The Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri, will be marking its 70th birthday Saturday with music, food and dancing. There's a triple reason for the celebration, however. The Route 66 motel's owners, Bob and Ramona Lehman, will mark their 45th year along Route 66. And Route 66 itself will mark its 90th anniversary later this year. … Continue reading Munger Moss Motel to mark 70th birthday Saturday
Category: People
“American Indians and Route 66” guide published
A 68-page "American Indians and Route 66" guide for tourists recently was published, along with its companion website. "American Indians and Route 66" is a partnership between the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, which awarded a cost-share grant for the publication. Lisa Hicks Snell, a member of the … Continue reading “American Indians and Route 66” guide published
Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
The daughter of Gary Turner reopened the much-loved Gay Parita gas station west of Halltown, Missouri, 15 months after its patriarch died at age 70. Barbara Turner moved into her father and mother's home behind the Route 66 landmark less than two weeks ago. She quit her longtime job as a theater manager and sold … Continue reading Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station
Merle Haggard, R.I.P.
Merle Haggard, considered one of the greatest country-music artists in history, died today after a long series of health problems, according to his manager. He was 79. Today also was his birthday. We'll let other music writers tell about Haggard's considerable legacy, which is far deeper than "Mama Tried" and "Okie from Muskogee." (His one-man … Continue reading Merle Haggard, R.I.P.
Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
The Barnes Town and Country store, which has served customers along Route 66 west of Springfield, Missouri, since 1934, likely will close by the end of the month unless someone buys the business. Brothers Rick and Randy Perryman have run the Barnes Town and Country in the little hamlet of Elwood Siding for more than 40 … Continue reading Barnes Town and Country store may close this month
Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Frances Edwards, the wife of longtime Pig Hip Restaurant owner Ernie Edwards, died March 1 at age 94 at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln, Illinois. She helped her second husband, Ernie, at his landmark Pig Hip in Broadwell, Illinois, for about 30 years until the restaurant closed in 1991 after 54 years in business along Route … Continue reading Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Exploration diver dies in Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole
A diver with an exploration team died Saturday after an apparent accident deep in the underwater caverns of the famed Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Shane Thompson, 43, of San Diego, an experienced diver with the ADM Exploration Foundation, died Saturday after he went missing during his team's much-anticipated exploration of the Blue … Continue reading Exploration diver dies in Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole
Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
The owner of the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, helped a British couple replace their child's rare Route 66 teddy bear after it became lost during on a plane earlier this month. The mother, Riane Martin of St. Helens, England, posted a message March 5 on Facebook: Bit of a long shot but does anyone work … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
KC Keefer interviewed Don Greico Jr., the proprietor of Lulu's Beef, which has occupied the corner of Leavitt Street, Taylor Street and Odgen Avenue (aka Route 66) in Chicago for nearly 50 years. Keefer describes the restaurant as exuding "Chicago charm," and Greico reflects that as well. And if you're craving a Chicago-style hot dog, Lulu's … Continue reading A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
Laurel Kane celebration of life set for April 30
A celebration of Laurel Kane's life is scheduled for midday April 30 at her beloved Afton Station on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma. The announcement was made this week on a new Facebook page: There was no place where Laurel was happier than Afton Station and nothing she loved more than a celebration. That said we … Continue reading Laurel Kane celebration of life set for April 30