What's in a Groundhog Name?

From the McHenry County 2022 Visitors Guide.

We had Groundhog Day early last month.  The famous movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, which is in McHenry County.  (County Seat)

The groundhog is an animal of many names.  Here are some:

woodchuck

wood-shock

groundpig

whistlepig

thickwood badger

Canada marmot

monax

red monk

land beaver

siffleux  (if you're French-Canadian)

How Much Wood Can a Woodchuck Chuck?  --CootHog

Woodstock Theatre Celebrates 90th Anniversary Today

I received notification from the General Cinema Corporation via e-mail that today they would be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Woodstock Theatre in Woodstock, Illinois, just off the historic Woodstock Square.

I will be leaving to go to it in just a few minutes.  This is a theater I go to a lot.

The mayor of Woodstock will speak at 11 a.m., and I imagine he will do that in the theater #1, with that magnificent recovered dome dating to the first theater at the site.

Afterwards, all day long they will be selling small popcorn and drinks for 90 cents.  That is a huge deal considering the usual cost, $5 and $4.

I will be seeing a couple movies.

And, the Woodstock theatre has been in the movies itself, serving as the scene in "Groundhog Day" movie where Bill Murray was dressed like Bronco Billy with his housemaid date.  Every year during the town's Groundhog Festival, they show free screenings of the movie.

Should Be Fun.  --Cooter

Illinois' Chain of Lakes-- Part 6: Aye, It's the Boating Life for Me

AUGUST 8, MONDAY

We boated over to Stormy Monday on Fox lake and were happy to find that they had a happy hour from 5-7 with $1.50 domestic bottles, $2.50 imports and $1 Miller High Lifes.  This place used to be a huge hangout for us back when it was Costello's Pub & Grub for many years, but not so often anymore.

We got our Chain Crawl passport stamped here.

We then drove the car over to Half-Times in Johnsburg, close to the Fox River for half price appetizers and $1 20 ounce draft and then to Sunnyside.

AUGUST 9, TUESDAY

I went boating around Fox Lake and Mineola Bay and then drove to Woodstock, Illinois, (not on the Chain but not too far away from it) to see a movie, enjoy the historic 1850s square (where the movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed.  met some friends at Papa G's on the  for dinner and then went to the McHenry County Civil War Round Table.

Like I said, Plenty to Do Here.  --CootChain

Actress Angela Paton Dies at Age 86: Was in the Movie "Groundhog Day"

From the May 30, 2016, Northwest Herald (McHenry County, Illinois) by AP.

Angela Paton, an actress best-known for appearing with Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day" has died.

Paton played Mrs. Lancaster, the kindly, elderly, small-town innkeeper who played host to Murray on his never-ending day in 1993's "Groundhog Day" movie.

She had 91 film and television credits, nearly all of them after she was in her late 50s.  before that she had a long stage career, mostly in the San Francisco Bay area.

I loved her replying to Bill Murray's question, "Do you have deja vu."  She said, "No, but I'll see if I can get them to make it."

Answers to Yesterday's Quiz on "Groundhog Day"

I saw the "Awakening of the Groundhog" at the historical Woodstock Opera House, built around 1900 as city hall. This served as the Pennsylvanian House in the movie.

I then went to the Groundhog Day Dinner Dance/Bachelor Auction at the Moose Lodge. This is where the dance and auction took place in the movie.

Today, I watch the movie in the Woodstock Theatre which was the Alpine Theatre in the movie where Phil did his Clint Eastwood thing. Then its over to the Opera House for the annual chili cook off, the walking tour of movie sites, and a symposium on the movie back at the Opera House.

Answers from yesterday's quiz. I missed one.

1. a
2. a
3. a
4. b
5. c
6. a
7. a
8. b
9. d
10. d

Sure Love This Movie. --Cooter

"Groundhog Day" Movie Quiz-- Part 2

6. The director of "Groundhog Day" also directed "Caddyshack" and "National Lampoon's Vacation. Who is he?

a) Harold Raimis, b) Rob Reiner, c) Christopher Guest, d) Ivan Reitman.


7. Phil tries many things to keep the old man from dying. Which of these does Phil NOT do?

a) prescribe medicine, b) feed him soup, c) take him to a hospital, d) administer CPR.


8. Brian Doyle-Murray plays Buster, one of the groundhog's handlers. Of the following movies starring his brother Bill, which one does Brian NOT appear in?

a) Scrooged, b) What About Bob?, c) Razor's Edge, d) Caddyshack.


9. To what Ray Charles classic do Phil and Rita dance in the gazebo during his courtship with her?

a) Mess Around, b) I Got a Woman, c) Hit the Road, Jack, d) You Don't Know Me.


10. During his "Nice Phil" phase, which one of these heroic acts does he NOT perform?

a) saving a choking diner, b) catch a falling child, c) change a flat tire, d) stop a bank robbery.

Answers and Ratings Tomorrow. --DaCoot

"Groundhog Day" Quiz-- Part 1

Taking you back to that great 1992 movie "Groundhog Day."

I got this from St. Louis Today.com which would be a better place to take it since it also has pictures and you immediately learn if you have it right or not.

I case you can't get it, here's the ten questions of the quiz.


1. What song is playing every morning when Phil Connors wakes up at the bed and breakfast in Punxsutawney?

a) I Got You Babe, b) Tie a Yellow Ribbon, c) Spinning Wheel, d) Black Magic Woman.


2. What time is it on the clock radio when the alarm goes off every morning?

a) 6:00, b) 5:00, c) 6:30, d) 5:30.


3. Which of these talents does Phil NOT acquire while trying to impress Rita?

a) oil painting, b) piano playing, c) ice sculpture, d) speaking French.


4. Phil runs into an old high school classmate, Ned Ryerson, who recognizes him and starts a conversation. What business is Ned in?

a) a) shoe salesman, b) insurance salesman, c) used car salesman, d) vitamin salesman.


5. Phil tries to kill himself several times attempting to stop the continuous loop of Groundhog Days. Which of the following did he NOT use to attempt suicide?

a) jumping off a building, b) electrocution, c) suffocation, d) driving off a cliff.

Last Five Up Next. --Cooter