Maryland Cross Can Stand On Public Land: Honors World War I Dead

From the June 21, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Robert Barnes, Washington Post.

"The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a 40-foot cross erected as a tribute to war dead may continue to stand on public land in Maryland, rejecting arguments that it was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion."  The vote was 7-2.

The Bladensburg Peace Cross is made of granite and cement and was built in 1925 and paid for by local families, businesses and the American Legion to honor 49 World War I veterans from Maryland's Prince George's County who died in that war.  It is now located on a busy highway meridian.

The Latin Cross design was chosen because that was what was used to mark the graves of soldiers overseas.

More Power to the Supreme Court.  Good Call.

History Wears a White Suit-- Part 2: Col. Harlan Sanders

Harlan Sanders was born in southern Indiana and moved to Corbin, Kentucky in the early days of the Great depression to work a service station where he sold fried chicken to travelers as a side job.  Word spread of how good his chicken was and business boomed.

He eventually expanded the gas station to include a larger cafe and a motel.  The restaurant has been restored to its 1950s appearance but customers order KFC in a modern addition.  The place also has lots of memorabilia.

Starting in the 1950s, Col. Harlan Sanders began going around to places selling bags of his secret eleven herbs and spices along with customized pressure cookers.  Joe Ledington, a nephew of the Colonel's said: "He'd put four or five in the trunk of his car and head out selling those pressure cookers.  he never had a penny to his name until he was 65 years old."

--CooterColonel

History Wears a White Suit-- Part 1: Col. Sanders and KFC

From the September 11, 2016, Chicago Tribune  by Jay Jones.

"You might not have heard of Harland Sanders Cafe, but   you certainly know the famous fried chicken first served here more than 75 years ago.

"This  unassuming restaurant in a small town in southeast Kentucky is where Col. Harland Sanders perfected his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices and launched what would become Kentucky Fried Chicken, a corporate giant with nearly 20,000 outlets around the globe."

The white frame restaurant was built in 1940 in Corbin, Kentucky, and is on the NRHP.  We were driving on I-75 through the area and saw a sign for the place and just had to pull off the road and visit it.  I'm a fan but I do like Popeye's Chicken and Jewel chicken better.

The restaurant itself has been restored to its 1950s look and you can buy some chicken to eat in an addition to the place, which we had to do.

--ColCooter

Comedy Mavericks-- Part 2: Those Wild And Crazy Guys

The book is organized by movie:  "Animal House," "Caddyshack," "Ghostbusters.", "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and more..

The author, Nick de Semlyen, said:  "It was an era with relatively little studio oversight, copious amounts of narcotics and pumped-up budgets."

"Would a comedy as over the top and strange as 'The Blues Brothers' - a road-trip musical with a demolition-derby finale - get made today?  I don't think so."

"These stars were impulsive, often difficult people, and so frequently their productions were wild, strife-torn affairs," Nick de Semlyen said.

Regardless, these movies and those characters remain my favorites all these years on.

I  might have to get this book.

--CootFunnyHAHA

Comedy Mavericks-- Part 1: "SNL" and "SCTV" Alums

From the June 7, 2019, Chicago Tribune "Comedy mavericks" by Nina Metz.

"Before they started making movies, the biggest comedy stars of the 1980s -- Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and John Candy among them --  came up through 'Saturday Night Live' or 'SCTV.' "  They have some of the best ever movies.

There is a new book out about them "Wild and Crazy Guys:  How the Comedy Mavericks of the '80s Changed Hollywood Forever" by author Nick de Semlyen.

And, Chicago plays a big part in their stories, specifically the Chicago sketch and improv scene and especially at Second City.  This is where Belushi and Aykroyd met as well as Murray and Harold Ramis.

These Are Some Seriously Funny Guys.  --DaCoot

Ebony Photos On Auction Block

From the June 6, 2019, Chicago Tribune "On the auction block" by Robert Channick.

"The Ebony photo archives, a unique and expansive window into the African American experience, are set to go on the auction block in July, pending approval from a Chicago federal bankruptcy court."

Opening bids are expected to be about $13 million  with the proceeds going to pay off the secured creditors of the Johnson Publishing Company, who are George Lucas (of movie fame) and Mellody Hobson.

