Through the Keyhole - June 2025

 

Through the Keyhole June 2025 Take a break from your day... Not your typical company OR newsletter

"This Natural Wonder is not the deepest of its kind in the world.  It's 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. Due to its depth and varying elevations, it can have different climates and weather patterns at the bottom versus the top. And some places in this canyon you are not allowed to see...hmm." Can you guess the location?   June in Chicago: Let's GO!   Ah, June in Chicago — when the city collectively sheds its parka, reclaims its patio seating, and forgets the pain of winter like a bad Tinder date.   It’s that magical time when Lake Michigan suddenly transforms from a frozen no-man’s-land into a sparkling blue backdrop for kayaks, beach volleyball, and questionable tan lines.   The sun doesn’t set until late, giving you plenty of time to pretend you have your life together on a rooftop with a cocktail in hand.   The festivals? Nonstop. There’s something happening every weekend, from neighborhood block parties with names like “Bacon Fest Beats & Brews” to outdoor jazz nights that make you feel classy until you spill rosé on your shorts.   Chicagoans in June are like flowers blooming in fast-forward — we jog again, we grill again, we say “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” like it’s our summer mantra. Dogs are out. Sunglasses are on. And nobody remembers how terrible traffic was two weeks ago because now you can roll down the windows and blast Chance the Rapper like you own the place.   In short? June is Chicago at its most flirtatious — breezy, bold, and just a little bit sunburned.

Escape from the City: Trading Skyscrapers for Cheese Curds in Wisconsin Sometimes, the Windy City starts to feel less like a cool urban breeze and more like a sweaty, traffic-clogged hairdryer. That’s when Chicagoans hear the call — not of the wild, exactly, but of Wisconsin. Sweet, verdant, brat-scented Wisconsin.   Yes, just a couple hours north lies the Land of Beer, Lakes, and People Who Actually Say Hello. Escaping Chicago for Wisconsin isn’t just a weekend getaway — it’s a deep-fried pilgrimage to greener pastures (literally) and friendlier toll booths.   Let’s be honest. The first thing Chicagoans do upon crossing the border is stop at Mars Cheese Castle. It’s a rite of passage. You walk in for a snack and walk out with $83 worth of smoked gouda, honey mustard pretzels, and a suspiciously large sausage you’re pretending is “for a friend.”   Wisconsin doesn’t have skyscrapers — it has trees, and those trees are whispering secrets of your forgotten inner peace. Whether you’re heading to Lake Geneva, Door County, or some Airbnb in the middle of nowhere with questionable Wi-Fi and excellent mosquito representation, you’re in for a reset. Your phone loses signal. Your stress melts. You remember how to breathe through your nose.   In Chicago, slowing down means you missed your train. In Wisconsin, it means you’re doing it right. People smile at gas stations. Strangers offer you directions without sounding like they’re about to mug you. And no one honks unless it’s to wave at Aunt Karen.   After a weekend of campfires, fish fries, and maybe one too many Spotted Cows, reality begins to creep back in. The drive back down I-94 starts to feel a little heavier. You’ll hit the suburbs and start remembering emails. Deadlines. CTA delays.   But fear not — you’ve got cheese in the trunk, a sunburn on your nose, and just enough mosquito bites to prove you were truly gone.

Using AI to man your website and act cool enough to be your best salesperson... At TURNkey, we have just implemented a smart chat feature on our website.  We have populated the AI with frequently asked questions and their answers.  This gives the chat feature the look and feel of having someone live to chat with...only they stay on the clock through 2 am and on Christmas morning.  I invite you to visit the site here and click on "I want to learn more about TURNkey."  Ask it anything.  There is a broad base of knowledge there...and it's fun.   We can implement this for you at a low cost too.  Give us a call.   www.turnkey.pro

Guess the Location Game Last month the winner of the guess the location game was Henry Todd who guessed the right answer.  I appreciate all of the participation.  THANKS FOR PLAYING!

ANSWER: Warsaw, Poland

"Pictured here is "Uncle Joe's Cathedral", a rather interesting building located in this Capital City.  Over 1.7 million people live here after 90 percent of the city was destroyed in WWII.  Home to culture and science, the people are strong and proud and the country is beautiful..." If you ever find yourself in Warsaw, Poland, get ready for a city that’s equal parts resilient, modern, and steeped in history. It’s one of those places where old-world charm blends with bold, post-war architecture in a way that’s oddly beautiful.   Right in the heart of the city, towering over everything, is the Palace of Culture and Science—or as locals sometimes cheekily call it, “Uncle Joe’s Cathedral.” It was a “gift” from Stalin in the 1950s, and while many Varsovians have mixed feelings about it, you can’t deny it’s iconic. Love it or hate it, it’s impossible to miss. These days, it’s home to theaters, offices, museums, and even a viewing deck with an epic skyline view.   Around the city, you’ll find cobblestone alleys in the rebuilt Old Town (painstakingly reconstructed after WWII), hip cafes in converted industrial buildings, and a creative energy that pulses through its art and food scenes. Whether you're into history, nightlife, or just grabbing a coffee by the Vistula River, Warsaw’s got a way of growing on you.   Warsaw is a city of contrast — sleek skyscrapers and trendy co-working spaces sit alongside cobblestone streets and Soviet-era concrete blocks. Young people are driving a creative boom with pop-up galleries, alternative bars, indie bookstores, and eco-conscious design shops.   But tradition is never far away. Locals are proud of their heritage, from hearty Polish cuisine (think pierogi, żurek, and bigos) to Catholic holidays and folk crafts you’ll still find at street markets.   Warsaw has a seriously underrated cafe scene — cozy spots with artisan coffee, minimalist design, and homemade cakes. Come evening, the city shifts gears, with bars hidden in courtyards, craft beer spots, and riverbank parties in summer.   It's almost like two totally different cities rolled into one...

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Rick Steeves ~ 2 minutes

Nightlife in Warsaw ~ 2 minutes

Well this is Random...

Lake Geneva, WI

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Green Lake, WI

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Jurassic Park Rebirth - Trailer

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Walking.

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month. My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where he is. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again. I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing... I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. I haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there. Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise', I wash my mouth out with chocolate. The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, she looks good doesn't she.' If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country. I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years, just getting over the hill. We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Made in China? - designer bags

Well That's Random.

More Stuff.

Edgy.

More Edgy Stuff...

The Greatest Mac and Cheese Recipe (Classic, Creamy & Baked)

Ingredients: For the pasta: 1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi Salted water, for boiling For the cheese sauce: 4 tbsp unsalted butter ¼ cup all-purpose flour 3½ cups whole milk (warm) 1 cup heavy cream 2 tsp Dijon mustard ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder 1 tsp kosher salt ½ tsp black pepper ¼ tsp cayenne (optional but recommended) 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded 1½ cups Gruyère, shredded ½ cup Parmesan, grated For the topping: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tbsp melted butter ¼ cup grated Parmesan Pinch of paprika (for color) Instructions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13" baking dish. Cook the pasta: Boil just until al dente. Drain and set aside. Make the roux: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1–2 minutes (no browning). Make the béchamel: Gradually whisk in warm milk and cream. Keep whisking until smooth and thickened (5–6 minutes). Flavor boost: Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Melt the cheese: Remove sauce from heat. Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until fully melted and creamy. Combine: Toss cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Pour into prepared baking dish. Make the topping: Mix panko, melted butter, Parmesan, and paprika. Sprinkle over the top. Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbling. Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving (if you can wait).

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