Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell were inducted Saturday into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Frisco Center in Clinton. The third inductee was the late Charles Tompkins of El Reno, the third director for the U.S. 66 Highway Association and a … Continue reading Rhys Martin, Matt Pinnell inducted into Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame
Category: People
Four more books to read during Route 66’s centennial
I reckoned that a bunch of books would be released during Route 66's centennial, and I wasn't wrong. Here are four titles that I was made aware of in recent weeks. First is Cheryl Eichar Jett's "Aprons Away: Women's Work on Route 66" (Amazon affiliate link). A description of the book: We’ve all heard of … Continue reading Four more books to read during Route 66’s centennial
Jersey girls traveling Route 66 in a souped-up ambulance to help spur blood donations
Longtime friends and Jersey girls Lori Talbot and Marie Forrestal are driving a retired, souped-up ambulance named Rosie the Rescuer more than 2,500 miles along Route 66 for the documentary "Miles of Kindness." They wish to ignite a movement to end the blood shortage in America. Their mission: inspire 2,500 blood donations (one for every mile traveled) and raise awareness … Continue reading Jersey girls traveling Route 66 in a souped-up ambulance to help spur blood donations
Ultrarunner to retrace much of the Bunion Derby from Chicago to Santa Monica
Ultrarunner Zach Fiske will undertake a big task next month -- completing the 2,400-mile Route 66 Centennial Bunion Derby Commemorative Run that begins in Chicago. The event has been designated an Official Route 66 Centennial Project as honoring the history, culture and enduring legacy of the “Main Street of America” during the 100th anniversary of Route … Continue reading Ultrarunner to retrace much of the Bunion Derby from Chicago to Santa Monica
Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Students from Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City recently finished most of its work on a long-inoperable U-Haul truck that had been painted by late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, it took about three months to make the 1989 Toyota truck roadworthy again. "It wouldn't even run when … Continue reading Students mostly finish repairing Bob Waldmire’s Route 66-themed U-Haul truck
Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride
Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas, is participating in the Proud to be IN America Ride from June 28 through July 12 along Route 66. Perry, an Army veteran, wrote in an email: I want to invite you to join us for a ride to honor Veterans past, present and future, not … Continue reading Gearhead Curios owner participating in Proud to be IN America Ride
Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
The City of Chandler, Oklahoma, announced it will hold a grand opening on July 4 for McClanahan Park -- including a 30-foot-tall statue of the 66 Man comic book superhero created by resident and Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan. The city stated on Facebook: The grand opening will take place from 7–9 p.m. and will … Continue reading Grand opening of McClanahan Park in Chandler set for July 4, will include 66 Man superhero statue
Blaine Davis, longtime caretaker of Catoosa’s Blue Whale, dies
Blaine Davis, the longtime caretaker of the landmark Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, during a critical time in its history, has died. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association announced his death on Wednesday. Many will say Blaine's father built the Blue Whale, which is true. But Blaine was a giant in his own right. He helped … Continue reading Blaine Davis, longtime caretaker of Catoosa’s Blue Whale, dies
Route 66 author T. Lindsay Baker dies in accident during Route 66 Centennial Caravan
T. Lindsay Baker, a historian and author of two Route 66-themed books, died Thursday morning in an accident on Interstate 40 near Flagstaff, Arizona, while participating in the Route 66 Centennial Caravan as a Texas representative. He was 79. The Texas Old Route 66 Association stated in a Facebook post that Baker had been driving … Continue reading Route 66 author T. Lindsay Baker dies in accident during Route 66 Centennial Caravan
Lynn “Lulu” Bagdon, longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate, dies at 69
Lynn "Lulu" Bagdon, a devoted member of the Illinois Route 66 Association for over 20 years, died last month in Hebron, Indiana. She was 69. Bagdon, who even worked at a Route 66-based restaurant in the Chicagoland area for a time, frequently attended Route 66 gatherings across the country until poor health curtailed her activities … Continue reading Lynn “Lulu” Bagdon, longtime Illinois Route 66 advocate, dies at 69