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Timmy Wong

Ken, congratulations on reaching the rank of Grandpa!!  That's very exciting.  Although my kids are married now, we have not reached the level of Grandpa and Grandma.  They just bring home four legged, furry ones, which is not a bad thing!  From my observations, the best thing about being Grandpa is that you can spoil him all you want and give him all quantities of sugar treats, have as much fun with him as you want because, at the end of the day, you get to give him back!! Have fun, buddy!!

Edward Mc Carthy

Best to you Ken.  Thanks for sharing this beautiful news.  You are blessed. 

My wife also looks at these posts ( Niles West has no such thing ) She made me chuckle when she said, "Your classmate Ken is a prolific poster now. With a grand baby, look out !"  Your excitement is only surpassed by the realization of grandchildren being recognized as little blessings and miracles.  Good for you Ken. Oh the stories that child will hear!!!!!   And teach that child about those insane bugs and creepy crawly creatures you have shared pics of!!!

My wife and I started a fam quite late ( medical issues ) so we accept that  grandbabies will also be delayed.  Kids, for me.......My youngest is 15 ( son ) and oldest 26 ( daughter ) .  She is still single ( loving it ) and right now not even thinking about kids.  She has a terrific job and career and makes serious coin so she is living large and traveling like crazy.  Even with C19, she is managing careful trips.  This summer she will spend another summer in Alaska.  And my son, well, as a typical 15 year old boy and phenominal athlete, he is so not interested in girls at this time unless they can advance his sports career.  I have told him one day girls may dominate your thinking!!!!   So between the two of these wonderful children, grandbabies and not on our horizon anytime soon.  And I and my wife are okay with that. 

My job and career path for the past 35+ years has me traveling 75%+ of the time. I do plan to slow it down and retire soon but between that, a lake home up north where we spend allot of time and a home on the beach in New Smyrna Beach and some killer hobbies, selfishly, I am glad babies are being postponed. Only so many hours in the day. We look forward to that day, but for now, cool.  

Enjoy Ken....and thanks for sharing such wonderful news .  Especially at a time when we all need some.  God bless you Ken. 

From sunny warm Florida as I type............Happy New Year all.  Ed 

Terri (Therese) Bresnahan (Reid)

Congratulations Ken!!! Being a grandparent is like suddenly becoming a rockstar.   When we visit our grandchildren, we hear them yell "GRANDMA'S HERE!!!!  GRANDPA'S HERE!!!"  My kids never did that.   We are blessed to have 21 grandchildren - 22 in April.  We have seven children - I call my grandchildren "compound interest."  They are the exponential gifts for having children. (And not killing them when they were teens. )   Enjoy your grandson - they grow up far too quickly!!! 

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Happy Birthday Kevin O Mooney!! Also congrats to Terri who must be the most prolific maternal figure of all the Bicentennials!

Kevin O Mooney

Thank You!!!    the hat! Its so me...

Terri (Therese) Bresnahan (Reid)

Hahahahahaha!!!  Thank you, Michelle! 

John Simmers

I'm posting this in the hopes that it'll bring at-least a smile or two (as may be needed, through these most-dreary days).

I first saw this video (below) a number of years ago, I've since searched it out and watched it again-and-again, and, its always good for delivering me a time-to-time lift in any day. Yesterday, after seeing it again -- I thought it worth sharing here. 

This video is a cover-performance of Led Zepellin's "Stairway to Heaven". It was performed by Heart (Ann and Nancy Wilson) in-part to the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors - which included recognition of Led Zeppelin's lifetime contributions to American-culture. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were in attendance and their various reactions are captured throughout. With John Bonham (the group's drummer) having passed some-time ago -- in September 1980, the performance of Jason John Bonham (John and Patricia Bonham's son) on drums -- is particularly moving.

If you've already seen and liked this -- I hope you find this an opportunity to see and like it again. If you've not seen it before (even if you're not 'rock-n-roll' inclined) -- I hope you'll enjoy now.

[Video is 6-miinutes 55-seconds]

[Heart's performance here is among a whole tribute that includes historical-footage; Foo-Fighters (performing "Rock and Roll"); Kid Rock (performing "Ramble On"); and, Lenny Kravitz (performing "Whole Lotta Love"). If you want -- here's a link to entire tribute: The Kennedy Center Honors Led Zeppelin 2012 - YouTube ]   

Andrea M Adam

Thanks, John. I think it will forever be the song of "our time". Also, on a personal note, it's nice to see these guys growing old semi-gracefully and not trying to look like they did in the 70's and failing miserably.

Deborah "Debbie" Tono

Thanks for sharing John! Brought tears to my eyes watching it! My hubby & I are soooo missing live music these days - we've resorted to watching documentaries on Netflix, Amazon Prime & Apple TV about the 'classic rock' bands, and blaring music through the sound system (in the house or car). 

FYI- Stairway to Heaven was the Prom theme for class of 77' - my brother (Doug Tono) was on the committee.

