Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

The Route 66 Association of Missouri is planning a May 28 event to repaint "the largest Route 66 shield in Missouri" at Gary's Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Paris Springs, Missouri. Roamin' Rich Dinkela, now president of the association, in 2018 painted the large shield onto the roadway, and it has become faded with weather … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri plans event to repaint big road shield at Gary’s Gay Parita

Big Route 66 shield added in front of Gay Parita Station

It will be difficult for travelers to miss Gay Parita Station now. Roamin' Rich Dinkela on Thursday painted a 12-by-15-foot Route 66 shield on the road in front of the Paris Springs, Missouri, landmark. It looks like a old-style Route 66 shield, except it states "Gary's" where "Missouri" typically would be -- a tribute to … Continue reading Big Route 66 shield added in front of Gay Parita Station

Why historic preservation is important to future tourism

Joplin, Missouri, for years has sought to boost Route 66 tourism to its city. Officials there want more visitors to stay in the city for longer periods, thus generating more tax revenue. However, the Joplin Globe reported a Colorado-based consultant threw cold water on that idea -- mainly because the city doesn't have enough historic … Continue reading Why historic preservation is important to future tourism

Gay Parita memorial garden nearly finished

Barbara Turner's memorial garden for her late parents is nearly finished several months after she took over the Gay Parita gas-station site west of Halltown, Missouri. Barbara Turner announced her intentions to build the garden that would contain her parents' cremains shortly after taking over the property in April. During the early 2000s, Gary Turner … Continue reading Gay Parita memorial garden nearly finished

A story about Gay Parita station’s reopening

KYTV in Springfield, Missouri, aired a 2 1/2-minute feature on the Barbara Turner's resurrection of the Gay Parita gas station on Route 66 west of Halltown, Missouri. The segment contains footage of the station's late original owner and Barbara's father, Gary Turner, in 2008. And wait until you hear the story about the clock: You … Continue reading A story about Gay Parita station’s reopening

Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station

The daughter of Gary Turner reopened the much-loved Gay Parita gas station west of Halltown, Missouri, 15 months after its patriarch died at age 70. Barbara Turner moved into her father and mother's home behind the Route 66 landmark less than two weeks ago. She quit her longtime job as a theater manager and sold … Continue reading Daughter revives Gary Turner’s Gay Parita station

Outtakes from the Route 66 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue featuring Route 66 was published almost a year ago, but this video I haven't seen made its way to YouTube a couple of days ago. You'll see a lot of Route 66 landmarks, and plenty of footage of the late Gary Turner, owner of Gay Parita gas station west of … Continue reading Outtakes from the Route 66 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue

Thefts hit Gay Parita Station

Apparently the same thief or thieves who recently struck the ghost town of Spencer, Missouri, also hit the nearby Gay Parita Sinclair station in recent days. According to Steve Turner, son of late Gay Parita owner Gary Turner, the following items were taken: Royal Crown thermometer by the Dunlop Tires sign Squirt oil sign below … Continue reading Thefts hit Gay Parita Station

Wife of Gary Turner dies

Lena Turner, who was married to Gay Parita Sinclair station owner Gary Turner for more than 50 years, died Monday at age 72 -- less than six months after her husband died. The Springfield News-Leader posted a full obituary a few days after her death: She married Gary G. Turner on December 31, 1961 and … Continue reading Wife of Gary Turner dies

Route 66 by bicycle

Andre Slabbert of the Cayman Islands last fall completed a 2,351-mile trip on Route 66 by bicycle in a bit less than month. That feat is remarkable enough, but he did it just three months after damaging ligaments in his knee during a training accident. The Route 66 ride raised money for the Nelson Mandela's Children's … Continue reading Route 66 by bicycle