version of "Purple Haze" with those instruments.  When they played "When the Saints Go Marching" they led the crowd outside and up and down the Lincoln Highway with the bouncers hectically and anxiously grabbing drinks that weren't allowed out on the street.

We saw them Homecoming 1973, their first year together and then saw them at homecoming most every year until 2016.  (We missed them last year, 2017, because of bad weather and lack of a motel room.)  Three of the four members were original.

Also, a Great Polka Band.  --RoadStomper

DeKalb for Homecoming 2015-- Part 3: Lord Stanley's

Entering Lord Stanley's, I found out where everyone was.  The place was already packed.  A lot of alumni were already there, many claiming tables for friends as seating is limited for a Footstompers show.

Lord Stanley's advertises itself as "Hockey Bar USA."  This is a Blackhawk Bar to be sure.  There are pennants, banners and other Blackhawk stuff all over the place as well as other hockey teams.  We even considered going to this place during the last Stanley Cup Run.  Being there would have to be an experience.

Even the name, Lord Stanley, comes from the Championship Cup.  They use a caricature of Stanley Laurel from the old Laurel and Hardy team as well.  Drink prices are very reasonable and they have great pizza.  And, even better, the Blackhawks had a game tonight.

This place puts the dive in dive bar.  Believe me, nothing is elegant.  But it is fun.

Back when we were students, it was called The Shamrock and later Daddy-O's Shamrock.  At one time it had an upper level that was open, but has been closed ever since a college student fell off it and died.

Good Time at Stanley's.  --RoadDog

DeKalb for NIU Homecoming 2015-- Part 2

Dropped Liz off at Lord Stanley's, our destination for the DeKalb Footstompers and went looking for a parking place.  Finally found one across Lincoln Highway (Il-38), south of main street.    I got stopped by a fast-moving freight train.  These really come roaring through DeKalb very often, at least three or rimes an hour.  Our saying is, "Imagine that?  A train in DeKalb."

I looked across Lincoln Highway when I got to the intersection and saw that Andy's and McCabe's as usual, were shut up tight.  Back when we were in school, my fraternity and a few others were the first college students to start hanging out in Andy's.  This was our place.  The "cooler" fraternities and sororities most often hung out next door in McCabe's.

One guy owns both places now, but only opens when he feels like it, which is rare.  Sure wish he'd sell them and somebody else opens them.

I also went into Chilton Sporting Goods, another holdover from our days at NIU as students (1969-1973).

Lincoln Highway was abandoned as far as people, but I soon found out where most were.

Gonna Have a Good Time.  --RoadDog

Partying On Lincoln Highway Today

Today we drive to DeKalb, Illinois, for NIU's Homecoming.  Illinois Route 38 goes by within a few hundred yards of Huskie Stadium where the game takes place.  Our hotel is also on the Lincoln Highway.

After the game, we will be going to Lord Stanley's in downtown DeKalb which is also on the Lincoln Highway.  We will be seeing the DeKalb Footstompers performing their annual homecoming show, something they've been doing since Homecoming 1973.

So, we'll be doing our Lincoln Crawl today.  Sadly, when we were students at Northern from 1969 to 1973, Lincoln Highway was just another road to us.  We had no idea as to its significance.

Doing the Crawl.  --RoadDog

Preparing to Leave for DeKalb

Last night, Johnsburg High School won their homecoming game over Marengo 42-17!!   I was at the game until after half time and left with the Skyhawks up 15-3.  It got very cold as we had a frost last night.

And, I now know the "K' is capitalized in DeKalb.  Only took me around 45 years to figure that one out.

We need to stop at Wal-Mart in DeKalb to see if they have black NIU sweatshirts as it is "Black Out" for the game.  All my sweatshirts are red.  I do have a black coat with NIU on it and it will be a bit chilly as the game begins at 4 p.m..

I also want to look around the DeKalb Barnes & Noble since we don't have any bookstores around here anymore now that Borders is gone in McHenry.

