Remembering Dog 'N Suds Back Then: Food Prices

We haven't been to the place yet this year, but usually we go on Thursdays when they have a special on Charcoburgers.  Last year the deal was two for $4.  We don't know what it is this year.  A few years back, it was two for $3.  Wash that down with one of thse great root beers, and you're in heaven.

Anyway, they had a menu with prices from the past.  Unfortunately, there was not a date on it.

But, here they are:

Charcoburger  60 cents

Coney Dog:  60 cents

Hot Dog:  30 cents

Texas Burger:  $1.15

Root Beer:  25 cents and 30 cents

French Fries:  35 cents

Onion Rings:  50 cents

Shakes and Malts:  55 cents

Pork Tenderloin:  70 cents.

Sure wish we still had these prices.  I almost can't afford to eat out these days.

Don't You Wish.   --CootBeer

Remember Dog 'N Suds

We are fortunate to have one of the seven or so remaining Dog 'N Suds restaurants  left in the United States right here in Ingleside, Illinois, just a short distance from the Grant Hall Museum where the Fox Lake/Grant Township Area Historical Society meets.

There are also two other Dog 'N Suds within twenty miles of us.  One is in Richmond and the other in Grayslake.  I am particularly fond of their root beer, of course, but also their Coney Dogs and Charburgers.

Plus, the gal comes out to your car to take your order and bring the food.  It's real retro.  And, for even more of a retro experience, you can go over to the McHenry Drive-In (about 15 miles away) and see movies under the stars.

We have a Miller's Dog 'N Suds display in the museum.

I looked at a menu from the past (unfortunately no date on it), but I sure would like to have those prices today.

Next Post.  --CootBeerandDog

Fox Lake Hist. Society-- Part 4: The Minneola, Grant High Yearbooks and Docents

And, speaking of the Mineola, a couple months ago the local papers were reporting that it  has been sold and that it would be torn down, but rebuilt with features of the old structure.

But according to a member of the Jakstas family in attendance it may or may not have been sold.  We'll know for sure in August.  There is also word of a TIF District, but what that will entail is also not known.  It might be for up to 23 years.

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Recently, we received Grant Township High School yearbooks for 1947, 1948 and 1950.  We keep one of each year, but will sell extras.  Have yearbook will sell.

We are asking $65 per book.  Classmates is asking $100 for theirs.

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We still need docents for the two days a month we are open to the public.  That is the first and third Sundays.

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Looking for ideas for fundraisers.

I'd like to have one of those "Open" flags to fly out front when we're open.

--Cooter

Fox Lake Hist. Society-- Part 3: About Deer Haven Park

Our research committee has been updating the notebook on Dollar Lake.

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Deer Haven was in Ingleside between Washington Street and Illinois Highway 59.

It was a 19.3 acre park with a miniature train, pony rides, picnic facilities, refreshment stands and deer so tame that young children could feed them by hand.  It operated from 1960 to 1967.

The tagline of the place was "Go on a See-Nik Pic-nik."  They boasted of having  a Fairy-Tail Forest where children could  see deer, monkeys, birds, buffalo, lambs, goats and lots of bunnies.

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The "Boating on the Chain" book costs $75 and is mostly about boat racing on the Chain O' Lakes.  It has been sold out.

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Kora and Maude streets in Fox Lake, near the Mineola were named after the daughters of the Mineola builders.

--Cooter

Fox Lake Historical Society Meeting-- Part 2: Talking About Dollar Lake and Beer Can Bridge

There was no presentation today because of the death of President Nancy Kubalanza.  Just didn't seem right to have one.

There is a movement to place historical markers around Fox Lake.

The site of Dollar Lake, now the plaza with the theater and Val's grocery store is scheduled for one.  Dollar Lake was shallow and filled in.  Paul Jakstas says there is no truth to there being any trains in the former lake (used as fill).  It was filled up partially with land from G.I. Hill

In 1954, Rollins Road came through to Fox Lake and the shopping centyer was built 1962-1963.  It used to have a small Sears store and a Woolworth's.

