Kicking Off America's 248th Birthday-- Part 2: A Festival and Fireworks

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 2024

Inn the afternoon, I drove over to McHenry for the Taste of McHenry on Main Street festival which ran from 11 to 5 p.m.  I met my biddy Glenn there at Ye Olde Corner Tap on the corner of Main Street and Illinois Highway 31 and we had a drink there before walking out on Main Street which was blocked off for the event.

They had food trucks plus the restaurants on the street had booths offering their food as well.  We stayed away from the arts and crafts areas as both of us need to be getting rid of stuff as opposed to buying stuff.

We stopped for a couple $1.50 drafts at Moe's on Main and went outside afterwards and listened to solo performer Amy Yore.  Glenn had to leave, but I stuck around and saw a five-piece acoustic group put on a real fun show.  Their name was iPop.

Came home and at 8, drove to the Fox Lake American Legion and watched the Fox Lake fireworks display in Nippersink Lake from there.

So, I got my 4th of July's worth:  a parade, festival, bands and fireworks.

Happy Birthday America.  --RoadStarsandStripes

Kicking Off the 248th Birthday of the U.S.A.-- Part 1: A Parade

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

This morning, I drove over to Fox Lake, Illinois, for their annual 4th of July parade.  As Chevy Chase sang inn the movie "Vacation,'  "I love a parade."  And this one did not disappoint. Two things that I particularly like about the Fox Lake parade is ease of getting to it and park and the fact they have a first-class sound system at the judges table/mc spot.

And, unlike my village of Spring Grove, they don't close down every road within a five mile radius two hours before the parade.  That has kept me from seeing a lot of our parades.

This year's grand marshal is Chris Johnson, chairman and CEO of the Chicagoland Classic Cinema Corporation which has about 17 theatres and over a hundred screens.  They have a nice one in Fox Lake that I go to quite often.  The seats are all recliners and prices are $8 and less in Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Of course, we had the usual politicians out in force with elections coming up.  Plus, lots of local businesses and even the Grant Township High School Marching Band participated as did a lot of their athletes.  By far, my favorite part of any parade is the marching band.

Lots of candy was given out to the tykes of course.

Also, it is easy get to the parade parking and getting out of there.

A Parade.  An Annual Tradition for Me.  --Road4th

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 8: A Movie, Trivia, 2 Concerts, and a Fish Boil

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

First official day of Summer.  Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw the movie "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga."  That was one gal you'd best not mess with

Went to Antioch, Illinois, and had dinner at The Lodge and played live trivia.  I was a team by myself and winning until two questions as to the names of Led Zeppelin songs were asked.  I know all their songs, but can only name three.

The It's Thursday concert featured Breakfast Club playing 80s-90s music.  Great show.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 21

We had the annual Spring Grove, Illinois, fish boil at Horse Fair Park.  This is a fundraiser for the Fish Hatchery Park and put on by the famed Fitzgerald's in Genoa City, Wisconsin who specialize in Door County-style fish boils and also have fantastic chicken and ribs with some outstanding bbq sauce.

I then worked at the silent auction booth since I am a member of the Friends of Fish Hatchery.  We had an excellent three-piece group named the Judson Brown Band playing which includes a gal on the violin/fiddle.

Afterwards I went to the Fox Lake American Legion.

Good Times You Know Where.  --RoadFun

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 7: Pizza, a Movie, Woodstock Square, 'Groundhog Day' Movie and Donovan's for Trivia

MONDAY, JUNE 17

Did some flower planting and had a half-price special pizza at Bricks 'N Ivy in Spring Grove.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

Drove to Woodstock and saw the movie" Bad Boys 5:  Ride or Die."  Then had the taco special at Mary's Mexican Grill which was the site of where Bill Murray stuffed his face at the Tip Top Cafe in the movie :Groundhog Day."  I sat exactly where he did.