Johnson Publishing was formed in 1942 and published Ebony magazine in 1945.

These photos span more than 70 years of black history with photos of everyone from Martin Luther King Jr. to Sammy Davis Jr.. There are over 4 million photos.Including ones of Hank Aaron, Muhammed Ali, Malcom X, Nelson Mandela, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles.

Here's hoping some institution gets them who will not only keep the photos together but also make them available to the  public.

--Cooter

Stealing Milk in 1918

From the October 31, 2018, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The stealing of milk from porches about town is causing some little inconvenience these days, and also is exciting the wrath of citizens.

"Last night the thieves worked on North Fourth street and they have been on John street and other places in town.  People, however, have no idea who the theives are.

Got Milk?  --Cooter

NIU's Class of 1969's Carillon Gift

From the March 13, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1969, 50 Years Ago.

"Sounds of a carillon concert will ring from atop a 17-story tower on the Northern Illinois University campus at noon.

"A guest carilloneur will play a demonstration concert on what Northern's seniors hope will be their gift to the university."

The tower would be the what is today the Holmes Student center.  I can find no mention of whether or not it is still there.

--Cooter

NIU Has Biggest-Ever Enrollment in 1968

From the November 7, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"Northern Illinois University recorded its largest enrollment increase in history this fall with 20,719 students on campus."

And, to think, just a year later I was on campus.

Growing Pains.  --RoadNIU

Annie's Woods No Longer NIU "Lover's Lane" in 1968

From the October 17, 2018, MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1968, 50 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb Park District Board passed a resolution, which, in effect, means that Annie's Woods, the small park north of Miller Avenue near the bridge, will no loner be a 'lover's lane' for Northern Illinois University students.  Meeting at the Ellwood House, the park board approved a resolution to close Annie's Woods to all vehicles."

Annie's Woods is a park right by the east side of Northern Illinois University.

Neck in the woods no longer, dear college students.

Now, Where Is That Motel No-Tell?   --Cooter

McHenry County, Illinois, Deaths in World War I

From the National Archives.

56 KIA

8 Died of Wounds

16 Died Non Battle

8 FOD

1 M

89 Total

Before Wrigley Field, Cubs Had West Side Grounds-- Part 4

After the Cubs moved out, the park hosted Wild West-type shows and other events before the state of Illinois purchased the property in 1919 for $400,000 with plans to build a research and educational hospital.

The group name of the folks wanting to mark the site, Way Out In Left Field is in reference to the West Side Grounds.  Patients at a nearby psychiatric hospital behind the left field grandstand were said to make loud and odd remarks that could be heard within the park.

Glad to Have It Marked.  --Cooter

Before Wrigley Field, Cubs Had West Side Grounds-- Part 3:

"I just thought that there should be a marker commemorating the ballpark and, more importantly, the success of the '06. '07, '08 teams, said Brian Bernardoni, 49.  "I mean, the Cubs were one of the great teams of the era, like the 1927 Yankees."

The West Side Grounds opened in 1893.  The ballpark sometimes has a II after its name to distinguish it from a predecessor stadium near Congress Parkway that was usually referred to as West Side Park but occasionally was labeled with "grounds" in the title.

Built for $30,000, the park had a capacity of 16,000 and was the name of the same ballclub that used different names:  Colts, Orphans and, finally, Cubs.

Despite playing games in four World Series matchups at the park, including a loss to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1910, the Cubs never clinched a championship at home.

The Cubs played their last game there October 3, 1915, a 7-2 win over the Cardinals in front of 2,800 fans.  The next season, they moved to Weeghman Park, later renamed Wrigley Field and have played there ever since.

--CootCubs

Before Wrigley Field, Cubs Had West Side Grounds-- Part 2

From the June 3 post.

Before I stopped for posts on the 75th anniversary of D-Day, I was writing about the place where the Chicago Cubs played before moving to what is now called Wrigley Field, the West Side Grounds.

Indeed, few people, or even Cub fans have ever heard of the West Side Grounds.  Even UIC students and faculty know nothing of it, although part of their campus is on the site.

