LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
Yes. Isn't it weird to put it into those perspectives? But, we're "machines" and we require "fuel" and what's better food than BBQ?
Random thoughts/Off topic/Last post wins
- Thread starter Jason in CA
- Start date
timothy
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
The Oldest Restaurant In Every US State Might Surprise You - Mashed
If you want to know which historic place is the oldest restaurant in a specific U.S. state or the District of Columbia, here's a full list.
www.mashed.com
Interesting. I've been to the oldest in Massachusetts (Union Oyster House,) Michigan (Sleder's Family tavern, old family favorite,) and Minnesota (Hubbell House, highly recommended.) The only one we've gone to with age as a selection criteria is the Union Oyster House. The Hubbell House is about 40 miles away, and if you're near Rochester, MN, I would suggest it for a wonderful old fashioned restaurant.The Oldest Restaurant In Every US State Might Surprise You - Mashed
If you want to know which historic place is the oldest restaurant in a specific U.S. state or the District of Columbia, here's a full list.
John_NJ
TVWBB Wizard
Here is a good story imo- a quick read if you can
My father built the first Rocket Car before I was born, but he found a second rocket and built a second car for my mother, Leanne Heitman, after I was born. These cars have been with me my entire life. I was always in the Rocket with my dad, and when I was coming of age, he saw how much I loved it. Many times, a Rocket Car has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and, when I was little, we took one to the Indy 500.…
You can be in the worst mood, and when you get in a Rocket Car, you’re happy. People see it and smile and honk. One of my favorite things is to take a Rocket Car to a nursing home. The cars play old amusement-park calliope music, and it takes these people back to when they were 5 years old….
My father died in 2020. But my mom still drives the Rockets. So does my brother Matt. My son Cooper is 16, and I am beginning to pass the torch to him. Matt and Cooper are the cars’ head mechanics, and all the money the cars make goes back into keeping them on the road. I even have a Rocket Car tattoo on my leg. My dad once told me, “Don’t let life pass you by. It’s too short.” So I won’t. That’s my promise to him.
My father built the first Rocket Car before I was born, but he found a second rocket and built a second car for my mother, Leanne Heitman, after I was born. These cars have been with me my entire life. I was always in the Rocket with my dad, and when I was coming of age, he saw how much I loved it. Many times, a Rocket Car has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and, when I was little, we took one to the Indy 500.…
You can be in the worst mood, and when you get in a Rocket Car, you’re happy. People see it and smile and honk. One of my favorite things is to take a Rocket Car to a nursing home. The cars play old amusement-park calliope music, and it takes these people back to when they were 5 years old….
My father died in 2020. But my mom still drives the Rockets. So does my brother Matt. My son Cooper is 16, and I am beginning to pass the torch to him. Matt and Cooper are the cars’ head mechanics, and all the money the cars make goes back into keeping them on the road. I even have a Rocket Car tattoo on my leg. My dad once told me, “Don’t let life pass you by. It’s too short.” So I won’t. That’s my promise to him.
timothy
TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
We have an old mill on the Fox river that was converted into a restaurant/ banquet hall. The Grays Mill Estate.
That was built in 1850.
I would love to do a tour of the old dives, lol.
Phil Perrin
TVWBB Hall of Fame
Just got back from a months long trip!
Our trip had us near Greenville, SC for a week, a week near Texarkana to see Pammi's brother, a week on the western side of Arkansas for her 45th high school reunion, 3 nights in Columbia, MO to see my niece and Pammi's nephew (who'd just had a baby boy), the same time in Louisville, Ky for some us time, and a 4 nights south of Nashville to see one of Pammi's former coworkers, and their 2 cute sons!
We were to overnight near Asheville, NC, but then Helene said hello first!
Once I realized that the weather was going to be bad (we had no clue!), I changed our reservations for a couple more days in TN and called the NC campground to change our reservation
Once I learned that almost the whole western part of this state was wiped out, I changed our whole itinerary!
