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

It's the Way-Outs Tonight at It's Thursday Concert Series in Antioch

We sure missed this last summer.  If it's Thursday, normally you are going to find us in Antioch, Illinois, for their great concert series featuring some of the best local bands Chicago has to offer.

I was all set to go to our first one last Thursday, but we ended up at the Pistakee Lake House to see 2/3 of one of of old favorite bands, New Odyssey, playing out by the deck and tiki bar.  But, we're going to Antioch tonight.

We usually go early and go to a couple bars like the Limerick and the Lodge before getting places to sit at the concert in the band shell off Main Street.  Week after week, they have some of the most fun bands around.

Tonight, the Way-Outs, who call themselves an authentic 60s Garage Rock Band and looking at the songs they play, I'd have to agree.  Here are just a few of them:

Don't Let me Be Misunderstood--  Animals

Little Bit O' Soul--  Music Explosion

Tired of Waiting for You--  Kinks

(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone--  Monkees

Hang On Sloopy--  McCoys

With a Girl Like You--  Troggs

It's Thursday concerts continue until August 15.

Going Back to the 60s Tonight.  --Road60s

One Week-- Part 2: Communication, Radio, Bars, Wings and a Band

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14

Most days at 10 a.m., I listen to Bob Stroud's Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  All  this month they are letting listeners give their ten songs and make comments during the show.  Today's was from a Palatine gal, Cindy Mitchell.  Liz and I both lived in Palatine during high school.  Her topic today was Communication.  She did a fine job.

THE LETTER--  Joe Cocker
COMMUNICATION  BREAKDOWN--  Led Zeppelin
OPERATOR--  Jim Croce

TAKE A LETTER MARIA--  R,B. Greaves
DIALOGUE (PART 1 AND 2)--  Chicago
HUSH--  Deep Purple
TELEPHONE LINE--  ELO

WESTERN UNION--  Five Americans
I'VE GOTTA GET A MESSAGE TO YOU--  Bee Gees
867-5309 (JENNY)--  Tommy Tutone

She did a REALLY GOOD JOB!!

Drove to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and then to Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.  A bi-state quest for liquid refreshment.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

Did some shopping in McHenry, Illinois, and some yard work. Then drove to Bootleggers on Grasslake Road and met Kevin and Kelly and enjoyed the 50 cent wings and $1 draft pints.

Then went to the It's Thursday show in Antioch, Illinois, at the bandshell.  Tonight's band was the Piano Man who performed the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

--RoadDog

A Week In the Life-- Part 5: Enjoying the House, A Band and Classic Cars

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

FP.  Then on the internet, as I do most every day.  These blogs take a lot of time and effort. Today I also got to enjoy the deck (OD) and the gazebo.  I had to cut the grass, which, this time of the year shouldn't have to happen but every two weeks, but this has not been a normal summer.  All the rain we had through early July as well as the cool temperatures is providing an excellent grass growing condition.  And, it is.

Drove to Antioch, Illinois, and parked which required a walk through that beautiful little park and across Main Street to the Lodge which was standing room only.  Looking for a seat it seemed like it was open season on me.  Wherever I stood, I was in somebody's way.  We finally got two seats at the bar and enjoyed some pre-concert beers.  Thursdays they have half price pizza and 60 cent wings (used to be 35 cents) but the price of chicken wings has gone up with their increased popularity).  We ordered a chicken and bacon pizza.

During the summer, Antioch runs It's Thursday concerts from mid-June to mid-August at their bandshell in a park behind the Lodge.  They always have great bands and it's free.  We always make an effort to see these, but this year, this was the very first one.

Tonight the band was Class of '68, as you can figure, sixties music, right up our alley.  Great show and at the same time they were having a classic car show.

Well, I Sure Was a Happy Lad.  --RoadSixties

A Week In the Life-- Part 3: Bear-Packer Rivalry and the Lodge

MONDAY, JULY 29

The next time the Bears and Packers played that season, Packer fans had their revenge.  We drove by the place and there were Packer flags and banners and green and gold all over the place.  They had taken over a Bears bar.  Well, I guess payback.

