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Tom Hassler, we miss you already.

This blog is longer than what i usually post. When you’re friends with someone for over 57 years, there’s plenty to say. Tom Hassler passed away on Sunday December 10^th after a short but intense battle with cancer.  We will be honoring Tom’s life at a memorial service next month. This blog is dedicated to Tom, his fantastic family and all the friends who were lucky enough to know him.

My first two best friends in the world were Tom and Pete Hassler.

We first met in the summer of 1966 when our family moved to Elmhurst, right across the street from the Hassler family. I was 5, so was Pete and Tom was 9, about to turn 10.

So many activities and events bonded us together like super-glued Legos.  Quickly it was us playing wiffle ball in our backyards, playing catch in the street, running bases, playing army with toy guns and also with little plastic toy soldiers in the Hassler’s sandbox and the huge sandpile in our back yard.  That sand pile was the spot for an above the ground pool we had for a summer before all of us began swimming at York Commons pool.  I remember our post-swim bike races from the pool to home with Tommy always coming in first and me and Pete vying for the silver and bronze medals.

In the fall, Pete, Tom and I would play tackle football in my backyard. We wore helmets and Hutch brand shoulder pads.  My red jersey number 35 would crash and hit with Tom’s #23 and I think Petey wore # 56.

At age 9, Wiffle ball in my backyard was the first bond we three had with the other Swain-Mitchell Street boys made up of Steve Bouse, Dennis Rudolph, Andy Spicer and Gerry Dhamer.  Steve ‘Harvey’ Charvat would link up with us shortly thereafter.  That summer my mom was canning all sorts of foods in our kitchen and would spread homemade jelly on hot rolls and biscuits and dish those eats out to us ballplayers between games.  Tommy was the wiffle homerun king in our backyard and I was a close second.  Although I was the first of us to hit 100 homers in that backyard ballfield.

Tom played for the Orioles in the Elmhurst Baseball league and years later Petey and I would follow playing for the orange and black O’s.

Baseball, baseball, baseball!  Tom Hassler was our baseball mentor.  I learned some about the game from my sister Marianne who was a bit of an athletic tomboy until she got to middle school.  From Tommy I learned not just how to play ball but the HISTORY of the game.  Yes, I knew big names like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle was but through my friend I learned more about players like Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Honus Wagner, Hank Greenberg, Elston Howard, Bill Skowron and countless other stars from the past.  Much of this was done with Tom and me playing his All-Star Baseball Game. I quickly got my own game like his and we even once sent away for more player discs that we split up in a draft.

Tom’s lifelong love for the White Sox is a whole other story.  What passion he had for the pale hose!  I used to laugh at how he’d travel out to Sox Spring Training games then come back with rosy forecasts for the south side ball club and nothing but doom for the north side Cubs.  Ha!  I’m so glad that in 2005 he got to see the Sox win it all.  A huge relief and cause for major celebration.

Playing 16 inch softball was another love of Tom’s.  From age 17 with the Hi-jackers to the Sultans to other teams and contests.  I’d get dizzy just trying to keep up with all the places Tom went and the clubs he played for.

It was Tommy who gave me my name of ‘Mick.’ I was known as Mike until about age 7 or so when my older friend said he was going to start calling me Mick.  I asked why and he said, it was for Mickey Cochran who was a great catcher for the old Detroit Tigers.  I liked Mick better than being called Mike and rolled with it.  My family went with this too and each year on the first day of school I had to bring a note from my mom asking teachers to call me Mick instead of Mike and they were fine with that.  My nickname “The Hawk” evolved a couple years later.

Hockey- Did we all get into hockey!  Tommy was the first of us to put on skates; then he wobbled and staggered on the ice rink we had in my backyard.  Pete and I followed being on the blades and did so at York Commons pool in the winter and house league hockey at the YMCA.  Pete and I were teammates on the last year we played at the Y, often times paired up as defensemen.  I remember the time we were playing on the Dhamer’s backyard rink.  Tom caught a puck to the face that gave him a huge black shiner that almost closed up BOTH of his eyes. 

Tom, Pete and I were and remained huge Blackhawks fans watching road games on black and white TVs, wearing Hawks red sweaters (Tom wore # 7 for Pit Martin, Petey #2 for defenseman Bill White and I wore #18 for Andre Lacroix, later Denis Savard would wear # 18 and that was better for me) We went to Hawk games at the grand old Chicago Stadium.  Tom and some of his college pals would eventually get 2^nd balcony season tickets for games in the early 80’s. It was Tom and Pete who taught me the history of former Blackhawk Wally Gunzo and from there we were buying our hockey gear at Gunzo’s Hockey Shop in River Forest.  That store was hockey equipment heaven!

Years later, Tom would introduce me to his Pikes fraternity brothers and we’d travel up to Rockford to play hockey at a rented indoor rink. I even went out to DeKalb a couple of times without Tom to link up with those same frat boys for more hockey. Through Tom I met his Pikes buddy Scott (Scooter) Stavrakas and Barry Rozner.  Barry would go on to a great career as a sportswriter and when working as a producer for Chicago radio stations I would on occasion call Barry to have him be an on-air guest. 

