Sat July 27, Lincoln Park Zoo, Conservatory & Lunch  

Note: updated info:

Explore two of Chicago’s special places this summer: the Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Lincoln Park Zoo. We’ll start early on Saturday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s east entrance where restrooms are available. It’s also close to the incredible lion pavilion, the world-famous gorilla pavilion, and more. The Zoo has its own hidden gardens and statuary to enjoy as well as amazing indoor and outdoor animal displays. Upon exiting the zoo, we’ll explore the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant within easy walking distance. Expect to spend about 4 hours and approximately 1.5 miles of walking - roundtrip to your cars. Parking is super convenient. Take Lake Shore Drive north to the Fullerton exit. Go West on Fullerton about 1/4 mile and turn left on Cannon Drive to the Zoo parking. Prefer mass transit? Take Metra to Union Station where you can catch the 151 bus to the Stockton & Webster stop - right in front of the zoo main entrance. RSVP on Meetup. Outing leaders Jerry and Kathy Maynard look forward to sharing these special places they’ve come to love since moving to Chicago. - Jerry & Kathy

____________________

Thurs Aug 1, PSC General Meeting  Note: We are back to two meetings a month starting in August, so plan to join us for a meeting and some fun at 7 pm. We’ll be at Miller’s Ale House located at 455 E. Butterfield Rd, Lombard, just across the street from Yorktown shopping center. We are in the private room, closest to Butterfield Rd (north side of building). Come early to pay your dues if you have not joined yet for the 2024/2025 season and also to order your food and drinks.   

Please reply to the meeting notice on Meet-Up. Our club needs to provide an accurate head count at least one week before the meeting, so please reply before that.

____________________

 Sun Aug 4, DuPage River Greenway Bike and Lunch Come join us for a scenic ride along the DuPage River and beautiful Whalon Lake. We will arrive at 9.45 am at DuPage River Greenway parking lot and leave at 10 am promptly. The DuPage River Greenway Trail lot is off Royce Road, 1/2 block west of Route 53 (Lincoln Highway) before the small bridge, in Bolingbrook. The trail leads through some nice river scenes, trout ponds, bridges, and beautiful Whalon Lake on the way to Knoch Knolls Nature Center and the convergence of the rivers. If you ride the whole way, it will be around 13 miles and take roughly 1-3/4 hours. We’ll take a few breaks at scenic points along the way like the fen, and the convergence of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River. Bring your bike, helmet, some water, sunscreen, and maybe a snack.

After the ride, let’s have lunch and refreshments at Ashford’s Restaurant and Bar at Boughton Ridge Golf Course. Located just a little further south on Route 53 from Royce Road and about 1/2 mile east of Rte. 53 On Boughton Road on the south side. 

Note: Non-Bikers can also meet us for lunch, about 12 noon and skip the ride. 

Be sure to sign-up on Meet-up for headcount and also so you receive updates or changes online.

Also RSVP your choice in the COMMENTS SECTION (i.e.• Biking only • Biking & Lunch • Lunch only)  so we can let Ashbury’s know how many people we will have for lunch and also keep an eye open for you on the ride. Any questions? Email John:  jfosullivan56@att.net   See you on the trail  -  John O

             ____________________

Sun Aug 11, PSC Annual Family Picnic Bemis Woods, Grove #5,

12 Noon until ?  Mark your calendars and please sign up on MeetUp so we can get an accurate headcount for the food & beverages. As always, PSC provides: the main dish, beverages, and fun!! You contribute - Last name ending in:

A – I =   bring a dessert

J – Q =   bring an appetizer

R – Z =  bring a side dish

Or, if you have a delicious favorite dish you like, bring that!

Bring your own mug for beer, wine and soft drinks. We want to minimize our footprint on the environment. Please bring lawn chairs & your own cup! Remember dogs must always be on a leash. No Glass allowed in the park.  It takes all of you to put on our annual picnic. 

