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Need Mustard with your hot dog? Try the wienermobile
Susan Frissell
Publisher, WWW
There can’t possibly be anyone who doesn’t like a hot dog now and then. And for those who really, really like hotdogs, here is a trivia quiz to test your knowledge about one of American’s favorite foods.
As you’ll soon learn from the following trivia answers, hot dogs are well-loved. It’s estimated Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year. That’s enough wieners to reach to the moon and back four times. Even Babe Ruth, the great ball player, ate 12 hot dogs between games, of a scheduled double-header, chased by eight bottles of pop.
See what you know about one of America’s favorite foods:
1) On what national television shows has the Wienermobile appeared:
2) In how many movies has the Wienermobile co-starred?
3) What did New York Polo Grounds hawkers call ‘hot dogs’?
4) Who wrote the wiener jingle for Oscar Mayer?
5) What city’s citizens prefer their hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and swiss cheese?
6) Where and when did the first Wiernermobile cruise the streets?
7) How much did Wiener Whistles cost at the 1965 New York World’s Fair?
8) What was the chef’s name who handed out Wiener Whistles to children from his Wienermobile?
9) Who took a Wienermobile for a test lap at the 1988 Indy 500?
10) Where and when were hot dogs first served in buns?
11) Which symphony orchestra recorded the familiar ditty: “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener?”
12) Where was the first hot dog created?
13) Which three presidents served hot dogs at an official White House function?
14) How many hot dogs will Americans eat in major league ball parks during a season?
15) How many hot dogs will Americans eat between Memorial Day and Labor Day?
16) What were some of the vanity plates used on the Wienermobile?
17) What are the Wienermobile drivers called?
A big part of promoting the hot dog is the traveling Wienermobile. By logging on to Kraft Foods web site, you can find out just where the Wienermobile can be seen. Each year the Wienermobile travels about 1,000 miles per week, or about 50,000 miles per year. If you’re lucky enough to spy it cruising the neighborhood, be sure and get on board.
In 2004, the updated Wienermobile included voice-activated GPS navigation audio center with wireless microphone, a horn that plays the wiener jingle in 21 different genres from Cajun to Rap to Bossa Nova! Of course, it includes better gas mileage! Over the years, the Wienermobile’s chassis was a Dodge, and during the 1950s, a Willys Jeep chassis.
Answers:
1) The old Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Late Night with David Letterman, CNN Headline News, The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder and “Love Connection.”
2) Two “Ladybugs” starring Rodney Dangerfield, and “Another You,” starring Richard Pryer and Gene Wilder.
3) Dachshund sausages, renowned sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan couldn’t spell dachshund so he wrote ‘hot dog.’ The name stuck.
4) Richard Trentlage in 1953.
5) Kansas City.
6) Chicago, 1936.
7) Two cents, and they were sold in vending machines.
8) Little Oscar.
9) Al Unser, Jr., topped off at a speed of 110 mph.
10) 1904 St. Louis Exposition-the concessionaire had been giving customers white gloves to protect their hands from the steaming wieners, but they kept disappearing.
11) The Berlin Symphony Orchestra-as well as a teenage rock band, a string ensemble and a Nashville country western group.
12 )Frankfurt, Germany, hence the name “frankfurter.”
13) Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Jimmy Carter in 1977 and Ronald Reagan in 1980.
14) Hotdog and sausage consumption at major league ball parks in the U.S. in 2016 was 19.4 million; the most at San Francisco Giants park (475,000), followed by St. Louis Cardinals (400,000), Boston Red Sox (377,00).
15) More than 7 billion-enough to circle the globe 15 times. And, 2 billion in July, National Hot Dog Month.
16) Yummy, Our dog, big bun, lil link, oh I wish, weenr, wnrmble, bologna, relshme, oscrmyr.
17) “Hotdoggers.” And they hand out toy wiener whistles!
Best & Worst Cities for Women-Owned Businesses: 2016
Entrepreneurship was once an opportunity accessible only to men. With the exception of a few brave women who defied the odds, most females historically failed to break through the barriers of the male-dominated business space. However, it is the 21st century, and it is becoming an era in which women are a powerful force in society, especially in our economy.
It is not only common for women to be entrepreneurs today, but it also means they are becoming part of an influential group. According to an American Express OPEN-commissioned report, more than 9.4 million women-owned businesses currently operate in the U.S. Combined, those firms account for nearly a third of all privately held companies, pull in annual revenues to the tune of $1.5 trillion and provide jobs to roughly eight million workers.
