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
Category: People
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?
Operation Route 66 launches Kickstarter campaign to finish film
Operation Route 66, a father-son filmmaking team that traveled Route 66 last year to talk to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, have started a Kickstarter fundraiser to finish their documentary. Kurt and Nick Gerber seek to raise $45,000 by March 22 to cover editing and post-production costs for the movie. The Gerbers hope to … Continue reading Operation Route 66 launches Kickstarter campaign to finish film
Medical marijuana dispensary opens in Williams, Ariz.
Commence with the silly stoner jokes. But, in all seriousness, a medical marijuana dispensary opened on Route 66 in downtown Williams, Ariz., in late January. Naturally, the clinic is called the Route 66 Wellness Center. According to the report in the Williams-Grand Canyon News, the dispensary serves about a dozen patients, although about 60 people … Continue reading Medical marijuana dispensary opens in Williams, Ariz.
Sentiment grows to tear down Cadillac Ranch
Residents of Amarillo, Texas, are debating whether to dismantle Stanley Marsh 3's Cadillac Ranch art installation near Route 66 in the wake of sex-abuse allegations against him, reported Texas Monthly magazine. Since October, Marsh, 74, has been embroiled with civil lawsuits, then criminal indictments, over allegations that he sexually abused teenage boys. Naturally, this hasn't sat well … Continue reading Sentiment grows to tear down Cadillac Ranch
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
A few days ago, a YouTube account called hudson501 posted a video from the 1990s of the long-gone Coral Court Motel in St. Louis and the now-closed Tri-County Truck Stop in Villa Ridge, Mo. Today, the account-holder uploaded a video of the induction of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame on June 8, 1991. … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame induction from 1991
A profile of the folks behind Becky’s Barn
Mark Rivera of WAND-TV in Decatur, Ill., has been posting some of his stories to YouTube. The latest is his whimsical profile of Becky and Rick Hargett of Becky's Barn antique store, visitors center, and snack shop on an old brick alignment of Route 66 near Auburn, Ill. https://youtu.be/YMkBDotgH5s I think this video was made … Continue reading A profile of the folks behind Becky’s Barn
Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel
The Springfield, Mo., Area Chamber of Commerce honored Gordon Elliott as its 2013 Springfieldian during its annual meeting Friday, according to a news release. For those who don't know who Elliott is, his Route 66 connection will become quickly apparent. To the news release: As CEO of Elliott Lodging and Oak Ridge Properties, Elliott owns and … Continue reading Springfield chamber honors owner of Route 66 Rail Haven hotel