“Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”

Author Susan Croce Kelly began her "Father of Route 66: Cy Avery" presentation during the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, by imagining what would have happened if Edwardsville hosted a good-roads conference 100 years ago. The city, which had about 5,000 residents, probably would have drawn a number of attendees well beyond the town's … Continue reading “Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”

“Route 66 in Illinois”

The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”

Book review: Lonely Planet’s “Route 66 Road Trips”

You know the renaissance of Route 66 has become a global phenomenon when the biggest travel guidebook publisher, Australia-based Lonely Planet, released its first guidebook on the Mother Road this year. With that in mind, one should consider "Route 66 Road Trips" (128 pages, soft cover, illustrated color) as an appetizer designed for an international audience, not … Continue reading Book review: Lonely Planet’s “Route 66 Road Trips”

Wife of Chicago Route 66 researcher David Clark dies

Carol Krohn, the wife of longtime Chicagoland Route 66 researcher David Clark, died at age 56 in early September of a cardiac arrest after she endured several other serious health problems, Clark said during a recent Facebook post. Clark concluded in a post Friday: My life partner left me at 7:45 a.m. on September 4th, … Continue reading Wife of Chicago Route 66 researcher David Clark dies

Many of the “66 bookstores on Route 66” aren’t on 66

A recent Associated Press article reported about used bookstores along Route 66. Specifically cited in the article are 5th Street Books in Kingman, Arizona; Downtown Books and The Book Case in Albuquerque; Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California; and Selected Works Used Books and Sheet Music in Chicago -- all of which are on Route 66 … Continue reading Many of the “66 bookstores on Route 66” aren’t on 66

Book review: “The Trip”

A trip on Route 66 often changes the life of the person taking that journey. Andy Warhol's trip from New York City to Los Angeles in 1963 -- much of it on 66 -- probably didn't change his career, but it accelerated it into him becoming a Pop Art icon. Deborah Davis makes the case about … Continue reading Book review: “The Trip”

“Greetings from Coldwater” novel is available

This isn't going to be a book review, because I'm married to the author and am understandably biased. Regardless, Route 66 fans likely will be interested to know of the publication of Emily Priddy's first novel, "Greetings from Coldwater," set on Route 66 in the fictional town of Coldwater in eastern New Mexico. Print and … Continue reading “Greetings from Coldwater” novel is available

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

Documentary film, book coming about Negro Travelers Green Book

This weekend, filmmakers Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Becky Wible Searles will interview relatives of the former publisher of the Negro Travelers Green Book for a documentary, according to the New York Times. Victor Hugo Green, a letter carrier who lived in New York City, in 1936 began publishing the guidebook to help travelers find black-friendly … Continue reading Documentary film, book coming about Negro Travelers Green Book