They also hope to put up anoher sign by what is locally called Beer Can Bridge which takes US Route 12 (Rand Road) over a channel between Nippersink Lake and Pistakee Lake.  It gets its name from all the beer cans placed on the underside of the girders by boaters passing under them.  

This is also by where the old Midway was located, an area of bars, hotels and amusements.

--Cooter

Fox Lake/Grant Township Area Historical Association Meeting May 21, 2022: Goodbye to Nancy Kubalanza

Held at the Grant Hall Museum in Ingleside, Illinois.

Nancy Kubalanza had been president of the organization since 2003 and was instrumental in getting the present building from the Grant Township Transportation Department for use as the museum.  She was also very active with the Republican Club of the area.

A moment of silence was held for her.  It was kind of sad seeing her name in the minutes of the last meeting held in March.

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We are looking for some sort of Trak Phone for use since the cost of a landline is now at $138 a month.  A ridiculously high price considering the amount of use we get out of it.

As is the case with most all historical societies, money is extremely short.

(By the way, gas prices at the stations in Fox Lake went from $5.08 to $5.10 on the way over.  Thornton's only sells the Northwest Herald of McHenry County and the Lake County News, which is free, now,  When I bought the Herald, the comment by the clerk at the register was "Wow, a person buying a newspaper."  So sad.  I'll miss newspapers.)

Our original Constitution dates from 1997 and tweaks are needed on it.  We saw a list of proposals.  Nothing major.

--Cooter

Death of Nancy Kubalanza-- Part 3

Nancy was a Republican  Precinct  Committeeman and the Chairman of the Grant Township Republicans for 30+ years.  She was  the State Central  Committeewoman for the 8th and 10th Congressional Districts, a delegate to several Illinois Republican Conventions and was the President of the Grant Township Republican Club.

Most Republicans in Illinois will fondly remember her as the long-time Chairman of the Grant Township Republican Club's  Lincoln Day  Dinner.  She was one of the great ones and her presence and energy will live on forever.

A private service will be held for the immediate family and a Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider making a donation in her name to the Fox Lake-Grant Township Area Historical Society., P.O. Box 224, Ingleside, Illinois, 60041 as this organizatin was very important to her.  (I'll second that, she will surely be missed.)

Death of Nancy Kubalanza-- Part 2

From leading scout groups to volunteer coaching to the PTA, Nancy was involved in her children's upbringing.  She worked as a  school bus driver to help put her children through Catholic school and college.

After her children were grown, she became more involved in her community.  She was a Lioness in the Fox Lake Lions Club, a long-time member of the Fox Lake-Grant Township Area Historical Society and, yes, she became active in politics.  Very involved in politics.

Nancy loved working on campaigns, rallying the vote and taking charge.  She was a natural born leader.  (As a member of the historical society I can certainly vouch for that last statement.)  She had a way of convincing people to get involved  and making them think it was their own idea.

The Death of Nancy M. Kubalanza May 19, 2022-- Part 1: Long-Time President of Fox Lake-Grant Township Area

I have been a member of the Fox Lake-Grant Township Area Historical Society for quite a few years now and during that whole time Nancy has been our president.  It sure is going to be strange to not see her at the head table running the meetings.  She passed away suddenly last month.

From the Kristan Funeral Home, Mundelein, Illinois.

NANCY M. KUBALANZA

October 29, 1941 -- May 19, 2022

She was born in Watertown New York and grew up there, graduating from high school in 1959 after being a student leader and active student.  In 1960, she met Walter Kubalanza, married the next year and celebrated their 60th anniversary last year.  They have three children and three grandchildren.

She was a fiercely dedicated mom and grandma, or "Ommie" as the kids called her.  Family came before anything else.  She nurtured, guided and supported her family her whole life.  (She also did not shy away from giving her opinion.  Often!)

Nancy and Walt moved to Fox Lake, Illinois when their children were young and she immediately became involved with her new community.

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 8: A Mistake?

In March 1933, soon after taking office, Roosevelt signed a law legalizing the sale of wine and 3.2% beer.  Congress also proposed a 21st Amendment that would repeal the 18th Amendment.  Prohibition formally ended that December, when Utah provided the final vote needed to ratify the new amendment.