Mike Reischl is a big West Side Grounds fan and  has led an effort to get the state and city to recognize the site.  He has joined a like-minded fellow in the person of Brian Bernardoni and together they have formed  the Way Out In Left Field Society to drum up interest.  They eventually raised $1000 and got the support of the university for a marker.

In September 2008, the Illinois State Historical Society unveiled a plaque at 912 S. Wood St. designating the site.  It sits near where the centerfield clubhouse and flagpole of the old park were located.

When the Cubbies WERE REALLY GOOD!!  --CootCub

Destroyers at D-Day

From Wikipedia "List of Allied Ships at the Normandy Landings."

There were seven battleships, five heavy cruisers, twenty light cruisers and 139 destroyers and escorts.  Of interest, not all were British (85 ships including Canadian ones)or U.S. (40 ships).  There were also 7 Free French and 7 other Allied ones ( 2 Greek, 2 Polish and 3 Norwegian).

According to yesterday's article, three British and three U.S. destroyers were sunk at D-Day.

However, according to this list, just the USS Corry (DD-463) was sunk during the invasion on June 6, 1944.  Also a Norwegian destroyer (see below)

The others were sunk at later dates:

HMS Boadicea (H65) torpedoed and sunk June 13 June
HMS Fury (H76) mined June 21 and not repaired
USS Glennon  (DD-620)  Hit a mine June 8, sunk by German artillery June 10
USS Rich  (DE-695)  Sunk by mine June 10
HMS Swift  (G46)  Mined and sunk June 24 off Normandy

HNoMS Svenner  (GO3)   Norwegian   destroyer  Hit by German torpedo and sunk off Normandy at dawn, June 6, 1944

--Cooter

75 Years Later, D-Day-- Part 4: Showing Respect

"The younger generations don't realize enough what sacrifices those men and women made for our freedom.  The world would have been a much different place if that war had been won by Germany," said Annie Riley, a singer dressed in a World War II-era uniform of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, or WAAF's.

"I do sometimes feel they don't get the recognition they deserve, and then you come to something like this and it is just so humbling to see how loved they are and how respected they are."

The veterans and the families crowded onto the decks.  A few pulled a few pints.  The mood was festive.

This time, however, everyone was looking forward to landing in France, not like the last time.

75 Years Later, D-Day-- Part 3: This May Be the Last Commemoration for Significant Numbers of D-Day Veterans

The events of June 6, 1944, when more than 10,000 Allied servicemen were killed or wounded, still mark the lives of the men who fought that day.  The emotions are even more pronounced this year, as the dwindling group of aging World War II (the British call it the Second World War) D-Day veterans prepare to honor their lost comrades in what may be the last major commemoration that involves significant numbers of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who took part in the invasion.

But, in Dover, as the veterans prepared to set sail, there were bands and veterans from later conflicts  to see them off.  The Swing-Time Sweethearts -- a pair of singers who specialize in period standards such as "The White Cliffs of Dover" and "We'll Meet Again" set the mood.

I figured out that if a soldier at D-Day were 18 years old at the time, he'd be 93 today.

75 Years Later-- Part 2: On Board a British Destroyer That Day

Retired Rear Admiral John Roberts, 95, was a 20-year-old junior officer aboard a Royal Navy destroyer that day and bombarded the German defenses.  Three British destroyers and three American destroyers were sunk on D-Day, but Roberts downplayed the danger he faced.

"I was in a ringside seat, as it were, watching the coast being bombarded by bombers, battleships; everything was firing at the shore.  But the fact is that it was a success, and we knew that really by the end of that day.  We caught the Germans by surprise."

75 Years Later, D-Day Veterans Cruise Back to Landing Beaches-- Part 1

From the June 5, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Danica Kirka.

Retired British Rear Admiral John Roberts, 95,  got back into the military side of his life quite easily as he boarded a ship bound for Normandy, France, and events marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day.  He had his white beret in place, a chestful of medals and began inspecting Sea Cadets line up for him.  Then, he got on a boat, just hoping that after being away from the sea for 40 years that he wouldn't get seasick.