Volunteers Needed! Contact John

____________________

Thurs Aug 15, PSC General Meeting  Join us for a meeting and some fun at 7 pm at Miller’s Ale House located at 455 E. Butterfield Rd, Lombard, just across the street from Yorktown shopping center. We are in the private room, closest to Butterfield Rd (north side of building). Come early to pay your dues and sign up for trips if you didn't make it to the Picnic, and order your food and drinks before the meeting starts.   

Please reply to the meeting notice on Meet-Up. Our club needs to provide an accurate head count at least one week before the meeting, so please reply before that.

____________________

Fri Aug 16, Get The Lead Out Concert  8 pm, Join the fun listening to the music of Led Zepplin brought to us by Get the Led Out.   They are a talented “group of musicians who were fans first, striving to do justice to one of the greatest rock bands in history. “ 

Every year we go to River Edge Park in Aurora to hear the amazing job they do with Zepplin’s music.  Last year, they ‘knocked it out of the River Edge Park’ with their amazing music – Dancin’ Days, Cashmere, Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love … to name a few.  Vocalist Paul Sinclair, and the musicians are incredible!

If you’re a Led Zepplin fan, this is the ‘must-see’ band!  Buy your tickets in advance, because they will sell out.

https://events.riveredgeaurora.com/online/seatSelect.asp?createBO::WSmap=1&BOparam::WSmap::loadBestAvailable::performance_ids=A6A2E142-D5AA-4829-93E0-7FD17ECEDB87&_gl=1*1825jte*_gcl_au*MTE2MjYyMDE5Ni4xNzIxNzYwMDc5*_ga*Mjc0MjQ5MjY2LjE3MjE3NjAwNzk.*_ga_YN1QZ9LGPZ*MTcyMTc2MDA3OC4xLjEuMTcyMTc2MDMwNy4zNy4wLjA

Note:  We usually sit in the concrete section in front of the grass.

 ____________________

NOTE DATE CHANGED TO SAT AUG 17 - Bill & Ted’s Excellent Kayak Adventure (VI), (was previously

Sat July 20 but due to high water on the FOX this event date had to be changed. Start time is 10am ‘The Cardboard Regatta Tour’  Bill & Ted are back once again for another Excellent Kayak Adventure on the Fox River, Saturday July 20th. Join us for this special “Cardboard Regatta Tour” which will end at  Yorkville Bicentennial Riverfront Park where we can enjoy Crafts, Food & Beer Vendors, live music and  the viewing of the Cardboard Regatta Run through the Rapids.  Non-water going folks are welcome to join us at the festival at the end of the trip.   

This year’s Kayak Adventure will run from the Montgomery Dam to the Yorkville Dam. Expect a leisurely and scenic cruise down the Fox River. Don’t be surprised if you catch sight of Bald Eagles flying above. Be surprised if you encounter any rapids. The only whitewater on the river is the whitewater course just past our takeout point at Yorkville. Expect the adventure to last 4-5 hours. Meet at 10am at the Yorkville Dam at Bicentennial Riverfront Park in Yorkville (the trip endpoint). From there, we will coordinate shuttling everyone to the start point at Montgomery Dam. Plan to put in just below the Dam at South Broadway Park in Montgomery. Our lunch stop will be at Hudson Crossing Park in Oswego. Paddlers must supply their own food, water, and other beverages for the entire journey. Feel free to bring along any fun props or Kayak decorations (even miniature cardboard Kayak creations). Both porta-potties and potable water are available at the lunch stop. We will take out just above the Yorkville Dam at Bicentennial Riverfront Park, Yorkville. 

The Yak Shack has 15 Kayaks reserved for Piccadilly on that day. It will be first come, first serve for the kayak availability. There are also 20 canoes available for rent if a canoe is desired or if the Kayaks are sold out. 

