Where is Rory now?

Roadies and folks in the Texas Panhandle probably already know the answer to this question about chef and former reality-TV contestant Rory Schepisi. But the Food Network decided to check back with previous "The Next Food Network Star" contestants, including Schepisi from Season 3.

Calling all scribes

Gondwana Press, based in Edmond, Okla., is holding a Route 66 Writing Contest through August. The details from the press release: Submit stories about Route 66, 3000 to 5000 words, any genre - short story, essay, poetry, etc., with up to 2 pictures (optional). Prize includes $50 per story and publication in Gondwana Press' upcoming … Continue reading Calling all scribes

Not just any festival

On Saturday, I decided to go to a festival right on Route 66 in downtown Bristow, Okla. At first glance, it looked like many small-town festivals in Oklahoma. I saw a store offering cowboy hats. I saw a Cowboys booth -- the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, that is. I saw a barbecue stand among the … Continue reading Not just any festival

Animal farm

If you participated in last weekend's Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor event, you probably saw several outdoor sculptures of animals  -- including a giraffe -- near Chenoa. The Pontiac Daily Leader tracked down the creator of those sculptures -- Kathryn Capley, who is an area artist who has pieces of her metalwork all over … Continue reading Animal farm

A road trip on Judges

Here's a new chapter of "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible." This week's episode comes from the book of Judges. I'm not sure what's more bizarre: the muscle-man body suit, or Samson's shaky Arnold Schwarzenegger accent.

Java Stop in Dwight is closing

The Java Stop, an espresso stand on Route 66 in Dwight, Ill., that earned praise for its architectural design, is set to close by the end of the month, reports regular reader DynoDave. Via e-mail: I'm sad to report that their site says their last day of regular operation is tomorrow, Sunday the 10th. They … Continue reading Java Stop in Dwight is closing

Severe storms lash SE Kansas, SW Missouri

Severe thunderstorms blasted southeastern Kansas and southwest Missouri, including parts of the Route 66 corridor, on Friday afternoon. I'm not aware of any damage to Route 66 landmarks. However, anyone traveling through the area should be aware of downed trees and other wind-blown debris on roadways. Joplin, Mo., especially got hammered, including the local TV … Continue reading Severe storms lash SE Kansas, SW Missouri

One family’s take on the Fun Run

Here's Jeff Rucker's video and slide show from last weekend's Fun Run by the Arizona Route 66 Association. A lot of swell-looking rides are featured. A bonus is a few pictures from Roy's in Amboy, Calif.

ABC anchor tours Mother Road

ABC's "GMA Weekend" anchorwoman Kate Snow and her sister traveled old Route 66 from Clinton, Okla., to Albuquerque. A bunch of photos from the trip are here. That's one heck of a nice Ford Fairlane they're driving. I appreciate the publicity the segment is generating. But something about it also rubs me the wrong way. … Continue reading ABC anchor tours Mother Road

Palms Grill resurrected

The historic Palms Grill Cafe in the Route 66 town of Atlanta, Ill., reopened last month after being shuttered for more than 30 years. I'm not sure who shot and edited this video of the Palms Grill operating again, but it's good. I hear a lot of folks complaining about how much Route 66 has … Continue reading Palms Grill resurrected