Then sat out for awhile in the wonderful historical Woodstock Square where so much of the movie was shot. Went to the Woodstock Library and saw a presentation by Joe Ziemba on "The Monsters of the Midway."  That would be the Chicago Bears from their beginning to 1963.  I'll go into mre detail on this in my Cooter's History Thing blog later.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for weekly live trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

Like I Say, Good Times in the Area.  --RoadFun

Why Go Anywhere Else-- Part 6: Friends of the Fish Hatchery, The Lodge of Spring Grove Grand Opening, Fishing Poles Instead of Cell Phones

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Met the rest of the Friends of the Fish Hatchery at the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery where we made last-minute preparation's for tomorrow's Father's Day event.

The new bar/restaurant in our town, the Lodge of Spring Grove, is located right by the entrance to the fish hatchery and they have been having their Grand Opening the last two days with bands and crowds.  I stopped on my way out and got a place to sit, not an easy thing to do.  Getting drinks was also a challenge.

The band was called The Wads and they played highly energetic rock from the 80s and 90s.  They was also one of those bulls people used to ride during the "Urban Cowboy" days.  I didn't go on it then, and sure wasn't going on now.

Stopped at Magic Moon on the way home and had some drinks and talked with Frank.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 16

We had our Father's Day event at the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery.  I was involved with welcoming families.  It was so good to see young kids with fishing gear in their hands and not staring at their phones.  Noted storyteller Jim May was also there relating stories of his growing up in Spring Grove.

It ended at 1 p.m. and I drove over to McHenry  and stopped at the PLAV for a Bloody Mary and then to Miller Park on the Fox River and enjoyed a duo from the band Whiskey Devils at the gazebo.  Of course, also had an ear of corn from the American Legion.

Then went to Sunnyside and was happy to find that my buddy Mark had brought back Restrelli's pizza from Clinton, Iowa.  Boy, is that good pizza.

Too Good of Times Right Here.  --RoadStay

Why Go Anywhere Else? --Part 5: A Cruise and the Beer Can Bridge Incident, Fish Fry, Band and the Legion

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Flag Day.  Put my flag out.  

Went out for my first boating of the year on the Chain O' Lakes with Kelly and Kevin in their new pontoon boat.  It was a maiden voyage for them as they just bought it.  Cruised around Pistakee Lake and things were going great until they tried to go under Beer Cn Bridge which proved to be too low for their bimini top.

Kelly was doing a lot of scrambling to avoid the narrow shorelines and also with other boats coming under the bridge, and then, the motor knocked off.  Some jet ski folks thankfully came to our aide and towed us to the nearby marina.  Found out we had given out of gas and they switched to the other tank and we were on our way.

Had a couple drinks at the Legion on Nippersink Lake.  Then, they took the boat home and we all met up with Glen and Barb at Johnny's Cafe for fish fry and I went to Lake Front Park to see the band Eliminator do their ZZ Top tribute and then met everyone else at the Legion.

--RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 4: The Lodge of Spring Grove, Pink Catawba Wine, Woodstock Square, McHenry Civil War Round Table, Magee Teachers and a Concert

MONDAY, JUNE 10

Went to the ribbon cutting ceremony of Spring Grove's newest restaurant/bar called The Lodge of Spring Grove.  This gives us three places within a fourth of a mile on Blivin Road.  We also have Saylor Mick's and The Grove.  Ordered food.  

It is owned by the same people who own the Lodge of Antioch and the Rivalry in the same town.

Sat out FP and enjoyed some pink catawba wine which used to be one of Liz and my favorites along with Blue Nun.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

I had Dave the Landscaper and a buddy come over and worked on the berm by the deck and gazebo area.  

Drove to Woodstock and enjoyed the Woodstock Square, one of my favorite places anywhere.  Met several other members of the McHenry Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers for dinner then heard a presentation of John Brown.  Was he a Hero or Terrorist.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

Went to Donovan's for the usual live trivia with Uncle Jeffie.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Met the Magee retired teachers at Cyndi's home in Twin Lakes for breakfast.  Cut the grass and did some yardwork before driving to McHenry for pre-concert cocktails at the Legion, the Southbound country band in Veterans Park and back to the Legion where they were having karaoke and I got up and sang "The I-95 Song also known as the

"Asshole Song."

