John "J.J." Bouma Jr. is going to drive a Corvette this month on Route 66 to raise money and awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Bouma was diagnosed with ALS in September. He hopes to raise $66,000. A photographer is riding along to document the trip and take photos of … Continue reading Man will cruise Route 66 to benefit ALS foundation
Author: Ron Warnick
I'm the editor and publisher of Route 66 News, a clearinghouse of events, information, and entertainment pertaining to historic U.S. 66, the Mother Road.
Bottoms up for Pops
About 100 people showed up on a rainy Thursday in a tent on the western edge of Arcadia, Okla., to attend a groundbreaking Thursday for a new gas station on Route 66. But it’s not going to be just any gas station. It’s going to feature a 66-foot-tall soda bottle festooned with LED lights so … Continue reading Bottoms up for Pops
New store sells Hollywood memorabilia
LeRoy Richardson has been gathering Hollywood memorabilia for decades. Now his extensive collection is going up for sale at the recently opened Vintage Hollywood, located on old Route 66 in Hollywood. Here's an excerpt from the Los Angeles Independent report: “I just have gobs and gobs of stuff,” said Richardson, 55, sitting in the well-appointed … Continue reading New store sells Hollywood memorabilia
Fat Man will walk into Big Apple on May 8
Steve Vaught of thefatmanwalking.com is tentatively scheduled to stroll into New York City on May 8, according to his latest journal entry. If you're in the area and wish to walk with him, go to the journal for the details. "The Today Show" is set to commemorate the end of his walk, although Vaught is … Continue reading Fat Man will walk into Big Apple on May 8
Publicity revs up for Missouri 66 byway ceremony
Tommy Pike of the Route 66 Association of Missouri has alerted me to the ways the word is being spread about the dedication of Missouri's Route 66 as a National Scenic Byway at 11 a.m. Friday at Glenstone and Kearney in Springfield, Mo. The Missouri Department of Transportation has a news release here, plus an … Continue reading Publicity revs up for Missouri 66 byway ceremony
Pain Walker receives an award
Dennis Kinch, the man who's walking Route 66 for the National Pain Foundation, took a break from his trek to receive the Distinguished Consumer Award from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Kinch is a former resident of nearby Attleboro. The Attleboro Sun Chronicle has the story. Next week, Kinch will be in the Phoenix area: Event … Continue reading Pain Walker receives an award
Joliet may restore historic ice-cream store
The Chicago Tribune reports that the nearby Route 66 town of Joliet, Ill., is seeking a grant from the National Park Service to restore the Rich & Creamy ice-cream store on the 900 block of Broadway St. (City Manager John) Mezera said the site's design is typical of ice cream stores that dotted Route 66 … Continue reading Joliet may restore historic ice-cream store
The history — and future — of maps
Road warrior and author Tim Steil directed me to this long but fascinating New Yorker story about the development of road maps and future possible developments in navigation. There's no Route 66 content, but roadies almost certainly will find it interesting -- and relevent to their travels.
Former Boots Motel owner returns
The Carthage Press has an interesting story about Bob Boots, who now lives in Tulsa, returning to his former Route 66 motel and hometown of Carthage, Mo., for the first time in years. Boots returned for the purpose of telling his memories for a Route 66 oral history project. Boots' father, Arthur Boots, built the … Continue reading Former Boots Motel owner returns
White House photo of Hampton Inns award is up
The White House's Web site now has photos and other material from the Preserve America Presidential Awards on Monday. Hampton Inns was one of the award winners for its work on Route 66 and other historical sites. Here is the White House's story. Here is the Webcast of the event. Here is a White House … Continue reading White House photo of Hampton Inns award is up