Jerry McClanahan wins top honor at Will Rogers Awards June 20, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Events, Gas stations, People, Preservation, Route 66 Associations.3 comments
Jerry McClanahan won the Will Rogers Award.
Longtime author and artist Jerry McClanahan won the prestigious Will Rogers Award during the Will Rogers Awards Evening on Saturday night during the Tri-State Route 66 International Festival at Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Okla.
McClanahan, who has researched Route 66 since the early 1980s, has written several magazine articles about obscure Mother Road alignments and, most recently, published the “Route 66 EZ Guide for Travelers.” McClanahan, who lives in Chandler, Okla., also has gained acclaim for his colorful and realistic paintings of scenes along Route 66.
McClanahan said he was “flabbergasted” for earning Route 66′s top annual honor. “I don’t know what I’d do with my life without Route 66,” he said after receiving the trophy from master of ceremonies Jim Conkle.
Joy Avery (center) and Jim Conkle present the Cyrus Avery Award to Melvena Hirsch.
Melvena Heisch of the Oklahoma State Historical Preservation Office received the Cyrus Avery Award for outstanding Route 66 preservation. Heisch has become known as a tireless advocate and defender of Route 66 properties over the years. Giving her the award was Joy Avery, granddaughter of the late Cyrus “Father of Route 66″ Avery of Tulsa.
Geri Bilecki (center) and Marty Bilecki tell about the early days of their involvement in Route 66.
Marty and Geri Bilecki of Illinois won the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Bileckis have served as Illinois Route 66 volunteers since 1997, including greeting and guiding international tourists near the eastern beginning of the road, at the Joliet Welcome Center.,
Gary Turner of Gay Parita tells a zinger while accepting his award.
Gary Turner won Person of the Year for being an enthusiastic ambassador to Route 66 tourists at his re-created Gay Parita Sinclair gas station west of Halltown, Mo. Turner also got the biggest laugh of the night while accepting his award for saying that he and his wife had been “married for 49 years, and we were never even related.”
POPS of Arcadia, Okla., was given the Business of the Year honor. Labeled as an “instant icon” on Route 66 since it opened in 2007, the convenience store and restaurant that’s graced by a 66-foot LED pop bottle quickly became a major tourist attraction (and has sold more than 1 million bottles of soda) because of its “aggressive marketing, unique experience and pizzazz,” Conkle said. No one from POPS was there to accept the award, but it will be presented to POPS general manager Marty Doepke at a later date.
Don Rice accepts the New Business of the Year honor on behalf of his son, Dan Rice, who owns 66 to Cali on the Santa Monica Pier.
The 66 to Cali souvenir shack on the Santa Monica Pier won New Business of the Year. 66 to Cali was the first Route 66-related business established on the pier, which has become a traditional end of the journey for westbound Route 66 travelers. Owner Dan Rice and his fiance Jessica were unable because of a prior commitment of greeting a tour group. However, in an e-mailed message read by Conkle, Dan Rice gave credit to his father Don for taking him on his first Route 66 trip in 1985 and instilling the values of hard work, integrity and kindness. Don Rice, who was visibly moved, accepted the award on his son’s behalf.
Jane Dippel accepted the Founders Award on behalf of Bob Gehl.
Bob Gehl, a longtime volunteer for the Route 66 Association of Missouri, won the Founders Award. Accepting the award on his behalf was previous Route 66 Festival award winner Jane Dippel of St. Louis.
Mike Easterling (center) accepts the Wallis Award from Michael and Suzanne Wallis.
Mike Easterling, a writer for Urban Tulsa weekly newspaper, earned the Wallis Award for writing and journalism for his article about the fledgling Route 66 Alliance and its efforts to set up alternative fuel stations along the Mother Road.
Dean Walker won Ambassador of the Year, but didn't turn his legs backwards during his acceptance speech, surprisingly.
Dean “Crazy Legs” Walker, a longtime volunteer for Kansas Route 66, won Ambassador of the Year.
The first Bob Waldmire Artists of the Year honor was posthumously given to Bob Waldmire, a noted Route 66 artist who died of cancer in December.
