Al Unser, an Albuquerque native who was one of the few to win the Indianapolis 500 four times, died Thursday at his home in Chama, New Mexico, after a 17-year battle with cancer. He was 82. Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt in June 2021 Unser was the third member of his racing family … Continue reading Racing legend and Albuquerque native Al Unser dies at 82
Category: People
Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
If you want to see what likely is the king of outdoor Christmas decorating, Mike Holtz's home in Normal, Illinois, probably rules them all. Holtz's residence at 1210 W. Hovey Ave., a half-mile west of Route 66, features about 900 blow-mold Santas, gingerbread men, snowmen, reindeer and even a few aliens in his yard, on … Continue reading Check out this Normal man’s display of 900 Christmas decorations at his home
The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants
Blue Miller of the well-researched Never Quite Lost blog recently wrote about Charley Diaz, longtime operator of the Charley's Automotive Service, aka Charley's Radiator Shop, in Grants, New Mexico. The long-closed complex of five buildings included a restaurant, Star Cafe, at 1308-1310 W. Santa Fe Ave. (aka Route 66). It was designated to the National … Continue reading The man behind the Charley’s Automobile Service building in Grants
30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022
Several 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s megahit "Unforgettable … With Love" album are coming early next year. That record remains best-known for its smash duet single, "Unforgettable," with her deceased father, Nat King Cole. "Unforgettable .... with Love" also contains Natalie's own version of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," a Bobby Troup-written song made … Continue reading 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable … with Love” coming in 2022
Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
A group of Route 66 enthusiasts gave the old owners of the Boots Court motel in Carthage, Missouri, a sendoff right before the motel closed for the winter and the new owners take over renovations and reopen it in the spring. According to a report in the Joplin Globe, about two dozen people from the … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiasts give old Boots Court motel owners a sendoff before it closes for winter
New “History of Route 66” is available online
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently announced "a new, more accurate" history of Route 66 has been published by Oxford University Press’ Research Encyclopedia on American History. The work was a collaboration between members of Route 66 Road Ahead’s Research and Education working group, Dr. David Dunaway and Dr. Stephen Mandrogoc of the University … Continue reading New “History of Route 66” is available online
Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Tom Willis, owner of the landmark 66 Diner in Albuquerque and charter member of the New Mexico Route 66 Association, died Wednesday. He was 71. Sue Montgomery, vice president of the association, stated by email that "from my understanding" Willis died of COVID-19 and "had some underlying conditions that didn't help." Willis would be the … Continue reading Tom Willis, owner of 66 Diner in Albuquerque, dies at 71
Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Seventy-five years ago this month, Army Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle visited the little Route 66 town in central Missouri that was named after him just two years before. Thousands attended the event. Today, a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter went to Doolittle (population 648) but found few people who knew about the origin of the town's … Continue reading Few in Doolittle remember once-famous namesake who visited 75 years ago
Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
A new, women-focused Riveter Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America has scheduled a two-week cruise on the length of Route 66 in June 2022, called Chix on 66. Karan Andrea, president of the Riveter Chapter, has been a member of the AMCA. "I got the idea to ride Route 66 on one of … Continue reading Woman-focused chapter of Antique Motorcycle Club of America plans Route 66 cruise in June
Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook
We commend to your attention a feature in Smithsonian Magazine about Atsuo Sakurai, who's been brewing award-winning sake -- a rice wine -- in the unlikely town of Holbrook, Arizona, along Route 66. We've posted stories about Sakurai and his Arizona Sake Co. before, but this one goes more in-depth. A few tidbits: For the … Continue reading Smithsonian Magazine publishes a profile on a noted sake brewer in Holbrook