I made a reservation on the west side of Atlanta, and tried to call the campground near Asheville, but of course no one answered. I left a voicemail telling them that I was cancelling my reservation
We got a call on Monday from the campground as we were heading towards Atlanta telling us that we were going to be charged a cancellation fee as well as losing our deposit. I told them that it was way ok, as they needed the money more than I did! I also told them that we would go up and help clean up as well as a couple in their early 60's could, which they appreciated
I later got a call from the KOA corporate reservations office, that we would be receiving a full refund for our reservation. I told them that I didn't want it, but they said that it was corporate policy to issue refunds for cancellations beyond weather related cancellations
I told them that that was fine, but we're still going to try and go up in few weeks and see if they need any help
Our trip had us near Greenville, SC for a week, a week near Texarkana to see Pammi's brother, a week on the western side of Arkansas for her 45th high school reunion, 3 nights in Columbia, MO to see my niece and Pammi's nephew (who'd just had a baby boy), the same time in Louisville, Ky for some us time, and a 4 nights south of Nashville to see one of Pammi's former coworkers, and their 2 cute sons!
We were to overnight near Asheville, NC, but then Helene said hello first!
Once I realized that the weather was going to be bad (we had no clue!), I changed our reservations for a couple more days in TN and called the NC campground to change our reservation
Once I learned that almost the whole western part of this state was wiped out, I changed our whole itinerary!
I made a reservation on the west side of Atlanta, and tried to call the campground near Asheville, but of course no one answered. I left a voicemail telling them that I was cancelling my reservation
We got a call on Monday from the campground as we were heading towards Atlanta telling us that we were going to be charged a cancellation fee as well as losing our deposit. I told them that it was way ok, as they needed the money more than I did! I also told them that we would go up and help clean up as well as a couple in their early 60's could, which they appreciated
I later got a call from the KOA corporate reservations office, that we would be receiving a full refund for our reservation. I told them that I didn't want it, but they said that it was corporate policy to issue refunds for cancellations beyond weather related cancellations
I told them that that was fine, but we're still going to try and go up in few weeks and see if they need any help
LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
Gonna "age" myself just a little. Note this photo, rode on these busses as a kid in addition to the "green hornet" street cars with mom. She never had a DL or knew how to drive until the late 60s! So, she would have been into her 40s (since she'd been born in 1924). We lived a few blocks from this movie theater which was on the corner of Belmont Ave and Luna. Basically about 4700W on Belmont Ave. My pals and I would collect pop bottles, and turn them in for deposits. Then get enough coins to get into a double feature and get some "treats" as well. Maybe all of $.50 total. We'd park our bikes unlocked outside the theater and wonder of wonders even in a city like Chicago they were STILL there when we got out. Amazing times.
John_NJ
TVWBB Wizard
On Sunday, luxury goods will triumph over low prices. Kmart No. 9423, the last full-size superstore in the mainland U.S., closes its doors this weekend, ending a chapter in America’s retail story. Locals, from working stiffs to the wealthy, will mourn its passing.
Phil Perrin
TVWBB Hall of Fame
So, we just got back from the western area of NC, volunteering for hurricane relief. Pammi helped out at a school and I was at a large church helping sort donations. But we had some issues with the campgrounds we were staying at!
I had made a reservation for a campground just west of Asheville. Pull through site, with full hook ups. Nice deal
However, their app glitched while I was making the reservations and made them for the same week of 2025! Yikes!
Fortunately, they were able to move things around and got us a back in spot with just water and electric. I wound up buying what's referred to as a "honey wagon", a portable waste tank! You dump your holding tanks into it and then go dump THAT, so you don't have to disconnect everything and go to the dump station. 2 trips and our gray tank was emptied enough to be used for the last night
I did dump everything on our way to the next campground
On our way to Asheville, a camping couple called Pammi and asked if we wanted to take over a reservation in Morganton. One of their camping friends was having issues with her BF, so they weren't going any more.
We said sure, and paid the lady back electronically for her reservation. Unfortunately, we never got all of the reservation info other than the site #
Sunday afternoon, John got a text asking him to "text them when they were checking out". John asked his wife about it, and she said that she didn't have the email any more, as she'd accidentally deleted it!