Were You Born An _________  --RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 3: D-Day, a Shrimp Po Boy, Michael Lescher Band, Rumor Has It Band and Courtney & Chris Duo.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

D-Day 80th Anniversary.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

Met Kevin and Kelly at Mary's Hideaway in Johnsburg and had a Shrimp Po Boy, then to Fox Lake's Lake Front Park for the opening Friday Night Concert starring the Michael Lescher Band.  It got cold and I left and went to the Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw the Rumor Has It Band.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

Drove to McHenry and had my usual bloody mary at the PLAV, and then to Miller Park where I saw the duo Courtney & Chris.  Then to the McHenry Legion for a couple and finished up at Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 2: Flowers, Sunnyside, Indy 500, Car Show, Moose, Donovan's, Fish Hatchery and Ribs

MONDAY, JUNE 3

Bought flowers for half price at Jewel.  Flowers are sure expensive nowadays, but half price makes it better.  Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and enjoyed the $1.50 pints special today.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

Sue and Paul came by and we worked on getting a spot at the Legion in Speedway for next year.  Discovered quite a few cicadas in the yard.  Bought some more sale glowers at the Jewel in Volo.

Frank and I went to the car show at the Moose Lodge in McHenry, but because of rain, only a few there.  Lord forbid their babies getting wet.  I went to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for trivia.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes for trivia, then to the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery for a final meeting before our Father's Day Fish extravaganza.

Had a full slab of ribs meal at Half-Times for Wednesday special $16 in Johnsburg and went to Sunnyside.

--RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else? Living Around Here Is Like Living at a Resort Area

People ask me why I don't travel a lot during the summer.  I like to go away for a few short 2-4 day trips, but usually prefer to stay home.  There is always something to do.

Here is a list of things I did the first week back from the Indy 500 race.

TUESDAY, MAY 28

John Fogerty's 79th birthday and Bob Stroud featured ten of his solo and Creedence Clearwater Revival songs.  My favorite all-time group.

Met a group of the Usual Suspects at Half-Times in Johnsburg, Illinois, for pizza and talking about good times in the past that we had.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

The cicadas are definitely now here.  Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for trivia and happy hour prices.

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THURSDAY, MAY 30

Drove to McHenry, Illinois, and met Tom and Frank at the Legion for a couple drinks and then to the concert in Veterans Park featuring Kevin Purcell & the Nightburners.

FRIDAY, MAY 31

I was supposed to drive out to Clinton, Iowa, for a couple days with Mark, but he had back problems and had to go to the hospital by ambulance.  Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.  Met Kevin and Kelly, Barb and Glen at the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Went to the Fox Lake Legion and saw the band Tony & the Affects doing all oldies songs in the afternoon.  Then to Magic Moon in Spring Grove and was glad to see my buddy Frank was back working there after some health problems.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

Bob Stroud played his annual tribute to Summers Past.  He played songs from fifty years ago, June 2, 1974 for three hours on his Rock and Roll Roots show in Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  I am posting the song list on my Down da Road I Go blog.  These are songs that were on the radio and in your record collection for this date fifty years ago.

Drove to McHenry and had a bloody mary at the Polish Legion, went to Miller Park and saw the duo Anderlik & Church with the Fox River in the background.  Then to the McHenry Legion for post-concert libations and then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for a $4 bloody mary and $7 Italian beef sandwich with fries.

Like I Said.  Good Times in the Area.  --RoadParty

Wilmington's Gemini Giant-- Part 6

The day after Holly Barker's announcement, Ryan Jandura started a GoFundMe.  Jandura remembered taking trips to Wilmington to fish or visit antique shops with his grandparents as a kid and seeing  the "giant, enormous figure  that towered over the road."

