Steve Funk, a longtime operator of Funks Grove Maple Sirup along Route 66 in Funks Grove, Illinois, died at age 90 at his home on June 21, according to an obituary in the Bloomington Pantagraph. Funk served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and met his wife, Glaida, when he was … Continue reading Longtime operator of Funks Grove Maple Sirup dies
Category: People
Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced
Four inductees for the Route 66 Walk of Fame in Kingman, Arizona, during the Best of the West on Route 66 Festival on Sept. 25-27 recently were announced. The inductees also will be recognized as King of the Road, an honorary position that includes being as grand marshal of the festival's parade. The inductees are: … Continue reading Kingman Route 66 Walk of Fame inductees announced
Mother Jones Monument restored
The 80-year-old Mother Jones Monument off Route 66 in Mount Olive, Illinois, was rededicated Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 300 people after the union activist's grave was restored, according to the Peoria Journal-Star. More about the monument in Union Miners Cemetery -- the nation's only union-owned cemetery -- in Mount Olive: … Continue reading Mother Jones Monument restored
Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri
Two men who mysteriously died in a Springfield, Missouri, motel room while traveling Route 66 last month succumbed to cerebral malaria, according to several media outlets, including the Associated Press. Gerrit Strydom, 45, and James Bethel, 44, both of South Africa, died of the noncommunicable disease before their bodies were found May 9 in separate … Continue reading Malaria killed two Route 66 travelers in Missouri
If you want to get married on Route 66 …
... Laurel Kane at Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, get 'er done as a marriage officiant. Kane presided over her first official nuptials Saturday for a couple that had been together for 13 years. You can read the details at her blog, but here are the important details for anyone else who's considering getting hitched: … Continue reading If you want to get married on Route 66 …
More details about William Shatner’s motorcycle ride
A few more details emerged about William Shatner's Chicago-to-Los Angeles ride later this month in a futuristic-looking, three-wheeled motorcycle made by Rivet Motors. Because of the relatively short schedule, it's looking likely the star of the "Star Trek" television series and movies will have to spend considerable time on interstate highways. Gleaning together information from the Associated … Continue reading More details about William Shatner’s motorcycle ride
Petrified Forest pilfering tale is fiction
For decades, the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona tried to discourage visitors from stealing its small pieces of petrified wood by saying the park loses 12 tons of the fossils per year. But, as an Arizona Republic report explains, the park's pilfering tale isn't true. No one's for sure how much petrified wood … Continue reading Petrified Forest pilfering tale is fiction
Rocky Frisco, R.I.P.
Rocky Frisco, 77, a piano-playing legend in the Tulsa music scene, died Tuesday. In a career that spanned almost 60 years, Frisco probably was best-known as a longtime collaborator with another Tulsa music legend, J.J. Cale. But also played piano for a wide range of Tulsa musicians several nights a week, including this month. Frisco, … Continue reading Rocky Frisco, R.I.P.
Wife of Gary Turner dies
Lena Turner, who was married to Gay Parita Sinclair station owner Gary Turner for more than 50 years, died Monday at age 72 -- less than six months after her husband died. The Springfield News-Leader posted a full obituary a few days after her death: She married Gary G. Turner on December 31, 1961 and … Continue reading Wife of Gary Turner dies
More Genuine Route 66 Lives
KC Keefer recently uploaded a few more videos as part of his Genunine Route 66 Life series. Here is Bob Russell, mayor of Pontiac, Illinois, who personally greets many Route 66 travelers as they arrive in downtown Pontiac. The clip prominently features the bus of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire. https://youtu.be/X6MmLMJ3RWQ Next is historian … Continue reading More Genuine Route 66 Lives