Report from the festival

Brent Weber of KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City interviewed Michael Wallis and Emily at the beautification project for the former Ray's Motel in Clinton, Okla., during the recent National Route 66 Festival.

Yum

Rory Schepisi, who's busy trying to get her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill open in Vega, Texas, won a contest in "The Next Food Network Star" TV series in that the dish she created appears on the July issue of Bon Appetit magazine. The dish is called Rory's Ribs with Grilled Corn, Cantaloupe and Fresh … Continue reading Yum

“Dukes of Hazzard” star snubs Litchfield festival

Former "Dukes of Hazzard" TV star John Schneider was scheduled to appear at the fourth annual Cruisin' Route 66 Classic Car Show during June 22-24 in Litchfield, Ill. However, the City of Litchfield made this announcement Friday: John Schneider of the Dukes of Hazzard television series was contracted with the City of Litchfield to appear … Continue reading “Dukes of Hazzard” star snubs Litchfield festival

Pilgrims start to arrive

Those who have waited years to see the unearthing of a 1957 Plymouth Belevdere from a time capsule began arriving in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, reported the Tulsa World. The newspaper talked to visitors from California, Georgia and England. Excavation of the burial vault that contained the Plymouth started Tuesday. There was, frankly, not that … Continue reading Pilgrims start to arrive

Get out the shovels

This Friday at noon, after 50 years underground, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere will be unearthed from a time capsule at Sixth Street and Denver Avenue in downtown Tulsa, Okla. Later that day, the Belvedere will be unveiled before an audience at the Tulsa Convention Center and live on television and the Internet. The car was … Continue reading Get out the shovels

Take me back to Vega

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram interviewed Rory Schepisi, owner of the new Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega, Texas, about her experiences with the TV reality show, "The Next Food Network Star," that debuts Sunday. Schepisi grew up near New York City, but fell for Vega and a local cowboy while taping a CMT reality … Continue reading Take me back to Vega

Vega restaurant set to open in June

Rory Schepisi, the runner-up on the CMT reality show "Popularity Contest," told me today that her Boot Hill Saloon & Grill on Route 66 in Vega, Texas, will tentatively open on June 3 for a private party and on June 4 to the public. Schepisi said the only thing needed are private-club permits, and she … Continue reading Vega restaurant set to open in June

Mother Road notebook

A few brief news items from Route 66: Reviews of Grand Canyon Skywalk have become so bad, its operators have hired a lawyer to send letters that threaten legal action against critics, reports East Valley Living. A prominent First Amendment attorney has scoffed at Skywalk's alleged intimidation efforts. Money quote from a nearby landowner: "We … Continue reading Mother Road notebook

“The people of Route 66 are the stars”

KHIZ-TV in Victorville, Calif., produced a two-minute segment about the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville. Here is the video:

“Independent America” to air on Sundance Channel

The excellent 2006 documentary about indie businesses struggling to survive, "Independent America," will have its television debut on July 4 on the Sundance Channel, the filmmakers announced. There's no time yet announced for the broadcast; check your listings closer to the Fourth of July holiday. We reviewed "Independent America" and highly recommend it. Route 66, … Continue reading “Independent America” to air on Sundance Channel