Roberts and about 300 other veterans of the Normandy invasion left Dover Sunday for a six-day trip that will take them back to where they were all those years ago.  They will cruise to Dunkirk and Poole before arriving in Portsmouth, England where British Prime Minster Theresa May and Donald Trump will join other world leaders for a commemoration of D-Day on Wednesday.

They will then leave Portsmouth Harbor that evening and arrive in Normandy the next morning, retracing that famous crossing they made in 1944.

June 6, 1944-- D-Day: Other Events That Happened on June 6 Through the Years

Today marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day here in the United States.  In most of Europe, June 6 was yesterday because of the international dateline.

From the June 6, 2019, Chicago Tribune "On June 6."

Here are some other events that took place on June 6.

1918--  The World War I battle of Belleau Wood, which resulted in a U.S. victory over the Germans in France.  This was a great day in the history of the USMC.

1925--  Walter Percy Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation.

1933--  The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey.

1942--  Japanese forces retreated in the World War II Battle of Midway, regarded as the turning point in the war in the Pacific.

1944--  Allied forces launched their invasion of Europe, landing on the beaches of France in what became known as D-Day.

--Cooter

Before Wrigley Field, There Was the West Side Grounds for the Cubs-- Part 1: Tinker to Evers to Chance

From the October 6, 22017, Chicago Tribune  "Cubs rules at long gone West Side Grounds" by Patrick M. O'Connell.

A century ago, it was baseball, not medicine that was featured at the plot of land now occupied by the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Medicine.  This was the site of the Chicago Cubs' most dominant and successful period in franchise history.

"Before Wrigley Field's ivy, before the 'W' flags and the beloved manual scoreboard, there was the West Side Grounds."  The legendary Tinker to Evers to Chance combination were doing their thing in the infield.  Attendance was booming and fans also packed adjacent rooftops.

The Cubs won back-to-back World Series titles in 1907 and 1908.  And, this is where the only intercity World Series between the White Sox and Cubs took place. the year before when the Hitless Wonders downed the heavily favored Cubs in 1906.

The field was located between Polk, Wood and Taylor streets and Wolcott Avenue (then Lincoln Avenue).

)h, Those Were the Days My Friend.  We Thought They'd Never End.  --DaCootSox

The Oscars By the Numbers-- Part 3: Of British Monarchs and Real People

19--  Number of acting nominations that have gone to performers playing British monarchs, including Olivia Colman, who is nominated for Best Actress this year for portraying Queen Anne in "The Favourite."

Five have won:  Colin Firth, Helen Mirren, Charles Laughton, Katherine Hepburn "The Lion In Winter" (1969) and Judi Dench "Shakespeare in Love" (1999).

72--  The number of actors/actresses who've won for playing real people, including Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman and Jaime Fox.

89--  Age of "Call Me By Your name" screenwriter James Ivory when he accepted his award in 2018, becoming the oldest winner ever.

--Cooter

The Oscars By the Numbers-- Part 2: Charlie Chaplin's Ovation

7--  Number of times "The Wife" Best Actress nominee GLENN CLOSE has contended for a trophy.  She has never won one.

10--  Age of TATUM O'NEAL when she won Best Supporting Actress in 1974 for "Paper Moon."

12--  Minutes of CHARLIE CHAPLIN's  standing ovation in 1972 when he received his lifetime achievement award.

14--  Most nominations ever for a film in a single year.  Three-way tie:  "La La Land". (2017), "All About Eve" (1951), and "Titanic" (1998).

--Cooter

The Oscars By the Numbers-- Part 1:"Thank You"

From the February 24, 2019, Parade Magazine by Mara Reinstein.

Here are some of the smallest and biggest numbers related to Hollywood's biggest night.

0--  Number of nominations Richard Gere has received.

1--  Weekends it took Best Picture Nominee "Black Panther" to outgross the entire run of 2018 Best Picture Winner "The Shape of Water" at the Box Office.

2--  Number of words in the shortest acceptance speech ever.    In case you're wondering, Patty Duke in accepting her Best Supporting Actress award in 1963 for "The Miracle Worker."  No playoff the stage music for her.

5--  Number of actors/actresses who've pulled off consecutive wins, including Tom Hanks' Best Actor trophies for "Philadelphia" (1994) and "Forrest Gump" )1995).

--CootOscar