To reserve your Kayak or Canoe, you must call the Yak Shack at (630) 479-8074 to make your reservation for Saturday August 17 and tell them you are with “Piccadilly Ski Club” to get the bargain rate of $35 for single person Kayaks  and/or $50 for two-person canoes. Each attending member will be responsible for reserving and paying for their own rental through the Yak Shack. The 15 Kayaks will be reserved for PSC until July 11th. After that date, unreserved kayaks will be opened up for public rental. As our trip will coincide with the Whitewater Festival, Kayaks will likely sell out if Piccadilly members have not reserved them. The rental will include Lifejackets, Paddles,  delivery and pickup of the Water Craft (we will be transporting the paddlers). Jeff at the Yak Shack will be able to tell you how many watercraft are still available when you call. 

Once you have reserved your Kayak, please sign up on Meetup, which will give others an idea of who is going. If you have your own watercraft, we encourage you to join our trip at no cost, though you will be responsible for coordinating the drop off and pick up of your own watercraft. If you plan to bring your own, please sign up on meetup and indicate: “Bringing my own Kayak or Canoe”.  The trip will go rain or shine, in the absence of lightning. Email ted@dupagemachine.com or bciciora@yahoo.com for any additional information about this excellent adventure.

 ____________________

Fri Aug 23, Sunset Paddlewheel Riverboat Ride on the Fox (BYOB), 8/23,  6pm Sharp.  Come on out and join us for a sunset cruise on the Fox river. We will meet at Pottawatomie Park in St Charles at least 20 minutes prior to departure. The sunset will be happening as we cruise and enjoy wine, beer, or whatever beverage you like. Bring a snack, some refreshments for a comfortable ride. I will bring my famous Deviled Eggs to share. We can share some appetizers along with some camaraderie and  conversation. The ride will start at Pottawatomie Park, where we will embark on the Riverboat. The cruise will venture up and down the river and return after sunset. This should take about an hour and 15 minutes. After the cruise we can check out a local bar for some refreshments .  Alter brewing is right around the corner. They have a patio overlooking the river and we will try to congregate there at 8p.

People can come to Alter if they can’t make the cruise. Please respond on meetup so we can inform the Brewery of the size of our group.

RSVP: The fee will be $18 fee to reserve your spot.  The list of attendees will be based upon payments and the order received. I will take Zelle for payments. Send to jfosullivan56@att.net  Please email me to notify me of the payment and who it will be for.

  ____________________

Thurs Sept 5, PSC General Meeting  Join us for a meeting and some fun at 7 pm at Miller’s Ale House located at 455 E. Butterfield Rd, Lombard, just across the street from Yorktown shopping center. We are in the private room, closest to Butterfield Rd (north side of building). Come early to pay your dues and sign up for trips if you didn't make it to the Picnic, and also to order your food and drinks before the meeting starts.   

Please reply to the meeting notice on Meet-Up. Our club needs to provide an accurate head count at least one week before the meeting, so please reply before that.

____________________

Sun Sept 8, Bubblehouse Brewery Happy Hour from 2pm – 4pm. Since we had a great time on our last visit, and were received very graciously by our hosts, Let’s try this again! Our very own member Larry H. did the discovery on this unique location and friendly place. Come and enjoy their Ales, Stouts, IPAs, fruity Ciders,  and Seltzers. They do not have food on site, but we will be informed if they will have a food truck available as they find out. They do allow people to bring in their own food.  This is our opportunity to bring a cornucopia of your favorite appetizers, desserts, sides or just yourself.  We are expecting  a nice variety of food (from all those Great chefs in the club ) to munch on while we mingle and solve world problems (this gets to be more prominent the more we mingle and imbibe!). Last time people brought all kinds of fun food. I will do a repeat and bring my “Southwestern deviled eggs” to share. Please note you may meet new friends and enjoy new foods by the end of the event. 

