Showing posts with label Wilmington - Catfish Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wilmington - Catfish Days. Show all posts

Thursday, July 04, 2019

Shrimp Cocktails and The Colonies of Liberty!



Happy Fourth of July!

I spent the day fishing the Kankakee River at Custer Park along Route 113 and had only two lackluster tugs by a denizen of the deep, or cresting waters.

My boon chum and I gave up the lures and headed back to Cook County before the next phalanx of storm clouds pelted us with hail and silver dollar sized droplets.

We had a great time cast-drifting for small mouth and snagging driftwood. The piscean Illini of the mighty Kankakee remain unhooked and free!

We stopped at the Rocketship in Wilmington for a celebratory pot roast sandwich.  I had a GreenRiver and my pal a cold Dad's Old Fashioned Root Beer,

Our table talk centered on foods, dining, America's Youth, our shrinking cultural contexts due to my allusion to young African Lad with whom I labor at J & J Snacks ( formerly Labriola Bakery) in Alsip, Illinois.   I explained.



I work on the packaging and shipping line for the Parm Crisp Division of this worthy firm.   I had worked making Parm Crisps - a gluten free lure for white people with more money than taste.  These 'sophisticated' snacks come in three ounce packages and sell for a husky $ 4.95 at most marts.

Here is the recipe:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Pour a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan onto a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet and lightly pat down. A silicone baking sheet is highly recommended. ...
  • Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool.
J & J Snacks uses only 40 pound wheels of delicious Belgiosio Parmesan and quarters, chops shreds and particles the dairy delicacy into a  very fine dust and bakes accordingly.

The product reminds me of particle-board - De Gustibus Non Est Disputandem.

Tony Marxist Oak Parkers flock to Whole Foods and other outlets and lay down a fin per package - that's $5 for twelve crisps weighing in at 3 ounces.

Go figure.

A month ago, I requested transfer to shipping and packaging where I am delighted to work with African American working women and gents and a legion of Mexican immigrant Americans.  These people humble me.  They work long hours for an average of $11 per hour and never fall out and always over compensate for inferior equipment and understaffed crews with hard labor, grit and great good humor.

I package between 600-900 boxes ( 7-9 pallets) per shift, Our labeling machine has a faulty closing arm and now have an 18 year old Temp named T working with me.

He is a baby face with a very sweet nature - guileless and respectful of women and  his aged white co-worker and shipping mentor.

He tasted our product and concurred with my judgment that you will never go broke underestimating rich white people. " Cracker's nasty!"  he exclaimed.

This cracker cab be nasty, but I am generally sweet natured.

Our bonding took a turn toward tastes in food.  I told him that any great dinner out should include and appetizer of shrimp cocktail.  T had never heard of this hors d'oeuvre.

I began, " This seafood specialty originated in Great Britain and consists of cooked chilled prawns      ( large shrimp) arranged and dolloped with a sauce consisting of catsup, mayonnaise and Tabasco - in Old Blighty and Ketchup and horseradish here in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave - served in a chilled martini glass on both sides of the pond.:

" Pond, Old School?"

'The Pond refers to the Atlantic Ocean, Young Folks."

These days young Americans have a very diminished capacity for confronting cultural contexts.  T had never heard of Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, or Miles Davis, let alone understood my reference to a co-worker taking a Steve Brody off of the railroad bridge crossing the Cal Sag.

America should be big enough to school our young 'uns in matters of taste.

Our elites eat gluten free 'nasty crackers' that cost $ 5 a dozen.  Eighteen year old African American Lads who work 40 hours a week for $11 should be directed to enjoy a shrimp cocktail, for the love God, His Holy Mother and All the Saints.

Our Founding Fathers would concur. I think.





Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Catch Chris Kennedy at Wilmington Catfish Days? Governor? Senator? Come on! It's Catfish Gravy! Open Up!






2009 Catfish Days Schedule

IF . . .Chris Kennedy brings the wife and Kids to Wilmington Catfish Days over the Weekend, I will go all John McCain Loyal for his Campaign for U.S. Senator from Illinois, Governor? We'll need to think on that.

Honor Bright! I did a daily McCain Post for well over year and every one of them 'Hack Perfect,' just like, Mr. Straight-talk had dropped a few nickels my way!

Picture Mr. Chris Kennedy wandering Water Street and ambling along the Mill Race.

Chris - " This Chowdah is Exceptional! Really thick."

