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

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? 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

When Irish Eyes Weren't Smiling So Much

The Day before St. Patrick's Day and I still haven't had any corned beef & cabbage (cb&c).  Not that I haven't tried.  I am now 0 for 2 in attempts.

First I went to the Lake Villa (Illinois) St. Patrick's Day celebration.  Sadly, by the time I got to the VFW, they had sold out of cb&c.

Then, I drove to Johnsburg with intentions to get cb&c at Sunnyside.  Yesterday, I had stopped in and seen them advertising what I was looking for.  Unfortunately, I hadn't noticed in the fine print that it was being offered at Cullom Knoll over in McCullom Lake near McHenry and not at Sunnyside.

The woman who owns Sunnyside also operates Cullom Knoll.

So, so far no corned beef and cabbage for me.  But, in a few minutes I'll be heading over to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and I understand they have cb&c.

Here's Hoping.  --RoadLessCornedBeef

So, What's to Do Around Here: Bar Hopping, Cheap Beer and Food

Okay, so it's still winter for a few days (starts the 19th) and it has been a fairly warm one so far.  So, what is there to do around here (northeast Illinois) until summer gets here.?

MARCH 3, SUNDAY

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg, then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove where I had a great $3 Bloody Mary and $7 Italian beef sandwich and fries.

MARCH 4, MONDAY

Sunnyside for $1.50 pints, the Monday special.

MARCH 5, TUESDAY

Back to Saylor Mick's for $1.50 tacos and live trivia.

MARCH 6, WEDNESDAY

Drove to Wisconsin and went to Best Bargains which sure lives up to its name when it comes to groceries.  Filled up with gas at the BP in Twin Lakes for $3.35 (it had been down to $2.50 a month ago).  Still better than Illinois where it is around $3.90.

Played live trivia with Uncle Jeffie at Donovan's Reef.

--RoadDog

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 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

Eight Iconic Cultural Locations on Route 66-- Part 3: El Rancho Hotel

3.  EL RANCHO HOTEL AND MOTEL, Gallup, New Mexico

Built by director D.W. Griffith in 1936 as a base for numerous Western movie productions, it has hosted many movie stars over the years, including Errol Flyn, Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, John Wayne and Ronald Reagan.

Nearly a century later, the El Rancho still offers the "Charm of Yesterday."

This is a really neat place.  I just wish Liz and I had not opted for the cheaper motel rooms when we passed through and had stayed in the main hotel.  We did get to meet the owner at the time in 2006, Armond Ortega, in its 49er Lounge, who also owned a lot of the Indian souvenir places.  He was quite a gentleman and Liz was impressed when he clicked his heels, bent over and kissed her hand.

Wikipedia says the hotel was bult by D.W. Griffith's brother, R.E. "Griff' Griffith.

For a much longer list of people who stayed there, go to Wikipedia.

Impressed Me Too.  --RoadRancho

Along66, August 2022: Of Grain Elevators and Spindles in Illinois

AUGUST 27

The J.D. Hawes Grain Elevator Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, remains an attraction 40 years after the grain elevator closed.  I've never been to it.  Maybe next time through town.

AUGUST 31

A miniaturized version of the famed Chicagoland "Spindle" returns to Berwyn.    It once stood at a local shopping center.  Artist Pete Gamen created the new 23-foot-tall "Spindle" using fiberglass go carts instead of full-sized cars like the original had.  This new one will be located at Paison's Pizzeria and Bar.

The original one was 50-feet tall and created in 1989 by artist Dustin Shuler.  It had 8 cars impaled on a spike and was dismantled in 2008.

Extra, Extra Berwyn News!!  There is also a new Muffler Man in town at Cigars & Stripes Lounge.

As Svenghooli Would Say, "BERWYN!!"  --RoadDog

Looking for Route 66 Craft Beer in Illinois-- Part 2: Miskatonic Brewing and Will County Brewing

Some more places for craft beer along and near Route 66 in Illinois.

**  MISKATONIC BREWING COMPANY

1000 N. Frontage Road, Unit C, Darien

This is an H.P. Lovecraft-inspired brewery for fans of horror and the macabre, plus if you like small-batch beer.  This is hidden in an industrial area just off Route 66.

They offer upsome of the finest brews along the Mother Road.

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**  WILL COUNTY BREWING COMPANY

1142 Jefferson Street, Shorewood

Over 16 craft beers on tap, including cider.  Easy to find from Route 66. Wide selection of revolving beers along with a large bar, tasting room and visible production area.

--RoadDrinker

Along66, July 2022: The Lodge Off 66 in Illinois

I take these Along66 blog entries from what I consider to be the best source of information on our favorite road, Route 66 News blog.  It has entries every day with pictures and a lot more that what I write about.  I only choose stories of special interest to me.