So, they texted the friend who we'd taken over the reservation for and found out that it was only a 2 day reservation!
We called the owners and explained the situation to them. They were gracious and let us pay for another night instead of making us pack up and leave
The next day, we saw the people that were supposed to be in our spot as we were leaving and apologized to them. And the owner came up as we were getting back in the truck and thanked them profusely! It's a nice campground, and we told them that we'll be back sometime, which we will
Unfortunately, our camper has developed a leak in the plumbing AND our water heater went out while we were in Morganton!
Luckily, the camper is going to the dealer tomorrow for a new fridge, so I'll let them deal with those 2 issues while they have it. That's what extended warranties are for!
I had made a reservation for a campground just west of Asheville. Pull through site, with full hook ups. Nice deal
However, their app glitched while I was making the reservations and made them for the same week of 2025! Yikes!
Fortunately, they were able to move things around and got us a back in spot with just water and electric. I wound up buying what's referred to as a "honey wagon", a portable waste tank! You dump your holding tanks into it and then go dump THAT, so you don't have to disconnect everything and go to the dump station. 2 trips and our gray tank was emptied enough to be used for the last night
I did dump everything on our way to the next campground
On our way to Asheville, a camping couple called Pammi and asked if we wanted to take over a reservation in Morganton. One of their camping friends was having issues with her BF, so they weren't going any more.
We said sure, and paid the lady back electronically for her reservation. Unfortunately, we never got all of the reservation info other than the site #
Sunday afternoon, John got a text asking him to "text them when they were checking out". John asked his wife about it, and she said that she didn't have the email any more, as she'd accidentally deleted it!
So, they texted the friend who we'd taken over the reservation for and found out that it was only a 2 day reservation!
We called the owners and explained the situation to them. They were gracious and let us pay for another night instead of making us pack up and leave
The next day, we saw the people that were supposed to be in our spot as we were leaving and apologized to them. And the owner came up as we were getting back in the truck and thanked them profusely! It's a nice campground, and we told them that we'll be back sometime, which we will
Unfortunately, our camper has developed a leak in the plumbing AND our water heater went out while we were in Morganton!
Luckily, the camper is going to the dealer tomorrow for a new fridge, so I'll let them deal with those 2 issues while they have it. That's what extended warranties are for!
John_NJ
TVWBB Wizard
Another obituary I read went more in depth about how this man literally started with nothing. What an amazing country we live in
Born May 12, 1929, Bernard Marcus was the son of Russian immigrants who lived in Newark, N.J., where his father was a cabinet maker—“strong as an ox, a great craftsman but a terrible businessman,” as his son later described him. The family, Orthodox Jews, lived in a fourth-floor apartment. “It was freezing in the winter and hot as hell in the summer,” Marcus recalled in “Built From Scratch,” a memoir he wrote with Blank. “I tell the story that it was so bad that they tore it down to build a slum.”
Born May 12, 1929, Bernard Marcus was the son of Russian immigrants who lived in Newark, N.J., where his father was a cabinet maker—“strong as an ox, a great craftsman but a terrible businessman,” as his son later described him. The family, Orthodox Jews, lived in a fourth-floor apartment. “It was freezing in the winter and hot as hell in the summer,” Marcus recalled in “Built From Scratch,” a memoir he wrote with Blank. “I tell the story that it was so bad that they tore it down to build a slum.”
John_NJ
TVWBB Wizard
And another story that speaks to me about what a great country we live in:
Jersey Mike’s doesn’t bear his name, but it is Peter Cancro’s life’s work. As a Jersey Shore teen, he started working at the local Mike’s Subs in 1971 while at Point Pleasant Beach High School. When the shop’s owners put the business up for sale in 1975, Cancro’s mother posed a surprising question to her son: Why don’t you buy it?
Jersey Mike’s doesn’t bear his name, but it is Peter Cancro’s life’s work. As a Jersey Shore teen, he started working at the local Mike’s Subs in 1971 while at Point Pleasant Beach High School. When the shop’s owners put the business up for sale in 1975, Cancro’s mother posed a surprising question to her son: Why don’t you buy it?