One last hockey memory- In my college years, me, Tom, Petey and my pal Mark Vasko went to a Hawks-Flyers game while we were off on Spring Break.  After the Hawks win, Tom spotted Styx guitarist James Young hanging out in the concourse.  He pointed Young out to the 3 of us and kept saying, “You’re Styx!  You’re Styx!” I don’t think James Young heard Tom but Petey kept laughing at Tom’s being a little star struck by this sighting.  To this day, whenever I hear a song by Styx, I recall that brief encounter with James Young and Tom chanting “You’re Styx!”

Then there’s music. Whoa boy, lots of music! I distinctly remember through Tom, learning about and getting into the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep and the deep cuts of Elton John’s double album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”  He and Steve Bouse were the first in our group to actually go see concerts in person. The rest of us would follow in the coming years.

In his late teen years, Tom took an interest in my sister Marianne. Mary dated other guys but it seemed a natural fit for she and Tom to link up at some point.  They went to at least one concert together, Tom remembered it as featuring Wishbone Ash.  While I could be wrong, I think his first romantic kiss was with my sister Marianne.  They even carved their initials in the wet cement on the sidewalk in front of our house.  You can still make out the TH & MK on that pavement.

I remember when he turned 16, seeing Tom drive off in his busboy clothes to work at Stevens Steakhouse along with Steve Bouse.  Both Steve’s mom and my mom worked as waitresses at Stevens so there was a connection there too.  Mom always said Tom and Steve were great employees.  Tom would share with us some Greek terms he picked up and experiences at what was at the time, Elmhurst’s finest restaurant. 

To this day, we Swain-Mitchell boys laugh at the memory of watching many Bears home games in the Spicer family basement.  Tommy was a big part of those get- togethers and we’d commiserate at how awful many of those teams in the 70’s really were. 

Later years- Late in his time at Northern Illinois University Tom met the love of his life.  He introduced his girlfriend Linda to us at a birthday beer bash he hosted at his parents’ house.  Wow and hey now! From the get-go Linda was a super sweet and lovely woman and it was obvious she and Tommy would spend their lives together.  I recall Linda buying Tom a bird he named Max.  It took a few years before their engagement would happen and my reaction was, “What the heck took him so long to propose?”  It broke my heart that I could not attend their wedding but I ran a DJ business and had a big event to do on the same day that Tom and Linda said “I do.”

Tom and Linda’s family.  The Hassler family was made up of daughters Devin, Kendall & Logan, son Jackson and foster child Carson who was adopted by Tom and Linda.  Not to mention the many other foster children they took in and cared for over the years.  Just amazing family happenings. 

Many years ago, as the Hassler brood was expanding, Tom’s mother would update my mom and I on how things were going.  Mrs. Hassler was in awe of her son’s home life.  She would often say to me, “Michael, did you ever think Tom would have this kind of a family?”  My answer was always, “I never thought it would be like this but he loves it, so great for him!”

Speaking of family, when Mr. & Mrs. Hassler were pretty much homebound in their later years, Tom would come by every week to bring groceries and take them to church.  Tom was a huge World War 2 buff and I’m sure that interest started when he was young and learned of his father’s service in Europe.  Tom was very proud of his dad’s time in the U.S. Army.

For several years, when the Elmhurst Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot started and ended near the corner of York and Valette, I’d invite Tom and his kids to stop by my house for a post-race visit.   In my living room, there’d be Tom, Jackson and Carson and at least one of the girls.  We’d spend some time talking about their 5K run and I’d get updates on how the kids were doing in school and their other activities.  Living alone after my mom’s passing, these visits were a much looked forward to part of my Thanksgiving holiday.   

When the Swain-Mitchell boys would get together at the Brick House in Downers Grove for fellowship, beers, food and watching sports, Tom would never fail to share the latest on his kids who were now all adults.  College majors, jobs they had, places they moved to, you name it, Tom told us all about them.  He was so proud of all his kids and I admired the parenting he and Linda did for their kids.  Great people tend to raise great people and that is certainly the situation here.

Back in April of last year, when Tom was diagnosed with brain cancer, every one of us from the old neighborhood rallied around him with prayers, messages and hope for a positive outcome.  We’d get updates from Tom and then from Linda. Eventually it became apparent things were not going to work out as we hoped.  I am SO glad I got to see my friend one more time, on the last day of October.  He was in home hospice care and in a deep sleep.  Yet Tom lightly responded to a few of the memories I shared at that time. He had other close friends do the same during his home care. 

And throughout all of this cancer ordeal, Tom’s wife Linda was his constant support and dedicated caregiver.  Tommy deserved the best lifetime companion and he got that with Linda.

As far as what I can say to Linda and the family Tom leaves behind, it’s hard to make any sense of his passing.  However, over the years, when I eulogized my father, my mother and my sister, there is a quote I spoke that brought me some comfort.  It came from the liner notes of John Mellencamp’s 1985 “Scarecrow” album which was dedicated to his recently deceased grandfather.  “There is nothing more sad or glorious than generations changing hands.”  For me, the goal was to eventually minimize the sadness and appreciate the glorious. 

