Here's a video that popped up on YouTube -- a television reporter interviews Lucille Hamons, owner of Lucille's on Route 66 in Hydro, Okla.: https://youtu.be/WgqEkU5xywk Lucille operated the gas station from 1941 until her death in 2000. However, the station was built in 1927. With the reporter mentioning that it celebrated its 69th birthday, that … Continue reading A visit with Lucille Hamons
Using video to sell books
This sounds counterintuitive, but publishers and authors are using videos and other multimedia to help promote the written word. That includes Ron Chavez, former owner of the famed but long-closed Club Cafe on Route 66 in Santa Rosa, N.M. He posted a video on YouTube today to promote his 2008 collection of short stories and … Continue reading Using video to sell books
Solo 66
This young man's name is Hunter Gray, from Clarksville, Iowa. He rearranges Bobby Troup's "Route 66" with this solo acoustic performance, and it winds up being a good version. https://youtu.be/QGQiuzYY_SE
Possible closure endangers unique postal stamp
Last week, we reported that more than a dozen towns along Route 66 may see their post offices closed as a cost-cutting move. That list included the western Arizona town of Oatman. But here's a unique angle from the Mohave Daily News on the possible closure of the Oatman post office: While nearly all post … Continue reading Possible closure endangers unique postal stamp
Coliseum Ballroom in Benld destroyed by fire
The historic Coliseum Ballroom, located on an older alignment of Route 66 in Benld, Ill., was destroyed by fire Saturday night, according to several media outlets in the St. Louis area. The fire started about 9:15 a.m. According to KSDK-TV in St. Louis, 16 fire departments responded to battling the blaze. The station reports that … Continue reading Coliseum Ballroom in Benld destroyed by fire
Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism
We're starting to see a pattern here ... Northern Arizona -- namely the city of Flagstaff and surround Coconino County -- saw record levels of tourism in 2010, while the rest of the state declined, reported Arizona Public Media. And Route 66 takes part of the credit. Travelers spent $948 million in Coconino County in … Continue reading Northern Arizona sees a surge in tourism
Zillions of Route 66 photos in two minutes
This clip serves as an impressive demonstration of Pummelvision, which turns still photos into fast-paced videos. https://vimeo.com/26975112 Here's another example: https://vimeo.com/26973119 The next time you shoot 2,000 images on your next Route 66 trip, you know what to do.
It’s demolition, not salvation
This report from KOB-TV about the demolition of the abandoned State Fair Mercado Motel on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque irked me a bit. https://youtu.be/2ORphUSaJSE Listen, I understand that Route 66 tourism remains a cottage industry, and that only so many vintage motels can operate in the Duke City. I also realize that … Continue reading It’s demolition, not salvation
A video review of “The Art of Cars”
The book, "The Art of Cars," was published about the same time the first Disney-Pixar "Cars" movie was released in 2006. This is a new review of the book, and the video format shows the book's illustrations and exceptional design as well as anything I've seen. https://youtu.be/Sjwnb6bRm9I The fellow who reviews this book runs a … Continue reading A video review of “The Art of Cars”
A visit to Bill Shea’s station
Here's a feature from KHQA-TV in Quincy, Ill., about Bill Shea's gas station and petroliana collection (some of which is quite valuable) along Route 66 in Springfield, Ill. https://youtu.be/8hvEFd-HhTY I'm glad to see this. I believe this is the first YouTube video that's been posted about Shea and his station.