In November, we reported that St. Louis-based roadie Rich Dinkela of HookedonRoute66.com had entered the Local Legends contest sponsored by Phillips 66. The top winner would win $1,000 cash and free gasoline for a year. This was his video: https://youtu.be/4YN9Efq65nU The winners have been announced, and Dinkela finished third. He earned no cash, but he … Continue reading Roadie wins free Phillips 66 fuel for a year
The neon sign at Lou Mitchell’s
Here's a close-up of a beauty -- the neon sign at the historic Lou Mitchell's Restaurant, near the eastern end of Route 66 in Chicago: https://youtu.be/Zu22lXGT8Do This is one of many neon-sign videos by Mike at MindsIMedia.com. The neon sign clips are grouped here.
Admiral Twin progress
On Thursday afternoon, on the Admiral Twin Drive-In theater's Facebook page, it said construction workers had started installing panels for the double movie screen at the Tulsa landmark. Sure enough, they did. The gate was locked by early evening, but I shot this image over the fence: The concrete structure below the screen skeleton will … Continue reading Admiral Twin progress
Cost overruns, late delivery of Route 66 statue irk councilor
A Tulsa city councilor expressed dismay Thursday over a large statue at Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza near downtown that is $83,000 over its initial cost and more than two years late, reported the Tulsa World. The $1.1 million statue, titled "East Meets West," is funded by the Vision 2025 sales tax. "This just seems like … Continue reading Cost overruns, late delivery of Route 66 statue irk councilor
Pontiac may land another museum
The Route 66 town of Pontiac, Ill., may acquire yet another museum -- one dedicated to the art of gilding, or placing a thin coat of gold on objects, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The nonprofit Society of Gilders is considering establishing the museum. Urban J. Billmeier was one of the gilders who gave a pitch to … Continue reading Pontiac may land another museum
The building of Ornament Valley
The Disney Parks Blog has posted this neat video of the Ornament Valley being constructed at Cars Land of the Disney California Adventure park: Led by Zsolt Hormay, our rockwork art director, this incredible team of artisans from around the world have spent approximately two years growing, sculpting and painting our mountain. It’s been fascinating … Continue reading The building of Ornament Valley
“Take Me Back Home (Mother Road)”
Here's an apparently new song about Route 66 by musician Eric Dwayne. It's so new, he hasn't posted it on his MySpace page yet. https://youtu.be/fVefFiFH1S0 I haven't found out much about Dwayne, other than he was relocating to Missouri in late 2011, according to his Twitter account. Maybe moving to the Show-Me State inspired him to … Continue reading “Take Me Back Home (Mother Road)”
Missouri eatery named best British restaurant
Here's something I bet you never thought you'd see -- a restaurant in Springfield, Mo., has been named the best British eatery outside United Kingdom. The Telegraph, a major newspaper in England, bestowed that honor to Farmers Gastropub. Here's what The Telegraph said about the restaurant, just south of downtown Springfield: Described by its nominator … Continue reading Missouri eatery named best British restaurant
More on the Boots Motel’s reopening
The Carthage Press today posted more information about the reopening of the historic Boots Motel in Carthage, Mo., scheduled for May 8. The opening date was announced a few days ago. A few factoids from the article: --- New owners Pricilla Bledsaw and Deborah Harvey had planned to use the back building of the historic Route … Continue reading More on the Boots Motel’s reopening
A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death
I sorta hate to bring this up, since it's a trivial fact in light of a tragedy. But the hotel where singing superstar Whitney Houston died on Saturday -- the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. -- sits next to Route 66. A reader alerted me to this today. The hotel lists its address as 9876 … Continue reading A small fact about Whitney Houston’s death