Women-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing enterprises in the nation, increasing at a rate 1.5 times the U.S. average and topping “the growth rates of all but the largest, publicly-traded firms” in the past 18 years.
If you are inspired to become the next Madam C.J. Walker or Jessica Alba, two women known for their epic entrepreneurial achievements, you might want to consider where to begin your future endeavor. Location plays a key role in the success of any business; particularly, a woman-owned business. It’s true that some areas are better than others at encouraging female entrepreneurship and recognizing its value.
To determine where best to begin your entrepreneurial endeavor, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas, (MSAs), across 10 key metrics indicating friendliness toward this group. Their data set ranges from average revenue growth of women-owned businesses to presence of women’s business centers to industry variety for women-owned firms.
Overall Rank MSA Total Score ‘Overall New-Business Friendliness’ Rank ‘Female Entrepreneurship’ Rank ‘Business Climate for Women’ Rank
1 Nashville-Davidson-
-Murfreesboro–Franklin, 70.04 13 20 18
2 Chattanooga, TN-GA 69.79 2 50 18
3 Columbus, OH 68.13 7 23 27
4 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 66.99 4 66 18
5 Milwaukee-Waukesha-
West Allis, WI 66.44 30 48 2
6 Rochester, NY 64.89 18 77 5
7 Kansas City, MO-KS 64.82 22 14 25
8 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 64.60 25 55 11
9 Greensboro-High Point, NC 64.57 6 56 40
10 Honolulu, HI 63.88 43 3 17
11 Oklahoma City, OK 63.17 14 5 86
12 Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson,IN 63.08 24 6 55
13 Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY 62.90 42 35 5
14 St. Louis, MO-IL 61.95 31 19 25
15 Knoxville, TN 61.26 21 75 18
16 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI 61.22 11 41 76
17 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 61.16 57 25 1
18 Madison, WI 60.77 48 54 2
19 Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 60.67 19 88 16
20 New Haven-Milford, CT 60.57 N/A 33 22
21 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX 60.35 40 1 89
22 Tulsa, OK 60.27 1 65 86
23 Salt Lake City, UT 60.18 27 11 69
24 Winston-Salem, NC 59.92 12 76 40
25 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-
Newport News,VA-NC
59.82 37 10 38
26 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC 59.67 5 73 72
27 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 59.47 17 28 88
28 Syracuse, NY 59.19 N/A 67 5
29 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 59.11 54 26 10
30 Fresno, CA 59.05 29 21 59
31 Wichita, KS 58.84 10 81 44
32 Albuquerque, NM 58.61 47 4 34
33 Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT 58.17 N/A 46 22
34 Stockton-Lodi, CA 58.04 23 47 59
35 New Orleans-Metairie, LA 57.72 8 37 96
36 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 57.30 26 12 89
37 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford,CT 56.26 N/A 57 22
38 Colorado Springs, CO 55.71 33 62 35
39 Jackson, MS 55.62 3 98 75
40 Richmond, VA 55.54 32 64 38
41 Toledo, OH 55.18 16 97 27
42 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 54.68 60 51 4
43 Tucson, AZ 54.52 44 30 57
44 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 54.49 46 8 72
45 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 54.28 N/A 32 46
46 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 54.22 36 39 76
47 Jacksonville, FL 54.15 39 53 46
48 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 54.05 28 85 27
49 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 53.34 41 58 40
50 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 53.33 51 22 46
51 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 53.10 34 69 45
52 Worcester, MA-CT 52.98 59 52 13
53 El Paso, TC 52.75 15 79 89
54 Birmingham-Hoover, AL 52.58 9 82 95
55 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 52.48 50 40 46
56 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 51.83 72 24 11
57 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 51.59 61 9 35
58 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach,FL 51.35 N/A 45 46
59 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 50.92 N/A 99 5
60 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 50.70 74 15 5
61 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 50.27 69 42 13
62 Springfield, MA 50.13 N/A 96 13
63 Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA 49.27 N/A 70 27
64 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 48.74 38 61 89
65 Boise, ID 48.46 45 60 78
66 Cleveland-Elyria, OH 48.15 53 72 27
67 Miami-Fort Lauderdale
-West Palm Beach, FL 48.05 64 13 46
68 Raleigh, NC 47.83 63 31 40
69 Baton Rouge, LA 47.70 20 84 96
70 Bakersfield, CA 47.63 52 59 71
71 Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV 47.48 55 29 85