We didn't go to K.C.'s Cabin, though, this day.

After the Limerick, we walked across the street and through a beautiful little park which is maintained by the local garden society.  This is always a big treat for me as I am a big flower nut myself.  The park recently got a bent Indian tree sculpture.  Before whites came to the area, Indians would take young trees and start bending them so that they stayed that way.  These pointed the way for their trails.

Crossing the street is taking your life in your hands, even though cars are supposed to stop.  But they don't.  The Lodge was also called the Sequoit Lodge, named after a local Indian tribe as is the nickname of Antioch High School.  And, it is a thoroughly North Woods vibe in the paneling and decorations.  Their mascot is a moose.

They have breakfast/lunch entertainment Saturdays and Sundays, huge portions and fantastic breakfasts and is a great place to kick off the Antioch It's Thursday parties at the bandshell located behind the place.  As a matter of fact, we are going to one tonight with Johnny Russell and the Beach Bumz.  If you are into that Caribbean/Jimmy Buffett thing, this be the place for you.

Always A Good Time.  --RoadDog
antioc

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 1: Two Bars, A Festival and A Band

People often ask Liz and me wanting to know why we don't go on vacations in July and August.  Well, being retired, we can go anytime we want.  And, there is so much to do around here in the northeastern part of Illinois and the southeastern area of Wisconsin.

There is always boating on the Chain of Lakes (though because of mechanical problems we haven't had the boat out yet, but maybe by next week).

And, there are festivals and lots of bands playing.  This was one of our weekends:

THURSDAY, JULY 26

We went to Thirsty Turtle in Antioch, Illinois, overlooking Channel Lake to get a Chain Crawl passport stamp and then to the Limerick in downtown.

Then, we went to Antioch's weekly It's Summer concert and saw the band 28 Days

Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

Why Go Anywhere Else?: This Last Weekend Around Here-- Part 1

That would be the Chain of Lakes area here in northeastern Illinois.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11:

We went to Grasslake Landing on Grasslake for our Chain Crawl passport stamp.  Sadly, this place is closing on Sunday.  We had their Thursday special of half-price pizza and pitchers.  Met up with Kevin and Kelly there.

Afterwards, Liz and I went to Antioch, Illinois, for their final It's Thursday concert with a high-energy country band called the Hillbilly Rock Starz.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Did some shopping in McHenry, then went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg and then to the Fox Lake American Legion on Nippersink Lake.

--RoadDog

Why Go Elsewhere? 4th of July 2016-- Part 1: American Legion Baseball

People often ask me why I don't go many places on vacation during the summer.  Well, here's a partial reason why.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29:  Went to see our American Legion Baseball team play Lake Villa at Grant High School in Fox Lake.  We won 7-5.  Lake Villa was in first place, undefeated and we are now tied with them for first in the division.

Went to Hello Folks in Fox Lake and paid my buddy Rick to use his pier for the summer.  We're hoping to get the boat in tomorrow,.  We then ended up at the Legion.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30:  Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and then to It's Thursday in Antioch, Illinois.  This is their weekly Thursday party with bands that goes on until mid-August.  We saw the bands Barstool Soldiers and R Gang.

You've got to love a band named Barstool Soldiers.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Time For McHenry and Antioch to Get Their Calendars Straight

Well, I am going to have to do a little bit of complaining because the two very close towns to us here in Illinois like to have their summer festivals on the the same days.

FIESTA DAYS IN McHENRY AND TASTE OF SUMMER IN ANTIOCH:

Fiesta Days run for ten days and Taste runs for four. But the biggest days of Fiesta Days are on the biggest days of of the Taste of Sumer.

As if that isn't bad enough, they tun two other weekly events on the same day during the summer.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK IN McHENRY AND IT'S THURSDAY IN ANTIOCH:

Both weekly events occur on Thursdays.

Time to change somebody's days. I can't be in two places at the same time.

Come On, Give a Guy a Break!! --RoadDog

The Last "It's Thursday" Concert in Antioch, Illinois

This past Thursday, after boating, we drove to Antioch, Illinois, about ten miles away, for their eighth and final "It's Thursday" concert.

