The iconic Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, soon will receive security improvements after vandalism occurred at the Route 66 landmark earlier last weekend. KOTV in Tulsa had some details about the damage: Volunteer Linda Hobbs remembers the phone call she got earlier this week saying someone vandalized the beloved Blue Whale Park. "Had pulled picnic … Continue reading Vandalism at Blue Whale prompts security upgrades
Tag: Catoosa
Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference
The Tulsa World this week published a preview of the “Are We There Yet? Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in Tulsa next month. The April 10-12 event is organized by National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, city of Tulsa, Tulsa … Continue reading Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference
Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie
Tulsa-based filmmaker Jonathan Rossetti wants to make a coming-of-age independent film set at the iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and he has set up a crowdfunding campaign to hire a casting director. Rossetti launched up his campaign this month on Seed and Spark. He hopes to raise about $10,000 within two weeks. He … Continue reading Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie
Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit
Officials with Catoosa, Oklahoma, will meet with Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials later this month over a proposal to close a Route 66 exit from westbound Interstate 44. However, ODOT officials, according to The Daily Progress in nearby Claremore, Oklahoma, the proposal is one of several from years ago and is not finalized. They will host … Continue reading Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit
Blue Whale hosts pop-up sale of Snapchat’s Spectacles
The landmark Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, hosted a temporary kiosk Tuesday morning for Snapchat's new video-recording Spectacles, drawing dozens of technology buffs from all over the region. Linda Hobbs, an operator of the gift shop at the Route 66 site, told KOTV people began lining up early Tuesday for the sale, before daylight. Snapchat … Continue reading Blue Whale hosts pop-up sale of Snapchat’s Spectacles
Highway plan concerns Catoosa officials, businesses
An Interstate 44 widening plan concerns officials in Catoosa, Oklahoma, because it may turn tourists away from the town and Route 66. The plan would close the exit to northbound Oklahoma Route 66 from westbound I-44. Instead, westbound drivers would have to exit at 193rd Street, do a U-turn on the Texas-style interchange, drive on eastbound … Continue reading Highway plan concerns Catoosa officials, businesses
‘American Pickers’ filming on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Two of the cast members of the History Channel's "American Pickers" reality show spent part of last week filming on Route 66 in Oklahoma, according to an article in the Grand Lake News and one of the star's Instagram accounts. The newspaper said Danielle Colby and Mike Wolfe of "American Pickers" dined at Waylan's Ku … Continue reading ‘American Pickers’ filming on Route 66 in Oklahoma
Offering more than advertised
A guy owned a business in Catoosa, Oklahoma, called Route 66 Massage. According to a report by Fox 23 in nearby Tulsa, customers apparently could get more than just a backrub. Based on the report, the operators were none too subtle about what they were offering. Route 66 Massage offered truth in advertising in one … Continue reading Offering more than advertised
Maple sirup and blue whales
Since vacation, I'm getting caught up on KC Keefer's latest videos on his Genuine Route 66 Life series. One that I missed was an interview with Glaida Funk, matriarch of the historic Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup business on Route 66 in Funks Grove, Illinois. https://youtu.be/cFCctA-vUS4 The second is an interview with Linda Hobbs, a … Continue reading Maple sirup and blue whales