We also want to stop at the Village Commons Bookstore to look at NIU stuff.

Looking forward to all the alumni tents and the big tent with the bands playing.

Of course, after the game, it's the DeKalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's on Lincoln Highway (yep, that Lincoln Highway which is DeKalb's Main Street and now Il-38.

Go Huskies.  --RoadDog

It's Homecoming Weekend Around Here

Local Johnsburg High School is having their homecoming game tonight at their field, about two miles directly south of our house.  Personally, however, I think that homecomings should always be on Saturday afternoon at the high school level.

Last night, they had their annual fireworks show and I was able to watch it from the back deck.  I will be at the game tonight.

Then, tomorrow, NIU is having their homecoming game in DeKalb and we will be there.  Always enjoy the alumni tents, the game, and especially seeing the DeKalb Footstompers playing at Lord Stanley's on Lincoln Highway downtown.  This will be their 41st time playing Northern's Homecoming and we've seen them most of those times.  You haven't lived until you've heard Dese Guys playing "Purple Haze," "Boston Store," "Vasectomy"or "NIU Sorority Bitch."

The Footstompers are a four-piece band (3 of them are original members) with guitar, drums, tuba and accordion.  And, they are fun.  We'll have to leave the game early to get a seat at Lord Stanley's (Stanley Cup, this place is a big Black Hawks place (and they are playing Saturday night).

Sunday, we will be stopping in Marengo for their Settler's Days festival parade, one of the biggest parades in northern Illinois, then, Da Bears play at 3:30.

Good Times at Homecoming.  --RoadDog

NIU Homecoming-- Part 6: The Game and Footstompers

We had great chairback seats on the 45 yard line about twenty rows up. NIU was supposed to handle Akron easily, but that was not the case. Northern led most of the game, but not by much. We left with five minutes left and Northern hanging onto a 27-20 lead. We had to get to Lord Stanley's to get a seat for the Footstompers and still were too late and had to stand for awhile before getting seats at the bar. Liz is a master at getting seats in crowded places.

We saw that Northern had won by that score and the DeKalb Footstompers opened with The Huskie Fight Song and everybody was singing at the top of their voices. The party was on.

Right after the song, Dave, the guitarist (the others play the drums, accordion and tuba) said this was the 40th straight homecoming that they had played and we were there for the very first one in 1973 at the old Andy's on Lincoln Highway. And, here we all are again. Three of the four members of the Footstompers are original. Talk about your longevity.

And, as usual, it was a great party. We stayed for two sets before driving back to the hotel.

We then walked across the street to Pizza Pros and had some nightcap drinks and enjoyed watching the students. Were we ever that young?

Another Great NIU Homecoming. --RoadDog

Doing the Lincoln Crawl-- Part 7: Still at Lord Stanley's

October 15th.

The Northern victory made the party even more festive. Spirits were high and others flowing as the place rapidly filled up to standing room only. I'd say the majority were not students, but alumni and many even older than Liz and myself.

Of course, the Dekalb Footstompers' first song was the "Huskie Fight Song" which got a lot of cheers and lusty singing. I have written down all three set lists on entries on this blog from October 21-24.

The first set was a little slow, but things were a-hopping by the second. Like i said before, the Footstompers are not a band you'd want your kids to hear when they're doing their "dirty" songs which are hilarious, especially our two favorites, "The International Waltz" and "NIU Sorority Bitch."

I sure would have liked to have beer, but after what I saw the night before with all the police pulling people over, I wasn't taking chances. I sure got way too much pop. Liz was the lucky one and got to drink because she did not have to drive.

We saw all three sets and left at ten.

Of course, we did NOT SEE one single cop car on the way back to the hotel. That figures. "Shoot, I coulda' had one, twos, threes beers."

One Last Place to Go. --RoadDog

Doing the Lincoln Crawl-- Part 5: Lord Stanley's

Continued from October 27th.

October 15, 2011.

