KSPR-TV in Springfield, Mo., has an entertaining account of artist Lowell Davis and his Red Oak II complex off Route 66 near Carthage, Mo. Davis basically bought the town that he grew up in, Red Oak, Mo. He moved it to his new farm, outside of Carthage. Now, the old general store, blacksmith, and a … Continue reading The story of Red Oak II
Category: Art
Near the end of the road
Chicago Sun-Times reporter and longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra has filed this new story about Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire, who is terminally ill with cancer and is spending his final days near his hometown of Springfield, Ill. Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show will be at the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield from 2 to 6 … Continue reading Near the end of the road
Notes from the road
Megan Carter e-mailed a few days ago to report that she's suspending her quest to ride a part of Route 66 on horseback until spring, simply because winter will inevitably set in. However, it's too bad she didn't continue her riding for another week or two; the weather in the Midwest has been incredibly nice … Continue reading Notes from the road
Bob Waldmire update
Today's Chicago Tribune published a story about Route 66 hippie-artist Bob Waldmire and what he's doing now after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Although virtually everyone in the Route 66 community is saddened by Waldmire's illness, this quote from him does my heart good: "Even if I died 10 years ago, I can't imagine … Continue reading Bob Waldmire update
Bob Waldmire’s last art show
I received a forwarded e-mail Sunday afternoon titled "Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show." I made a cursory glance at the text on my iTouch and was unable to see the artwork that was attached. I thought: "The title of that show's a bit presumptuous. I know Bob's been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but recoveries from … Continue reading Bob Waldmire’s last art show
Art display along Route 66 scrapped
Several illuminated pillars along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be kept in storage indefinitely after a car accident and other problems with the art display cropped up in recent weeks, reported the Arizona Republic. Titled "Solar Calendar" and designed by artist Mary Boone Wellington, the display at Route 66 and Postal Boulevard has reportedly … Continue reading Art display along Route 66 scrapped
Bob Waldmire saying goodbye
Artist Bob Waldmire, famous for his intricate Route 66-inspired artwork and being the unofficial inspiration to hippie van Fillmore in the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars," has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, reports Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register. Waldmire, 64, usually lives in the southern Arizona mountains during the wintertime and spends the rest … Continue reading Bob Waldmire saying goodbye
New mural in Cuba
Cuba, Mo., which now is being called Mural City for good reason, sports a new mural at My Place Tires, at 1203 W. Washington St. (aka Route 66). According to the Cuba Free Press, the mural was painted by Missouri artist Ray Harvey. “The location on Route 66 and the attention the art will receive … Continue reading New mural in Cuba
San Fidel property named to National Register
The former Acoma Curio Shop on Route 66 in the tiny Route 66 settlement of San Fidel, N.M., was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective Oct. 7, according to an e-mail Thursday from the National Park Service. The shop is now home for Mary Trask's Gallery66.us, an art gallery that sells and … Continue reading San Fidel property named to National Register
Notes from the road
Some stray news items ... The Tulsa World has a recent update on Emory Duick, the senior citizen who is traveling Route 66 by foot. He's already worn out two sneakers, and he still has 1,400 miles to go. The New Mexico firefighters who were traveling Route 66 by motorcycle to raise funds for families … Continue reading Notes from the road