Here is a cool and rare find! A Christmas cake tin from Dressel’s Bakeries in Chicago. It's absolutely beautiful!

Here is a cool and rare find! A Christmas cake tin from Dressel’s Bakeries in Chicago. It's absolutely beautiful!

Episode 500 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories is up and ready! What a milestone! It’s about 45 minutes long, so please take your time to listen! Thank you! youtu.be/skqbnWQkXpo

Episode 500 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories is up and ready! What a milestone! It’s about 45 minutes long, so please take your time to listen! Thank you! youtu.be/skqbnWQkXpo

Here I am thinking and planning for tomorrow’s milestone podcast episode. It will be the 500th! I’m very excited!

Here I am thinking and planning for tomorrow’s milestone podcast episode. It will be the 500th! I’m very excited!

Here is a photo of Dispensa’s Castle of Toys, which was located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Did you ever buy toys there during the holiday season? Please comment. Thank you!

Here is a photo of Dispensa’s Castle of Toys, which was located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL. Did you ever buy toys there during the holiday season? Please comment. Thank you!

Here is a Christmas Card from Wag’s Restaurant. I used to go to the one that was located at W 79th St & S Cicero Ave in Chicago, in my old neighborhood. Please share your memories. Thank you!

Here is a Christmas Card from Wag’s Restaurant. I used to go to the one that was located at W 79th St & S Cicero Ave in Chicago, in my old neighborhood. Please share your memories. Thank you!

Episode 499 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I will discuss the 60th anniversary of the A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special and read a menu from Riccardo’s Restaurant & Gallery in Chicago. youtu.be/wRbZzypt8nQ

Episode 499 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I will discuss the 60th anniversary of the A Charlie Brown Christmas TV special and read a menu from Riccardo’s Restaurant & Gallery in Chicago. youtu.be/wRbZzypt8nQ

The 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I’ll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don’t miss it!

The 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I’ll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don’t miss it!

I took the photo of the Super Cold Moon tonight from my house! Not bad!

I took the photo of the Super Cold Moon tonight from my house! Not bad!

It's National Cookie Day! Who else besides me misses these so much? Please share your memories. Thank you!

It's National Cookie Day! Who else besides me misses these so much? Please share your memories. Thank you!

Stay tuned for the upcoming 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I'll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don't miss it!

Stay tuned for the upcoming 499th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! Join me as I celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Plus, I'll read a delicious menu from Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant and Gallery in Chicago. Don't miss it!

This is a cool photo! This is the McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. This was taken on February 4, 1979. Neil J. Klemek credits the photo. That was what McDonald’s looked like when I was in high school.

This is a cool photo! This is the McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. This was taken on February 4, 1979. Neil J. Klemek credits the photo. That was what McDonald’s looked like when I was in high school.

I recently found this bookmark from Borders Bookstores. I miss this place so much! Please share your memories. Thank you!

I recently found this bookmark from Borders Bookstores. I miss this place so much! Please share your memories. Thank you!

Here is a rare 1956 photo of Trainland, which was located in the toy department at a Wieboldt’s Department Store in Chicago.

Here is a rare 1956 photo of Trainland, which was located in the toy department at a Wieboldt’s Department Store in Chicago.

Here is a 1969 Christmas photo at State Street in Chicago. So beautiful!

Here is a 1969 Christmas photo at State Street in Chicago. So beautiful!

Episode 498 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I will discuss my memories of Salerno Jingle Cookies and read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant in Chicago. youtu.be/80AiTNK4c_s

The 498th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast will be released tomorrow. I will reflect on my memories of the Salerno Jingles Cookies and read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant, which was located within the Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in the Chicago Loop.

The 498th episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast will be released tomorrow. I will reflect on my memories of the Salerno Jingles Cookies and read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant, which was located within the Carson Pirie Scott Department Store in the Chicago Loop.

In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will discuss my memories of the original Salerno Jingles Cookies, and I will read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant which was located at Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Department Store in the Chicago Loop.

In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will discuss my memories of the original Salerno Jingles Cookies, and I will read a 1969 menu from The Heather House Restaurant which was located at Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Department Store in the Chicago Loop.

I wish Sundays were like this when I was a kid! It was magical and beautiful!

I wish Sundays were like this when I was a kid! It was magical and beautiful!

Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I will discuss my memories of The Super Bowl Shuffle and read a 1988 menu of The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. youtu.be/4ZX9YE5c1No

Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I will discuss my memories of The Super Bowl Shuffle and read a 1988 menu of The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. youtu.be/4ZX9YE5c1No

Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! I'll share memories of the iconic 1985 music video The Super Bowl Shuffle starring the Chicago Bears. Plus, I'll read a 1988 menu from The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. Don't miss it!

Episode 497 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast! I'll share memories of the iconic 1985 music video The Super Bowl Shuffle starring the Chicago Bears. Plus, I'll read a 1988 menu from The Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago. Don't miss it!

Someone emailed me today asking me to discuss this in tomorrow's podcast episode. Well, your wish is coming true! I will talk about the Super Bowl Shuffle from 40 years ago. Additionally, I will read a 1988 menu from the Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago.

Someone emailed me today asking me to discuss this in tomorrow's podcast episode. Well, your wish is coming true! I will talk about the Super Bowl Shuffle from 40 years ago. Additionally, I will read a 1988 menu from the Hat Dance Restaurant in Chicago.

Episode 496 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is now available to listen to! I did a tribute for Jobo from B96, and I read a store directory from The Water Tower Place from 1985 in Chicago. youtu.be/z9dXQ5yQj7s

Good morning, everyone! I will be doing a podcast this morning and another one tomorrow. Please be careful today!

Good morning, everyone! I will be doing a podcast this morning and another one tomorrow. Please be careful today!

EP496 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! I will share my memories of Jobo from B96 & read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo shows the interior of the Lord & Taylor store once located at Water Tower Place.

EP496 of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast is coming tomorrow! I will share my memories of Jobo from B96 & read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo shows the interior of the Lord & Taylor store once located at Water Tower Place.

In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will share my memories of Jobo from B96, and I will read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo is from 1989. It's coming soon!

In the next episode of Vanished Chicagoland Stories The Podcast, I will share my memories of Jobo from B96, and I will read two directories from The Water Tower Place Shopping Center in Chicago from 1975 and 1987. The photo is from 1989. It's coming soon!

Here's our Thanksgiving dinner at the Kastanes' house: roast turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and Greek-style potatoes with gravy. Lemon meringue pie is in the fridge. My Mom did a great job as always, and we all helped!

Here's our Thanksgiving dinner at the Kastanes' house: roast turkey breast, chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and Greek-style potatoes with gravy. Lemon meringue pie is in the fridge. My Mom did a great job as always, and we all helped!