Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems

The Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, a Route 66 landmark for many years, has been placed on the market after its owner endured chronic health issues -- including an episode late this summer that required hospitalization. Owner Dennis Purschwitz posted Saturday on Facebook: As many of you all know, this past season has been hard on me, my … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe put up for sale because of owner’s health problems

Tow Tater, aka Tow Mater, has a competitor in Missouri Mater

A lot of Route 66 folks know of Tow Tater, the 1951 International boom truck on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas, that served as the direct inspiration to the Tow Mater character in the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars." But barely 15 miles east in Carterville, Missouri, also on Route 66, sits another rusty tow truck that … Continue reading Tow Tater, aka Tow Mater, has a competitor in Missouri Mater

Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival

Michael Wallis, writer of the best-selling "Route 66: The Mother Road" and more than a dozen other books, will give a "State of the Mother Road" speech June 18 during the Vinita Route 66 Festival in Vinita, Oklahoma. Wallis long was known for his fiery "state of the road" speeches with his big, baritone voice during … Continue reading Michael Wallis to give “state of the road” speech at Vinita festival

“Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary

Today marks 10 years since the release of the Disney-Pixar animated film "Cars" that sparked a wave of new travelers on Route 66. The "Cars" movie grossed more than $460 million in worldwide box office receipts during the summer of 2006, with almost as much money from the international market as domestic. "Cars" has generated more than … Continue reading “Cars” movie marks its 10th anniversary

Cars on the Route put up for sale

Cars on the Route of Galena, Kansas, which helped usher in a revival of its downtown, is being put up for sale. It will remain open, however, for at least a few more weeks to greet Route 66 tourists. Renee Charles, one of the founders of the business almost 10 years ago, and partner Brian Jordan … Continue reading Cars on the Route put up for sale

Graphic novel of “Cars” movie coming this summer

Toronto-based Joe Books will publish a thick, graphic-novel version of the 2006 Disney-Pixar animated movie "Cars" this summer. The Bleeding Cool website got the scoop Thursday. The print version of "Cars" will be 380 pages in softcover ($29.99 list) or hardcover ($49.99 list). A description of the book from the publisher: Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen … Continue reading Graphic novel of “Cars” movie coming this summer

Decade-old Cars film still draws tourists to Route 66

In a few months, the Disney-Pixar animated Cars film will mark its 10th anniversary. Because of its setting included the fictional Route 66 town of Radiator Springs, the film brought several years' worth of new tourists to the real Route 66. Based on Route 66 News' steady and solid traffic over the years with the story about the … Continue reading Decade-old Cars film still draws tourists to Route 66

Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route

Melba Rigg, one of the original four women of the 4 Women on the Route station in Galena, Kansas, before its name changed to Cars on the Route, announced her retirement over the weekend. Rigg wrote on a Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/melba.rigg/posts/944043785674648 This video by KC Keefer on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series interviewed Rigg couple … Continue reading Melba Rigg retires from Cars on the Route

Book review: “Waldmire”

It seems a bit odd to call William Crook Jr.'s publication about his memories of the life of Bob Waldmire a book, as it's a slim 28 pages and staple-bound. Regardless, "Waldmire" (subtitled "An Artist's Life on Route 66") contains details about the hippie, environmentalist and Route 66 artist that might have escaped those who even … Continue reading Book review: “Waldmire”

Booklet published on life of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire

A friend of the late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire has published a 28-page booklet, "Waldmire: An Artist's Life On Route 66." Springfield, Illinois, artist Bill Crook met Waldmire during the 1970s and wrote the book, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. "Waldmire" includes reproductions of some of Waldmire's art, some of Crook's art, including … Continue reading Booklet published on life of Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire