The Joplin Globe yesterday published a touching story about sixth-grader Andy Shepherd getting a big dose of Mother Road hospitality as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Andy has suffered from cerebral palsy since infancy. Despite a grim prognosis and numerous surgeries, he's continued to develop cognitively more than anticipated. Andy wanted to meet the real-life inspiration … Continue reading Disabled boy’s wishes are granted on Route 66
Category: People
Billionaire Warren Buffett dines at historic Albuquerque steakhouse
Warren Buffett, the billionaire principal owner of Berkshire Hathaway, recently had a meal with cast members of "Breaking Bad" at the 40-year-old Monte Carlo Steakhouse and Liquor Store. The restaurant is on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) on the city's west side. KOB-TV filed this story: https://youtu.be/m59Cm7DgQxM Because New Mexico has become a popular site … Continue reading Billionaire Warren Buffett dines at historic Albuquerque steakhouse
Pontiac repair garage marks 50th year
Gray's Garage in Pontiac, Ill., a member of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, marked its 50th year in business on Friday, according to the Pontiac Daily Leader newspaper. Roger and Betty Gray opened the garage March 23, 1963, in a lot where Big R is now located, at the intersection of routes 66 … Continue reading Pontiac repair garage marks 50th year
Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Loretta (Marten) Ludek, 74, who was instrumental in founding the Our Lady of the Highways Shrine along old Route 66 near Raymond, Ill., died Tuesday at her home in Anderson, Ind., according to an obituary by Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Home. The Our Lady site explains Loretta's role in getting the statue there: In June of 1958, … Continue reading Key figure in Our Lady of the Highways Shrine dies
Magazine features Route 66 in the desert
The Sun Runner, a magazine about the California desert, recently posted a long article about Route 66 from Victorville, Calif., to Kingman, Ariz. Longtime roadie Jim Conkle is prominently mentioned in the piece. You can read it online here:
Longtime co-owner of historic Girard drugstore dies
Bob Deck, longtime co-owner of the historic Deck's Drug Store in Girard, Ill., that later became Doc's Soda Fountain, died Thursday at a hospital in Springfield, according to an obituary by Davis-Anderson Funeral Homes. He was 82. This recent video, produced by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, captures the memorable atmosphere of Doc's Soda … Continue reading Longtime co-owner of historic Girard drugstore dies
Palms Grill Cafe pie-maker honored by state
Lumi Bekteshi, a pie-maker at the historic Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Ill., on Route 66, was honored by the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism, according to a story by Lee News Service. Bekteshi won the award in Rosemont as part of a series of “Lincoln Awards,” inspired by the Oscar-nominated Steven Spielberg film. … Continue reading Palms Grill Cafe pie-maker honored by state
Route 66 enthusiast Jan Finder, aka The Wombat, dies
Jan Howard Finder, who was much better known to Route 66 enthusiasts as The Wombat, died Tuesday during his latest bout with cancer, according to friends on his Facebook page and other media outlets. He was just a few days short of his 74th birthday. According to one friend, Finder died of multiple organ failure as … Continue reading Route 66 enthusiast Jan Finder, aka The Wombat, dies
Son of Route 66 Malt Shop owner allegedly threatens employee
The controversy involving the Route 66 Malt Shop has gotten uglier. The Albuquerque restaurant, which made headlines this week for refusing to pay a city-mandated minimum wage to employees, received more bad publicity when the owner's son reportedly threatened an employee with a baseball bat and machete at the employee's home. KRQE-TV has the story: … Continue reading Son of Route 66 Malt Shop owner allegedly threatens employee
Does Cadillac Ranch have new owners after Stanley Marsh 3 settled lawsuits?
Cadillac Ranch patriarch Stanley Marsh 3 and several of his associates settled all the lawsuits from 10 men who alleged sex acts were performed in Marsh's high-rise office when they were minors, reported the Amarillo Globe-News on Saturday. A statement by the plaintiffs' lawyer, however, indicates Cadillac Ranch has or soon will be transferred into … Continue reading Does Cadillac Ranch have new owners after Stanley Marsh 3 settled lawsuits?