Summer and the tradition of burned meat

By Joel Vernier, View From the Comfy Chair

I looked at the clock; it was 1:00 pm, and I determined I had time for a quick afternoon nap. My family is coming over for a BBQ later; summer is beginning, and it’s time for cookouts. I will need my strength to cook out on the grill; after all, I will have to stand on my feet for an extended period of time and keep my eyes focused on cooking the meat to perfection. The whole house fan is on, shades are drawn, eyelids are getting heavy, breathing is getting slower, body temperature is increasing, and my nap is engaging.

Next, I feel as if I’m flying through the fog, then is noticed the fog is clearing up ahead: This can only mean “Time Travel!” I may have traveled thru a “Portal” or a “Looking Glass,” Still sitting in my “Comfy Chair,” I approached the clearing; I saw my old-time traveling friends “Ogg and Id.” They had just killed an antelope and had built a fire to keep themselves warm on this chilly day in the grassy savanna of Africa. As they quickly fell asleep from a very hard day hunting, I noticed that “Ogg” rolled over and kicked half of the antelope in the fire.

I watched them sleep for about 30 minutes, and then they woke up. They were startled to see half of the antelope in the fire. “Id” realized what “Ogg” had done and began grunting and kicking dirt on “Ogg” to show his displeasure. Afterward, they began to eat the antelope. They started with the raw uncooked part of the meat and then begrudgingly took a bite of the part that was cooked in the fire; the look on their faces was priceless; they truly loved it and began grunting at a higher pitch. Next, after they quickly swallowed and bit off some more cooked meat, they placed the rest of the meat on the fire to cook. This must have been the first BBQ! Actually, should time be determined by B.C. / A.D. or BBQ?

Thus, began the hallowed and sacred rite of mankind to burn meat on an open fire or, as it is called today, BBQ! I traveled forward to today, and I woke up with a renewed sense of my destiny: To put meat on the grill! I carefully turned the burner controls to start and lit the propane burners; the fire whooshed forth, and I almost singed my eyebrows. After it warmed up, I scraped off the remnants of BB Q’s past and placed 6 pieces of meat on the grill, and the sizzling was an awesome sound signaling a feast was soon to come. The steaks began to burn over the hot artificial coals, the sweet smell of juicy steaks sizzling on the fire; I felt manly, and my testosterone was flowing; I took a long swallow of my low-calorie beverage and let out a belch that “Ogg” & “Id” would have been proud of. I closed my eyes to savor the moment, and my wife came up behind me and said: “Don’t burn the steaks, caveman!” How could she have known? Oh well, there went my ego and my fantasy of being the great hunter cooking his meat on the grassy savannah. “Ok, I’ll try not to burn them,” I replied. Ogg and Id would have been proud of me carrying on their tradition of cooking meat on an open fire or gas grill, in this case. And then I thought to myself for just a moment, “Burn baby, burn!” just enough to seal in the juices. And after our feast of steaks, potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon, and our company left, it was time for a nap.

Appetizers

Bread Stix

8-10 Freshly Baked Bread Stix. $4.50 75 cal/piece

Stuffed with Pepperoni add $1.75 18 cal/piece

Stuffed with Ham add $1.75 5 cal/piece

Mozzarella on Top or Inside add $2.50 34 cal/piece

Classic Red Pizza Sauce on Side add $1.00 40 cal/serving

Aged Cheddar Cheese Sauce add $1.50 35 cal/serving

Cheesy Bread

Pizza Crust Smothered in Garlic, Special Herbs & Mozzarella Cheese.

Small 10” $6.49 109 cal/piece

Large 14” $11.49 113 cal/piece

With Bacon: add $1.00 /Small 13 cal/piece $2.00 /Large 9 cal/piece

Spi-Rolls (Chicken or Pepperoni)

Chicken: Tender all white Chicken, smoky Bacon, melted Cheddar & Mozzarella, spi-rolled up into our own homemade pizza crust. Served with creamy Ranch for dipping. $7.99

89 cal/piece

Pepperoni: Spicy Pepperoni & melted Mozzarella spi-rolled up into our own homemade pizza crust. Served with our homemade, award winning Classic Red Pizza Sauce for dipping. $7.99

84 cal/piece

Chicken Wings & Boneless Wings

Oven-Roasted Hot BBQ

Sweet Heat Sweet Chili Zesty Orange

NEW!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Our new “Blue Ribbon” creation! Creamy White Sauce smothered with a blend of five Cheeses, topped with crispy breaded Chicken Breast and succulent Ham.

