Along The Ad Routes

by Mike Reilly

The weather was a lot better over the weekend. Temperatures even went above 40! We had a little snow cover for a few days, but it’s gone now. We really do need a little more snow. The forecast says maybe the first two days of February, which is Sunday - but it may be freezing rain with the snow!

*****

Saturday morning breakfast took us to the south and east when we landed in Darlington at Glennies. We had been there a couple of times before, but Potsie hadn’t! It was Potsie, Bob, Terry, me and Tom (driver) who made the trip. Dave bowed out and Dewey was in Indiana. We found out that one of the owners (and cook)  had slipped on a rug in back a few days ago and broke some bones in her back. She wasn’t there, but according to the help she was planning to come in for a while (not a good idea with back problems)! We were waited on by sisters Gracie and Paige Douglas. They are relatives of the owners. Paige, the younger one, said she was working all day until 9:00 that night. Gracie was going to head home to take a nap so she could take over at 9:00! Gracie was our main waitress. She talked Terry, me and Bob into the “special” Apple Fritter French Toast. Being the “pig” I am, I added bacon! Tom had eggs, hash browns with cheese and onion and bacon. Paige broke one of his eggs and he said that was OK, but she sent him another one anyway! Potsie had eggs and bacon. It was all very good. Paige did a good job cooking and serving coffee a couple of times when Gracie was taking orders. She also found time to fill our cups! It was a lot of fun with a lot of very friendly people there, all saying hi even though they didn’t know us!

*****

There were a few people there that we knew, including one of our regular baseball umpires that we have during the high school and summer season - Chuck Keister. We have seen him there every time we have been there!

*****

When I got back to the office I turned right back around and headed to the Highland Lions Dean Olson Fisheree at Blackhawk Lake by Highland. You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for that event. The weather cooperated being pretty warm for the end of January (30 degrees) and there was lots of ice and a little snow cover. There were lots of fishermen at both spots at Blackhawk Lake! I always get to run into people I don’t get to see very often.

*****

On the way back from Highland I stopped at the Suicide Prevention Bowling Tournament fundraiser at Dodger Bowl to check it out. There was a pretty decent crowd for the first shift with more projected for the second shift and the trivia that followed.

*****

I understand the “Cars and Coffee” group has made temporary plans for this coming summer. The first one will begin the 2nd Saturday of May and will continue on the 2nd Saturday of the month through October. They will not use the courthouse parking lot as vehicles will be on both sides of the street in a straight line from the Iowa/Merrimac corner to the Merrimac/Main (Congregational Church) corner. Also, the event will run an hour longer, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to allow participants and spectators to find an appropriate spot for lunch or to shop! There may be some additions and changes as the first one becomes nearer!

*****

Today, Thursday, January 30 is National Croissant Day. I love anything that is sweet! This iconic french pastry is celebrated on the 30th of January each year and is linked with Marie Antoinette the famous Austrian queen who lived at Versailles. Marie Antoinette is given the fame of introducing the pastry to France over 200 years ago. Gee, that makes the croissant older than me!