Although Walt Disney Co. officials so far remain silent about the issue, reports have emerged that John Lasseter, chief executive of Disney-Pixar's animation divisions, may not return to either company amid allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. The news will dishearten many fans of Route 66. Lasseter, who directed Disney-Pixar's 2006 hit film "Cars" that … Continue reading Disney may remove “Cars” director John Lasseter
Category: People
Route 66 sculpture created by students erected in Riverton
A steel Route 66 shield sculpture created by high-school students went up Thursday along Route 66 on the west side of Riverton, Kansas. KSNF-TV filed this story about it: The sculpture is 20 feet tall and required about two years of work from Riverton FFA students, with guidance from FFA adviser Jacob Larison. Cherokee County contributed … Continue reading Route 66 sculpture created by students erected in Riverton
Adam the Woo travels Route 66
Popular video blogger Adam the Woo and colleague Jacob the Carpetbagger recently completed a west-to-east trip on Route 66. Adam uploaded a dozen videos from his journey, totaling more than 2 1/2 hours of footage from the Mother Road. Video blogs are a dime a dozen on YouTube, but Adam logs tens of thousands of … Continue reading Adam the Woo travels Route 66
Oklahoma marks 90th anniversary of Bunion Derby
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association last weekend marked the 90th anniversary of the transcontinental Bunion Derby footrace, with several descendants of winner Andy Payne at the commemoration. The association marked the 1928 footrace that traversed Los Angeles to New York City, including a fledgling U.S. 66, by carrying a commemorative plaque during a motorized relay … Continue reading Oklahoma marks 90th anniversary of Bunion Derby
Man plans to dance the length of Route 66 for charity
An Englishman plans to dance the length of Route 66 and beyond in America to raise money for a charity that fights slavery and human trafficking. Ben Hammond, 40, aka Planet Dancer, is a lecturer and teacher at UCL Institute of Education in London. He began his journey March 28 from the Santa Monica Pier … Continue reading Man plans to dance the length of Route 66 for charity
FFA students create Route 66 sculpture for Riverton
FFA students in Riverton, Kansas, recently finished a 20-foot-tall steel sculpture of a Route 66 shield that will go up on the Mother Road this year. According to the Joplin Globe: FFA adviser Jacob Larison said that his students came up with the idea about two years ago with the aim of bolstering the community. … Continue reading FFA students create Route 66 sculpture for Riverton
Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close
The Ramada Kingman hotel and its Canyon 66 Restaurant and Lounge in Kingman, Arizona, abruptly closed this week amid allegations of unpaid contractor bills and stiffed employees. It was the second high-profile lodging establishment to close in Kingman in less than six months. The historic Hill Top Motel closed late last year after being foreclosed. … Continue reading Ramada Kingman, Canyon 66 restaurant abruptly close
Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Helen Frances Schwenoha, co-founder of now-defunct but fondly remembered The Tropics restaurant in Lincoln, Illinois, died Feb. 28 at age 95 in Los Osos, California. The San Luis Obispo Tribune published an obituary on Schwenoha on March 18. Schwenoha was born in Augusta, Illinois, to John Bradford and Mary Grace Compton. She married Vincent John Schwenoha in … Continue reading Co-founder of The Tropics in Lincoln dies
Michael Wallis reprises his Sheriff of Radiator Springs role for PSA
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
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