Back when our boyhood pal Gerry Dhamer was murdered in 2006, I wrote up some Swain-Mitchell boys memories that covered some of the above listed stories.  That missive was passed around to Gerry’s friends and family.  Back then I cited the last line from the movie “Stand by Me” that remains as true now as it did back then.  “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve.  Jesus, does anyone?”   

Well for me, that friendship started at age 5 when I first met and played with the Hassler brothers Tom and Pete.  Tom was our guide and informal mentor who delved into many of life’s experiences before any of us. Things like playing organized baseball, having a paper route, getting a driver’s license, working part time jobs while in school, going away to college and starting a career in business.  Not to mention raising a fine family and progressing through the years.  Tom is leading us again as he has left this world before us.  We all miss him already but with any hope and good will, we’ll see each other again.

God bless you, Tommy.  Thanks for all you were to me and so many others. We’ll never forget you!

In just a few days, the calendar year 2023 ends and we move on to 2024.  It’s a time to reflect on what went down in the past 12 months and it’s hard to give this year a grade or rating.  It sure as shit was an up and down ride.

January didn’t start out well when I had to put Trouble, my beloved 17 ½ year old kitty cat to sleep due to old age physical ailments.  It happened the day after my birthday and was the right thing to do at the right time.  I’ve been through the loss of other cats and dogs over the years but no matter how many times that experience happens, it NEVER gets any easier.  This is the first time in almost sixty years that I’ve lived in a house without at least one pet.

This portrait of Trouble was sent to me by my friend Kelly Jourdan Duff. Best gift I got all year!

And yet, with the hurt of losing my furry family member, the outpouring of Facebook posts and the calls & emails I got about Trouble were a huge help.  Many have offered assistance and encouragement in me getting another cat and I appreciate all that input.  In 2024, I hope to adopt two kitties at the same time so they can keep each other company while I’m at school teaching.

My favorite picture of Trouble who photo bombs me. He was never far from my side.

The spring brought the sad details of my East End Pool swim pal Paul suffering a debilitating stroke.  I visited Paul several times at an Oak Brook nursing care facility and have seen him at his more recent locale as well.

My East End swim buddy Paul in a recent photo at his nursing home. I visited him several times and need to get back and see him to talk more sports and music.

Then came the news that blew away me and my fellow Swain-Mitchell boys; that our childhood and close friend Tom Hassler had a brain tumor and needed surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy.  He battled hard through the treatments but passed away on December 10^th.  Me and all who knew and loved Tommy are heartbroken.  I’m so grateful I got to see him one last time back in late October. While my pal was in a mostly comatose state, he did react to some of the warm memories I shared.  Tom’s services will be held after the holidays and I’ll have more to say about him at that time. I feel like a lost a brother.

Tom Hassler surrounded by dear pals at his daughter Kendall’s wedding. His brother Pete is in the glasses sitting behind him. Tom and Pete were the first two best friends I ever had.

2023 was more than gloomy health news.  There was the birth of my second grand-niece Julia Nagy in the late summer.  Big sister Eliza is a living doll and she adores her new sibling.  My nephew Mike (named after me 33 years ago) and his wife Maggie are the most incredibly loving parents.

Cuteness overload with Eliza and baby sister Julia.

Another bright spot was my brother- in-law Jack marrying his longtime love, Lori.  My sister Marianne was Jack’s first wife until she passed away in November of 2014. A few years later he started dating Lori.  I am beyond thrilled for Jack and know my sister would want her surviving mate to move forward in his life, just as she did at age 27 when she lost her first husband Gary to cancer.  Jack was such a devoted husband to Marianne and remains a fantastic father to my nephew Mike and niece Dei. His retirement years get to be happily spent with Lori & her kids, and of course his granddaughters.

Grandpa Jack Nagy and his granddaughter Julia. Love the joy on their faces!

As for me, things went well.  School teaching at Parkland Preparatory Academy continues to be my passion and frequent challenge.  (That’s what makes it fun) Seeing more of my kiddos graduate this past spring and here in December was beyond gratifying.

The summer swim season was a good one and I got to better know some of the lady ‘water walkers’ at East End Pool.  Peggy B is one of those pool regulars and we both realized that she was one of my swim instructors at York Commons Pool 55 years ago. Since I haven’t drowned yet, Peggy did a good job!

I finished the final, final edit of my media memoir “Raised on the Radio” and am in the process of learning all I need to know about self-publishing to Amazon. 

Bottom line- the year was a mixed bag of sad and bad news for people who mean much to me but there were some bright spots too.   

So as 2023 prepares for its exit, I want to wish those of you who read my posts a safe and wonderful holiday season and a healthy and Happy New Year. 

Last selfie (I hate that word) of the year.

FYI- I’ll be taking a few weeks off from blogs and catch up to you again in 2024.

It was ten years ago (December 18^{th, 2013}) when Chicago radio legend Larry Lujack passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 73.  Despite being away from the media spotlight for several years while retired in New Mexico, news of his death was a big deal story back here. It was also a big topic for anyone who worked in professional radio across the country and were influenced by the self-proclaimed ‘Superjock.’  To this day, Larry is still remembered, revered and most of all missed.

