Battle of the books

Route 66 enthusiast Emily Priddy has announced that she's going to update her parents' guide to the Mother Road, "Route 66 for Kids," on Feb. 1. The book has been available a free download as Adobe Acrobat or a Microsoft Word file from the Kids on 66 Web site since 2005, although it was initially … Continue reading Battle of the books

An addition to a list

From KCAL-TV, a CBS affiliate: GLENDORA, Calif. -- A 27-year-old Army specialist from Glendora who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on Saturday became the San Gabriel Valley's 22nd death in the war, it was reported Thursday. Army Spc. Elias Elias is believed to be the first casualty from Glendora, where he has … Continue reading An addition to a list

Pain Walker launches Web site

Remember Dennis Kinch, the man afflicted with chronic pain who walked Route 66 to raise awareness for the National Pain Foundation? He's no longer with the foundation, but he's establishing a nonprofit group called Pain Education, Awareness and Re-invention, or PEAR. He's also writing a book about his experiences and producing a documentary. He also … Continue reading Pain Walker launches Web site

California Welcome Center will have Route 66 theme

According to this short story in the San Bernardino County Sun, a new California Welcome Center on Hospitality Lane near the junction of Interstates 215 and 10 will have a Mother Road flavor when it opens in February: The California Welcome Center will combine a Route 66 and 1950s retro theme with plasma screens, multimedia, … Continue reading California Welcome Center will have Route 66 theme

A new big frog for Waynesville?

There's a big, painted stone frog on Waynesville Hill just off old Route 66 in Wayneville, Mo. It's been a local landmark for years, and its name is W.H. Croaker. According to the Waynesville Frog Fest site, this is how the frog was created: You see, several years ago the Missouri Department of Transportation was … Continue reading A new big frog for Waynesville?

No New Year’s bash at Boot Hill

Rory Schepisi informed me today that because of other commitments, construction delays, a recent winter storm that caused further delays, there will be no New Year's Eve party at the under-construction Boot Hill Saloon & Grill at U.S. 385 and old Route 66 in Vega, Texas. Schepisi, who was runner-up in the CMT reality series … Continue reading No New Year’s bash at Boot Hill

Man who cruised Route 66 in Corvette for charity dies

John "JJ" Bouma, who cruised Route 66 in a red Corvette in May as a fundraiser to combat the Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS, that afflicted him, died at age 54 on Friday, according to the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press. The caravan's weeklong, 2,800-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles raised $318,000 for ALS research … Continue reading Man who cruised Route 66 in Corvette for charity dies

Home for Christmas

After completing her 2,390-mile trek on Route 66 on Sunday in Santa Monica, Michelle Thompson cycled south on Pacific Coast Highway and arrived at her brother's home in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Christmas Day afternoon, like she had hoped. KABC-TV in Los Angeles was there to see her ride through a congratulatory banner. There is … Continue reading Home for Christmas

She made it

Michelle Thompson, the woman who was trying to bicycle the 2,400-mile length of Route 66 to raise awareness of oral cancer and help her ailing brother, met her goal of finishing the Mother Road before Christmas. According to her Web site, Thompson pulled onto the fabled endpoint of Route 66, the Santa Monica Pier, at … Continue reading She made it

One to watch

The Bloomington (Ill.) Pantagraph compiles an annual "10 to Watch" list of central Illinois residents who are rising fast in prominence and influence. One who made the list is Geoff Ladd of the Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, who's already attracted attention for his preservation efforts of an area Route 66 icon. Ladd started … Continue reading One to watch