JULY 2

One of Logan County's (Illinois) oldest bars has been renamed The Lodge Off 66.

It is located six miles off the nearest Route 66 alignment at 2265 900th Avenue in Hartsburg, Illinois (pop. 314).

It has ties to bootlegging during Prohibition.  Al Capone visited the place.

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but the inside s a whole different story.  Sounds like Sundays are a real lot of fun.

It is six miles from Lincoln, Illinois.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back from the Indy 500

This was the reason there were no posts for the last three days.

Just a few hours ago, I arrived back from the American Legion on Georgetown Road in the town of Speedway, Indiana, home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where, you guessed it, the Indy 500 is run.  We left on Friday morning in my friends' RV in some mighty chilly (downright cold) drizzly/rainy weather, and drove there with a couple stops.

We arrived at the American Legion which is located directly across the street from the Speedway, set up camp and walked over to Speedway's Main Street where they were having a street party with bands.  I had a few in Barbecue & Bourbon.

Then back to the Legion for an excellent band.

Saturday it was Legends Day at the racetrack so paid our $10 apiece for entrance and got to walk all over the track.  Then back to the RV for cocktails and another band in the Legion.

Of course, Sunday was race day, the biggest commemoration for our veterans in the U.S. and, at the same time, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."  It was good to have things back to normal after two off years.  In 2020 it was run in August in an empty track.  Last year, attendance was limited to 138,000.  But this year it was almost full.

Congratulations to Marcus Ericsson for winning the 106th  Running.

We stayed the night and left Monday morning.

--RoadDog

Goetta's Got It Going in Cincinnati-- Part 2: Yo Mama Burger at Arnold's

 The best-selling burger at Arnold's Bar and Grill is the Yo Mama, named for Rhonda Breedon, mother of manager Chris Breeden and a long-time Arnold's waitress who worked her way up to be owner of the city's oldest bar.

"It's like breakfast on a burger, and the hardest burger to make" because of all of the layers, the son explains.  The cheeseburger gets a spicy kick from the chipotle may and a potato pancake spiked with crushed red pepper.  

On top is a sunny side up egg, but what makes the pudgy sandwich truly indigenous to Cincinnati is a thin slice of fried goetta.

In case you're wondering, it's pronounced GET-ah.

A Yo Mama burger will set you back $12.50.

Got It?  --RoadEtta

Goetta's Got It Going in Cincinnati-- Part 1

From the November 19, 2019, Chicago Tribune  "Fork in the Road:  Goetta's got it going on" by Mary Bergin.

Cincinnati chefs are getting creative with this mashup of meat and grain.

Believe it or not, Cincinnati is not all about that Cincy chili stuff.  They've got this thing called goetta which is pretty good itself.  (I owe my buddy Denny for my introduction to goetta and Arnold's.)

Chris Breeden, manager if Arnold's Bar and Grill, open since 1861, describes his menu as "Cincinnati condensed."

Burger meat is a mix of ground chuck, short ribs and Wagyu beef from the 125-year-old Avril Bleh butcher shop, four blocks away.  Patties go on buns from the local Sixteen Bricks Bakery.  The default side is Grippo's potato chips made in Cincinnati since 1919.   (Those are pretty good themselves.  I always stock up with them when in Ohio.)

--RoadGoetta

Two Other Illinois Byway Members Receive Grants as Well

Continued from the previous post.  Two other places in Illinois received a $1,000 grant:

**  O'Brien Tire  & Auto Care Group in Granite City to help with a mural.  They have operated on the original alignment of Route 66 in Granite City since 1932 and claims to be the longest-running auto repair shop on 66.

They have spend about $35,000 to adopting a Route 66 theme to their place and have the largest tire with a Route 66 insert at eight feet.  I have not seen this place, but may have to check it out next time we're that way.  (Information on this place from the Route 66 News site.)

**  DeCamp Station in Staunton to help waterproof the bar basement and preserve the foundation.

We were so happy to finally get to go inside this place a few years back during a motor tour.  

We've always had the misfortune to have it closed when we've driven by before.  Either that, or we had somewhere we had to be.

And, We Can Always Use More Murals.  --RoadDog

Our 48th Wedding Anniversary and the 'Lincoln Crawl'-- Part 1

Yesterday, Liz and I celebrated out 48th wedding anniversary at Donovan's Reef on Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  We had been planning on going to Galena, Illinois, where we had gone for our honeymoon in 1973.  But, with all this flareup with the virus, we canceled plans to do it.

We were married in DeKalb, Illinois, on August 25, 1973.  We had both just graduated from Northern Illinois University there in May,

The whole time we were going there, we often went to places (specially those of the bar sort) on the main road through town which was called the Lincoln Highway.  At the time, that name was just the name of another street.  We had no idea of its importance of it in U.S. transportation history.  Hey, it was the first American transcontinental highway and went from New York City to San Francisco.