72 Austin-Round Rock, TX 47.07 58 16 89
73 Dayton, OH 46.65 N/A 86 27
74 Akron, OH 46.54 49 93
75 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario,CA 46.23 68 17 59
76 Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 46.20 66 27 57
77 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX 46.01 N/A 44 89
78 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim,CA 45.88 70 7 59
79 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 45.46 55 78 46
80 Sacramento–Roseville
-Arden-Arcade, CA 45.02 62 43 59
81 Little Rock-North Little Rock
-Conway, AR 44.90 35 94 79
82 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 44.o4 73 2 74
DC-VA-MD-WV
83. Ogden-Clearfield, UT 43.58 N/A 80 69
84. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL 43.54 N/A 90 46
85 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton,
PA-NJ 43.15 N/A 68 80
86 Charleston-North Charleston, SC 42.55 N/A 36 98
87 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 42.25 N/A 74 80
88 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 42.17 75 34 37
89 San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward,CA 41.01 77 18 59
90 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington,
PA-NJ-DE-MD 40.84 64 49 80
91 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro,OR-WA 40.59 76 38 56
92 San Diego-Carlsbad, CA 39.56 71 63 59
93 Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton,PA 39.34 N/A 87 80
94 Provo-Orem, UT 39.23 N/A 95 69
95 North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL 39.10 N/A 100 46
96 Pittsburgh, PA 37.52 67 71 80
97 Columbia, SC 33.05 N/A 83 98
98 Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC 31.78 N/A 91 98
99 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 31.64 77 92 59
100 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 31.26 79 89 59
Girls Auto Clinic is ready to ‘ratchet up’ locations nationwide!
Susan Frissell, PhD
Editor/WWW
Patrice Banks, of #sheCANic fame has been hinting she has some exciting news to announce. She hopes you’ll be as excited as she is. I know we are, having watched her progress. Who says ‘girls’ don’t want to know more about cars? We’ve known this for some time.
Some of you may know that Patrice has been on a “bold mission to educate and empower women” through their cars. It has been her goal “to reach every woman driver and to change the face of the automotive industry to support its number one customer – women!”
According to Banks, the success of her flagship Girls Auto Clinic Repair Center in Philadelphia and the #sheCANic movement has been powered in part by the incredible support she’s been given, her team, and her business. “People are inspired by our story,” she says, “of an auto airhead turned auto mechanic who opened the nation’s first auto repair garage to employ women mechanics, offer a nail salon & lounge, and host car care workshops.” The question everyone asks now is “When is Girls Auto Clinic coming to my city” and the answer is SOON!”
Banks is so excited to announce that she is launching a crowdfund campaign on August 15th to grow the #sheCANic movement and expand Girls Auto Clinic Repair Center locations across the country! They are asking for the public’s help to get the news out there, and to support her Girls Auto Clinic.
So check out her pre-launch page and keep in touch for her exciting news to come. Jump on the bandwagon and be a part of this exciting movement around girls and their cars!
Dr. Beasley’s Detailing Prescription
We received a sample of the Dr. Beasley’s Glass Serum Kit, complete with a 1 oz. Glass Serum bottle, 2 oz Glass Coating Prep, 1 Foam Block Applicator and 2 Suede Cloths. They also threw in a 1 bottle of AdvanceCoat: Glass. As Dr. Beasley’s president states, “the proof is in the results.” We found it to be somewhat superior to other products on the market; namely, RainX, and easy to use.
The packaging on this new high-tech formulation is handsome and speaks well of the product. You’re not using any low-end ingredients. Indorsed by professionals, automotive manufacturers and enthusiasts alike, Dr. Beasley’s has a popular line of products including a matte paint car line, wheel care, polishes, and ceramic coatings. The Dr.’s products stand out and serve the modern automobiles’ needs well. When I think of the products we used in the past, I shutter at their possible side effects; of which I probably never even considered. Dr. Beasleys Car Care Products, based in Chicago, is new to this automotive writer.
We waited for some much-needed rain here in Indy to ‘test drive’ the nano coating serum recently. As the label tells the buyer, Dr. Beasley’s products are handcrafted with over 30 years of detailing knowledge and passion. Easy to apply and with quick results, we found that the rain beaded right off the windshield. We haven’t applied the Serum to side windows yet, but will give that a try, also.
