Frank Kocevar, the former co-owner of Historic Seligman Sundries, took his video camera to Cuba Fest this month in Cuba, Missouri, and chatted to a few folks there. There might be a few folks you recognize. https://youtu.be/ttQ84bUZ_tU In case you missed it, Kocevar and his wife Lynn recently sold Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona, … Continue reading A visit to Cuba Fest
Category: People
Ariston Cafe put up for sale
The landmark Ariston Cafe, located on old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, and owned by the same family for 90 years, has been put up for sale for $1.2 million. The restaurant was listed on an online real-estate site here by Jim Simpson and Shannon Simpson Hall of Century 21 in Litchfield. Ariston co-owner Nick … Continue reading Ariston Cafe put up for sale
Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies
Tim Hauser, a co-founder of the Manhattan Transfer jazz vocal quartet in 1969 and the only original member still with the group, died at age 72 this week, reported JazzTimes and other media outlets. The cause of death was not disclosed, but a post through the group's Facebook page confirmed his passing. We spent more than 40 … Continue reading Co-founder of Manhattan Transfer dies
Former trooper tells about experiences in Mojave Desert
A former officer with the California Highway Patrol has published a book about his experiences during the 1940s in the Mojave Desert -- much of it on Route 66 -- in a memoir. L.A. "Buzz" Banks has published "Policing the Mojave Desert," mining his stories from the time the highway patrol assigned him to Victorville, California, … Continue reading Former trooper tells about experiences in Mojave Desert
A visit to the Ariston Cafe
Continuing with his Genuine Route 66 Life video series, KC Keefer sat down with Paul Adam, a third-generation manager for the historic Ariston Cafe on Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois. This video comes out during the restaurant's 90th anniversary. It started a couple of years before Route 66 existed in Carlinville, Illinois, which wound up … Continue reading A visit to the Ariston Cafe
Lou Whitney, R.I.P.
Lou Whitney, 72, a music producer based in Springfield, Missouri, whose mentoring and influence on other musicians far exceeded his fame as a bassist with The Morells and The Skeletons, died of cancer Tuesday, reported the Springfield News-Leader. Before delving into an amazing career, here's Whitney with his band, The Morells, immortalizing long-gone Route 66 … Continue reading Lou Whitney, R.I.P.
Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Annabelle Russell, 68, who with her husband Harley Russell made up the irreverent Mediocre Music Makers at their Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, Oklahoma, died Tuesday afternoon after a 3 1/2-year bout with cancer. The Facebook page for Harley and Annabelle posted sad but typical message Tuesday: Dear friends, my Precious Annabelle just passed away 1:10p.m. this afternoon … Continue reading Annabelle Russell, R.I.P.
Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66
Sammy Basso, an 18-year-old Italian boy afflicted with progeria, a rare genetic disease that ages him prematurely, is traveling Route 66, and a subsidiary with the National Geographic Channel is documenting the journey, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The folks in Pontiac, Illinois, in typical fashion, rolled out the red carpet for him: Basso, his … Continue reading Teen with rare aging disease is touring Route 66
“66 Mainstreet, Americana”
This film documents a couple of Brits, film director Andy Harrison and photographer Natalie Pluck, taking in a Route 66 trip. I like this film very much, mostly because it seems to be simply willing to go its own way. 66 Mainstreet, Americana from Andy Harrison on Vimeo. A few things to note before you view … Continue reading “66 Mainstreet, Americana”
Owner of troubled Bel-Aire Motel dies
Gopal Motwani, owner of the historic but troubled Bel-Aire Motel on Sixth Street (aka Route 66) in Springfield, Illinois, died Saturday near his home in Naples, Florida, reported the Springfield State Journal-Register. After putting the motel up for sale for $750,000 -- plus $114,000 in fines for 700 code violations -- this summer, Motwani told the newspaper he … Continue reading Owner of troubled Bel-Aire Motel dies