Former longtime U.S. senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico, who introduced and shepherded several key pieces of Route 66 legislation, died Wednesday in Albuquerque after setbacks from abdominal surgery. He was 85. Several obituaries about the six-term Republican lauded him for his bipartisanship and his mastery of budget, tax and energy issues until he retired … Continue reading U.S. senator who shepherded Route 66 legislation dies
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.
Tulsa soon will see a distillery open on Route 66
Red Fork Distillery in southwest Tulsa hopes to have its products of the shelves of liquor stores by the end of the year. The distillery at 3310 Southwest Blvd. (aka Route 66) plans to produce vodka, whiskey, gin and even moonshine, according to the What the Ale blog published by the Tulsa World newspaper. Red … Continue reading Tulsa soon will see a distillery open on Route 66
Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma
Two Route 66 towns in Oklahoma are hosting lectures and screenings from Katrina Parks' "The Women of the Mother Road" website and film documentary project this month. This first will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Carriage House in the Overholser Mansion at 405 NW 15th St. in Oklahoma City (map here). The … Continue reading Two “Women on the Mother Road” sessions slated for this month in Oklahoma
Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November
Mitchell Caverns, a Mojave Desert site off Route 66 that has been closed since 2011 because of varying infrastructure problems, will reopen Nov. 3 on a limited schedule. An official with California State Parks announced the reopening Friday, reported the Press-Enterprise. It will open at 8 a.m. Friday through Sunday and on holidays until the … Continue reading Long-closed Mitchell Caverns slated to reopen in November
Charley Pride returns to Route 66 with new song
Country-music legend Charley Pride recently released a well-received album titled "Music in My Heart." Not only does the 83-year-old Pride sound good, but he musically returns to Route 66 with a cover of a semi-obscure Merle Haggard tune, "The Way It Was in '51." The first line of the song is: "Sixty-Six was still a … Continue reading Charley Pride returns to Route 66 with new song
Don Williams, R.I.P.
Don Williams, a member of Country Music Hall of Fame who became a superstar during the late 1970s and early 1980s, died Friday. He was 78. His publicist told the New York Times that Williams died of emphysema. Williams was known for his smooth baritone voice, plain-spoken lyrics and understated arrangements on many of his … Continue reading Don Williams, R.I.P.
Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia
Those who travel to the Round Barn of Arcadia, Oklahoma, on Sunday afternoon are in for a treat -- the historic Route 66 site is hosting a Round Barn Rendezvous music event. All acoustic musicians are invited from noon to 4 p.m. One flyer states: "All banjo players are welcome." A display of antique tractors and … Continue reading Round Barn Rendezvous set for Sunday in Arcadia
A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire
The cause of a fire that destroyed dozens of vintage cars and a large building last month at Country Classic Cars near Staunton, Illinois, remains undetermined, but a new report reveals one possibility. An insurance-industry publication called Claims Journal this week reported interesting facts about the blaze: --- The fire destroyed a total of 143 cars in … Continue reading A clue surfaces in the Country Classic Cars fire
Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16
People along the length of the Mother Road soon will be treated to a unique sight -- a convoy of up to 80 vintage military vehicles making that Chicago-to-Santa Monica trip. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association will begin its 29-day, 2,400-mile journey from the Windy City on Sept. 16 along all the 1926 alignments of Route … Continue reading Antique military vehicle convoy on Route 66 begins Sept. 16
Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle
A community hearing over the fate of the historic Classen Circle in Oklahoma City will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Crown Heights Christian Church in the city. According to The Oklahoman newspaper, city councilman Ed Shadid announced the meeting late last week. The Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy chain had promised such a … Continue reading Community meeting set for Sept. 18 over Classen Circle