Bob Waldmire’s last art show

I received a forwarded e-mail Sunday afternoon titled "Bob Waldmire's Last Art Show." I made a cursory glance at the text on my iTouch and was unable to see the artwork that was attached. I thought: "The title of that show's a bit presumptuous. I know Bob's been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but recoveries from … Continue reading Bob Waldmire’s last art show

State fair victory spices up Gallup business

The Gallup (N.M.) Independent reports that business has boomed at Badlands Burgers of Grants, N.M., since the Route 66 restaurant won the Governor's Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge at the New Mexico State Fair in September. On a recent Monday the parking lot was packed, and the line to order a now-famous burger was pushing the … Continue reading State fair victory spices up Gallup business

Dawn Welch starts a new blog

Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., has launched a new blog -- mostly to publicize her upcoming cookbook, "Dollars to Donuts." But the site also contains recipes, cooking tips and a video that I commend to your attention. "Dollars to Donuts" will be in stores on Nov. 10.

A postcard of Elkhart

Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register has been writing a series for the newspaper called Illinois Postcards, which delve historical and social facets of the town. Today, the latest edition is about the Route 66 town of Elkhart. One of the most notable things about Elkhart is a hill that stands 777 feet … Continue reading A postcard of Elkhart

A closer look at El Rancho Grande

Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers has published a well-done article about El Rancho Grande, the oldest surviving restaurant on 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa. The news hook is the restaurant's recently restored and unique neon sign. But the story also contains a nice overview about the development of Tex-Mex cuisine in Tulsa (and the … Continue reading A closer look at El Rancho Grande

Elbow Inn turns into a real biker bar

The Elbow Inn, a grand barbecue-and-beer joint on an old alignment of Route 66 in Devil's Elbow, Mo., became a full-fledged biker bar Wednesday when it hosted a slew of bicycle riders on a cross-state tour, according to the Waynesville Daily Guide. Hostel International-Gateway Council of St. Louis was taking cyclists on Route 66 from … Continue reading Elbow Inn turns into a real biker bar

Car show will help restore The Mill

The Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, along with the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, is holding a classic car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Mill in Lincoln, Ill. -- a former Route 66 restaurant that's undergoing restoration. According to the Lincoln Courier: Registration is open to everyone and the … Continue reading Car show will help restore The Mill

Only in America

Only in a place like America would you have a cowboy-themed restaurant that serves Italian gourmet ice cream. In this case, it's taking place on Route 66 in Amarillo. It's called Cowboy Gelato, on the historic Sixth Street district. According to the restaurant's Web site: Cowboy Gelato will bring a new form of excitement to … Continue reading Only in America

Notes from California

Kevin Hansel, a prominent member of the California Historic Route 66 Association, passed along some Route 66 news in an e-mail. First, the former Iron Hog Saloon in Oro Grande has been converted to Sergino's Family Restaurant. It originally was a Case Farm Equipment dealership in the 1930s and '40s. Also, the Goffs General Store … Continue reading Notes from California

More on the Alliance and museum

This new article in Urban Tulsa neatly encapsulates what's been going on recently with the Route 66 Alliance and a related, still-in-progress project, the Route 66 Experience in Tulsa. Perhaps the most noteworthy item in the article is that the Experience building -- a combination of a museum, restaurant and headquarters for the Alliance -- … Continue reading More on the Alliance and museum