The always charming and delightful Ole Uncle Lar…

Most of you know I was Larry’s producer at WLS AM for two and a half years until he retired for the first time in the late summer of 1987.  Despite our professional separation, Larry and I remained in contact and close friends until he left this world.  We’d conduct hour long phone calls to each other two to three times a year.  I even spent several days staying with him and wife Jude in Santa Fe at his invitation. 

I’d love to share loads of details of our working and post-working relationship but much of that will be read in my yet to be published media memoir “Raised on the Radio.”  Larry would appreciate me holding back right now.  Back when we worked together, before shows when I had personal happenings or comments to share with Larry he’d say, “Don’t tell me now, save it for the show!”  Duly noted.

However, I can give you a few teasers.  (As Lar would say, that’s good “Quarter hour listening maintenance.”) 

I was a fan of Lujack’s since the age of twelve.  My sarcastic humor and outlook on things often mirrored his. That’s what drew me to being an ardent follower of his radio show, first on WCFL and then when he returned to WLS for the second and final time.

Superjock Larry Lujack doing his thing on the air.

From age 16 on, I aspired to work in radio.  However, being hired to be Larry’s producer, writer and on-air co-conspirator was NEVER in my playbook.  As only a few people know, LARRY CAME LOOKING FOR ME. HE DID THERECRUITING!  That whole crazy story will be shared in my book. 

Of course, my book will also have loads of stories about my other three radio stops, at WCKG, WKQX, Q-101 with Robert Murphy and my decade at country music beacon WUSN, US*99.  The road that took me to a twenty-year career in radio will also be in “Raised on the Radio.”

But back to the subject at hand, Larry Lujack.  I so much miss the laughs we shared on those phone calls.  I miss my friend and wish I could tell him one more time how he changed my life.  I don’t know where things would have gone for me without him and to be one of the very few lucky enough to be in Uncle Lar’s inner circle until his passing remains a cherished honor. 

I do believe in an afterlife and I hope to get to tell him those things when it’s my turn to leave this world.  Until then, as Larry would say, “Save it for the show!”

Larry at home in Santa Fe. Always missed and never forgotten!

NEXT BLOG- Saying goodbye to 2023.

There’s a scene in the late 80’s movie “Murphy’s Romance” where Murphy (played by James Garner) is buying his favorite shirt at a store.  The store clerk complains he should try a different kind of shirt but Murphy holds true to his own choice.  The clerk then tells him he’s out of style and Murphy smiles and says, “I wouldn’t doubt it for a minute.”  I can identify with staying with the tried, true and favorites.  Here are three examples.

SIMPSONS WALL CALENDAR- After a one-year hiatus from having a Simpsons calendar, I have one set for 2024.  Let me explain- Since 1993, I’ve had a Simpsons calendar hanging in my house each year.  Yes, a little old school for the I-pad, Apple watch thriving so many people do, but I like the visual of a wall calendar to suit my daily needs. The reason I passed on ordering one for 2023 was the year before that, my calendar was printed with Monday being the first day posted on the far left.  This screwed me up for all of 2022.  It was a total break from most calendars which have Sunday as the first spot on the left.  So, when I saw 2023’s Simpsons calendar was set up the same as 2022’s, I passed on it (breaking the thirty-year tradition) and opted for a Major League baseball stadium calendar.  But now the makers of the Simpsons calendars wised up and went back to Sunday being the first day on the left for each month so now I start a new streak of ordering that calendar for my wall.

And I sure hope 2024 is a better year in the world and for all of us than 2023 has been.

Thanks to the printers going back to traditional calendar grids, I’m back with a Simpsons wall calendar for 2024.

I like to keep life consistent whenever possible in other ways too.  Case in point, my VH-1 key ring fob that I’ve had bind my car and house keys since 1992.  I got this once green colored but now faded to dull gray charm while attending one of the coolest concerts I ever saw. The fob was in a goodie bag given out to guests at a VH-1 event held at the WTTW studios in Chicago.  I was one of about a hundred folks who witnessed a two-hour acoustic performance by Neil Young.  It was just Neil and his guitar playing tracks from his newly released “Harvest Moon” album along with songs dating all the way back to his days with Buffalo Springfield.  I remember him opening the show with the timeless classic track “Mr. Soul.”  Young also brought along a pipe organ which was saved for his last song of the night, a haunting version of “Like a Hurricane.”  That was a special night of music and that VH-1 key ring fob has been with me ever since.

It’s well worn but still durable. My VH-1 key ring fob.

CHECK HOLDER– For years, like anyone else, I had a bank issued checkbook.  A flimsy plastic binder that held a load of to be used checks and my register.  Then at Christmas of 1994, I asked my mother for a leather-bound check holder.  The idea came to me when I remembered seeing the leather check holder my dear friend and mentor Lee Swanson used to have.  His was emblazoned with the Record Gallery logo, which was a music store he owned back in the 70’s.  Lee had just passed away a couple months before Christmas of 1994 and I was thinking of him and how I wanted a similar leather-bound check holder.  I’ve had that same check holder for almost thirty years and will use it until it’s my time to leave this world.

My leather checkbook holder. I’ve had this one since 1994.

So, while there’s nothing wrong with the new, with certain things, I prefer some personal items that are tried and true. 