One of the pitiest summaries of Prohibition came earlier -- a scathing assessment from journalist H.L. Mencken in 1925.

Five years of Prohibition (at the time) "completely disposed of all the favorite arguments of the Prohibitionists," he wrote, "There is not less crime, but more.  There is not less insanity, but more.  The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater.  Respect for the law has not increased, but diminshed."

Prohibition's centennial comes as the United States is incrementally ending the criminalization of marijuana.  Recreational use of pot is now legal in 11 states.  More than 30 allow its use for medical purposes.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal laws, but Ethan Nadelmann, founder of the pro-legalization Drug Policy Alliance, believes most Americans now view the anti-marijuana crusades of America's "War on drugs" as misguided in ways that evoke Prohibition.

Even some of the older generation are saying, "We went too far.  That was a mistake," he said.

--CootPro

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 7: The Economics and Politics

One notorious example of the Klan's involvement with Prohibition occurred in 1923-24 in southern Illinois' Williamson County, where the Klan mobilized hundreds of volunteers to raid saloons and roadhouses.  Hundreds of people were arrested and more than a dozen killed.

That kind of social friction helped spur efforts to repeal Prohibition.

Economics also played a role.

While some Prohibition supporters predicted it would boost the economy, instead it proved harmful.  Thousands of jobs were lost die to closures of distilleries, breweries and saloons.   Federal, state and local governments lost billions of dollars in revenue as liquor taxes disappeared.  One major consequence:  Increasing reliance on income taxes to sustain government spending.

The onset of the Great Depression hastened Prohibition's demise, as the need for more jobs and tax revenue became acute.  The Democratic Party called for the repeal of Prohibition in  its 1932 platform; its presidential nominee, Franklin D. Roosevelt, embraced that cause as he rolled to a landslide victory over incumbent Republican Herbert Hoover.

--CootPro

Prohibition Hangover- Part 6: Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Michael Lerner, in his book "Dry Manhattan:  Prohibition in New York City," says courtrooms and jails were so overcrowded that judges began accepting plea bargains, "making it a common practice in American jurisprudence for the first time."

Anti-immigrant sentiment was a factor behind Prohibition, partly because of record-high immigration in the preceding decades.

Saloons in immigrant neighborhoods were prime targets because middle-class white Protestants viewed them as political and social danger zones.

"Often the political machines run by the bosses were based in these saloons, or used them for extending favors," Aaron Cowan said.  "So there was a concern about political corruption, changing social values, immigrants learning radical politics."

Prohibition's start in 1920 coincided with a major expansion of the Ku Klux Klan, which supported the ban on alcohol as it waged its anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic and racist activities.

The Volstead Act "provided a way for the Klan to legitimize its 100% Americanist mission -- it could target the drinking of those they perceived to be their enemies," McGirr said.

--CootDrinking

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 5: About Organized Crime and Capone

"Newly hired and poorly trained Prohibition agents, along with local and state police, targeted violators at the margins," McGirr wrote.  "But, they lacked the capacity, and at times the will to go after powerful crime kingpins."

It's simplistic to say Prohibition created organized crime in America, but it fueled a huge expansion as local crime gangs collaborated with those from other regions to establish shipping systems and set prices for boothegged alcohol.  Beneficiaries included Chicago-based Al Capone, who earned tens of millions of dollars annually from bootlegging and speakeasies.  

In the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929, gunmen disguised as polive officers killed seven men from a gang that sought to compete with Capone's empire.

Beyond the ranks of gangsters, legions of Americans were committing or abetting crime.

--CootGang

U.S. Flag Day Today. Here's Your Quiz.-- Part 3: Go Fly That Flag

Continuing with your quiz.

6.  Why and when was the U.S. flag first called "Old Glory?"

a)  It was the first flag flown from the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") when it was launched in 1797;

b)  It's a flag manufactured by the Old Glory Distilling Co. of Clarksville, Tennessee.

c)  Shipmaster  William Driver of Salem, MA., called his flag "Old Glory" as he first unfurled it in 1831;

d)  That's what Union troops called it as they marched off to war.

