https://youtu.be/lh_uI2hDmZA Henry's Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Ill., is among the inductees into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame for 2012, according to a story today in the Bloomington Pantagraph. The other honorees are Elmo and Eula Quinn of Quinn's Shell station in Bloomington, gas station owner Samuel Reichert Sr. of Plainfield, and Roger Gray of Gray’s … Continue reading Henry’s Rabbit Ranch among Illinois Hall of Fame inductees
Category: People
Route 66 stories from Betty Estes
Here's the latest in a series of videos created for Illinois Route 66. This one's an interview with Betty Estes, who was instrumental in landing the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac and has been honored for her hospitality to Route 66 tourists. https://youtu.be/AqpgZTqjumY
Impressive authors and artists list at Tucumcari festival
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
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