Nearly a year ago, we reported about ANEW Living, which was converting a run-down Route 66 motel in Flagstaff, Arizona, into temporary, affordable rental housing to those who are homeless. The former 66 Motel offers single rooms or studios for $600 to $800 a month, with a $10-a-month fee for Internet. More about ANEW's mission: ANEW Living … Continue reading The saint of ANEW Living
Category: People
The ghosts of Tom Joad
Below the new and idyllic Route 66 Roadside Park in Springfield, Missouri, a campground for the homeless has sprung up in recent months. KYTV in Springfield talked to Heather Cooper, one of the homeless there: "I have post traumatic stress disorder with traumatic nightmares. I've got stage one bipolar, stage one manic depressive illness, which is … Continue reading The ghosts of Tom Joad
A chat with Dries Bessels
KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series released its latest clip, an interview with Dries Bessels. Bessels co-founded the Dutch Route 66 Association in the Netherlands and guides motorcycle tours down Route 66 annually. https://youtu.be/gAB19-HYuSY It probably is safe to say Bessels has the most interesting footwear on Route 66, as well.
A history of The Tropics restaurant
Tami Goodrich, whose family owned The Tropics in Lincoln, Illinois, for 40 years, recently gave a presentation that delved deep into the history of the Route 66 restaurant. The New Herald News published a long article about Goodrich's presentation at the Palms Cafe Grill in Atlanta, Illinois, including a slide show. Many people already know … Continue reading A history of The Tropics restaurant
An interview with Laurel Kane
In 2012, Afton Station matriarch Laurel Kane was interviewed by Simon Cantlon and Justin Nathanson for their "Motels on Route 66" documentary film. The duo still are working on their movie. However, with the announcement of Kane's death last week, they decided to quickly edit that footage and release to the world. "We are deeply saddened … Continue reading An interview with Laurel Kane
Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Laurel Kane, 69, matriarch of the Afton Station visitors center on Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, died Thursday from a short illness as the result of a fall at her home in Tulsa earlier in the week, according to her former husband, David Kane. David Kane said by phone Laurel died peacefully with him, her daughter and longtime … Continue reading Laurel Kane, matriarch of Afton Station, dies
Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
I missed this when it was announced last week, but a Pixar animator now is an Academy Award nominee because of his short film, inspired by his childhood at a Route 66 motel in California. Sanjay Patel, with producer Nicole Grindle, were nominated for an Oscar in the short film (animated) category for "Sanjay's Super Team." Here's a synopsis … Continue reading Tale from a Route 66 childhood gets an Oscar nod
Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Terri Ryburn, who's owned the Sprague Super Service gas station in Normal, Illinois, for almost 10 years and has spent all that time getting the historic property shored up, will open a Route 66 gift shop and visitors center on the premises this spring. This little tidbit was revealed during a recent blog post for the … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station will host a visitors center, gift shop by spring
Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow
About 200 people attended a memorial service Tuesday night at Standin' on a Corner Park in Winslow, Arizona, for The Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey, who died at age 67 on Monday from several illnesses. The Associated Press reported that Winslow residents, including Tom McCauley, staged the memorial at the corner made famous by the 1972 … Continue reading Nearly 200 attend Glenn Frey memorial in Winslow
“Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies
There's a little corner in Winslow, Arizona, that's a sadder sight to see Glenn Frey, a co-founder of the mega-selling country-rock band The Eagles and co-writer of one of its early hits, "Take It Easy," that made the Route 66 town internationally famous, died Monday at age 67 after suffering from several ailments for weeks. Frey … Continue reading “Take It Easy” co-writer Glenn Frey dies