NEXT BLOG- Ringing out 2023 and ringing in 2024.

I’m always up for listening to different versions of old songs recorded by artists other than the original.  In other words, cover songs.  Some singers, who weren’t really songwriters, made a career out of doing that.  Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Rivers leap to mind on that score.

Anyway, while cruising through YouTube I’ve come up with five cover songs that do justice to the original recordings.  So, let’s check them out.

Mitch Ryder — “When You Were Mine.”  First off, that Prince track is my favorite that he ever wrote. Cyndi Lauper put a cover of it on her smash album “She’s So Unusual” and I’ve seen her sing that one in concert.  Mitch’s version of this Prince tune came out in 1983 on the aptly titled album “Never Kick a Sleeping Dog.”  While Lauper’s recording of it is good, somehow “When You Were Mine” sounds better sung by a man. 

Miley Cyrus– Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers.”  Miley writes some good songs herself but her real forte is covering and putting special touches on rock and country compositions.  She performed this Petty tune with her father Billy Ray on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Just a tender and effective read on a sweet song by the late great rocker from Gainesville, Florida.  This version is when Miley did it on the Howard Stern Radio Show.

Everything But the Girl–Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York.”  There probably isn’t an S&G song that I don’t love but my two personal favorites are the less known cuts; “Baby Driver” and “The Only Living Boy in New York.”  The latter being one I was drawn into when watching the small but fine movie “Tadpole.”  EBTG does Paul Simon’s song justice with a sweet choral read that I never get tired of listening to.

The Jayhawks — Dixie Chicks’ “Everybody Knows.” Jayhawks lead singer Gary Louris co-wrote this track with the Dixie Chicks (now known as just “The Chicks”) back in 2006 for their “Taking the Long Way Around” album.  Ten years later, the Jayhawks recorded it and did well with this introspective song.

Travis Tritt –Steve Earle’s “Sometimes She Forgets.” Easily my favorite Steve Earle song and years ago Travis covered it beautifully.  In concert Tritt often also plays Earle’s “Copperhead Road.”  A couple of times I got to tell Travis in person that he’s the only guy who should ever be allowed to cover anything written by Earle.  He laughed at that and appreciated the compliment.

There’s plenty of other cover songs to discover and appreciate.  I’ll get to more of them in the near future.

Next Blog- Holding on to the tried & true.

Got a few things on my mind so here we go.

The actor’s strike is finally over.  This means during sex women everywhere can now go back to “faking orgasms” if they need to.

With the actor’s strike over, during sex, ‘faking it’ is now allowed again.

Netflix has been on a roll with some new offerings I really enjoyed.  The first being “Sly”, the documentary on Sylvester Stallone.  Lots of great early footage of the actor along with tales on “Rocky” that I never knew before.  Growing up, Stallone had a really rough relationship with his father and those issues dovetail into the actor’s film career.  The ‘Rocky’/’Rambo’ star also comes to serious realizations about the time he’s missed with his own kids.

“Nyad” is the drama about open water swimmer Diana Nyad and her struggle to swim from Cuba to Florida when in her 60’s.  Annette Bening is great in the lead role and it wasn’t until when the end credits rolled that I realized her close pal and coach was played by Jodie Foster.  “Nyad” does well covering the swimmer’s long athletic history by mixing in old clips and pics with real life videos from her past. You don’t have to be an avid swimmer to appreciate all that Nyad went through to make history.

“The Killer” is a tense drama as Michael Fassbender plays a well- traveled assassin.  The film starts out a little slow but picks up the pace after Fassbender blows a murder assignment and is forced to seek revenge on those who attacked his girlfriend.  The battle he has with “The Brute” is the wildest man to man fight I’ve seen onscreen in years.  “The Killer” was directed by David Fincher who brought us “Seven”, “Fight Club” and “Gone Girl” and it is as slick, clever and dark as those films were.

It was good to get back into a movie theater for the first time in over a month as I checked out Paul Giamatti as a boarding school teacher in “The Holdovers.”  The film takes place in 1970 and I don’t want to say much more except that I did not want this two-hour movie to end.  Stay away from looking at the movie trailer for “The Holdovers” because like many previews, it gives away too much.  Movie studio bosses need to stop treating us filmgoers like idiots.

“The Holdovers.” By all means, see it!

A couple months ago, Netflix started running “The Return of Tanya Tucker” a and I just caught up to it.  The documentary was first released in 2022.  Fantastic coverage of the making of Tanya’s first album in almost 20 years.  It was all thanks to the fandom and passion of Brandi Carlile.  Back in my radio days, I got to meet Tanya a couple of times and she’s always been a favorite of mine. Seeing this special just reinforced that!

The Eagles are coming back to Chicago for 2 shows in March of 2024 as their “Long Goodbye” tour rolls on.  I missed the band the last time they came to town and am not a big fan of being in big crowds anymore.  However this time around, I’m thinking about heading out to the United Center to hear “One of These Nights”, “Take It Easy”, “Life in the Fast Lane”, “Hotel California” and other favorites live one more time. Ticket prices are ridiculous right now but waiting until the last minute to score seats could save me money.

