New Mexico woman earns prestigious preservation honor

Patty Guggino of Los Lunas, N.M., on Monday earned the prestigious Historic Preservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the first resident of New Mexico to win the honor, and only the 16th in the United States, according to a report in the Valencia County News-Bulletin. The DAR Historic Preservation Medal … Continue reading New Mexico woman earns prestigious preservation honor

Notes from the road

A few things to move off my plate: --- One of the beneficiaries of federal stimulus package passed earlier this year is a Route 66 bicycle trail in Illinois. According to an Associated Press report, $25,000 in such funds will be used to build a four-way stop signal at an intersection for the Route 66 … Continue reading Notes from the road

Mother Road couple to mark 70 years of marriage

Gene and Clara Hodkin of Barstow, Calif., will observe their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday, reports the Contra Costa Times. And their history goes up and down the Mother Road. Gene, 93, and Clara, 87, were childhood sweethearts when they were married just before midnight by a justice of the peace in Carthage, Mo., where … Continue reading Mother Road couple to mark 70 years of marriage

Hail Hale

You usually don't hear the word "toughness" in descriptions of professional golfers. But Hale Irwin is an exception. Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star talks about Irwin's background: Hale Irwin grew up playing Baxter Springs Country Club, which was anything but the exclusive playground its name implies. Irwin's home course in Kansas was a nine-hole … Continue reading Hail Hale

Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

The Kingman (Ariz.) Daily Miner has a good story about Route 66 aficionado Jim Hinckley and his efforts to kick-start more Route 66 tourism in Kingman -- efforts which seem to be finally bearing fruit. The Kingman Route 66 Association recently reformed, and Kingman's historic downtown is being revitalized. He's been doing his part by … Continue reading Portrait of a Route 66 advocate

Route 66 traveler dies in accident

Ken Vetrovec, 59, of Racine County, Wis., died Monday in a motorcycle crash near Ely, Nev., while heading home after completing a Route 66 trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, reported the Journal Times of Racine. Vetrovec was headed toward home when he was involved in the crash that took his life. He was riding … Continue reading Route 66 traveler dies in accident

Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine

I got this e-mail this afternoon from Bob Moore, the longtime executive editor of Route 66 Magazine: As of the first of July I will no longer be affliated with Route 66 Magazine. Health issues and the opportunity to further my broadcast career have made this change necessary. It has been a great 16 years and … Continue reading Bob Moore steps down from Route 66 Magazine

Tattoo Man’s other story

Rita Thurman Barnes, a columnist for the Bartlesville (Okla.) Examiner-Enterprise, wrote a good story about Bartlesville resident Ron "Tattoo Man" Jones, who sports dozens of tattoos of Route 66 landmarks on his body. Most people who meet Jones already know about his tattoos. And many see the 1956 Chevrolet car that he frequently drives. But … Continue reading Tattoo Man’s other story

Profile of a roadie

The Wichita Falls (Texas) Times Record News has a story about Mark Potter of Vernon, Texas, who's been a longtime aficionado of Route 66. His credits include stories written for the Route 66 Pulse and the Route 66 Federation News and an appearance in the History Channel's "Modern Marvels." But what I've found most interesting … Continue reading Profile of a roadie

Notes from the road

A few things to clear off my plate: -- Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., told me today that her restaurant would be closed for the July 4 holiday. Roadies who wish to go to their favorite Route 66 hangout on that day are advised to call ahead to make sure … Continue reading Notes from the road