Michael Wallis, author of "Route 66: The Mother Road" and other best-selling books, this week reprised what probably remains his best-known role -- the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the Disney-Pixar "Cars" animated movies -- for a video about the dangers of texting and driving. The video was shot with a replica of a 1949 … Continue reading Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA
Category: People
Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
The landmark Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, will hold its grand reopening for the season March 28 with its new owners, Brenda Hammit and Carrie O'Leary. According to a post Thursday on the restaurant's Facebook page, Hammit had worked at the Route 66 landmark for five years. Her sister, O'Leary, recently relocated … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe reopens with new owners March 28
Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman greets 2 millionth visitor
The Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, celebrated its 2 millionth visitor since opening in 1997 by giving the winning Michigan couple a gift basket worth $400. The Kingman Daily Miner reported Tom and Lisa Maletic were there Tuesday afternoon to visit the center's Route 66 Museum. Tom said he wanted to see the museum's “The … Continue reading Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman greets 2 millionth visitor
Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Fran Houser, former longtime owner of the landmark Midpoint Cafe and current owner of the nearby Sunflower Station in Adrian, Texas, is running for mayor in the tiny Texas Panhandle town. Houser filed for candidacy two weeks ago, but her campaign got a boost Thursday with a semi-viral video from a local woman on Facebook. … Continue reading Former Midpoint Cafe owner running for mayor of Adrian
Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
The Trail of Tears Memorial and Herbal Garden near Jerome, Missouri, will hold its grand reopening at 1 p.m. April 22, which is Earth Day. The Facebook page for the garden announced the event Tuesday. A ribbon-cutting will occur in front of the grounds' famed entrance arch that day, before the artwork-festooned trail opens to … Continue reading Trail of Tears Memorial in Missouri to reopen April 22
Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
In the last few days, I've perused a book titled "Quay County, New Mexico, 1903-1985." It contains hundreds of stories and photos from the region, including the Route 66 towns of Endee, Bard, San Jon, Tucumcari, Polomas and Montoya. The book, edited by Mary Lynn Moncus and Marian Farmer Knapp, contains nearly 800 pages of … Continue reading Old book provides a look back at Quay County, New Mexico
Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66
The husband of a Pennsylvania woman who instantly became a millionaire because she won a Publishers Clearing House prize said they would travel Route 66 in the wake of having all that extra money. Jo-Ann Snyder, 72, of Wilkes-Barre Township, on Friday won Publishers Clearing House's $5,000 A Week “Forever” Prize — $5,000 a week for … Continue reading Publishers Clearing House winner plans to travel Route 66
Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers
The Rocking Chair Restaurant in Conway, Missouri, recently was honored for helping travelers affected by a horrific chain-reaction crash on Interstate 44 during a winter storm. The Conway Betterment League bestowed the Route 66 established its first Business of the Month award. KSPR-TV filed this story. Included is footage of a woman who barely escaped injury … Continue reading Conway restaurant honored for aiding crash-stranded travelers
Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
A brief chat with Michael Wallis
The folks at #Unscripted recently posted this interview of author Michael Wallis that covers quite a bit of ground in just eight minutes. The interview was conducted in the lobby of the historic Campbell Hotel in Tulsa, along Route 66. In the video, Wallis explains: What motivated him to write his eventual best-selling "Route 66: … Continue reading A brief chat with Michael Wallis