One of the coolest ways to open a concert.  With Vince Gill and Glenn Frey’s son Deacon in the band the past few years, this cover of Steve Young’s song has more of a bluegrass romp to it than when they performed it years ago. This is how the Eagles do it every night.

On the subject of concerts, Mariah Carey is taking her Christmas show to the United Center on Sunday December 3^rd.  The debate over her mega-holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas is You” continues.  Some love it, some hate it.  And some of us (like Al Flash and I) make fun of it with some help from Al’s very talented daughter Michelle.

NEXT BLOG- Getting on top of some covers.

Warning: This blog should not be read if you’re currently eating or just finished a meal.

You may know from my past writings, as a teen I used to work at a White Castle Restaurant.  My memoir “Raised on the Radio” will share a few of the tales from my time as a slider server, but I digress.  Right now, I have to own up to a plain fact: I need to give up eating White Castle burgers.

Since age 16, I can’t count how many White Castle burgers I’ve eaten in the ensuing 46 plus years.  Way too many, along with fries or their tasty onion rings and washed em all down with a Diet Coke.  I can’t drink regular Coca Cola because the sugar and the carbonation gives me a bad stomach ache after just a sip or two.

WHITE CASTLE DRIVE THRUS HAVE BEEN A FREQUENT STOP FOR ME OVER THE YEARS. BUT NOT ANYMORE.

It turns out the Castle’s burgers are also wreaking havoc on my stomach.  Oh, we’ve all heard the jokes about how sliders run through our bodies or give us gas three or four hours after ingesting them, but for me it’s became worse.  For years the miniature meat, cheese and onion packed burgers never bothered my internal system.  That immunity to bad effects has ended.

 I noticed the change in my gastrointestinal reactions to downing 3 or 4 double cheeseburgers a couple months ago.  At first, I thought it was just a once or twice off deal.  Turns out it’s not.  Without getting too graphic, the morning after having a few Castle burgers is not pleasant.  Quick sprints to the bathroom are needed and I don’t feel better until every last bite of slider has been flushed through my small and large intestines and into the toilet. 

SADLY, WHITE CASTLE BURGERS HAVE BEGUN TO WREAK HAVOC ON MY STOMACH AND IN TURN MY HOME’S PLUMBING SYSTEM.

An old friend of mine says when he stinks up one of his bathrooms with whatever comes out of his backside, he shuts the door afterwards and tells his family, “This ride is closed!” I live alone but yes, after a bout with post-slider eating reactions, my ride is closed too.

Of course, White Castle burgers often taste best as a post-drinking or partying meal at three in the morning.  How many of us have been through that experience a few dozen times in our lifetime?  The good news being I haven’t howled at the moon with loads of beer or other substances in many, many years; so there’s really no need for the late night Castle run and even in the light of day, for me, my slider swallowing is done.   

HAROLD AND KUMAR CAN MUNCH AWAY ON WHITE CASTLE EATS, BUT MY DAYS OF DOING THE SAME ARE OVER.

Will I miss those greasy low grade meat meals?  Maybe, but since I am way overdue in plans to eat healthier, I’ll just consider my slider embargo just part of that plan to put better things in my system.

So long White Castle, you were fun while I had your bill of fare, but it’s time to walk away. 

NEXT BLOG: When I know, you’ll know.

“There are places I remember all my life though some have changed…”  ‘In My Life’/The Beatles.

One of my favorite Facebook pages is the “I Remember Elmhurst” platform.  Many times, old photos from way back are posted by lifetime Elmhurst resident Vince Spaeth and others as well.  Almost every street shot or aerial view brings me back to some great memories.  Here’s just a few of them.

Plunkett Park back in 1972. Ballfields galore and that large structure on the lower right is The Courts still under construction. On the lower left is Elm Field which had a homerun fence and brick dugouts which made us little leaguers feel like we were in the big leagues.

PLAY BALL! From age 9 to 16 I played in the Elmhurst Baseball League and loved every game and every practice.  For Farm through Pony League, I was a member of the Orioles then in Colt league I played 2 seasons with the Red team.  So many games were won and some lost as plenty of those contests were played at these locales.  The field on Plunkett Park’s west side had lights and playing the occasional night game was a huge thrill for us ballplayers. 

Butterfield Park was loaded with fields too and on the one furthest to the north east is where I hit two triples in a game against the minor Tigers.  (Guys of average speed would’ve legged out homers, but that’s O.K.)    

There were other parks too that housed our games.  East End, Elm Field with the dugouts, Armitage, Sandburg, Jefferson, Eldridge and even York Commons.  York Commons was where I threw my first ever 7 inning complete game beating the Brewers from the Elmhurst North team 6-5. They tried stealing home on me twice and twice were called out; the 2^nd time being the last out of the game! 

Seeing these aerial photos makes me smile when they get posted.  The games were special as were all the friends I made on my teams and our opponents.  Some of those guys I still stay in touch with to this day. 

Butterfield Park, another baseball haven along with picnic grounds and tennis courts.

