On Friday, I paid a lunchtime visit to the newly resurrected Route 66 icon, Wrink's Market of Lebanon, Mo. Even though longtime Route 66 aficionados will see changes in Wrink's that indicate the convenience store remains a work in progress, I noticed two things that should gladden their hearts: Terry Wrinkle, one of the sons … Continue reading Lunchtime at Wrink’s Market
Notes from the road
Dida Zende, an artist based in Berlin, is looking for at least one old gas station along Route 66 to repaint so it resembles a FIT art gallery (above). It would be repainted mostly white, with a bit of red trim and the FIT logo. Zende wants to come do this free of charge in … Continue reading Notes from the road
Rebuilding Amboy one chicken at a time
The Inland Press-Enterprise of Southern California published an excellent article about Juan Pollo restaurant chain owner Albert Okura and his efforts to restore Roy's and the nearly abandoned town of Amboy, Calif. "Everyone who has owned Amboy has been in it to make money," he said. "You can't. "I see this as a marketing avenue … Continue reading Rebuilding Amboy one chicken at a time
Needles brainstorms about revitalizing downtown
The Route 66 town of Needles, Calif., wants to revitalize its downtown, and is seeking input from residents on how to do so, according to the Mohave Daily News. One of the ideas floated sounds intriguing: A Hot Rocks and Rods on Route 66 event is currently envisioned as an alternative energy fair with music. … Continue reading Needles brainstorms about revitalizing downtown
Creator of the Launching Pad restaurant dies
John Korelc, the founder of what became the Launching Pad Drive-In on Route 66 in Wilmington, Ill., died at age 87 on Friday in nearby Joliet, reports the Joliet Herald-News. The Launching Pad originally was called the Dari Delite when it opened in 1960. That change the restaurant's name to its current moniker in 1965. … Continue reading Creator of the Launching Pad restaurant dies
Official DVD coming for “route 66”
The demand was there for years. Finally, on Oct. 23, the critically acclaimed "route 66" drama that aired from 1960 to 1964 will start to be officially released on DVD. Unofficial DVDs of "route 66" have floated around for years, many of them of erratic quality. This upcoming release by Roxbury Entertainment, in association with … Continue reading Official DVD coming for “route 66”
“This Old Road”
A sublime song by a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Kris Kristofferson: It looks like he's strolling through Route 66 country in the Mojave Desert.
Book review: “Route 66 in Chicago”
If any person should publish a Route 66 book about the Windy City, David G. Clark is one. And that's what he and Arcadia Publishing have done with "Route 66 in Chicago" ($19.95, 128 pages). However, I would first recommend his other book about the Mother Road. More on that later. ""Route 66 in Chicago" … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in Chicago”
Blown away
Here's a nice slide show of scenes along Route 66. This YouTube video also is notable for Bruce Springsteen's live-in-concert version of "My Oklahoma Home," which is performed with Western swing flavor by The Sessions Band. The song comes from Springsteen's new DVD, "Live in Dublin," which is also available in CD form.
Rory finishes runner-up — again
So a bridesmaid again she is. Rory Schepisi, who finished second in CMT's "Popularity Contest," finished runner-up in yet another reality television show, this time "The Next Food Network Star," on Sunday night. The loss had to be a bitter pill to swallow. Amy Finley, who ended up as champion, was eliminated earlier but brought … Continue reading Rory finishes runner-up — again