A few days ago, Kevin and Nancy Mueller at the Blue Swallow Motel asked me to check out the list of authors and artists slated to appear at the inaugural Wheels on 66 festival on June 7-9 in Tucumcari, N.M. I have to admit, for a first-year event, the list is pretty darned impressive: Christopher Robleski, … Continue reading Impressive authors and artists list at Tucumcari festival
Category: People
Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies
Ken Selby, who started what turned into the Mazzio's pizza chain in 1961 on Route 66 in Tulsa, died of lung cancer Saturday at age 73, according to several Tulsa media sources, including the Tulsa World. Selby opened his first pizza restaurant at 11th Street (aka Route 66) near Harvard Avenue in Tulsa. It soon … Continue reading Founder of Mazzio’s pizza chain dies
A history of Ann’s Chicken Fry House
Here's a video interview of Al Burchett, longtime owner of Ann's Chicken Fry House in Oklahoma City. https://youtu.be/hGe3o0msb_w Al talks a lot about the restaurant's 40-year history, including its Route 66 connection. As he explains, he's one of the first in the region to use the Mother Road as a selling point.
War veterans suddenly in spotlight on Route 66
Here's something eerie -- two different stories about war veterans on Route 66 were posted on the Internet today within an hour of each other. The Pontiac Daily Leader in Pontiac, Ill., reported on Tom Skinner cycling on much of Route 66 to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder -- an ailment which dogged him for … Continue reading War veterans suddenly in spotlight on Route 66
Will Rogers, Carol Duncan voted to Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Longtime Oklahoma Route 66 volunteer Carol Duncan and the late comedian, writer, and actor Will Rogers will be inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame when the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton officially reopens May 26, according to a news release today from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The Hall of Fame … Continue reading Will Rogers, Carol Duncan voted to Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Boot Hill owner will be on “Today” show tomorrow
Rory Schepisi, owner of the Boot Hill Saloon & Grill along Route 66 in Vega, Texas, will appear on NBC's "Today" show on Thursday, reported Go Rare, a blog by the Certified Angus Beef brand. Schepisi is no stranger to television, as she regularly appears on Amarillo stations in cooking segments. However, this appearance before the … Continue reading Boot Hill owner will be on “Today” show tomorrow
“Angel of the Mother Road”
In case you're wondering, this song by Steve Haggerty & The Wanted does indeed refer to Angel Delgadillo, the Guardian Angel of Route 66. Angel recently turned 85 years old. https://youtu.be/NZa2zM0csto Haggerty and his Southern rock band are based in Germany. If you want to hear a better-sounding studio version of the song, go to … Continue reading “Angel of the Mother Road”
Stories with Ernie Edwards
Less than a month ago, we reported that Pounds Media had videotaped a bunch of Route 66 old-timers for Central Illinois Tourism and the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. Today, the first video was posted publicly. Appropriately enough, it was Ernie Edwards of the Pig Hip Restaurant in Broadwell, who died last week at age 94. https://vimeo.com/40568829 The … Continue reading Stories with Ernie Edwards
Elite athletes will run Route 66 in less than three weeks
A relay of eight top running athletes next month will run nonstop on all 2,400 miles of Route 66 in 18 days for Run It Forward, which aims to promote fitness, nutrition, and dental health to underprivileged schoolchildren along the route. In addition to this impressive athletic feat, Run It Forward will use three crusading "soccer moms" … Continue reading Elite athletes will run Route 66 in less than three weeks
What will become of Ernie Edwards’ secret sauce?
Ernie Edwards, the longtime proprietor of the Pig Hip Restaurant along Route 66 in Broadwell, Ill., had long claimed that the sauce he used for his Pig Hip ham sandwiches would go with him to the grave. With Edwards' death last week, that appeared to be the case. Or does it? Phil Luciano, a columnist … Continue reading What will become of Ernie Edwards’ secret sauce?