SAM’S FOR A SNACK-Sam’s Place 4 Hotdogs was located at the corner of Spring Road and Eggleston street.  Our Orioles manager Mr. Parilli treated to us to more than a few post-game ice cream treats at Sam’s.  This hot dog joint was popular among York High School students who would take quick lunches there since it was just 3 blocks south of the school.  Whenever our dog Coach would escape the house and go for a run looking for love, my mom and I would get in the car and catch up to our pooch.  Coach loved car rides so we’d open a door and he’d hop right in.  To show there was merit in his coming back to us, my mom would drive us to Sam’s where we’d get some eats and share a hot dog with Coach.  I always thought it was cool that Sam’s female employees could work in cut off jean shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.  I remember them being several years older than me and being very cute.

Long gone but never forgotten, Sam’s Place for Hotdogs.

GOOD SPORTS-For any Elmhurst athlete (young or old) Chipain’s Sporting Goods was the home for all equipment needs.  Walking into that narrow but packed floor to ceiling store, the rich and engrossing aroma of leather footballs, basketballs, Adidas & Converse shoes, cleats and Wilson baseball mitts was what hit you first.  Jerseys, jockstraps, swim goggles, letterman’s jackets, hockey sticks, football helmets, fishing tackle & licenses, Chipain’s had everything any sports enthusiast needed.  My last two baseball mitts, both Wilson A-2000s, were bought there along with loads of other sports needs.  Even when the huge Sportmart store opened in Lombard, most of us still opted to buy our athletic equipment from Chipain’s. These days that store space is called Sandlot Sports which sells trading cards and other sports memorabilia which is fitting to the legacy of my childhood sports mecca.

For any Elmhurst athlete, Chipain’s Sporting Goods was THE place to go to get needed gear.

EVERYBODY IN THE POOL! While the newer built and kiddie friendly Smalley Pool is the current swimming spot on Elmhurst’s south end, York Commons Pool was in that original location.  This is  where I and my neighborhood pals spent a dozen summers starting at age six.  I remember having a plastic-coated card pass the first year. After that, each of us who got a season pass was given a small metal token that was sewn on to the only swimsuit we wore for the whole summer.  For my first 3 summers at York Commons, I took swim lessons which taught me all sorts of strokes and skills for the water that remain with me to this day.  This past summer I got to better know Peggy Babyar, a retired educator.  We ended up realizing Peggy was one of my swim instructors way back then!  She must’ve done a good job training me because I haven’t drowned yet.  The 12 foot deep end housed the low and high diving boards and there was plenty of room to swim throughout the place.  Teen girls would cover themselves in baby oil and suntan lotion as they laid out on angled wooden loungers.  Night swimming until 9 pm was also a regular happening, that is if we weren’t playing a baseball game that evening.

Looking to the northwest from this angle, photos of York Commons Pool are not easy to find. The ladder on the lower right was in the 12 foot deep end where you’d find the diving boards; two low dives with the high diving board in the middle. Countless hours were spent here every summer.

So there are just a few of the locales from my past and I wouldn’t trade those places and times for anything. Although one more hotdog or ice cream from Sam’s would sure be nice.

NEXT BLOG- Not sure. When I know, you’ll know.

One of the things I love about my blog is how I can pour out and post up my ideas and feelings at a moment’s notice.  No editors or censors and if others read it great; but the most important thing is to just get it written.  So here we go.

So long #51.  Bears legend Dick Butkus died in his sleep yesterday at the age of 80. This was a shock because he was just seen at the Bears home opener a couple weeks back.  So many things can be said about Dick Butkus’ years in football and his post-football career as a TV star and beer pitchman.  What most of us my age or older will remember is just how awesome and FEARED Dick Butkus was.  Strong, smart, fierce and dedicated to stopping the other team’s offense from going anywhere.  Back in Butkus’ day, there were no ‘sack dances’ or other on field showboating by the defense.  It was hit em hard and move on to the next play.  I even recall the time Dick Butkus caught a touchdown pass when he lined up as a tight end on a goal line play.  Butkus was the best and a great template for all other linebackers to follow. So sorry such an icon is gone.

Like retired sportswriter Barry Rozner posted, Payton, Sayers and Butkus. Without those guys, there is no Bears Mt. Rushmore!

On the same day of Dick Butkus’ passing away, I learned of the death of a former high school classmate.  Tim Grosser died this past Tuesday in a car accident down in Tennessee where he was living.  He was a year older than me in school and we met as part of the York High School Yearbook Staff. Tim was one of our photographers and a very well-liked guy among his classmates.  He had a sly sense of humor and nobody ever had a bad thing to say about Tim.  I knew Tim’s family as my older sister dated his older brother Roger for a time.  In the mid-70’s, the Grosser family bought the Candy Bar candy & notions store on Spring Road.  Lord knows how many 3 Musketeer bars and wiffle balls I bought from that place!  Mrs. Grosser ran the place and on the morning of my 8^th grade graduation I came in to buy cigarettes for my mom who was waiting in the car out front. (This was our common practice) Anyway, I was in my graduation suit and Mrs. G knew it was grad day and told me to pick out whatever candy bar I wanted for free.  Just a top notch family and I’m so sorry that Tim is no longer with us.  The York class of 78 also just lost another alum, as Karen Reynolds Gomoll died after a battle with A.L.S.  The class of 78 has a 45^th year reunion happening next month and both Tim and Karen will be fondly remembered by many there.