Michael Wallis gave a stirring speech during his "State of the Road" address.
In his annual “State of the Road” speech, famed “Route 66: The Mother Road” author Michael Wallis received one of the biggest moments of applause when he briefly paid tribute to Waldmire. In his growly baritone, Wallis also touched on the need of more compromise between historical roads and the interstates, high-speed rail, alternative-energy transportation, and for travelers to be more open-minded and flexible instead of being constricted by time and familiarity.
Rick Freeland, an officer with the Route 66 Alliance, said the organization finally gained its 501(c)3 nonprofit status from the IRS about five months ago. He hoped the organization’s fundraising efforts and its “green highway” alt-fuels initiative would be set by late summer. Already, he said, General Motors, Tesla, Nissan and the Pickens Plan have expressed interest in the program.
Freeland also gave a donation to Shelby Rigg, a recent high-school graduate and volunteer at 4 Women on the Route in Galena, Kan., to her Route 66: Young Roadies group. Rigg wants to get more people her age to become interested in the Mother Road, and has set up a Facebook page for it.
The next international Route 66 festival will be hosted by Amarillo, Texas, on June 9-12, 2011 — the first time the Lone Star State has held it since the first in 1996. In 2012, the festival host will be Santa Monica, Calif.
UPDATE: I forgot to mention that Larry Courtney and Bob and Phyllis Abbott received special Kansas Historic Route 66 Awards for their efforts and contributions to the Mother Road in Kansas. Kansas Route 66ers Carolyn Pendleton and Renee Charles presented the awards. Conkle noted: “This is why volunteers aren’t paid — it’s not because they’re worthless; it’s because they’re priceless.”
Should have stuck with bowling June 17, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, Music, Sports.1 comment so far
OKC Biz published a story today about the pending sale of the historic 66 Bowl in Oklahoma City to a Spices of India grocery.
The article contained this tidbit that I hadn’t seen reported elsewhere:
Owner Jim Haynes says he’s owned the 51-year-old, 25,880-square-foot bowling alley for 32 years.
“I just had to (sell the property), I couldn’t operate it anymore,” Haynes said, adding that an investment-gone-sour stimulated debt problems [my emphasis].
Haynes didn’t elaborate on the bad investment.
But since 66 Bowl was still relatively popular as a bowling alley, tavern and music venue, this revelation of a bum investment sheds a lot of light on why it was put up for sale.
New Route 66 informational site launched June 17, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Road trips, Web sites.add a comment
Route 66 websites come and go. But I thought this one is particularly noteworthy.
DrivingRoute66.com, which describes itself as “one-stop resource for planning the road trip of a lifetime,” comes from the brain and computer of Steve Bellamy of Wales. He and his wife drove all of Route 66 in 2007. He explains the purpose of his site:
Although neither my wife or I had ever visited the USA before, the decision to drive the old road was spontaneous. Although, at that point, we had no idea about the history or geography of Route 66 we found the simple idea of a road trip in a new country exciting enough.
We were full of enthusiasm and keen to start planning our trip. We wanted to look at maps, watch videos, see photos, research attractions, look into accommodation, plan side trips… basically we wanted to start the journey then and there! Planning the trip wasn’t a chore, it was the simply the first leg of an incredible experience that neither of us will ever forget.
We loved planning our road trip so much and found it an integral part of the experience. For that reason I decided to create this website. I hope that it can be of use to others in planning their own Route 66 experience. My aim is for the site to constantly grow and expand as people continue to recommend their own favourite motels/attractions. The forum should be a place for seasoned Route 66 travellers and newcomers alike to share their own experiences or ask questions of others. Each Route 66 experience is unique and, as I have only driven it the once, I don’t claim to be an expert in the old road by any means - but I do hope that this website and it’s community of users can provide free, useful and up-to-date information to anyone driving America’s greatest road trip… The legendary Route 66.
Bellamy’s site contains data about motels, attractions, resources, videos, photographs and an online forum where roadies can talk about the Mother Road. I found the FAQ section to be especially useful and well-informed, and would recommend it to any Route 66 novice.