After leaving Sully's, we went to Lord Stanley's, about a quarter mile east on Lincoln Highway. Parked in the public lots to the south of the train tracks behind Stanley's.

Yesterday, we had noticed that all of the sidewalks and meridians had been dug up between the parking lanes at the public lot farther east across from Andy's. These big holes were not marked very well, just the thing to have with drunken alumni returning for homecoming, not to mention the students. At least at these lots, there was a walkway across the railroad tracks, not like at the other place where you had to negotiate the rails and ties straight on.

Lord Stanley's was already crowded when we arrived, but there were a couple seats up bu the bar next to Rick, the Dekalb Footstompers' tuba player who was eating a pizza and having a coupla beers before the band started. He was the only one there and said he was "watching" the equipment. Of course, the NIU-Western Michigan game was on and he was closely watching that as well.

By the way, last night (Nov. 8th), I see that Toledo was involved in yet another blowout game against these very same Western Michigan Mustangs, this time winning 66-63. Last Tuesday NIU beat Toledo 63-60 in a game that went right down to the last second. For details on the NIU-Toledo game, go to my Down Da Road I Go Blog.

Alumni and the Stompers Coming. --RoadDog

The Dekalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's Oct. 15th-- Part 4

They have probably been at Lord Stanley's for homecoming for at least 15 years. In addition, other than at homecoming and New Year's Eve, you can get a large, one topping, pizza and two pitchers of beer for $15. Now, that is a great deal.

SET FOUR

Huskie Fight Song
Rodeo Song
That's Amore
Lucille
Lucille (Dirty Version)

Mustang Sally
Bad Bad Leroy Brown
Rings (Cimmaron)
Bad Moon Rising
Vasectomy

E-I-E-I Eat My Shorts
Old Dan Tucker (Dirty version)
Bye Bye Blackbirds (Dirty version)
I'm Your Mailman (Dirty version)
Dirty Water

Sweet Tansvestite
Goodnight Sweetheart, It's Time to Go

Encore

Purple Haze (You haven't heard this song until its played on an accordion and tuba. Jimi would be so proud.

The Footstompers had also played during tailgating by Huskie Stadium.

It Wouldn't Be Homecoming Without the Footstompers. --RoadDog

The Dekalb Foostompers at Lord Stanley's Oct. 15th-- Part 4

I should mention that the Stanley part of the place's name comes from two things, Stan Laurel from Laurel and Hardy and hockey's Stanley Cup. They use Stanley's face as their symbol. If you like hockey, especially the Chicago Blackhawks, this be the place for you.


SET THREE


NIU Sorority Botch
Do You **** on First Date?
When the Saints Go Marching In (And the Glitter Girls led a march around the place. In the past, the band would lead a walk out onto the sidewalks of Dekalb until the police put a kabosh on it.)

I Walk the Line
I Walk the Line (The Dirty Version)
Doo Wah Diddy Diddy
Boston Store (Liquor She Said, Liquor I Did)
Your Mama Don't Dance

Mony Mony
Do Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
My Toot Toot
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
King of the Road

Way, Way Too Much Fun. --RoadDog

The Dekalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's Oct. 15th-- Part 2 -- (Andy and Andrea Look At This)

The place was hopping and surprisingly, there were some young folks there. You expect the old ones like us, but not the young ones.

SET TWO

In Heaven There Is No Beer
Huskie Fight Song
Susie Q
Easier said Than Done
Folsom Prison Blues

Brown-Eyed Girl
International Polka (Shidonya, Pultitski, Leionya)
Volcano
Hang on Sloopy
My Girl

You Really Got Me
In the Jailhouse Now
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Shake Shake Senora
Rocky Top (I wanted to call Andy and Andrea during this one, but unfortunately couldn't in the place. No bars in the bar.)