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7.  Which of these events actually occurred?

a)  Robert Peary posted the flag on the North Pole in 1909;

b)  Barry Bishop planted the flag atop Mt. Everest;

c)  Neil Armstrong planted the flag on the moon in July 1969;

d)  All of the above.

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8.  Where did Uncle Sam come from?

a)  He was an American Revolution caricature for Yankee Doodle, the name British  soldiers called American soldiers;

b)  During the War of 1812, meatpacker Sam Wilson of Troy, New York,  shipped meal rations   in barrels branded "U.S."  When they arrived, soldiers called them meals from "Uncle Sam.";

c)  It was the name U.S. soldiers gave to a common arillery piece;

d)  The World War I "We Want You" poster.

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ANSWERS

6.  c

7.  d

8.  b

--CootFlag

U.S. Flag Day Tomorrow. Here's a Quiz on It-- Part 2

3.  Which of the following features of the actual Star-Spangled Banner flag is NOT true:

a)  It had 15 stars on it;

b)  It had 15 stripes on it;

c)  The stars were in a circle;

d)  It's now preserved at the Smithsonian Institution.

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4.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was written during which war?

a)  French and Indian War;

b)  American Revolution;

c)  War of 1812;

d)  Civil War.

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There is no contemporary account that says Betsy Ross actually made the first  U.S. flag.   What di we know for a fact about her role?

a)  She was a friend of Martha Washington;

b)  In 1870, Betsy Ross's daughter, Rachel Fletcher, publicized and testified as to Betsy's role;

c)  She designed the yellow "Don't Tread On Me" flag;

d)  She was elected to Congress

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Answers below

3.  c

4.  c

5.  b

--CootFlag

How's Your US Flag Knowledge? (For U.S. Flag Day Tuesday, June 4)-- Part 1

Be sure to put your U.S. flag out this Tuesday because it is Flag Day.  It commemorates the adoption of the flag  by the Second Continental Congress of June 14, 1777.

RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.

The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on this date, but they were formed in 1775 on June 14.

Here are some multiple choice questions too test your knowledge (from the Current GA site).

1.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was written to celebrate U.S. forces surviving the British attack on:

a)  Independence Hall in Philadelphia;

b)  the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.;

c)  Fort McHenry in Baltimore;

d)  Fort Pulaski in Savannah.

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2.  Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner" from the deck of a British ship.  Why was he there?

a)  Key was negotiating the release of an American doctor/spy, William Beanes;

b)  Key was spying on the British Navy;

c)  Key was a journalist covering the battle;

d)  Key was a British agent.

ANSWERS BELOW.

1.  c

2.  a

Put Your Flag Out Tuesday.  --Cooter

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 4: Getting Around It at McSorley's and Other Ways

What the statistics don't measure is how extensively Prohibition was flouted.  Bootleggers established vast distribution networks. Makers of moonshine and "bathtub gin" proliferated, sometimes producing fatally tainted liquor.  Determined drinkers concealed their contraband in hip flasks or hollowed out canes.  Maryland refused to pass a law enforcing the Volstead Act.

McSorley's Old Ale House, established in New York in 1854 and still flourishing as one of the city's oldest bars, bever closed during Prohibition.  Ostensibly, it served "bear beer" with permissibly low alcohol content, but in fact produced a strong ale from a makeshift brewery erected in the basement.

 "It wasn't a near beer.  It was McSorley's ale," said the pub's manager, Gregory de la Haba.  "At least once a week, people ask, 'What did we do during Prohibition?'  And my reply, 'We made a ton of money.' "

The federal government, as well as the state and local authorities, spent huge sums on enforcement yet never allocated sufficient resources to do the job effectively.  Bootleggers awash in cash bribed judges, politicians and law enforcement officers to let their operations continue.

--CootDrinkItUp

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 3: No 'Intoxicating Liquor' Over 0.5% and Some Successes

By the time the constitutional amendment was ratified in January 1919, many states had enacted their own prohibition laws.  That October, Congress passed a law detailing how the federal government would enforce Prohibition.  

It was known as the Volstead Act in recognition of its foremost champion, Representative Andrew Volstead of Minnesota.  The law banned the manufacture, sale and transport of any "Intoxicating liquor" -- beverages with an alcohol content of more than 0.5%, including beer and wine.

