McHenry (Illinois) Area Historical Society Meeting 4/9/22: Board Games

The meeting was held at the McHenry Savings Bank on Illinois Highway 31 south of McHenry.  There were 24 in attendance.  It is good to be back meeting again after all that you-know-what.  I just don't do Zoom.  

The last in-person meeting was held last June 11, 2021, at the Veterans Park Shelter in McHenry.

The next meeting will be at the bank on October 8 and the presentation will be about Women Pilots in World War II and the presenter will be Judy Porter from McHenry.

Attendance is down and the society will have a booth at the Thursday night concerts at Veterans Park this summer.

Membership is still $15 a year but will be going up.

There are two publications available from the society:  a 2022 calendar showing historical buildings and a McHenry  Illinois Sanborn Insurance Map Book showing the locations of every building in the city  from 1893 to 1933.

This morning's presentation was Board Games, given by Patrick Wirtz.

I was surprised to see good buddy Double D, fellow collect-too-much and NIU football superfan.

--Cooter

Looking Back to 1941: Records from the "World War Period"

From the November 2, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1941, 75 Years Ago.

"The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is making an appeal for phonograph records which contain or other vocal recordings of songs which were 'hits' during the World War period.  Persons having such recordings and wish to loan them to the chamber for a few days should call Mr. Reynolds, phone 188.

"They are needed in connection with the All-American parade to be held Thursday night, the final night of the Fall Festival."

You've got to love the phone number.  The "World War period" referred to would be what we now call World War I.  But, there was another war going on and about to draw the U.S. into it.

What, No Downloading?  --Cooter

Illinois' Chain of Lakes-- Part 3: An Example of Enjoying It

People often ask me why we don't usually go away for vacation during the summer.  My answer is, "Why?"  We have a great vacation spot right here.  First there is all that boating, then, there are the bars, many of which have entertainment during the week and weekends all summer long.

Plus, most every town in the area has at least one festival if not more.

Woodstock has weekly Wednesday night music outside in the gazebo as does Lake Villa and Lindenhurst.  Crystal Lake has weekly bands on Tuesdays and Antioch and McHenry on Thursdays.  Every town has 4th of July parties and Antioch runs a four-day Taste of Summer and McHenry a ten-day Fiesta Days.

There are few things finer than going out to eat, having some cocktails and sitting outside and listening to a goof band during the summer.

--RoadDog

Cheers to Oktoberfest-- Part 2: A History

On October 12, 1810, the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.  A crowd of 40,000 attended the wedding party which was held on the same land where today's Oktoberfest takes place in Munich.  Horse racing was the main attraction.

Everyone was impressed with the event, so much so that the anniversary of it was marked every year afterwards.  By 1814, beer stands were beginning to pop up and increased in number while the festivities were extended to several days.

This all fit in nicely with Bavaria's beer culture.

I'd sure like to go there, but really hate beer foam and every picture I've seen, the top fourth of those huge mugs.  Nothing against suds, but, you can't drink them.

--CootOkter

The Wilson (NC) Whirligig Festival

Not only did I learn about the Whirligig Park opening in November in Wilson, NC, but also, there are plans to have a Whirligig Festival November 2-3 this year. I imagine it will likely coincide with the opening of the park.

Along with the usual food (and in eastern North Carolina, that definitely means Carolina-style 'Cue), activities and so forth, there will also be entertainment. Bands scheduled at this point are the Impacts, East Coast R&B, Without Further Ado and the Wallers.

And, also being eastern N.C., that means Beach Music and the great Band of Oz will be playing.

Thinking About It. --DaCoot