Here's an interesting rumor that started the morning. A part of the report by WJOL radio in Will County, Ill.: The possibility calls for a new Dell Rhea's Chicken to go where the cuurrnt Launching Pad restaurant is located. The only sidetrack for some Route 66 lovers is the possibilty that the big green Gemini … Continue reading Will Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket supplant the Launching Pad?
Month: August 2013
Route 66 NonStop launches fundraising campaign
After hinting at it for months, the fellow behind the "open source" Route 66 NonStop website has launched a fundraising attempt at $50,000 at Indiegogo. Ingar Hagen, founder and CEO of the Norwegian company Mobideal AS, said his proposed website sprang from a childhood wish to travel Route 66. Such an open-source site, he says, … Continue reading Route 66 NonStop launches fundraising campaign
Two slain, one badly hurt at Pontiac’s Palamar Motel
Two people were found dead and a third was "gravely injured" Tuesday at the Palamar Motel in Pontiac, Ill., which reportedly is now used as apartments, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The newspaper reported: Police were called Tuesday morning to check the well-being of the occupants of Room 239 at the motel, which now serves as … Continue reading Two slain, one badly hurt at Pontiac’s Palamar Motel
More about Springfield’s mosaic mural
The Springfield News-Leader produced this video about the Route 66 mural in Springfield, Mo., which was created in 2001 with the guidance of local artist Christine Schilling with dozens of young artists: More about the project: Campbell Elementary School students were among the young artists who participated in the project. The Campbell students tied the … Continue reading More about Springfield’s mosaic mural
Running the route … in a whimsical way
This rather whimsical film about running on Route 66 is a project for the International Association of Administrative Professionals: IAAP | Route 66 from Blue Coffee Pictures on Vimeo. Blue Coffee Pictures explains: This Kansas City-based organization wanted a film that inspired members to give back to the not-for-profit and have some fun along the … Continue reading Running the route … in a whimsical way
Route 66 is subject of “America: Fact vs. Fiction” episode
An episode Wednesday of the "America: Fact vs. Fiction" program on the Military Channel will include Route 66 as its subject matter, according to an email from one of the show's creators. Joel Sturdivant interviewed "Route 66: The Mother Road" author Michael Wallis as part of the episode. The 30-minute show, subtitled "Roadside Stories," will … Continue reading Route 66 is subject of “America: Fact vs. Fiction” episode
Route 66 in Illinois and Missouri
Filmmaker and writer Carter Liotta and a pal embarked on a recent Route 66 trip from Chicago to western Missouri. It's a terrific primer to that section of Route 66 in the Midwest. Route 66: Illinois and Missouri from Carter Liotta on Vimeo. Liotta also made an award-winning five-minute film in 2008 about Route 66:
El Vado Motel being considered as a food market
A food and farmers market is one of the proposals being considered for reusing the long-closed El Vado Motel along old Route 66 in Albuquerque, reported KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque seized the historic motel from a local developer who wanted to raze it and build luxury townhouses. Now, after sitting for several … Continue reading El Vado Motel being considered as a food market
A western Missouri side trip
Those who are traveling Route 66 in western Missouri between Springfield and Carthage may want to consider a side trip, according to longtime roadie Tonya Pike. Pike emailed me about the Hangar Kafe, which opened in May in rural Miller, Mo., near the Route 66 hamlets of Avilla and Spencer. I'll let her explain: It … Continue reading A western Missouri side trip
Whirl-A-Whip reopens with new owners
The historic Whirl-A-Whip restaurant near an old alignment of Route 66 in Girard, Ill., reopened under new ownership after a two-year hiatus, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. Brent and Anita Barnes recently reopened the walk-up stand. It first opened in 1957. It's the special ice-cream maker that gives the restaurant its name: It still uses … Continue reading Whirl-A-Whip reopens with new owners