Scott Piotrowski recently uploaded a 20-minute documentary from 1998, "158 Miles to Yesterday," that he directed and produced. The film, shot in 16 mm film and uploaded from the VHS tape, examines the longest unbroken stretch of original Route 66 from in Arizona, from about Crookton Road to Topock. Now over 20 years old, the … Continue reading Scott Piotrowski’s “158 Miles to Yesterday” now on YouTube
Category: Books
Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis
RSU Public TV, based at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, recently completed this 25-minute profile in its "Perspective" series about author, actor and speaker Michael Wallis. Wallis remains best-known for two things -- writing the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" that sparked the renaissance of the historic highway and providing the voice of … Continue reading Public TV station profiles writer Michael Wallis
See Michael Wallis, Desert California and Two Guns from early 1990s
A new batch of Anthony Reichardt films from the 1990s shows Two Guns, Arizona; a long stretch of Route 66 in the California desert to Oatman, Arizona; and Michael Wallis, author of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road." Below is Wallis in 1993 during a meeting of the California Historic Route 66 Association at … Continue reading See Michael Wallis, Desert California and Two Guns from early 1990s
Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday
An hour-long documentary on the Smithsonian Channel, "The Green Book -- Guide to Freedom," will premiere at 8 p.m. Eastern on Monday. The film about the Negro Motorist Green Book, which was published during the Jim Crow segregation era from 1936 to 1966, also will air other times on the channel. Check your local listings. … Continue reading Smithsonian Channel’s “Green Book” documentary airs Monday
Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies
Debra Whittington, the longtime co-owner of the Pony Soldier Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and author of historical books about Tucumcari, died Monday after a lengthy illness. She was 61. Whittington also co-owned the Dollhouse Bed & Breakfast in Tucumcari, a 1908 two-story Victorian home near downtown Tucumcari she and her husband, Mark, restored and … Continue reading Longtime Tucumcari motel co-owner, author Debra Whittington dies
“The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66
A new documentary, "The Bikes of Wrath," contains an intriguing premise -- five Australians on bicycles trace the path of the Joad family in the John Steinbeck novel "The Grapes of Wrath." PEZ Cycling News reports: The five Australian friends range in age from 24 to 35 and are a diverse lot: two were raised … Continue reading “The Bikes of Wrath” traces the Joads’ journey down Route 66
“I Am Route 66” project focuses on its people
Those who've been on Facebook in recent weeks may have noticed photographs of people along the Mother Road and their handwritten thoughts for the "I Am Route 66" project. Surfing through the website, I've counted about 20 people from Route 66 with their images and writings -- mostly from the Texas Panhandle and eastern New … Continue reading “I Am Route 66” project focuses on its people
Book review: “Jensen Point: Stop and Reminisce”
When Wayne Winchester bought Jensen's Point near Pacific, Missouri, as part of a package deal for his WINTEC Pharmaceutical business in 1991, he didn't have to preserve the historic property. But he did, because he fell in love with it. “Once I bought that property, I knew that Jensen’s Point had to be saved for … Continue reading Book review: “Jensen Point: Stop and Reminisce”
Route 66 Navigation offering prepaid cards, new rates
The Route 66 Navigation app has introduced new subscription rates and prepaid cards that can be purchased at more than 40 businesses along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. According to a news release from Route 66 Navigation: Each card with exclusive design has its own unique QR code, which activates navigation for Android … Continue reading Route 66 Navigation offering prepaid cards, new rates
Photographer Terrence Moore talks about his life’s work on Route 66
Terrence Moore has made the publicity rounds for his excellent new book, "66 for 66: A Photographer's Journey." If you have an hour to kill, Moore talks about his book and his nearly 50 years of documenting Route 66 in this free-wheeling segment on Big Blend Radio: https://youtu.be/uhS3eEW4bC0 Moore also was interviewed by Arizona Highways … Continue reading Photographer Terrence Moore talks about his life’s work on Route 66