As a matter of fact, we didn't know its importance all the way up to 2002, when we "discovered" Route 66  and the fun of driving those old roads.

During our college student years and afterwards as alumni, we often did what students referred to as the "Lincoln Crawl."  This would be to hit a lot  of bars along this Lincoln Highway street.  Many of our college bars were on Lincoln.

And, that would include such as The Uprising, Shamrock, Andy's, McCabe's, Candle Light and Sullivan's.

And, back then you didn't have to worry much about the police and DUIs.  It just wasn't done like it is today.

To Say the Least, We Sure Partied on the Lincoln Highway.  --RoadDog

Today's Firebird Cruise-- Part 3: US-12 Through Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and Spring Grove

MONDAY, JULY 26, 2021

One thing about roads in Spring Grove, Illinois, is that everyone one of them has a different name depending upon which side of US-12 you are on.  Through Spring Grove, US-12 is essentially an east- -to-west road (while going through Chicago's Northwest Suburbs it runs southeast-to-northwest).

Meyer Road becomes Blivin Street north of US-12.  Once over the railroad tracks, you will find the Spring Grove Fish Hatchery to your left (west) and a small park on Nippersink Creek with a canoe launch and a plaque and a model of the first silo in the United States invented by Fred Hatch of Spring Grove.

The fish hatchery and the silo are probably Spring Grove's two greatest claims to fame.

At Main Street, there is an old bank that has now been converted into a lawyer's office and a bar/restaurant named the Grove that has an excellent outside seating area and lots of live entertainment.  This building dates back to before 1900 and has been in use ever since as a bar or restaurant, usually both.

One time we were there, we saw two horses tied up to the fence.  Yep, we're kind of like out in the country in Spring Grove.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here Last Weekend-- Part 2: Denny, Marengo, 3/4 Pound Burgers, JFK Assassination, Band and VFW and American Legion

SATURDAY, JULY 10

I drove to Marengo, Illinois, about 30 miles away, and met up with buddy Denny Gibson who was passing through on his way back from Oregon and was traveling the entire length of U.S. Highway 20 (which goes through Marengo).

I hadn't seen him since we got together at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, on November 22, 2013.  The reason being there was it was the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination and he both arrived at Dallas and departed it on Air Force 1.  This was as close as we could get that eventful day as that plane is at the Air Force Museum.

We met at a place I've been wanting to go called The Spot on Main Street, Illinois Highway 23, just north of US-20.  Everybody I had talked to has always bragged about this place's burgers and they sure lived up to the reputation.  They are 3/4 pound burgers which come with chips for $7.75.

We had a great talk about his trip to Boston on US-20 and from there, he took the Yellowstone Trail out to Washington state.  I'll be writing more about our getting together in the future.

Later Saturday Liz and I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois,  and enjoyed their $1 draft beers.

SUNDAY, JULY 11

We met Kevin, Kelly and Julie at the VFW in McHenry, which a few years ago had a multimillion dollar payout for their Queen of Hearts.  They reinvested the money in their place and it is quite something to see.  We were there to see a local band called Aging teen Angels who play a lot of our oldies music.

When they stopped at 4, we adjourned to the McHenry American Legion for more cocktails.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here Last Weekend-- Part 1: Wisconsin, Trivia, Bars, $1 Pints, Flowers, Fish Fry and What a View

Again, the Summer is no time to leave this area. Lots of fun going on all over this part of northeast Illinois.

WEDNESDAY,  JULY 7

Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for Jeff's Smart Ass Trivia in the afternoon, then went to BB*Q on US-12 in Spring Grove, Illinois for their excellent wings and plenty of $1 pints of draft beer to wash them down.

THURSDAY, JULY 8

Finally flowers on sale at Menard's so really stocked up.  50 cent geraniums, 50 cent six packs of annuals, $1.25 for six wave petunias. It was all sorts of fun at check out and I still don't know if I ended up over or undercharged.  Oh, well.  Those flowers found a good home for the rest of the season.

FRIDAY, JULY 9

Every morning, I sit out on the front porch for breakfast coffee and to read the Chicago Tribune.  I doubt that anyone in the subdivision gets more use out of their front porch.

Went back to Menard's and bought even more flowers.  Hey, on big sale.  Last year, with the pandemic and folks staying home and planting stuff around those house, there weren't many sales at all.  Usually, by July stores start putting their nursery stuff on sale.

We went to Cuda's on Grasslake Road in Antioch and met Kevin and Kelly and had their beer-battered fish fry, always a delight, even if we like to froze because the air conditioning was hiked up way too high.  Then, adjourned to Lake View on Grasslake and enjoyed that great view of the lake from their high deck and, of course, those $1 draft beers.

--RoadDog