The band, Chicago Tribute Anthology,. played. They are a tribute group for the band Chicago and have seven members, including a three-piece horn section, of course. Another mighty good band as all have been. 

We like to go early and eat at a local place, usually the Sequoit Lodge which had 35 cent wings on Thursdays. Concerts are held at the bandshell behind Main Street (Il-83).

Waiting for Next Year. Maybe they could come up with a better name.

Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

If It's Thursday, "It's Thursday" in Antioch, Illinois

Just got back from Antioch where we attended our first "It's Thursday" concert featuring one of our favorite bands called R. Gang.  If you love soul/Motown music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, this is a band to check out.  We see then fairly regularly at Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake.

They even have choreography to the songs, especially the Motown ones that just adds to the show.  Musically and vocally, they have it down.  The only negative thing I have to say about  them is that they did several extended jams in the hour and a half which could have been better served by doing more songs.  But, I have to admit, I am no fan of jams.  (I love the album songs by the Grateful Dead but hated the one live show I saw them play.  Hey, play the song and then get on with another one.)

Where else you going to get to hear a band for free on a Thursday evening.  And, we had just perfect weather for an outdoor concert after three days of blistering heat and high winds.

We were even able to get some boating in before the concert.

Indeed, Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Old Cars and Retro Diner-- The Lodge's BBQ Wings-- Aunt Janet Band

Continuing with June 30th, now in Antioch, Illinois, right on the Wisconsin border.

OLD CARS AND RETRO DINER

At the liquor store I noticed an old car show going on at the retro diner across Il-83. I don't pass up old cars when I have the opportunity so drove over and took a look. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but will have to eat there in the future as I had my taste buds set for some of those great bbq wings at the Lodge.


THE LODGE'S BBQ WINGS

Thursdays are 25 cent wing days at the Lodge of Antioch (also known as Sequoit Lodge (named after a local Indian tribe). They are not big, about the size of those at Buffalo Wild Wings, but that barbecue sauce is one of the best I've ever had. Ordered ten. Good eating for $2.50.

The place was packed as usual. A lot of the people were going to walk out behind the Lodge to see the band.


AUNT JANET BAND

Thursdays are the appropriately named Antioch music festival called "It's Thursday." Someone certainly put a lot of think time into that. The bands play at the music shell behind the east side of Main Street (Il-83). I try to get to it every time I can.

Today's band was called Aunt Janet and I was unfamiliar with them. They have a female lead singer and play classic rock and modern pop. Very good band.

Not a Bad Day At All. --RoadDog

Said She Didn't Like the Blues, Changed Her Mind

This past Thursday, Liz and I went to Antioch's It's Thursday party (Illinois). We were having two of the most bodacious steak sandwiches ever (called The Trophy Ribeye and was that ever appropriate) on the deck of the Sequoit Lodge when a younger woman walked by and asked what was going on over by the band stand.

We told her the Blooze Brothers were getting ready to play. She kind of wrinkled her nose and said, "Blues!! I hate the blues. Why can't they have something good like country." We told her they played music from the Blues Brothers. She had never seen the movie (unbelievable) and didn't know anything about it.

She no doubt thought they would play the slow, crying in your beer blues, something she obviously didn't care for. (Hey, aren't some country songs cry in your beer as well, the song "There's a Tear in My Beer" comes to mind.) We told her she should go see the band for awhile and see if she liked it.

The concert started, and as we were getting ready to go over to it, we saw the afore mentioned lady coming back, all smiles. She was grooving to the beat and all smiles. She held out a DVD of the Blues Brothers movie that the Blooze Brothers had given her for dancing up on the stage. She was going to put it back in her car and return to the show.

I think she must have liked it.

We saw her later get up on the stage again when the group invited a group of young girls to dance on the stage. They didn't invite her, but she got up anyway.

Warning, Listening to, or Watching the Blues Brothers, or a Tribute Band of Theirs, Can Get You Addicted. Poor Gal Will Never Be the Same. --RoadDog