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
Category: People
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.
Mural at I-44 welcome center has Route 66 theme
A few days ago, the Joplin (Mo.) Globe reported about a new mural at the Missouri Welcome Center on Interstate 44 in Joplin that contains a prominent Route 66 theme and uses old license plates as part of the artwork. The interesting part is after Zane Livengood, a part-time worker at the welcome center, submitted … Continue reading Mural at I-44 welcome center has Route 66 theme
Waldmire’s final meeting with his beloved VW
A few days ago, I posted a story about Tom Wanko's unselfish efforts to transport Bob Waldmire's early 1970s Volkwagen minibus from southern Arizona to Rochester, Ill., because he was too ill to drive it himself. I received this eyewitness account from longtime roadie Lynn "Lulu" Bagdon about the minivan's arrival a few weeks ago … Continue reading Waldmire’s final meeting with his beloved VW