The Classics

Bourbon Spicy Garlic

Southwest Steak & Portabella

Sliced Top Round complimented with sliced Portabella Mushrooms, accented with Sweet Red and Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion and Cheddar atop 100% pure Wisconsin Mozzarella & our special Southwest Sauce. 10.99

Patrolman’s Special Pepperoni, Ham, Mushrooms, Green Pepper & Onions.

Carnivore’s Feast

All Meat: Pepperoni, Ham, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage & Bacon.

10.99 13.99 18.75 21.99

/ 248 / 287 / 296 cal

Patrolman’s Deluxe

Salads

Garden Salad

Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions, Broccoli, Cheddar Cheese & Dressing.

Reg 391 cal / Sm 209 cal

Chef’s Super Salad

Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Pepperoni, Ham, Mushroom, Hard-Boiled Egg, Green Pepper, Onions, Mozzarella Cheese & Dressing.

Reg 431 cal / Sm 235 cal

Taco Salad

Corn Chips, Seasoned Ground Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Black Olives & Taco Sauce.

Reg 840 cal / Sm 427 cal (includes Taco Sauce)

Greek Salad

Fresh Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Salami, Green Peppers, Onions, Kalamata Olives, Feta & Dressing.

Reg 635 cal / Sm 381 cal

Tossed Salad

Fresh Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato & your choice of Dressing.

Reg 139 cal / Sm 87 cal

Portabella Salad

Spinach, Portabellas, Sun Dried Cherries, Sweet Red & Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Basil & Grape Tomatoes topped with Feta, Asiago, Romano, Parmesan Cheeses & Dressing.

Reg 356 cal / Sm 185 cal

Italian Salad

Lettuce, Spinach, Tomato, Pepperoni, Black Olives, Banana Peppers, Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese & Italian Dressing.

Reg 414 cal / Sm 231 cal

Chicken Salad

Lettuce, Spinach, Your Choice of Tasty

Chunks of Chicken Breast or Crispy Chicken, Tomato, Mushroom, Green Pepper, Onions, Mozzarella Cheese & Dressing.

Reg 466 cal / Sm 248 cal

TOSSED OTHER SALADS

Regular: $5.49

Small:

Build Your Own

Greek-'Za Mediterranean

Fresh Spinach leaves, premium Hard Salami, fresh sliced vine-ripened Tomatoes, tasty Greek Kalamata Olives, zesty sliced Pepperoncini on an Olive Oil base with Wisconsin's best Mozzarella, fresh shredded Parmesan, Romano, Asiago and chunks of fresh Feta.

10.99 13.99 18.75 21.99

227 / 249 / 282 / 292 cal

Pizza Margherita

Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch

BBQ Chicken Pizza Tasty

Bacon Double Cheeseburger Ground

Taco Pizza

Seasoned Ground Beef, Taco Sauce, Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheeses, Lettuce, Tomato & Black Olives. 10.99 13.99 18.75 21.99

Pick The Size

The "SARGE" 20” 8 Huge

Build The Crust

Classic Crust 71-355 cal

Gluten-Free Crust 67 cal 10” Only, Additional charge

Caulif lower Crust 98 cal 12” Only, Additional charge

Filled Crust:

Cheese 43-57 cal or Pepperoni 23-31 cal

Flavored Crust:

Garlic 3-4 cal or Parmesan 9-12 cal

GF all are GF all are

Keystone Pizza: Crust on Top & Bottom 71-355 cal

Select The Sauce

Ground Beef 15-50

Italian Sausage 30-85

Black Olives 5-30

Green Olives 10-35

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Choose The Toppings

Pineapple 4-15

Tomatoes 0-5

Broccoli 0-5

Jalapenos 0-5

Banana Peppers 0-5

*Bacon 15-45

*Anchovies 5-15

*Chicken 5-25

*Fresh Basil 0-5

GF all are

*Portabellas 0-5

*Feta 20-50

*Red Bell Peppers 0-5

*Spinach 0-5

*Turkey 5-20

*Artichoke Hearts 0-10

*Kalamata Olives 5-30

*Sliced Top Round 10-45

*Swiss Cheese 19-56

2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary. Additional nutrition information available on request.

