Photographer Sandi Wheaton, the woman who lost her job and took the opportunity to take a lengthy road trip to document Route 66, will have her images on display at not one, but two art galleries in Canada. The opening nights of the exhibits about car culture coincide with the nearby 2010 Detroit Auto Show. … Continue reading Double the art gallery fun
Category: People
Notes from the road
Since Paul Newman's death in 2008, speculation has run rampant on whether Disney-Pixar will revive his Doc Hudson character for the "Cars" sequel. Larry the Cable Guy, who portrayed Mater in the original "Cars," told the Whig Standard of Kingston, Ontario, that the Doc Hudson character has been essentially retired: "It's a shame he's still … Continue reading Notes from the road
More accolades for Bob Waldmire
Beloved Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire died several weeks ago, but the accolades are still coming in. The latest came today from Mark Yost, writing for the Wall Street Journal. A choice excerpt, part of which I witnessed: These were the people who showed up at the Cozy Dog in mid-November for "Bob's Last Art … Continue reading More accolades for Bob Waldmire
Pontiac to commemorate Diaz family’s Studs Terkel Award
The city of Pontiac, Ill., will give the Diaz family a commemorative medallion on Jan. 19 for their winning the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award in October, according to a news release from the city's tourism division. From the news release: Of their many contributions to the community, they are being honored specifically for devoting … Continue reading Pontiac to commemorate Diaz family’s Studs Terkel Award
Meet the “Experts”
Shameless plug time. After a number of delays, Emily and yours truly are pleased to announce that our contributions to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism site about Route 66 launched today. We're labeled as "Route 66 Experts." About 10 stories or blog posts are already posted, and more are coming. It also contains an "Ask … Continue reading Meet the “Experts”
What to do about Bob?
In a few weeks, the panel that decides the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame inductees for 2010 is going to deal with what could be a thorny problem -- the almost-certain nomination of Mother Road artist and ambassador Bob Waldmire, who died Dec. 16. There are two potential pitfalls with Waldmire's nomination. First, he … Continue reading What to do about Bob?
Newspaper names Dawn Welch Oklahoma’s Woman of the Year
Dawn Welch, owner of the historic Rock Cafe on Route 66 in Stroud, Okla., was named Oklahoma's Woman of the Year by The Oklahoman newspaper today, according to the newspaper's BAM's Blog. The Oklahoman no doubt honored Welch because of her tenacity, which the story details: In 2008, Welch watched helplessly as the historic cafe, … Continue reading Newspaper names Dawn Welch Oklahoma’s Woman of the Year
Emory Duick takes a long walk to the Pier
Emory Duick, the 71-year-old man who decided to walk or jog Route 66 to encourage fellow senior citizens to be more physically active, reached the end of his 2,250-mile journey today when he made it to the Santa Monica Pier at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, Calif. Duick reached the "spiritual" end of Route … Continue reading Emory Duick takes a long walk to the Pier
A pie-in-the-sky place
Longtime roadie Dave Hoekstra of the Chicago Sun-Times takes a closer look at the restored and historic Palms Grill Cafe on old Route 66 in Atlanta, Ill. Apparently the restaurant, in addition to its old-time atmosphere, is making a name for itself because of its pies. And an Albanian immigrant named Lumi Bektoshi, who is … Continue reading A pie-in-the-sky place
A tribute to Bob
Of all of the obituaries I've read since Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire died last week, this one by the Guadalupe County Communicator in Santa Rosa, N.M., is the best. Those who know anything about the Communicator wouldn't be surprised by the story's excellence. But if you aren't familiar with the newspaper, go here.