If the website overlooked an attraction or motel you think is particularly noteworthy, just give your recommendation to the Contact section, and it likely will be added. It this sort of “open source” information that should make the site even more indispensable over time.
Johnnie’s Bar marks 50th year June 17, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, People.add a comment
Johnnie’s Bar, a fixture on Route 66 in St. James, Mo., is marking its 50th year of business, according to the St. James Press.
A bit of history …
Originally opened by John Bullock, Russ’ father, in the downtown plaza in 1952, the business moved to the corner of James Boulevard in 1960 where it has become well-known on Route 66. After running the bar and restaurant for many successful years, John sold it to Russ and Tina in 1998.
With four employees, the bar has become a popular spot known for great service and good food. The Bullocks have seen a recent swell in business as more people discover Route 66 and the many community events that are bringing visitors to the area.
“The only real change we have done over the last 50 years is the televisions,” Russ explained. “We have good employees. They take good care of the business.” He says Tina handles most of the day-to-day operations as he gets to enjoy the visitors from their side of the bar.
“What I enjoy the most is to meet the people. I grew up here. It’s home to me,” he said.
It was at Johnnie’s that I first met Missouri Route 66 researcher Skip Curtis, nearly 10 years ago. We’d walked under the Stag Beer sign above the front door and sat down for a beer when we saw him helping the owners move some big furniture around. We chatted for all-too-brief time, then moved on.
I liked Johnnie’s … you could tell from its numerous elderly patrons that it had been a favorite hangout for most of their lives. I like places like that and the Luna Cafe in Mitchell, Ill.
Curtis died three years ago, but Johnnie’s lives on. Stop in for a hamburger, a cold one, and fun conversation.
Lodging group criticizes Joplin tourism bureau June 16, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, Events, Motels.add a comment
With less than a week before the Tri-State Route 66 Festival, this story from the Joplin Globe about a local lodging association expressing deep dissatisfaction about the Joplin Visitors and Convention Bureau sparked my interest.
The lodging group is so irked by a precipitous drop in motel revenue that it is considering a campaign to repeal Joplin’s motel tax unless changes are made.
The important parts of the story:
A three-page letter signed by three officers of the Southwest Missouri Lodging Association says that receipts of the city’s 4 percent lodging tax are dropping each month in a “year-over-year decline” and alleges the decline is because of mismanagement of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
They also say that the city is disregarding or not using suggestions that the CVB advisory board is, by city ordinance, entitled to make to the city administration. [...]
Lower motel tax revenues are a symptom of a reduction in hotel and motel occupancy rates of 1.5 to 2 times the national and state averages, according to a letter attributed to Pete Hall, president; Christopher Beyer, vice president; and Jon Patterson, secretary-treasurer, of the lodging association.
Officials at the Joplin CVB cited a poor economy for the motels’ revenue drop, and defended its efforts to create more events for tourists. CVB chief Vince Lindstrom also said the opening of the nearby Downstream Casino (which, ironically, is hosting many of the festival’s events) has sucked away many overnight stays from Joplin. He also said a new Highway 249 allowed travelers to go around the city more easily.
Among its grievances, the lodging group listed staff assignments and board changes without consultation, and the lack of a CVB budget when it was requested.
The Joplin CVB proably didn’t snub the lodging group because of malice. The more likely reason is a simple oversight. Anyone who observed the fiasco that was the Joplin CVB’s announcement of the Route 66 Mother Road Marathon last year would find it easy to believe the tourism agency is capable of “Oops!” moments.
But if the lodging group does get voters to repeal of a motel tax, the Joplin tourism bureau likely would cease to exist. With that, there goes publicity for local attractions, including Route 66. Such a move would be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
The lodging group probably is saber-rattling simply to get the Joplin tourism bureau’s attention. It seems to have accomplished that, and the tourism bureau already is vowing to make changes.
UPDATE: The Joplin Globe filed an updated report a few days after the initial one about the motel owners group’s grievances against the Joplin CVB. Most of the information is repeated above, except for a key complaint that the CVB isn’t doing enough to draw conventions to Joplin and, thus, bring in more motel business.