A big part of president Jim Lafeber’s motivation to create the Dr. Beasley’s line was his dissatisfaction with how previous products he was using at his Chicago detailing business, Simon’s Shine Shop, were affecting his customer’s vehicles’ health. Jim utilized his chemistry background to formulate detailing solutions of his own. He took in-house products to market under the Dr. Beasley’s name, gaining notability for their matte paint car line. They also formulate, manufacture and package the car care products within their Chicago, IL facility.
The “proof is in the results,” says Mr. Lafeber. “Our formulas are crafted with pharmaceutical grade ingredients.” Working to continually enhance their products, Dr. Beasley’s promises ‘high-quality” results.The Glass Serum Kit comes with instructions. (See for yourself at www.drbeasleys.com. Read about their products and order some for yourself).
Your car will love you for it!
Dr. Beasley’s won us over, not only after first use, but upon learning that Jim named his car care line after his Alaskan Malamute, Beasley. Applying the Glass Serum to all three cars, we promptly tossed our other inferior products in the garbage. I also applied it to windshield of my brother-in-law’s 2010 Kia Soul, after a three-hour detailing project. He’ll have to convice himself it’s really raining the next time he drives when it’s wet!!
Try Dr. Beasley’s. We think you’ll agree. 
Hey, Jim, how about a picture of Beasley (the Malamute) on your box? Mr. Tito’s “dog” vodka isn’t the only star out there!
Plan for you and your Pet to Survive a Natural Disaster
Don’t be unprepared when it comes to caring for your pet’s safety during inclement weather. Think about and plan, a strategy for when an emergency situation strikes. All of us should have a preparedness plan in place should tornadoes, fires, violent storms or floods happen.
It would seem that in the last several years, the weather conditions have clearly worsened, making it necessary to have a plan not only for the safety of our family, but for our pets, as well. Think about how you will move your pet(s) in an emergency situation. We’ve all seen the news during horrendous conditions, such as wild fires or hurricanes like Katrina and Harvey.
Things to include for your get-away include leashes or crates, a lightweight totebag carrier/container for a bird, ferret or rabbit. Also recommended are bottled water and the animal’s food. In longer term disasters, notes Dr. Eurell, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, IL., “you need to prepare with food, water and medications for your pets.”
Also handy is a large blanket or thick quilt to help protect you and your pets from dangerous flying glass or other debris in a storm. Learn how to turn off the gas and electricity in your home and be sure to include any needed tools in your kit. A flashlight, cell phone and charger, and weather radio are also musts. Another item that may save lives is a copy of the Pet First Aid book, available through the Red Cross. Taking a class in first aid/CPR for animals might also be a good idea.
Our pets should wear a collar at all times, complete with the owner’s name and cell phone number. This simple gesture can dramatically increase the chances of you and your pet being reunited should you be separated. Microchipping, which most dogs and cats receive today from their vet, is also something to seriously consider. Perhaps keeping a copy of your pet’s vaccination, and of your driver’s license can also be helpful.
As with all storms, choosing a safe place in your home is necessary; even practicing a drill helps us be as prepared as possible. Go to a basement, crawl space, area under a stairway, or interior room without windows. As soon as the sirens start, go to your designated spot. Take all warnings seriously. Such disasters as mudslides, earthquakes, floods move quickly and often don’t allow time for people and animals to get out of the affected area.
Plan for all possible emergencies, from fires in your own home, to natural disasters. Does the fire department know that you have animals in your home? I have a fire safety sticker notice in the front window of my home to alert police and fire that animals live here.
With good reason, pets are not allowed at disaster relief shelters. However, many states are working to provide shelters for pets and/or working with shelters in other states to accommodate separated pets.
After a disaster, be patient with your pets, try to get them back into their normal routine. Be ready and alert to behavior changes caused by the stress of the event. If there seem to be any health problems, consult your vet. When storms strike, you may not be able to get home immediately.
Therefore, it’s good to have a backup plan or person who can reach them. Make sure your backup person or neighbor has a list of your pet’s feeding and maintenance schedule and habits. If you utilize a pet service, determine whether they have any kind of available help during emergency situations.
Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross for more detailed emergency information. Start getting ready now!
Determine your City’s Rank for Driving
In case you’re able to pick and choose where you’ll drive this summer, the personal-finance website WalletHub provides their report on 2018’s Best and Worst Cities to Drive in. 2018’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in.
