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
Category: People
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
Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Author Marian Clark of Tulsa and the late J.M. Davis of Claremore will be inducted Oct. 18 into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, according to a release from the Oklahoma Route 66 Association. The ceremony is slated for 2 p.m. and will be free to the … Continue reading Class of 2014 for Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Book review: “The 66 Kid”
"The 66 Kid" is not your typical memoir. Then again, Bob Boze Bell isn't a typical fellow. Nearly all memoirs consist of a few hundred typewritten pages with a few dozen black-and-white photos crammed into the center. But Boze, best-known as owner of True West magazine and as a western-themed artist, treats his early life story … Continue reading Book review: “The 66 Kid”
Historic Seligman Sundries changes owners
A couple from Flagstaff, Arizona, took over ownership Friday of the Historic Seligman Sundries coffee shop and souvenir store on Route 66 in Seligman, Arizona, from longtime proprietors Frank and Lynn Kocevar. Thomas Muetzel and Ursula "Uschi" Fuchs, who were regular customers for about four years, plan no big changes for the business. The Kocevars plan to hang around for another 30 … Continue reading Historic Seligman Sundries changes owners
Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care
Annabelle Russell, one-half of the Mediocre Music Makers in the Sandhills Curiosity Shop near Route 66 in Erick, Oklahoma, soon will be moved into a hospice in Oklahoma City after a 3 1/2-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to the couple's Facebook account. Harley Russell posted this message this morning: Dear friends, I have called … Continue reading Annabelle Russell soon will move into hospice care