Gluten

Our greatest e ort is made to provide these products to be free of wheat/gluten ingredients. However, we are not a gluten-free facility and the possibility of cross-contamination does exist. Therefore, we are unable to guarantee these items to be free of all allergens. Certain products may vary from our suppliers from time to time, and therefore ingredients may vary.

If you are highly sensitive, we recommend discussing your situation with an owner / manager prior to placing your order.

Oven-Baked Grinder

Enjoy your Sub on a White or Wheat* Italian Roll, or as a Wrap, Oven-Baked Grinder, or Gluten-Free Grinder** (Additional Charge). *Wheat roll availability varies per location. **Excludes Crispy Chicken, Taco Meat & Meatballs Subs and Grinders are served hot; Wraps are served cold- unless requested otherwise.

Calories listed are for a Sub. Subtract 178 cal for a Wrap. Add 253 cal for a Grinder.

Super Italian Sub

Salami, Pepperoni, Ham, Mozzarella, topped with Lettuce, Tomato & Italian Dressing

$7.99 1141 cal

The Club

Sliced Top Round, Turkey, Ham, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato & Mayo $7.99 1038 cal

Barbeque Sub

Your choice of Italian Meatballs, Sliced Top Round or Chicken with BBQ Sauce & Mozzarella $7.99 1056-1553 cal

Crispy Chicken Club

Crispy White Meat Chicken, Ham, Lettuce, Tomato & Cheddar Cheese-served with Ranch $7.99 1174 cal

Veggie Sub

Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions, Black Olives, Mozzarella, Lettuce, Tomato & Italian Dressing $7.99 989 cal

Chicken Sub

Tasty chunks of Chicken & Broccoli covered with Mozzarella, Oven-baked, then topped with Lettuce & Tomato- served with Ranch $7.99 1112 cal

Steak

& Portabella

Sliced Top Round & Portabellas with Sweet Red & Green Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Lettuce, Tomato & Southwest Sauce $7.99 1220 cal

Pizza Sub

Up to 5 items, Pizza Sauce & Mozzarella $7.99 950-1200 cal

Meatball Sub

Italian Meatballs, Pizza Sauce & Mozzarella

$7.99 1402 cal

The B.L.T. Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Cheddar Cheese

$7.99 1236 cal

Taco Sub

Seasoned Ground Beef, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato & Taco Sauce $7.99 1118 cal

Cheese Steak Hoagie

Sliced Top Round, Cheddar Cheese, Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Onions, Tomato, Lettuce & Mayo $7.99 1134 cal

Turkey Sub

98% Fat-Free Sliced Turkey Breast, Mozzarella, Lettuce, Tomato & Mayo $7.99 1011 cal

Build-Your-Own Oven-Baked Pasta or Lasagna

Pasta Noodles or Lasagna Red Sauce or Alfredo Choose Any Combination of Pizza Toppings Served with Garlic Bread $ 8.99 plus 75¢ per topping. 687 cal+

Chicken Parmazeti

Alfredo Pasta

Delicious Pasta Noodles, Seasoned Chicken, Fresh Tomatoes, Broccoli and Cheddar- with our Creamy Alfredo Sauce. $8.99 829 cal

NEW!

Pizza Bowls

LUNCH SPECIAL:

Locally-owned and operated franchise locations ready to provide you with quality products and outstanding service at affordable prices.

