KC Keefer continues his "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series with an interview of Rich Henry, owner of Henry's Rabbit Ranch on a stretch of old Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois. https://youtu.be/nCSM7wyOGoU It's good to see Henry breaking in a new bunny to greet tourists. He has to do that every few years because their life … Continue reading A visit with Rich Henry
Category: People
The man behind Waylan’s Ku-Ku
The Joplin Globe published a profile on Gene Waylan, the longtime owner and grill operator of the Waylan's Ku-Ku Burger restaurant along Route 66 in Miami, Oklahoma. What many people don't know is the Ku-Ku is the last one of a chain that once boasted 200 restaurants across the Midwest during the 1960s. And the primary … Continue reading The man behind Waylan’s Ku-Ku
El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Nearly 35 years ago, the owner of the historic El Rey Inn on Route 66 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, instituted a profit-sharing plan for employees. According to CNN Money, owner Terrell White has put $7 million into the plan and paid out $5 million over the years. The hotel has 26 employees, with many of … Continue reading El Rey Inn’s commitment to its employees
Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
Red Oak II, a vivid re-creation of a now-vanished town by folk artist Lowell Davis, recently started offering overnight stays in cabins reclaimed from a former Route 66 motel in Duquesne, Missouri, reported the Joplin Globe in a feature story about Davis and his complex near Carthage, Missouri. Also, a former mayor who resides at Red Oak II … Continue reading Red Oak II now offering overnight stays
Fran Houser puts her Sunflower Station up for sale
Fran Houser, former owner of the Route 66 landmark Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop in Adrian, Texas, has put her western-themed antiques and crafts store, Sunflower Station, up for sale so she can spend more time with family members out west. Houser started Sunflower Station two years ago after she sold the Midpoint to Dennis Purschwitz, … Continue reading Fran Houser puts her Sunflower Station up for sale
A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
KC Keefer with his ongoing "Genuine Route 66 Life" video series interviews Vickie Ashcraft at the Enchanted Trails RV Park west of Albuquerque. The interview also serves as a brief tour of a couple of the vintage travel trailers that Ashcraft rents out to overnight guests. If you'd like to stay in one, go here. … Continue reading A visit to Enchanted Trails RV Park
Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Armand Ortega Sr., 86, savior of the historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, when it faced the wrecking ball during the 1980s, died Wednesday. An employee at the hotel said Ortega had been in failing health for about a year. His funeral was today at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, with burial at Sunset Cemetery. Ortega Family Enterprises, based in Santa Fe, owns … Continue reading Owner of El Rancho Hotel in Gallup dies
Martin Milner selling items from his personal collection
Martin Milner, the former co-star of the acclaimed 1960s drama "Route 66," has been gradually selling off items from his personal collection on eBay for the past few years. But a whole bunch more will be offered on the online auction site in the coming days. A post on the promotional Facebook page for the … Continue reading Martin Milner selling items from his personal collection
One-man band in Seligman
Mark Di Giuseppe, aka The Straniero, performs Bobby Troup's "Route 66" outside, then inside Historic Seligman Sundries in Seligman, Arizona. https://youtu.be/n8E6pd8184A Di Giuseppe was born in the United States, but now calls Italy home. The performance in Seligman was stripped down to what he usually does. Check out all the instruments he can play at … Continue reading One-man band in Seligman
A chat with Melba Rigg
Melba Rigg, one of the original proprietors of 4 Women on the Route, now Cars on the Route, in Galena, Kansas, explains the region's Route 66 tie-ins to the Disney-Pixar "Cars" movie and makes some other observations. This video is part of KC Keefer's Genuine Route 66 Life video series. https://youtu.be/keOmEUPWo4E Rigg didn't always talk … Continue reading A chat with Melba Rigg