Jason in CA
TVWBB All-Star
Hello everyone,
Again, it's been awhile since I posted. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Me. I decided I'm going to try something new that I've never done before. So I got a duck and put it in the smoke fire. I believe I tried duck a long time ago in a restaurant and I couldn't remember anything about what it tasted like. My thoughts on it are that either I have no clue how to trim a duck or they really don't yield a lot of meat. The best part and what I managed to carve the most from was the breast. I took it to a friend's house for Thanksgiving where I spent my day and everyone that was there said I usually don't like duck but that is good. So I guess my first attempt at cooking it went very well. If you haven't done it yet, go find a small duck and throw it on the smoker. They're not bad but in my experience you're not going to get a ton of meat from it. Or I need to watch a video on how to trim a duck?
Again, it's been awhile since I posted. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Me. I decided I'm going to try something new that I've never done before. So I got a duck and put it in the smoke fire. I believe I tried duck a long time ago in a restaurant and I couldn't remember anything about what it tasted like. My thoughts on it are that either I have no clue how to trim a duck or they really don't yield a lot of meat. The best part and what I managed to carve the most from was the breast. I took it to a friend's house for Thanksgiving where I spent my day and everyone that was there said I usually don't like duck but that is good. So I guess my first attempt at cooking it went very well. If you haven't done it yet, go find a small duck and throw it on the smoker. They're not bad but in my experience you're not going to get a ton of meat from it. Or I need to watch a video on how to trim a duck?
Phil Perrin
TVWBB Hall of Fame
I dodged a big bullet today!
We’re camping about an hour from Charlotte this week and winter has decided to come all of a sudden!
I remembered to check our propane tanks this afternoon. One was almost empty and the other WAS empty! And the office here at the campground closed at 4 today!
Luckily, I have a spare tank for our propane fire pit with us! Swapped that out and we’ll be good to go until the morning
We do have an oil filled radiator heater that works like a champ, but it’s nice having hot water to shower in!
We’re camping about an hour from Charlotte this week and winter has decided to come all of a sudden!
I remembered to check our propane tanks this afternoon. One was almost empty and the other WAS empty! And the office here at the campground closed at 4 today!
Luckily, I have a spare tank for our propane fire pit with us! Swapped that out and we’ll be good to go until the morning
We do have an oil filled radiator heater that works like a champ, but it’s nice having hot water to shower in!
Phil Perrin
TVWBB Hall of Fame
So, I haven’t driven for Uber for several months. I think spring time was the last time I did
I’ve been getting emails from them telling me that my car insurance is getting ready to “expire”
It’s not, just renewing and I had to wait until that happened before I could send them the new information and I did so today. They also said that I needed to redo my background check with them, so I did that too
Damned if they are saying that because of a speeding ticket (1-5 miles over 70 MPH) I got in 2020 I’m not eligible to drive for them
I guess it was ok when I drove for them LAST year and earlier this year, but all of a sudden, I’m “not worthy”? WT?!?!?
I’ve been getting emails from them telling me that my car insurance is getting ready to “expire”
It’s not, just renewing and I had to wait until that happened before I could send them the new information and I did so today. They also said that I needed to redo my background check with them, so I did that too
Damned if they are saying that because of a speeding ticket (1-5 miles over 70 MPH) I got in 2020 I’m not eligible to drive for them
I guess it was ok when I drove for them LAST year and earlier this year, but all of a sudden, I’m “not worthy”? WT?!?!?
LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
Where on earth do they give a speeding ticket for 1 to 5?! I don't think they even look twice at you here until you're 30 over
Phil Perrin
TVWBB Hall of Fame
I was actually doing 83 in the 70 zone!
I was using the cruise control and set it too high
I was honest with the officer and told him that I knew the speed limit was 70 and that I thought that the cruise control was set at 80
Luckily, we driving record was very clean and he only wrote me up for that
I’m also glad that I was in SC and not NC. In NC, any driving over 80 MPH is considered reckless driving!