Month: October 2023

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.