It felt "larger than life," he said.  When the 44-year-old moved to Wilmington as an adult, he frequently passed the Gemini Giant on drives with his wife and helped make jewelry to sell at the restaurant's gift store.

"He became a part of my life," he said.

Donations from hundreds of people poured in.  One person said the Gemini Giant brings so much charm to our little part of the universe," and another said they're planning to travel Route 66 in April for their 50th wedding anniversary trip and hope to see the astronaut.  A local Veterans of Foreign Wars post also helped with fundraising.

--RoadHappy

Wilmington's Gemini Giant-- Part 5: 'Then It Will Be Destroyed'

So when Holly Barker, owner of the Gemini Giant and the now-closed Launching Pad restaurant, posted February 24 on X that she was auctioning the giant off and its trademark rights, the Wilmington community sprang into action.

She said she wanted at least $100,000 for the statue.

"I want this junk trinket off my property," said Barker, who still owns the restaurant.  "If this is sabotaged in any way and the Gemini Giant doesn't sell, then it will be destroyed."

I had such hopes back when Holly Barker and her boyfriend bought the Launching Pad and statue.  They seemed very committed to reopening the place and assuring that the Giant would remain.  But that Holly is sure not the one we have as of this year.  Something seems to have snapped.

No real Route 66er would ever say anything like that.  Liz and I ate at the Launching Pad once and had great food and all that great Route 66 ambiance.  And, of course, that magnificent muffler man.  About the worst thing we could say was that the Launching Pad and the Polka Dot Drive-In in nearby Braidwood were too close to each other.  You couldn't eat at one and then again at the other going either way.

--RoadMissing

Wilmington's Gemini Giant-- Part 4: Now Only About 200 survive

In general, Joel Baker says there have been ebbs and flows with the statues popularity.  Largely due to a negative sentiment  toward the statues that popped up during Lady Bird Johnson's Beautification Project, they fell out of favor by the 1980s.

But, a decade later, their resurgence began, a trend that has continued.

"Towns want the giants back, and they want neon back," he said.  "They want all that nostalgia from the 60's back that people were working so hard to get rid of-- now we all love it."

At their peak in the 1960s and early 1970s, there were as many as 500 across the country Baker said. Only about 200 are left today, including 10 or so in Illinois, making them a hot commodity for private collectors.

--RoadDog

Wilmington's Gemini Giant-- Part 3

Back in late March and early April I wrote about how the famed Muffler Man called the Gemini Giant was able to be saved for the City of Wilmington, Illinois.  This is the rest of the article.

Businesses along Route 66 needed a way to stand out among the competition, and many bought the large, fiberglass statues for advertising.

These statues included lumberjacks, cowboys and eventually became roadside attractions in themselves.  They later earned the nickname "Muffler Men" from the founders of the travel website RoadsideAmerica.com, who had seen some of the statues holding mufflers.

A former owner of the Wilmington, Illinois, restaurant The Dairy Delight, later renamed it The Launching Pad, bought the Gemini Giant in 1965, where it remained, said Joe Baker, founder of American Giants, a company dedicated to finding the statues and sharing their stories.

It has become one of the most  famous and photographed Muffler Men, he said, and last remaining spaceman statue.

--RoadMuffler

Savannah Bound-- Part 27: The Mighty 8th Air Force and Home

April 9, Tuesday

Last day in Savannah, but I didn't leave until late in the afternoon so we took a ride over to the nearby National Museum of the Mighty 8th in Pooler, Georgia.

This museum tells the story of this Army Air Force group which had a major role in the downfall of Germany through its bombing missions during World War II.

This is a museum you could spend days in (planning on a return to it next trip to Savannah).  Lots of interactive exhibits and movies.  At one point you actually get to experience a bombing mission.

This is especially poignant now as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

We met Julie there and had lunch at Miss Sophie's, located on premises. Great food at very reasonable prices.

As we neared my return flight I was sure hoping things would not go like my trip to Savannah and I'm happy to report that everything went smoothly and we got to Milwaukee.

I'll definitely fly again.

--RoadSky