Dawn Welch starts a new blog

Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Okla., has launched a new blog -- mostly to publicize her upcoming cookbook, "Dollars to Donuts." But the site also contains recipes, cooking tips and a video that I commend to your attention. "Dollars to Donuts" will be in stores on Nov. 10.

Jeanne Tripplehorn’s guide to Route 66

Travel + Leisure magazine recently published a one-page story about Tulsa native Jeanne Tripplehorn and her trip a few months ago on Route 66 with her son. Tripplehorn, who currently stars in the HBO series "Big Love," recently became a spokeswoman for the World Monuments Fund, and wanted to see the Mother Road for herself. … Continue reading Jeanne Tripplehorn’s guide to Route 66

Pontiac motel torn down

The Downtowner Motel, along a more-obscure alignment of Route 66 in downtown Pontiac, Ill., was torn down Wednesday to make way for new Law and Justice Center, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader. More pictures of the demolition can be seen here, at The Community Times. The Downtowner had been for sale for several years, including … Continue reading Pontiac motel torn down

Haunted prison

Dave Hoekstra, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and a longtime roadie, paid a visit to the Stateville Haunted Prison, which is across Route 66 from the real Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Ill. Stateville Haunted Prison, which is located on Siegel's Cottonwood Farms across from the real Stateville, has been operating each Halloween … Continue reading Haunted prison

Art display along Route 66 scrapped

Several illuminated pillars along Route 66 in Flagstaff, Ariz., will be kept in storage indefinitely after a car accident and other problems with the art display cropped up in recent weeks, reported the Arizona Republic. Titled "Solar Calendar" and designed by artist Mary Boone Wellington, the display at Route 66 and Postal Boulevard has reportedly … Continue reading Art display along Route 66 scrapped

Times Beach Bridge to be closed permanently

The Missouri Department of Transportation will permanently close the Old Route 66 Bridge in Route 66 State Park on Thursday, according to a news release. An annual inspection showed the bridge can no longer support traffic. The bridge links the east side of Route 66 State Park with the west over the Meramec River. The … Continue reading Times Beach Bridge to be closed permanently

Site touts historical spots in New Mexico

StoppingPoints.com, an online guide to historical places in the United States, recently added New Mexico to its database, according to a news release. The New Mexico StoppingPoints guide displays and pinpoints nearly 1,200 markers within the state, including properties in the National Register of Historic Places. Most markers are grouped and mapped by city, county, … Continue reading Site touts historical spots in New Mexico

Powerhouse earns federal grant

The Powerhouse Visitors Center on Route 66 in Kingman, Ariz., earned a $220,241 federal grant to renovate and reorganize the facility, reports the Kingman Daily Miner. Another $55,000 will come from the local Economic Tourism and Development Commission and the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona for the project. These changes include moving the visitors' … Continue reading Powerhouse earns federal grant

Bob Waldmire saying goodbye

Artist Bob Waldmire, famous for his intricate Route 66-inspired artwork and being the unofficial inspiration to hippie van Fillmore in the Disney/Pixar movie "Cars," has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, reports Dave Bakke of the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register. Waldmire, 64, usually lives in the southern Arizona mountains during the wintertime and spends the rest … Continue reading Bob Waldmire saying goodbye

Documentary film crew stops in Tucumcari

A crew for the documentary "Alfred & Jakobine" stopped Sunday on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., in the early stages of production for the film, reported Richard Talley of the Motel Safari in town. Here's a blog entry from the filmmakers about their pit stop in Tucumcari, with lots of photos. The film is a … Continue reading Documentary film crew stops in Tucumcari