Mac & Cheese

Cheesy Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese $8.99 750 cal

Classic Lasagna $8.99 725 cal

Garlic Roll $2.49 493 cal

With Cheese add $1.00 172 cal

Tasty Specialties

Pizza Pocket (Calzone)

Keto Bowl: Pepperoni, Ham, Mushrooms, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Bacon, Classic Red Sauce & Mozzarella. $7.99 744 cal

Chicken Bowl: Chicken, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, White Sauce and Mozzarella. $7.99 719 cal

Build-Your-Own Bowl: Your choice of Pizza Sauce, Mozzarella, & up to 5 items. $7.99 297 cal+

NEW!

Pizza Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese and your choice of up to 5 Items. $8.49 803-1363 cal

Wet Burrito $7.99

Beef: 1078 cal or Chicken: 993 cal

Nachos Supreme $7.99

Beef: 1247 cal or Chicken: 1162 cal

Quesadilla $7.49

Steak: 675 cal or Chicken: 687 cal

Desserts

Cinnamon Crisp Pizza

Choose Apple, Cherry, S’More, or Plain Cinnamon. Large: $10.35 / Small: $7.49 115-142 cal/slice

Cinnamon Spi-Rolls with Pecans $5.99 110 cal/piece

Cannoli

Six Mini-Pastries with Creamy Filling. Raspberry or Chocolate Drizzle. $6.99 71

231-627-4254

EAST JORDAN 101 N. LAKE ST. 231-536-5555

EVART 401 WEST 7TH ST 231-734-3922

GAYLORD 1525 W MAIN ST. 989-731-1555

GRAND RAPIDS 2034 LAKE MICHIGAN DR 616-301-8061

GRAYLING 307 SOUTH JAMES ST 989-344-2222

GREENVILLE 703 SOUTH GREENVILLE WEST DR 616-754-1122

HARBOR SPRINGS 930 STATE ST 231-526-2424

HART 2327 N. COMFORT DR 231-873-5555

HOWARD CITY 841 W. SHAW RD 231-937-9000

INDIAN RIVER 3695 S. STRAITS HWY 231-238-0055

KALAMAZOO 1710 W. MAIN ST. 269-532-1688

KALKASKA 104 N. CEDAR ST 231-258-8100

KAWKAWLIN 2338 S. HURON RD 989-671-2288

LAKE CITY 45 N. MOREY RD 231-839-1177

LAKEVIEW 9710 N. GREENVILLE RD 989-352-4002

LOWELL 1335 W. MAIN ST 616-897-9776

MACKINAW CITY 209 E. CENTRAL AVE 231-436-5500

PETOSKEY 910 SPRING ST (BAY MALL) 231-347-1212

PLAINWELL-OTSEGO 396 OAKS CROSSING 269-204-6612

ROSCOMMON 800 LAKE ST 989-275-1500

SPARTA 466 EAST DIVISION 616-887-1144

STANTON 620 N. STATE ST 989-831-7111

ST. IGNACE 277 N. STATE ST 906-643-0300

TRAVERSE CITY 3186 LAFRANIER RD/AIRPORT RD 231-995-9900

McDONOUGH,GA 140 W. CAMPGROUND RD 678-583-1550

Trucks and Jeeps have their own personality

By Mark Constance, Across County Lines

I sold my old Willy’s jeep the other day.

She was rough, in a gentle kind of way. Perfect in her imperfection. And as dependable as a boat in Lake Huron without a drain plug. But she was badass.

I called her Leepin’ Lina.

She was the first Willy’s jeep I had purchased. The front bumper was a pair of two-inch thick oak planks. Her body was a mismatch of parts scavenged from other Jeeps that have long since rusted away. She was loud and proud, even though she sat crooked and the old vacuum wipers

Scholarships for Seniors

didn’t work.

Lina had foam cushions in steel frames you sat on that barely passed as comfortable. And what we called a “princess seat,” an old Ford Bronco bench seat mounted on the rear fenders. It was perfect for kids because it had … Seat belts.

I took her for a spin this morning before she left in the capable hands of her new owner. Someone familiar with the weirdness and comfort of the old jeeps and was proud to show me pictures of the 1947 Willy’s he had brought back to life.

As I drove down the dirt road

▪ See ACROSS COUNTY LINES on page 7 B

HALE- Three talented young ladies have received this year’s Area Education Foundation Scholarships. The recipients are Dalaney Kimmerer, who received the Rosetta