Wilmington Wildcat Grad '67; KofC and Vietnam Vet -" Son, that's Catfish Gravy. It goes on the biscuits. Your cup is empty, Son. Get over and fill her up over to The Rustic. Now, just get the beer and forget the Women's Reproductive Health and Green nonsense. Save yourself some grief. Ask the bartender where you can get a pint of Doc's stink bait, as you're cane-poling above the damn. That's votes, Son."

Catfish Days is a great family celebration and great time with great people.

Politicians talk through people.

If Chris Kennedy goes to Catfish Days, I'll not only vote for him but post a Kennedy Love Piece every morning.

Not gonna happen.

All of your folks take I 55 or I 57 south. Exit where it says Wilmngton and you will be at Catfish Days!


ALL EVENTS ON THE NORTH ISLAND UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Events subject to change without notice
Last updated: 7/1/09
HAPPENINGS ALL WEEKEND
CARNIVAL-With $15.00 All You Can Ride Specials on Thursday & Sunday

FOOD VENDORS-- A great variety of food all weekend

MUD VOLLEYBALL-Get a little muddy (okay a lot) and have loads of fun

BEER GARDEN --Serving ice cold beverages Friday- Sunday

MOMS COOKIES - "Support our Troops" activities all weekend


THURSDAY----TEEN NIGHT SPONSORED BY RIVERFRONT LANES
5pm- 9pm Miss Wilmington Contestants Fund Raising Events

5pm-6:30pm- Waiting Til Friday- Local Teen Band

6 pm-10:-00pm $15.00 --All You Can Ride Night at Carnival

6pm- 8pm Meet Jammer the Joliet Jackhammers Mascot

7pm-10pm Teen Karaoke

8pm-1030 pm Teen Guitar Hero Contest - Sponsored by Mar Theatre


FRIDAY-- SPONSORED BY WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
6pm-- Carnival & Food Vendors open

6pm --Beer garden opens

6:30pm - Jim Nesci Reptile Show

8pm --Live Entertainment -Featuring Copy Cats with A Blue Dude Performance Playing a wide variety of music that's sure to entertain

9:30pm-- Friday Night Fireworks-Sponsored by Catfish Days Committee


SATURDAY
9am-4pm --Flea Market/Craft Show-downtown

10:30am --Woodys Bike & Pet Parade-Sponsored by Skinners Animal Clinic (Line-up begins at 10am at Booth Central School - parade route is Jackson St to Main to Baltimore to North Island. Awards/Trophies presented at stage on North Island after Parade)

11:00am- Bike Safety Course- Sponsored by Wilmington Police Dept & Sulphur Springs Arbor of Gleaners

11:00 am- Diamond Dance Co. & WHS Spirit Line Performance-Mar Theatre

11:30am Baby Wilmington Contest- Mar Theatre- Sponsored by Finale Dance Studio

Noon-Wilmington Fire Dept. Fire Fights-Downtown

Noon-Carnival, Food Vendors and Beer Garden Opens

12pm -- Magic Show- featuring Bozo Alum Jim Brown

12:30pm- Diamond Dance Co. Performance- Mar Theatre

1:00pm- Miss Wilmington Pageant- Mar Theatre

1:00pm- Belly Dancing Performance - by Johara Dancers Watch and then learn the art of belly dancing

1pm-4pm Petting Zoo and Pony Rides- Sponsored by Wilmington Public Library

2:00pm- Professional Ventriloquist- Bob Rumba

3:00pm-- Juggling Performance-Come see Circus Boy Bobby Hunt perform amazing Juggling acts and great fun for all

12:30pm- Diamond Dance Co. / Spirit Line Performance

8pm --Live Entertainment -Featuring Sundance Playing a wide variety of music that's sure to entertain www.thebandsundance.com

9:30 pm - Outdoor Laser Light Show-Sponsored by the City of Wilmington


SUNDAY
8am-Catfish Days 5k Run-Sponsored by Fitness Advantage

Noon- Carnival and Food Vendors Open

1pm Catfish Days Parade Parade begins @ Water St. and Mill St. to Ryan St. to Wilmington High School

2pm-Beer Garden Opens

2:30pm-- Coloring contest winners announced-

2pm-6pm $15.00 all you can ride at Carnival

2pm-6pm --- D.J./ Karaoke- provided by Rockin Karaoke

3pm- 6pm -- Touch a Truck- Get up close to a variety of unique vehicles

2pm- Wilmington Community Band Performance-Veterans Memorial Park

3:30pm- American Legion Band Performance-Veterans Memorial Park