Hopefully we're all aging gracefully (I still feel like I'm in my 20's & probably still act like!). Stay well, be safe & please keep posting!!!!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Just opened for registration 45 minutes ago and tickets are goin' fast!  

Robert Cole

Hey... anyone got that vid of Abba doing Inna Gadda Da Vida?

Robert Cole

Michelle,

Feb. 18th... I'm SO there!
I'll bring the Fluky's!

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Bob... this should be fun.  The history of deep-dish, Maxwell St Polish, Palmer House brownies, (which I never knew about before), Garrett's Popcorn and more. Too bad we can't do a real pub'n'grub crawl! 

I miss the small hot dog stands in trailers and little outbuildings full of unchecked health violations.  :O   The Portillos that just opened on Addison and Kimball is so busy since opening in November we haven't been there yet and we live really close. 

It'll be nice to see some Bicentennial faces on the 18th.  About 40 slots left as of this morning kiddos!

Peter Hong

My family and I relocated from the Chicago-land area in 2000 to NYC and, subsequently in 2018, to Charlotte, NC.  I so missed deep-dish pizza but got tired of paying $40+ for a overnight frozen pizza from a Chicago restaurant.  Over the years, I have perfected my version of the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.  I am happy to share the recipe...if someone can tell me the mechanism to do so.

Robert Cole

Edward Mc Carthy

Stairway to Tissues.  Wow....thanks John.  How is it, a jam I was fairly indifferent to all those years ago now brings a rush of emotion and even tears?   Is it that we must at some point realize or recognize our own mortality?  It also reminds us of a time when musicians and bands used real instruments to create that art form.  But I digress....times have changed and so too must we.  And that's a good thing, right? 

My 26 year old daughter enjoys 'our generations' music and that impresses me and warms my heart.  She enjoys current music but also appreciates the richness of the 60's, 70's and 80's music. 

Regarding hot dogs......on Milwaukee north of Central and  south of  Devon, on the west side of Milwaukee Ave. was a small hot dog hut called Hastey Tastey or maybe Tastey Hastey.  It was a meal on a bun nearly difficult to eat due to its size.  Those were the days................  

Marie Costa (McJilton)

John...Thanks for posting this tribute to Led Zeppelin. Not sure if they did, but I think everyone should click on the link you sent with the video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra-itTKnFaw  It is the full performance honoring the best rock and roll group of all times.  

As for hot dogs.....so many great stands in the city.  Ed, Hasty Tasty did make a good dog.  Other places...Byron's, Demon Dogs, Wiener Circle, Nino's.......the list goes on and on.  It's all about the Vienna dog and a steamed bun. Of course, no ketchup (lol).  Can't wait for the 17th!

Stay warm!

Paul G Smolk

I actually built the french fry chopping machine for SUPERDAWG at my tool & die shop . 

Paul G Smolk

A Buddhist goes to SUPERDAWG and says " make me one with everything " . He gives Morey $10.00 but gets no change . " $10.00 for a hot dog , how about some change " . Morey says " change comes from within " .

Ken Ortiz

A hot dog place we used to frequent "back in the day" was Jimmy's Hot Dogs on Pulaski and Grand. I believe it is still there (it was last I checked which was a couple of years ago). A couple of other places I remember during my Lane years that we would frequent was Connie's Beef (around North ave and Austin) and Father and Son's Pizza (on Milwaukee ave) where we would order Pizza and get it delivered to us. And 20 cards would get us that free Pizza. I also believe Father and Son's is still there. 

Timmy Wong

Thanks, John for bringing up that tribute to Led Zeppelin.  I had one of those unforgettable lifetime events with my son when he was young.  We were riding in the car and AC/DC comes on the radio with Highway to Hell.  My son looked at me and smiled and said "Dad, that's Stairway to Heaven".  I had to look at him and say "no, son, that's the other way".  We laughed and that is a moment neither of us will ever forget!!

For good dogs, don't forget Fluky's on Western Ave.  Great dogs and the little hotdog gum was great too.  Also, a little further out was Paradise Pup in Des Plaines!

Robert Cole

Don't forget Poochie's in Skokie for another GREAT dog!
And Wolfie's! 
Too many great hot dogs in Chicago to count.

And, near Wolfie's for great thin crust pizza used to be Oddo's Pizzaria!

Per C Pearson

My favorite place was a little white trailer parked in an old gas station on Lawrence just west of Elston. I think it just said "HOT DOGS". It looked like it could pick up and move in three minutes time but it had been there for years.

I used to walk the original Maxwell street. The hot dogs, polish, and chicken were unbelievable! I've never seen (or smelled) anything as good as what they had.

Regarding Zeppelin, I wonder if todays music will be as popular in 50 years. For our hard rock to be played in the grocery stores and nobody thinks twice (or winces about it) says it is a classic.

Michelle Milkovic (Weiner)

Check this out!  Do you remember your childhood exchange?  We were Mulberry 6707 for decades!

Marie Costa (McJilton)

Our telephone number was LIN 3871, also known as LI 9 3871.