Although Lindstrom probably loathed to make excuses, the point that Joplin sits halfway between two significant and larger cities (Tulsa and Springfield, Mo.) shouldn’t be taken lightly. Those cities will make it hard for Joplin to compete because of their larger population bases and bigger, better facilities for conventions. And that doesn’t even factor the new Downstream Casino nearby, which will draw its share of conventions and gatherings as well.
Can some of the group’s other grievances be addressed? Sure. But complaining about a lack of convention business in Joplin may be a useless endeavor when you consider what Joplin is up against. I could be wrong, but it may be akin to asking the Joplin CVB to empty the Mississippi River with a teacup.
Former Santa Rosa motel to be razed June 15, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Motels.1 comment so far
The long-closed Coronado Court motor lodge, a 1930s-era Route 66 motel in Santa Rosa, N.M., soon will be torn down because it’s about to collapse, according to the print edition this week of the Guadalupe County Communicator.
Longtime owner Robert “Bobby” Serrano told the newspaper he feared the deteriorated adobe structures would fall apart while someone was exploring the property or shooting photos of it. So he’s going to demolish it in the coming days.
The motel, which opened in 1937, had been closed since at least the 1970s, and is used only for storage.
Behind the scenes of the Route 66 Bible series June 15, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Movies, Religion.add a comment
Regardless of whether you love or loathe the “Route 66: A Road Trip through the Bible,” you’ll probably find this video interesting. It’s a behind-the-scenes look on how segments are filmed. This one in particular is for the Book of Malachi.
And here is the finished product:
Since His Place Community Church has finished the Old Testament in this series, it’s going to take a break for a while from producing videos before diving into the New Testament.
From the scene of the fire June 15, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Restaurants.5 comments
Someone went beyond the police tape to videotape the remains of the Riviera Roadhouse restaurant on Route 66 in Gardner, Ill., which was destroyed by suspicious fire a few days ago.
You’ll also see brief footage of the Streetcar Diner, which was spared.
Severe flooding hits Oklahoma City region June 14, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in Weather.1 comment so far
Severe floods closed highways, snarled traffic, and inundated homes and businesses throughout the Oklahoma City region after 7 to 10 inches of rain fell Monday, according to varying news reports.
And the worst part is that more rain is expected Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Many roads remain impassable in Oklahoma City as of Monday night. Go here for a complete list of road closings.
Go here and here for unbelievable photos of flooding that have been posted by The Daily Oklahoman.
The flooding also affected the nearby town of Arcadia, Okla., with water surrounding the Route 66 attraction of POPS. This video shows that much of the town is under water, and at least a mile of Route 66. It’s doubtful that the historic Round Barn was affected, as it’s on fairly high ground.
Because the flooding is so widespread, it might be wise for Route 66 travelers to avoid that region for the next day or so until the waters recede.
Videos:
UPDATE: According to a later Oklahoman story, POPS had to close midday Monday because of the floodwaters surrounding it made roads impassable. As a result, the Route 66 convenience store and diner experienced its slowest day ever.
However, POPS management expected it to reopen as usual Tuesday.
Through all this, it appears there’s been no deaths, which is fairly amazing when you consider how severe the flooding was.
Fire guts bathhouse in historic Tucumcari park June 13, 2010
Posted by Ron Warnick in History.1 comment so far
A fire Saturday night all but destroyed the historic main building at Tucumcari Metropolitan Park, aka 5 Mile Park, along old Route 66 west of Tucumcari, N.M.
Richard Talley at the Motel Safari reported in an e-mail:
The walls seem to still be standing, but with no roof now, after a few rains, everything left will begin to rot and wither away. [...]
At one time Tucumcari Metropolitan Park had the largest outdoor pool in the entire state of New Mexico, a playground with lots of equipment, a fully landscaped drive through park with bridges, creeks, a pistol and rifle range, a skeet and trap shooting range, and off-road course, horseback riding and was home to the then annual Founder’s Day Picnics.
The buildings and equipment at 5 Mile Park had fallen into disrepair and neglect over many years, to the point where it was named one of the most endangered places in New Mexico in 2003.
The park also suffered from being miles away from Tucumcari’s city center, plus being on an isolated, dead-end road that was cut off by Interstate 40.