Ideastream Public Media recently published and uploaded a story about Ohio photographer David Schwartz, whose images will be featured in forthcoming U.S. postage stamps about Route 66's centennial. Here's the seven-minute video documentary: https://youtu.be/gAJf50T5NM8?si=tal3xL3A8UiRq-G4 Schwartz said he's made over 40 trips on Route 66 over the past two decades to document the highway. In the … Continue reading Ideastream Public Media features Route 66 photographer David Schwartz
Category: Road trips
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
Recently, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority debuted a 27-minute documentary, "Route 66: The First 100 Years," on many PBS stations in the Sooner State. The entire documentary can be viewed online here. Below is a trailer: https://youtu.be/flXNvvYjiN8?si=uRavDz98KO68MawA In it, you'll find many Oklahoma Route 66 authorities such as Jerry McClanahan, Jim Ross, Rhys Martin, Michael … Continue reading Oklahoma Educational Television Authority airs “Route 66: The First 100 Years”
Samantha Brown’s ninth season of “Places to Love” airs on PBS-TV starting today
Samantha Brown's ninth season of her "Places to Love" travel show begins today on PBS-TV stations, including three episodes along Route 66 in New Mexico, Arizona and California. Episodes from Season 9 can be viewed online here. In the previous two seasons, Brown's show traveled the eastern half of Route 66. Here's a teaser trailer … Continue reading Samantha Brown’s ninth season of “Places to Love” airs on PBS-TV starting today
Rhys Martin named Tulsan of the Year by TulsaPeople Magazine
Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative and a member of numerous other Route 66 groups, earned the annual Tulsan of the Year honor by TulsaPeople Magazine. The magazine chose Martin because of his years of advocacy for Route 66 -- especially with its centennial starting … Continue reading Rhys Martin named Tulsan of the Year by TulsaPeople Magazine
Ken Turmel, known for his PostmarkArt, dies at 69
Ken Turmel, a Route 66 enthusiast best known for his "PostmarkArt" featuring postmarks from dozens out outposts, died Tuesday. He was 69. Turmel, a longtime Oklahoma City resident, had just completed treatments for throat cancer, according to his wife of 30 years, Melissa, and several friends. According to his website, Turmel was born in Santa … Continue reading Ken Turmel, known for his PostmarkArt, dies at 69
Holiday leftovers
Here are a few items that have crossed the Route 66 News desk in recent weeks: --- The board of directors of the Route 66 Mother Road Festival distributed $10,000 to five local charities in the Springfield, Illinois, area. For the first time in the event’s history, funds generated by the festival were distributed to … Continue reading Holiday leftovers
Travel videographer Adam the Woo dies at 51
Popular travel videographer Adam Williams, better known as Adam the Woo, died on Monday at his home in Celebration, Florida. He was 51. According to the Victorville (California) Daily Press and other media outlets, sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check and found him deceased in bed. An autopsy is pending, but friends said it appeared … Continue reading Travel videographer Adam the Woo dies at 51
U.S. may require foreign travelers to disclose five years of their social media history
In a move that may create a chilling effect on foreigners' travel of Route 66, the U.S. plans to require travelers to disclose five years of their social media history as a condition of entry. The plan, posted on the Federal Register, was reported by the BBC and several U.S. news outlets, as well. The … Continue reading U.S. may require foreign travelers to disclose five years of their social media history
Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66
Songwriters who love the Mother Road, here's your chance. And there's money involved. Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has invited music artists to create an original song that celebrates the city's connection to Route 66 as part of the highway's centennial next year. The top prize is $10,000. The Route 66 Song Contest is open … Continue reading Santa Monica Tourism launches songwriting contest about city’s link to Route 66
The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour
The Texas Old Route 66 Association announced this week that The Road Crew music group will perform on Oct. 1 at the pre-party of the association's 2026 Motor Tour in Shamrock, Texas. The fifth annual Route 66 Motor Tour will take place on Oct. 2-3, 2026, during the highway's centennial. The Nashville-based group, called "America's … Continue reading The Road Crew booked for pre-party of 2026 Texas Old Route 66 Association Motor Tour