Too Much Fun. --RoadDog

The Dekalb Footstompers at Lord Stanley's Oct. 15th-- Part 2

FIRST SET

Please Turn the Sound Down on the TV Sets
NIU Huskie Fight Song-- Did we sing this?
Polka Medley-- Did we polka sitting down?
Roll Out the Barrel

Beyond the Sea
NIU Sorority Bitch-- Is this true?
Sweet Caroline-- I didn't do that "dah, dah, dah"...Yeah, I did.
Shake, Rattle and Roll

Mountain of Love
Kiss an Angel Good Morning
It's All Over Now
Margaritaville-- Jimmy would be so proud.

Too Fat Polka
Roll Over Beethoven

And, We're Just Warming Up. --RoadDog

The Dekalb Footstompers At Lord Stanley's Oct. 15th-- Part 1

Usually I put music on my Down Da Road I Go Blog, but since we saw them on the road, I'll put it here.

This was the 38th straight year that the Footstompers have played for NIU's Homecoming. First, they were at Andy's for many years and now have been at Lord Stanley's ever since. We see the same people year after year as it wouldn't be homecoming without the Stompers.

They are a four-piece band and two have been in it since 1973. Besides a guitar and drums like you'd expect, they also have a tuba and an accordion. Not your typical rock band with those instruments.

Obviously, they play polkas, but also a lot of old rock songs. But, even better, they have their own songs which are generally a bit on the spicy side like "NIU Sorority Bitch," "E-I-E-I-Eat My Shorts" and "Baby Face."

I see that there are now some of their songs on You Tube.

First Set Coming Up. --RoadDog

It's a Homecoming Trip for Us

We're heading back out to Dekalb again this weekend for Northern Illinois' Homecoming against Western Michigan.

For many years, we always went, but, until last year, hadn't been for about ten years.

There will be a parade on Lincoln Highway through downtown Dekalb tomorrow morning and then the Lincoln Crawl as all the bars will be open for alumnae.

We'll be honoring the undefeated 1961 football team at noon, and then there is all the alumnae activity before the 2:30 game.

We'll probably be leaving early from it so we can get seats at the bar at Lord Stanley's (the old Shamrock) on Lincoln Highway in downtown Dekalb.

Local favorites, the Dekalb Footstompers will be playing yet another homecoming show as they have been every year since 1973. They are a four-piece band with drums, guitar and then there are two other instruments you don't usually expect to find in a band: a tuba and an accordion. With instruments like that, how could they be bad?

Obviously, they can do oom-pah music along with rock classics and some of their own slightly risque songs like "NIU Sorority Bitch," "International Polka, "Pissanya," "Baby Face," and "Vasectomy."

Then, there's always the parade they lead when they play "When the Saints Go Marching In." These parades used to go outside onto the sidewalks until the local law said no to that. Wonder why?

Too much fun at a Footstompers show.

Hope We Recover. --RoadDog

NIU Homecoming 2010-- Part 10-- Footstompin' on the Lincoln Highway-- The Dekalb Footstompers

This band has been a long-time favorite of ours, dating back to the early 1970s. They got their big start at our favorite Dekalb bar, Andy's on Lincoln Highway. Andy's is still there and still has the same name.

Two other regional favorite bands, Howard and the White Boys and Mr. Myers also got there start there. But of all of them, our favorite is the Footstompers.

With a name like Footstompers, they have to be good...and they are. This is one band that really lives up to its name, but what would you expect from four guys playing a guitar, drums, accordion and tuba. And three of them are original back to 1973.

They play a lot of polkas, oom-pah music, oldies and they have a lot of their own "dirty songs" like "NIU Sorority Bitch," "Baby Face," "Vasectomy,"and "International Waltz."

They greeted the crowd, which was standing room only by their start at 5 pm, and said this was their 37th straight time playing for NIU's homecoming. Of course, they do a great version of the "NIU Fight Song" and we did it several times during the course of the show.

The place was swaying back and forth to be sure. And, it was generally an older crowd, many of whom said they'd been to about all of the Footstomper Homecoming Shows. Definitely a case of growing older, but not up.

It had sure been way too long since we were at this tradition, but we'll be back there again next year.

Good Partyin' With the 'Stompers. --RoadDog