Here's a very atmospheric video about the Route 66 desert hamlet of Amboy, Calif., by F.C. Howard. Fortunately, the town's most visible business, Roy's, has improved considerably since this video was made. Roy's now sells drinks, snacks and even gasoline again, thanks to the dogged efforts of Juan Pollo restaurant chain owner Albert Okura to … Continue reading A day in a ghost town on Route 66
Mickey Mantle’s widow dies
Merlyn Mantle, 77, the widow of New York Yankees baseball star Mickey Mantle, died Monday from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Mickey died of liver cancer in 1995. Merlyn's obituary in Newsday has an excerpt of interest to Route 66 fans: Mickey and Merlyn met two years before he debuted in the major leagues, while both … Continue reading Mickey Mantle’s widow dies
“Our Town”
I've been told that this video is played in 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., and that it moves a lot of Route 66 visitors. I'll let the creator, Jim DeGraff, explain it: My family has lived in or near Galena, KS, for over 100 years. Main Street of Galena is also the … Continue reading “Our Town”
Wearing of the Greene
I'm trying to track down and post more clips of Vimeo videos. Click here to see the 26-minute Episode 1 of "Route 66 -- The Marathon Tour" from Greene HD Productions. The 14-part series is airing each Saturday on the American Life Network. You can also acquire "Route 66 -- The Marathon Tour DVD Set" … Continue reading Wearing of the Greene
Caution: Construction zone
Here's the latest video from "Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible." This one is based on the book of Ezra. The video stars Ezra and some construction workers, who probably need to attend a safety seminar.
Oklahoma firm producing film about Cyrus Avery
Deep into a story from Indian Country Today about an Oklahoma film company acquiring the rights to a novel about major-league baseball's first American Indian player is this: Mike (Marshall) has been involved in Oklahoma television for more than 20 years as a production manager and field producer. He has produced more than 200 hours … Continue reading Oklahoma firm producing film about Cyrus Avery
Music box
You can buy your own cigar-box-style resonator guitar, with part of the body made from a Route 66 license plate. Back Porch Mojo sells it, with prices for cigar-box guitars ranging from $175 to $250, depending on the number of strings. Back Porch specializes in cigar-box guitars, with including parts and kits. Here's a demonstration … Continue reading Music box
Getting a lift from music
Among the many people who hitched a "Lift to the Rocker" fundraiser Saturday at the Fanning 66 Outpost near Cuba, Mo., was the bluegrass musical group The Lonesome Hill Gang. Jane Reed has the details about the group's little performance on the World's Largest Rocker: The family group showed up offering to play, and owners … Continue reading Getting a lift from music
Notes from the road
Some stray news items ... The Tulsa World has a recent update on Emory Duick, the senior citizen who is traveling Route 66 by foot. He's already worn out two sneakers, and he still has 1,400 miles to go. The New Mexico firefighters who were traveling Route 66 by motorcycle to raise funds for families … Continue reading Notes from the road
Tulsa to bid for 2020 Olympics?
I've been digesting this for the past day since the story was first reported by the Tulsa World. Here's the gist, in case you missed it: The Tulsa 2020 Committee on Tuesday presented the City Council with the idea of the city making a bid to host the 2020 summer Olympic games. [...] Such a … Continue reading Tulsa to bid for 2020 Olympics?