Please sign up on meetup, so we can notify the brewery of our party size. We look forward to having another Great turnout and having a fun time. Bubblehouse is located at  2121 Ogden Ave.,  Unit A, Lisle. -    John O 

 ____________________

NOTE DATE CHANGED TO Sat Sept 14, Dinner for 12 – and a Show!, Kamehachi,  Chicago  Join us at 5 pm for a “lucky” dinner at Kamehachi-Old Town on Saturday Sept 14th.  Kamehachi means “eight turtles” in Japanese and both the number 8 and turtles are symbols for good luck in Japan.  Kamehachi is Chicago’s first sushi restaurant, since 1967.  Don’t fret - they feature a full menu, not just sushi.  https://kamehachi.com/locations/chicago-old-town/  We will meet for dinner at 5:00 PM, enjoy great food and drink, and then head upstairs to experience BATSU!  https://batsulive.com/chicago/index.html

In Japan, there is a style of comedy known as batsu game, where comedians compete in challenges of all kinds with the losers receiving a punishment. BATSU! brings this comedy style to America, with comedians competing to avoid electric shocks, paintballs, a giant egg-smashing chicken, and many more hilarious jaw-dropping punishments!  Four American comedy warriors face off in challenges to avoid painful, humiliating, and ridiculous punishments! The bravest audience members may also volunteer (upon signing a waiver) to participate in some of the challenges to win honor or suffer punishment. 

You can also purchase a BATSU! branded headband, or hachimaki, traditionally worn by warriors.  The world-famous Sake Ninja may be short on words, but for those who wear a hachimaki headband with honor, this sneaky assassin of sobriety will pour random cups of sake. This is NOT unlimited free sake, but the Sake Ninja will be sure to list throughout the night. The performers of BATSU! are members of the acclaimed comedy group Face Off Unlimited, dubbed “Really Funny!” by the New York Times, and also regularly appear on television, film, and stage. 

The dinner will be on your own, but we need to prepurchase the tickets to BATSU!  The cost is $43.20/person and the hachimaki can be purchased when we are there for $20 each.  BTW – the hachimaki are yours to keep, if (when) you come back for another show you can wear the one you bought, and the Sake Ninja will find you. To reserve your spot, Sign up on MeetUp, then email Julian Franklin at julianf@att.net for confirmation and payment.

 ____________________

Thurs Sept 19, PSC General Meeting  Join us for a meeting and some fun at 7 pm at Miller’s Ale House located at 455 E. Butterfield Rd, Lombard, just across the street from Yorktown shopping center. We are in the private room, closest to Butterfield Rd (north side of building). Come early to order your food and drinks before the meeting starts.   

Please reply to the meeting notice on Meet-Up. Our club needs to provide an accurate head count at least one week before the meeting, so please reply before that.

____________________

Sat Sept 28, Cranberry Slough Hike & Lunch at Mo’s from 10 am – 12 Noon. Palos Preserves, Cook County Tucked away in the Palos Preserves in southwestern Cook County, Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve was only the fifth nature preserve in Illinois when it was dedicated in 1965. Distinguished by its peat bog ecosystem cradled by rolling upland woods, the site is a relic of the glacial era and supports habitats uncommon this far south. This hike will start in the parking lot (at the east end of the lot near the loop) and continue in a circle around the bog and historical trail for about 2 ½ miles. After the hike, we will “mosey” on over to Mo’s Willow Pub for lunch. By then we will be thirsty and hungry. Getting to Cranberry Slough: Take Rte 83 south from Willowbrook to Archer 171 east (left) to 95th St south (right) past Maple Lake to Country Lane Woods parking lot to the loop end where we meet.   

Mo’s Willow Pub & Grub for Lunch - Get ready to step back in time and experience an old quaint setting, as you make yourself comfortable. The pot roast sandwich is always a delicious start, they also have fried pickles, but other menu options can also satiate your palate. Mo’s Willow Pub & Grub (8524 Archer Ave, Willow Springs)  has an appeal to times in the not-so distant past that we may enjoy stepping back into as we congregate and enjoy some great conversations with your hiking buds. 

Please sign up on Meetup for the hike, lunch or both, so we can let the Tavern know how many to expect. - See you on the trail!   John O  

____________________

     National Ski Council Federation News

v  Next Annual Meeting: Taos, New Mexico, August  21-25, 2024

v  Online Silent Auction runs from October 2023 – November 2024.  Check it out!

For more information:  https://skifederation.org/

 ____________________