To help you determine the most driver-friendly places in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 29 key metrics. Their data set ranges from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to auto-repair shops per capita. Here is their list of the Best and Worst Cities:
Best Cities for Driving Worst Cities for Driving
1 Raleigh, NC 91 Chicago, IL
2 Corpus Christi, TX 92 Los Angeles, CA
3 Orlando, FL 93 Newark, NJ
4 Greensboro, NC 94 New York, NY
5 Plano, TX 95 Boston, MA
6 Winston-Salem, NC 96 Seattle, WA
7 Durham, NC 97 Philadelphia, PA
8 El Paso, TX 98 Oakland, CA
9 Jacksonville, FL 99 San Francisco, CA
10 Tampa, FL 100 Detroit, MI
The Best vs. Worst info lays out like this:
• In Greensboro, North Carolina, residents spend the fewest annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter
• (four, which is 25.5 times fewer than in Los Angeles, the city where residents spend the most at 102).
• Gilbert, Arizona, boasts the fewest car thefts (per 1,000 residents), (0.49, which is 33.1 times fewer than in Oakland, California, the city with the most at 16.23).
• Oklahoma City has the lowest average gas price, $2.58 per gallon, (which is 1.5 times lower than in San Francisco, the city with the highest at $3.85 per gallon).
• Riverside, California, has the lowest average parking rate, ($1.43 per two hours, which is 19.2 times lower than in Buffalo, New York, the city with the highest at $27.44 per two hours).
If you’re interested in looking at the complete report, and determining your city’s rank, visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-to-drive-in/13964/
Chosen Vehicles at this year’s New York Int’l Auto Show
During the 2018 New York International Auto Show last March, some of the vehicles chosen for awards included a wide variety of brands:
*World Car Design of the Year: Range Rover Velar
*World Luxury Car: Audi A8
*World Performance Car: BMW M5
*World Urban Car: VW Polo
*World Car of the Year: Volvo XC60
*5-passenger SUV: VW Atlas
Industry News
June 2018:
*General Motors Cadillac division recently announced it will be introducing a new sedan every six months!! This seems odd as to hear tell, the sedan as we know it, is on the way out?? Nevertheless, through 2021, GM is giving money to build two of them at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Michigan. GM will put $175 million into the next-generation Cadillac sedans.
*In other news from GM, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer returns in a midsize crossover version. It looks great and will sell well, we predict.
*Out of Volvo, the news is the self-driving Volvo XC90 crossover SUV is planned for 2021. The Level 4 self-driving crossover SUV will be built at the So Carolina plant, and will be able to transport sleeping passengers toward their destination on limited roadways. The initial goal is provide a semi-automatic commuter vehicle. The technology is called Highway Assist, similar to Volvo’s already available Pilot Assist. In 2019, Volvo will debut its S60 vehicle.
*Volvo has confirmed that their new Care by Volvo Subscription Service is now available to deliver to automakers SC40 crossover Suv’s in most states. In 2019 the S60 Sedan will be unveiled at the So. Carolina factory, and is on track for subscriptions by the end of 2018.
*In 2019, Mazda’s infamous MX-5 Miata will get a 17 percent boost in horsepower over the 2018 model, to 181 hp. More power, higher redline. Can’t wait!
*At Volkswagen, the slow-selling dated Tiguan Ltd will be discontinued after the 2018 model year. The first five months of 2018 only saw 7,732 sales of the Limited crossover SUV. The Limited model was introduced in 2017 as a renamed, budget-priced ($23,150) version of VW’s Tiguan SUV. The design dates back to 2007, while its replacement redesigned model (2018) took over the straight Tiguan nameplate.
Drive-In Theatres Spell Summer and Nostalgia
Susan Frissell, Editor
Womenwithwheels.com
June 6 is National Drive-In Movie Day, and believe it or not, there are still plenty of drive-in movie theaters in the U.S. Most recently, I read an article about several in Indiana and it motivated me to pass along some of the “do’s and don’ts” of Drive-In etiquette. Indiana, the most western state that is still in the Eastern time zone, is the state with the most miles of major highways in the country. It makes sense they would have the biggest number of Drive-Ins still in operation.
Fifty years ago, there were very few people who had not been to a Drive-In theatre. Obviously, times have changed, but for us baby-boomers and many millennials who grew up with cool parents, there are a few still operating to enjoy.
According to T.J. Jaeger (ARTS@NUVO.NET), after WWII, America had a ‘new’ generation of teenagers: One who had easy access to cars. The movie and the car boom were partly responsible for the invention of drive-in theaters across the country. Beginning on the east coast, drive-ins have change as have the movies and the film.
