The current summer issue of The 66 News, published by the Route 66 Association of Illinois, announces its 2007 inductees to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame. They are: Joy Henderson, former owner of Archie's Standard Service in Pontiac (1956-63) and the Hilltop Cafe in Cayuga (1963-65). Henderson is now 74. (The Pontiac Leader … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Famers announced
Category: People
Driving Route 66 in a moped
Roland Gueffroy currently is driving Route 66 in an unorthodox way -- in a refurbished Swiss postal moped. According to his Web site: Why take a original Swiss postal moped on Route 66? I have been asked this question, albeit in various forms, many times. It’s to be expected that this kind of tour is … Continue reading Driving Route 66 in a moped
Another Harley and Annabelle Experience
Harley and Annabelle Russell of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Okla., perform "Route 66" for a camera-toting tourist. Other videos of Harley and Annabelle's schtick can be found here and here.
Former Best Western Trade Winds motel owner dies
On Saturday, I received word from prominent Route 66 author Michael Wallis that Walter "Doc" Mason, former owner of the fabled Best Western Trade Winds Motor Hotel in Clinton, Okla., has died. The Trade Winds is best-known for hosting Elvis Presley for at least four overnight stays during his occasional cross-country drives from Memphis to … Continue reading Former Best Western Trade Winds motel owner dies
Take me back to Vega
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram interviewed Rory Schepisi, owner of the new Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega, Texas, about her experiences with the TV reality show, "The Next Food Network Star," that debuts Sunday. Schepisi grew up near New York City, but fell for Vega and a local cowboy while taping a CMT reality … Continue reading Take me back to Vega
A hog-riding great-grandma
From the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser is the story of Diana Dixon, who plans to drive her Harley-Davidson three-wheel motorcycle all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska, by her 64th birthday on June 18. Of course, there will be side trips on the way: She's mapped out her itinerary and plans to touch as many states as … Continue reading A hog-riding great-grandma
The good ol’ days weren’t always good
People who know of my fascination with Route 66 occasionally ask me whether I would have preferred to live in an era when the Mother Road was more vibrant, where I could see long-gone motels and businesses open and prospering again. I admit that if a time machine were available, I would visit the 1950s … Continue reading The good ol’ days weren’t always good
A Memorial Day tribute
We thought we’d pay homage on Memorial Day to soldiers from Route 66 towns who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. I first started this tribute on Veterans Day 2006. Since then, about another 30 soldiers have been added. Route 66 is often described as the “world’s longest small town.” So when one of its … Continue reading A Memorial Day tribute
Route 66 Festival notes
The National Route 66 Festival is coming up in a few weeks in Clinton, Okla., on June 21-24, and here are a few items related to that event: -- The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a hands-on historic preservation project at the former Ray's Motel at 720 S. Eighth St. in Clinton from 11 … Continue reading Route 66 Festival notes
Vega restaurant set to open in June
Rory Schepisi, the runner-up on the CMT reality show "Popularity Contest," told me today that her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, will tentatively open on June 3 for a private party and on June 4 to the public. Schepisi said the only thing needed are private-club permits, and she … Continue reading Vega restaurant set to open in June