Month: July 2009

Problems with DVDs reported in “Route 66” set

It looks like another botched rollout for the DVDs of the original "Route 66" television series. TVShowsOnDVD.com reports that an exclusive early release of the Season 3 of "Route 66" by Best Buy has playback problems. The site reports: We've received numerous complaints that discs 5-8 will not play in a DVD, and thanks to … Continue reading Problems with DVDs reported in “Route 66” set

Marathon will still be on Mother Road

In December 2008, the Joplin (Mo.) Visitors and Convention Bureau announced with much fanfare that it would organize a Mother Road Marathon footrace on Route 66 from Miami, Okla., through Kansas and to Joplin, to be run in October 2009. Citing a weak economy and problems with certifying the race, organizers announced in February that … Continue reading Marathon will still be on Mother Road

Mother Road couple to mark 70 years of marriage

Gene and Clara Hodkin of Barstow, Calif., will observe their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, reports the Contra Costa Times. And their history goes up and down the Mother Road. Gene, 93, and Clara, 87, were childhood sweethearts when they were married just before midnight by a justice of the peace in Carthage, Mo., where … Continue reading Mother Road couple to mark 70 years of marriage

Hail Hale

You usually don't hear the word "toughness" in descriptions of professional golfers. But Hale Irwin is an exception. Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star talks about Irwin's background: Hale Irwin grew up playing Baxter Springs Country Club, which was anything but the exclusive playground its name implies. Irwin's home course in Kansas was a nine-hole … Continue reading Hail Hale

They’re Cozy Dogs, not corn dogs

Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register explains that in Springfield, you order "cozy dogs," not corn dogs at the Cozy Dog Drive-In on Route 66 in south Springfield. “We usually give them funny looks when they say (corn dog),” says the Cozy Dog’s Sue Waldmire. The newspaper decided to do an update about the … Continue reading They’re Cozy Dogs, not corn dogs

Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a good story about Route 66 aficionado Jim Hinckley and his efforts to kick-start more Route 66 tourism in Kingman -- efforts which seem to be finally bearing fruit. The Kingman Route 66 Association recently reformed, and Kingman's historic downtown is being revitalized. He's been doing his part by … Continue reading Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

Great American Road Tripe

Following a premiere episode that showed potential, the second episode of NBC's "The Great American Road Trip" nosedived sharply in quality on Monday and probably will be this summer's television version of "Dead Man Walking" -- if it doesn't get canceled first. The first installment of the reality series that takes place on Route 66 … Continue reading Great American Road Tripe

Motorist drives off edge of Grand Canyo

Needless to say, this did not end well. A man drove a blue car off the edge of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon about 6 a.m. Monday and died, according to the Arizona Republic. This occurred behind Thunderbird Lodge near El Tovar Hotel. Rescuers climbed 600 feet down into the canyon, where they … Continue reading Motorist drives off edge of Grand Canyo

‘Man v. Food’ host takes on Springfield eateries

Adam Richman, host of the Food Network's "Man v. Food" series, will film an episode at three Route 66 restaurants in Springfield, Ill., starting Friday, reports the Springfield Journal-Register. Richman's big task is to eat a record five bowls of Firebrand chili in one sitting from Joe Rogers' Original Recipe Chili Parlor. Richman and his … Continue reading ‘Man v. Food’ host takes on Springfield eateries