THINKING OF THE YORK HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1978 AS THEY MOURN THE RECENT PASSING OF TWO CLASSMATES.

My dear friend Tom Hassler who I’ve known since I was 5 and he was 10 has brain cancer and is putting up a big fight.  In the Spring, he had successful surgery and is doing both chemotherapy and radiation.  Tom’s wife Linda updated me on the toll these treatments are taking on him but he soldliers on.  Tom and his brother Pete who is just 3 months older than me were my first 2 best friends. We all still stay in touch often with other guys from the Swain & Mitchell neighborhood. Tom was my first and most influential sports playing and sports fan mentor and gave me my nickname of ‘Mick’ when I was very little.  My daily and nightly prayers are with Tom and his family.

MY FRIEND FOR OVER 57 YEARS, TOM HASSLER SURROUNDED BY HIS BROTHER PETE AND PALS ERIC HARRISON, BILL SPICER AND SCOTT STAVRAKAS. THIS WAS AT THE RECENT WEDDING OF ONE OF TOM’S DAUGHTERS.

Among all this tough news to take, here’s a bright spot.  Our school held its annual Parent-Teacher night this week.  I met with parents and talked to them about their kids’ progress.  One mom, after looking over her high schooler’s graded papers was thrilled over the work completion and spot on accuracy that was happening with her child.  She cried happy tears, quickly grabbing a tissue from the table where we sat.  THIS is why we do this teaching in Special Education.  I’ve had other parents overcome with this same sweet emotion and it just confirms that I’m doing O.K. and in the right place. 

Teaching kids with behavior and learning issues is not easy but it’s needed, I can do it and I love the challenge. In the song “Calling All Angels” by Train, they sing “I won’t give up if you don’t give up.”  Well I don’t give up, even when our students have.  There’s nothing more to say than that.

Next Blog- Looking back on some old places.

 

Forget about the Chicago Bears, how about them York Dukes?

York High School’s football team is enjoying another killer season.  These gridiron guys are mowing down any and all comers and I catch some of their action live on YouTube on the York Sports Network. It’s fun hearing young aspiring sportscasters call the games and the outcomes are all good.  Oh, to have that kind of access to broadcasting back when I was in high school!  (Sigh)

YORK HIGH SCHOOL’S DUKES FOOTBALL TEAM IS ROLLING THROUGH AN UNDEFEATED SEASON SO FAR. WAY TO GO GUYS!

Staying local. My next-door neighbors recently tore down their six-foot high wooden fence that borders their property with mine.  It was getting a bit worn but looked O.K.  That’s until it was replaced by a new fence with fresher and brighter wood. It really spruces up not just their house but also my humble abode.  I’m friendly with these neighbors, knowing them since they moved in thirteen years ago. I owe them some thanks for this new construction that matches up well with my newly sealed driveway.

With that said, one trend in Elmhurst that I’m not a fan of is the high vinyl fences I see built around most new homes and remodeled houses.  These fences are great for privacy and security but they say to me, “We’re living in our own private Idaho and stay the hell away.” That’s not the Elmhurst I grew up in since 1966.

THESE HIGH FENCES DO PROVIDE PRIVACY BUT THEY ALSO SAY “LEAVE ME ALONE IN MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO.”

So long Sir Michael.  Actor Sir Michael Gambon has died at age 82.  While Harry Potter fans will remember Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore, I’ve never seen one Potter movie.  No, I recall Michael Gambon for being in “Gosford Park” and playing a very smooth but scary tobacco company CEO in “The Insider.”  Still, my favorite Gambon role was him being big money financier Eddie Temple in the underrated drug caper “Layer Cake.”  Check out this scene as he schools Daniel Craig on the facts of life.

Over the years, it’s easy to notice the changes that have happened to Howard Stern’s radio show.  The guy has gone from getting wild stories out of porn stars and mocking celebrities and their scandals to the modern day shows where really introspective interviews are taking place between Howard and his big name celebrity guests.  Last year’s long visit with Bruce Springsteen was a great example of that metamorphosis.

Just last week Howard did a fine sit down with Paul Simon.  All the segments I caught on You Tube were fantastic but the best piece was Paul talking about the lines in songs that came to him in a mystical way. Simon said some lyrics were coming through him.  Or as the late Robbie Robertson said to Paul. “Oh yeah, you’re a conduit.” 

In a lesser and much more humble sense, I know exactly what Paul Simon is talking about with my own writings. I don’t know where some of my ideas for parody songs or Facebook & blog postings come from but they just float into my head.  On the fine Bee Gees documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”, Coldplay’s Chris Martin talked about the same thing.  He noted there are waves of creativity and inspiration that can fall into place and you have to ride those waves and see where they take you.

On the subject of songs, here’s the latest from me and my close buddy/collaborator Al Flash.  We mock ABC’s new “Golden Bachelor” series as a widower in his 70’s looks for love with women near his own age.  Truth be told, I wrote most of this song two years ago but COVID put a hold on the actual production of “The Golden Bachelor” show.

The Channel 9 Morning News gave our new parody a nice play last week.  I think this is the best video Al and I have done this year.

NEXT BLOG- When I know, you’ll know.