Statistically, Prohibition was not an utter failure.  Deaths from alcohol-related cirrhosis declined as did arrests for public drunkenness.

--CootDrink

Prohibition Hangover-- Part 2: Not All That It Was Cracked Up to Be

"Prohibition had a lot of unintended consequences which backfired on the people who worked so hard to establish the law,: said Lisa McGirr, whose 2015 book "The War on Alcohol" examines Prohibition's political and social repercussions.

"It helped to activate and enfranchise men and women who had not been a part of the political process earlier,: she said.  "That was not the intention of the Prohibition supporters."

Ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919, which set the stage for Prohibition's launch a year later, culminated in a century of advocacy by the temperance movement.  Leading forces included the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the Anti-Saloon League and many Protestant denominations.  

Prohibition supporters assailed the effect of booze on families and the prominent role that saloons played in immigrant communities.

Prohibition greatly expanded federal law enforcement powers and turned millions of Americans into scofflaws.  It provided a new revenue stream for organized crime.

--Cooter

Prohibition Hangover: 100th Anniversary of It in 2020

From the January 19, 2020, Chicago Tribune by David Crary, AP.

LESSONS LINGER A CENTURY AFTER ILL-FATED DRY ERA BEGAN.

In this era of bottomless mimosas, craft beers and liquors, ever-present happy hours, it's hard to think that 100 years ago the United States imposed a nationwide ban on the production and sale of all types of alcohol.

The Prohibition Era, which lasted from January 17, 1920, until December 1933, is now viewed as a failed experiment that glamorized illegal drinking, but there are several intriguing parallels in current times.

Americans are consuming more alcohol per capita now than at any time leading up to Prohibition, when alcohol opponents successfully made the case that excessive drinking was ruining family life.

But, today, more states are moving toward decriminalizing marijuana (and even selling it in stores with high taxes)

And, in this time of heightened racial division of today, Prohibition offers a poignant history lesson on how restrictions targeted Blacks and recent immigrants more harshly than in white communities.  That treatment eventually caused many of these people to join the Democratic Party, which engineered Prohibition's Repeal.

--CootDrink

And My Best Two War Board Games: Stratego and Risk

I enjoyed the Milton-Bradley/American Heritage war board games, but my absolute two favorite games of this sort were Stratego and Risk.

I had excellent strategies for playing both of these.  You could always count on my spy to be somewhere around the general in Stratego.  That way if my opponents marshal came after my general, I had a shot at him.  My marshal would be around at least one of the colonels, maybe both, in case my opponent's general ventured forth.

Plus, I often played Risk in both high school and college.  These games could go on a long time, especially if there were only three players left or to begin with.  With just three players, you dare not go to war with one of the others and wear your armies down while the third person is just getting stronger by the move and preparing to wipe out what's left of the two warring parties.

--CootTego

A Follow Up on the Board Games Posts from Last Month: Milton-Bradley War Games

I was a bit disappointed that Pat didn't have any of my favorite board games with him.  I sure played these games a lot growing up and even have a few remaining.

These were American Heritage Milton-Bradley games.

BROADSIDE

This one was a War of 1812 Navy game.

DOGFIGHT

A World War I aviation game.

BATTLE-CRY

A Civil War game.

There was also one called HIT THE BEACH about World War II island attacks and one about the American Revolution called SKIRMISH.  I never played these two.

And, one other one was CARRIER STRIKE another WW II Pacific one.

Remember Any of These?  --Cooter

This Month in the American Revolution

From the American Battlefield Trust June 2022 calendar.

JUNE 2, 1774

**  The Quartering Act is amended.

JUNE 9, 1772

**  A British ship, the Gaspee, was patrolling against smugglers ran aground near Rhode Island and a local mob burns it.  The mob is then accused of treason.

JUNE 14, 1777

**  Flag Resolution.  Congress declared "That the flag of the thirteen  United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field."  (And the reason you should display the flag this date.)

JUNE 15, 1775

**  George Washington is appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

JUNE 17, 1775

**  The Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts.

JUNE 28, 1776

**  The Battle of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.

--CootFlag