Writer plans book about ghost stories on Route 66 July 25, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Books, Ghosts and Mysteries.2 comments
Richard Southall plans to write a book about ghosts and paranormal activity along Route 66, and is searching for additional such stories in Arizona, reported the Kingman Daily Miner.
Southall has written another book, “How to Be a Ghost Hunter,” with Llewellyn Publications. He wants his Route 66 ghost stories book in stores by 2013.
Southall wants to go beyond common urban legends and publish personal accounts from residents, business owners and tourists. In his early research, he collected several stories from Illinois, California, Kansas and Missouri, but he is still looking for more Arizona stories.
There are 401 miles of Route 66 in Arizona, he said, so there has to be some good stories out there. [...]
In addition to the stories, Southall wants to add a directory that lists paranormal groups on Route 66, so interested readers can learn more.
“It’s going to be a fairly large book,” Southall said.
Southalll asks that people with a story they would like to share or a paranormal group or tour they want included in the book to please email or write him as soon as possible. Email him at route66ghostbook@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box 8212, Nutter Fort, WV. If sending an email, put the state that the story originates from in the subject line.
One of the stories that undoubtedly will be included is the death site of Sam Kinison. The comedian and actor died in a car crash on old Route 66 near Needles, Calif., in 1992. According to Southall, locals say they sometimes glimpse Kinison’s white Trans Am on that stretch of road. Also, the sound of screeching brakes and crashing metal sometimes is heard there.
Another book, “Missouri’s Haunted Route 66,” was published a few years ago. And “Haunted Highway: The Spirits of Route 66″ remains in the marketplace. However, the latter volume was published in 1999 and hasn’t been updated, to my knowledge.
Straight from the garage July 25, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.1 comment so far
This is a 1966 version of Bobby Troup’s classic song by the Ha’Pennys. This cover obviously was influenced by the Rolling Stones’ version.
About the only information I have on this rock band was it was based in Andover, Mass., probably from Phillips Academy.
Mystery band in Japan July 24, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Music.1 comment so far
Today, I found this gem of a performance from 1993 in Fukuoka, Japan.
This cover of Bobby Troup’s classic takes a lot from the Rolling Stones’ version, but it has its own bite.
The video indicates the name of the band is Players Company. Google searches of the band’s name have come up empty so far. Anyone heard of them?
Pontiac automotive museum provides a sneak peek July 23, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Events, Museums, Vehicles.add a comment
The new Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center in Pontiac, Ill., opened for a sneak preview Friday, reported the Pontiac Daily Leader.
And it sounds like those who were there were wowed:
Making it truly unique was that it was not simply row upon row of cars, but rather arranged with great thought with several pieces getting their own display setting.
“Everybody seems to be very impressed with the quality of the displays, the cars, the building. Everybody is very taken aback by it. And the Pontiac fans that have come here from all over the country are so happy, they feel it’s about time Pontiac has its place. They’re really happy with what they are seeing,” said Tim Dye, who along with his wife, Penny, own a lot of the collection and are museum directors.
“It’s just a little overwhelming,” agreed Mayor Bob Russell, who was one of the Dyes earliest supporters when they proposed the museum to the city last fall.
The town of Pontiac already is hosting a car-club event in September; the club was enticed to schedule the event in Pontiac because of the museum.
According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, hundreds of people from 25 states attended the official opening today.
The museum also has a Flickr photo stream.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Webb City restaurant may resurrect mural July 23, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Businesses, History, Signs.add a comment
Bradbury-Bishop Deli, a business which sat just north of Route 66 in Webb City, Mo., for decades, may re-create a large mural that once graced the side of its building.
The co-owner of the business, Carol Dudash, recently found in the building’s attic a 1940s photograph of what then was the Bradbury-Bishop Drug Co. The image includes a mural on the side of the building.
Here’s a close-up of the mural:
Here’s what that wall looks like today. It’s been painted over a few times in the past 60 years or so:
Sheri Roosevelt, co-owner of the Bradbury-Bishop, said they need permission from the building’s owner to repaint the mural, but said that is “likely.” After that, they need to find a muralist to tackle the job.
(Images courtesy of Ron Hart)
Round Barn billboard dispute festers July 22, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, Signs.add a comment
The dispute between the owner of a billboard and proponents of the historic Round Barn of Arcadia, Okla., shows no end in sight, according to a report by The Oklahoman.
Zoom Media purchased a small parcel just east of the Round Barn in October and erected a billboard there. The Arcadia Historical and Preservation Society, declaring the billboard an eyesore, demanded it be removed. After heated words, both parties tried to negotiate a settlement.
But The Oklahoman reports that talks are off. A sign for the Salvation Army was donated to the billboard, and Round Barn proponents are urging area residents to not do business with the charity. The local Salvation Army, in response, has asked Zoom Media to remove the sign.
Dennis-Smith said Mazaheri offered the sign opponents several legitimate compromises and has even offered to move the sign at his expense if they came up with another location in Arcadia.
The sign cost the company about $48,000. It would cost about $12,000 to move it.
“We tried to work with them for several months, but negotiations fell through,” Dennis-Smith said. “Unfortunately, there is a lot of passion over this issue, and they’re trying to make it very hard on us.”
Sam Gillaspy, president of the historical society, said there are no suitable alternative locations in Arcadia for the billboard.
The Arcadia group says it doesn’t have the money to move the billboard.
So the billboard will apparently sit for the indefinite future.
My take on the controversy is here.
Upcoming video golf game features Route 66 course July 21, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Sports, Video games.add a comment
Golden Tee Golf, maker of video golf games commonly found in taverns and arcades, soon will release a new game called Golden Tee 2012 that features the Dusty Bend golf course built along Route 66.
Here’s a sneak preview released today:
I spotted replicas of the Wigwam Motel, a Bunyon Muffler Man, and a huge Sinclair Oil dinosaur.
Here’s a description of the game from Golden Tee Golf:
Built along Route 66, Dusty Bend Golf Course seems like a step back in time. You’ll never know what roadside attractions you’ll encounter as you golf along “the mother road” in Sayre, Oklahoma. Trees are scarce, but the farm buildings and tourist traps replace them with a landscape as well as some unexpected landmark new to the game. Venture off the fairway too far and the dusty dirt will make its presence known. It goes without saying that you’ve never played a course like this.
Golden Tee Golf says the game should start arriving in bars and arcades in “early fall.”