Former owner of Nona’s Kitchen in Waynesville indicted for failing to pay taxes

Julie Marlea Harmon, the former owner of the once-popular but now-closed Nona's Kitchen in downtown Waynesville, Missouri, was indicted on felony counts of failing to pay her taxes. Darrell Todd Marina of the Pulaski County Daily News landed the scoop and posted it Friday on Facebook. More details: According to court documents filed Tuesday by … Continue reading Former owner of Nona’s Kitchen in Waynesville indicted for failing to pay taxes

Couple wants to eventually open a winery in Vega

Talk about a long-term project -- a couple in Vega, Texas, is growing about 3 acres of grapes in the Route 66 town, and they hope to open a winery there within five to 10 years. A reporter from ABC-7 in nearby Amarillo recently caught up with Thomas Johnson, who moved to Vega from Wyoming … Continue reading Couple wants to eventually open a winery in Vega

Influential photographer Robert Frank dies at 94

Robert Frank, whose gritty photography along the roadways, streets and landscapes of America influenced generations of photographers, died at age 94 this week, according to several media outlets. Frank remained best-known for his 1958 book, "The Americans," that contained one image along Route 66 in Arizona. Frank made a big impact on other photographers who … Continue reading Influential photographer Robert Frank dies at 94

Arizona woman eats two 72-ounce steaks in an hour at Big Texan in Amarillo

Here's a stomach-churning feat: A woman from Arizona devoured not one, but two 72-ounce steak dinners in about an hour at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo. The Big Texan posted this message and two photos on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon: This lovely lady @omgitsmiki from Tucson, AZ completed not only one, but TWO … Continue reading Arizona woman eats two 72-ounce steaks in an hour at Big Texan in Amarillo

“Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference

Candacy Taylor, author of a forthcoming book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published from the 1930s to the '60s, will be the keynote speaker during the fifth annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 17-20. Taylor soon will publish "Overground Railroad: The Green Book and theRoots of Black Travel … Continue reading “Negro Motorist Green Book” expert to speak at Miles of Possibility conference

A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla

The Phelps County Focus newspaper recently published a nice profile of the owners of the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri. The Totem Pole proclaims itself the longest-running Route 66 business in Missouri. It dates to 1933, when the business was further east, closer to the ghost town of Arlington, Missouri, although one of … Continue reading A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla

Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip

Here's a little side trip from Route 66 in southwest Missouri that's probably worth taking: a barn that's been converted into a shop for new and used vinyl records. The place is called Vintage Vinyl Purveyor, on the northeast side of Joplin. It's also close to the fellow Route 66 towns of Carterville and Carthage. … Continue reading Old barn converted into vinyl record store found in Route 66 side trip

Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator

The landmark Bottle Tree Ranch along Route 66 near Oro Grande, California, reopened Saturday after being closed following the death of its creator, Elmer Long, in July. Delvin Harbour, a longtime Route 66 enthusiast in California, posted this on Facebook on Saturday: Long, 72, died June 22 after a bout with lung cancer. The Bottle … Continue reading Bottle Tree Ranch reopens full-time after the death of its creator

More details emerge about upcoming “Hairy Bikers Route 66” episodes

Broadcast magazine, based in the United Kingdom, and the BBC gave more details about next month's "Hairy Bikers Route 66" miniseries that will air on BBC2. According to the BBC, the first episode will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 on BBC2. The Hairy Bikers are Si King and Dave Myers, who've been on … Continue reading More details emerge about upcoming “Hairy Bikers Route 66” episodes

A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield

WSEC-TV, a PBS affiliate in Springfield, Illinois, recently posted a video tour of Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield and talked with its enthusiastic owner, Ron Metzger. As you'll see from the 27-minute video, Metzger has collected all sorts of memorabilia from defunct Route 66 landmarks such as Shea's Gas Station Museum, … Continue reading A closer look at the Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum in Springfield