There are some 322 classic drive-in movie theaters open for business across America. In Nashville, TN, the opening soon August Moon Drive-In will be a 40,000-square-foot indoor space. Moviegoers will feel like they are watching a film outdoors with August Moon’s simulated starry sky and gigantic screen.
If the Drive-In is to survive, it’s competing today against the ready availability of movies, Netflix, and Hulu. Red Box and public libraries also offer access to feature films. But we don’t see that as competition. Going to a drive-in is, after all, so much more than watching a movie. A unique experience.
What’s better than sitting in the privacy of your own vehicle, watching a movie under the stars, and eating concession hotdogs and popcorn. Why, it is an ‘experience,’ after all. And for many baby-boomers, it brings back fond memories; nostalgia of days gone by.
According to the experts, there a few gems to keep in mind when frequenting a Drive-In:
*Although most movies start around 9:00 p.m., coming in plenty of time is expected. Arrive early-for several reasons: to get a good parking spot, allow time for mingling, bonding and getting the most out of the drive-in experience.
*Some people do bring their own food, but in all fairness to the proprietor, at least buy a coke or popcorn from the food stand. Concessions are the main source of income for Drive-ins, although often overpriced.
*Don’t forget the bug spray!
*Weather can be unpredictable. Bring a blanket, light jacket. Be prepared for the occasional summer storm.
*Drive-In masters give great thought to the Drive-In ‘vehicle of choice.’
A large vehicle with a reliable battery is strongly encouraged. If it’s a double-feature, start your car between the two movies. Don’t leave your car’s lights on or the battery on AC.
Jaeger lists 18 drive-in movies in our neighboring state of Indiana. If you’re up for a road trip, here is a list of those drive-ins still operating:
*49er Drive-In, Valparaiso (open every night), serves Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn!
*Lake Shore Drive-In, Monticello (open every night). Built in 1948.
*M.E.L.S. at the Starlite Drive-In, Thorntown (open Friday, Saturday).
*Tibbs Drive-In, Indianapolis (closed Tuesdays). Last remaining drive-in in Indy.
*Centerbrook Drive-In Martinsville (closed Monday, Tuesday).
*Cinema 67, Spencer (open Friday-Sunday). Concession stand has varied menu.
*Starlite Drive-In, Bloomington (open Friday-Sunday). Uses original screen, stand since 1955.
*Holiday Drive-In, Mitchell (open Thursday-Sunday). Occasional camping nights.
*Holiday Drive-In, Rockport (open every night). Six screens.
*Auburn-Garrett, Garrett (open every night). Renovated in the 1970s.
*Huntington Twin Drive-In, Huntington (open Thursday-Sunday).
*19-24 Drive-In, Wabash (open Thursday-Saturday). Can accommodate 500 cars!
*Skyline Drive-In, Shelbyville (open Thursday-Sunday). Hosts Drive-In Sanity where they screen a third retro film late Saturday nights on 35 mm film.
*Bel-Air Drive-In, Versailles (open Friday-Sunday). Sundays are $30 carload nights.
*Georgetown Drive-In, Georgetown (open every night).
Drive-In Fun Facts:
*Film reels were massive, totaling about 15,000 feet on average
*Films used to be shown on projectors, with thousands of individual still images speeding past a reflector, light bulb and lens. They are now digital.
*Benefits of going digital include: A cleaner, crisper image, easier operation, film is stored on hard drive which takes up less space (cheaper for smaller theaters)-drive-ins can afford digital versions rather than film versions.
At the highlight of the Drive-In boom, Illinois boasted more than 120 facilities; unofficially, only about12 remain. While just a few are still standing, it’s uncertain whether/not they will be revived.
*Hi-Lite, Aurora on Montgomery & Hill Rd. (April-Oct., Weekends, Spring/Fall, 7nites, summer. The oldest remaining Drive-in in Illinois include:
*Skyview, Belleville
*Skyview, Litchfield (April-Oct.), 1950
*Galva AutoVue Drive-In, Galva. 5.3-acre site, twin screen. Holds up to 250 cars.
*Harvest Moon, Gibson City (April-Sept-weekends.; June-July 6 nites). Twin screens.
*Route 66 Drive-In, Springfield
*Clark 54 Twin Pike, Summer Hill
*Cascade Drive-In, West Chicago (Apr.-Oct.)
*Cicero Twin Drive-In, Monee. Two screens, double feature
*Fairview, Newton, 220 miles south of Chicago (April-Sept.), double feature.
*Midway Drive-In, Dixon, 10 min. north of 88.
*34 Drive-In, Earlville
