Lincoln Highway, Sept. 2020: Olga Herbert Retires from the Pennsylvania Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor

News about the Lincoln Highway.

From the September 29, 2020 Trib Live "Lincoln Highway museum director retiring after 25-year tenure" by Shirley McMarlin.

Olga Herbert is the executive director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor and has been for the last 25b years.  She will be retiring after October.

She says that it wasn't really an organization when she was hired.

Lincoln Highway was designated as one of Pennsylvania's 12 Heritage Areas from Irwin to York, 200 miles long. Under her guidance projects have included Lincoln Highway  road signs, educational projects and the restoration of the iconic 1927 Coffee Pot in Bedford.

A major accomplishment was the  creation of the Lincoln Highway Experience Museum in Unity, where the organization is headquartered.

--RoadDog

The Drive's A to Z Rock Countdown, Now in the Letter "M": 'Moondance'

Well, it started on Christmas Eve and now here it is New Year's Eve and still going strong on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, the Drive.  Earlier this week I listed some of the letter "G" songs.

They are figuring on playing over 2,000 songs and do some digging for Deep Tracks as well.  Right now, they figure to reach the end at some point next week.

These are songs played most recently:

MONEY TALKS--  AC/DC

MONKEY MAN--  Rolling Stones

MONY MONY--  Billy Idol   (Watch your language now.)

MOONDANCE--  Van Morrison

MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT--  Starbuck

MOONLIGHT MILE--  Rolling Stones

MORE THAN A FEELING--  Boston    (When this song came out, my 7th graders couldn't believe I would predict success for this group.)

MORE THAN I CAN SAY--  Leo Sayer

MOTHER--  John Lennon     (No screaming John.)

MOTHER--  Pink Floyd

MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION--  Paul Simon

MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER--  Rolling Stones

MOVE IT ON OVER--  George Thorogood

MOVE OVER--  Janis Joplin

MOVIN' ON--  Bad Company

MOVING OUT--  Billy Joel

MOVING IN STEREO--  Cars

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  ""Kids Are Different Today, I Hear Every Mother Say."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Mother's Little Helper"

Along 66, November 2020: Atlanta Tourism, Paris Disneyland and That WW II Bomber Landing in Springfield, Illinois

NOVEMBER 24

The city council of Atlanta, Illinois, has voted to create the position of tourism development director with a salary of $20,00.  That is sure a lot of money for a city of just 1,600 people, but they know how important tourist dollars are and they have certainly done a lot with their Route 66 heritage.

Now, if they would just please get rid of the Smiley face on their water tower, life would be good.

NOVEMBER 25

More details are being released about the Cars Route 66 Road Trip section at the Disneyland, Paris site.  

Looks neat, but I seriously doubt that I will ever visit it.  I'm not a fan of those big-wait-in-a-line-forever tourist parks.

NOVEMBER 29

An interesting article has appeared about the landing of a World War II bomber on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois.

A bomber pilot made an emergency landing on Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, in 1942 and then took off from the same road after his plane was repaired.

Now I Done Seen Everything.

Check the Tires and Oil.  Clean the Windshield.  --RoadPlane

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Wilkinsburg's Lincoln Statue-- Part 3

News about the Lincoln Highway.

A new concrete platform for Mr. Lincoln is already in place as a result of a restoration project along Route 30 (U.S. Highway 30).  But Morris said a new dark granite pedestal, which is coming from India, is needed which will add another $15,000 to the project.

Society President  Anne Elise Morris said:  "The old one was not usable.  It didn't pass the  structural engineer's test, and you're certainly not going to have a beautiful new statue and a new viewing area to set it in -- and then have the part that holds them together in poor shape."

President Morris and the others, however, could not have anticipated this new wave of statue destruction that hit this year with the "woke" community.  She said:  "I believe that most people are not perfect and every decision has a back story to it.  Looking back  150 years ago, although Lincoln was not a perfect man,  he certainly did get the ball rolling  to free  three-and-a-half-million African-American slaves.  And he did what he had to do to save the Union.  If anybody deserved to have a statue honoring them, it's Abraham Lincoln."

Agreed.  --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Working On Wilkinsburg, Pa's Lincoln Statue-- Part 2

News about the Lincoln Highway.

Continued from December 23, 2020.

The statue was placed at that intersection in 1916 because of the completion of the coast-to-coast Lincoln Highway.  Wilkinsburg's Penn  Avenue is a segment of that famed highway.

But, the Lincoln statue's ensuing misadventures are legendary and include the  1981 incident in which an intoxicated couple stole the statue by braking it off at the ankles.  They took it to a Westmoreland farm near Greensburg where, fearful that they might be discovered,  they proceeded to bury the statue in a shallow grave before turning themselves in to authorities.

Old Abe was returned to his spot in 1984, but his weakened ankles couldn't withstand a 1992 wind storm that knocked him off his pedestal once again.  Though he was repaired and rededicated in 2001, it became obvious after the 2018 car incident that a whole new structure was needed.

Artists from around the world contacted the  Wilkinsburg Historical Society to express interest in creating a new statue, but a Pittsburgh area artist was chosen for the job.  His identity is being kept secret until closer to the dedication.

--RoadLincoln

The Drive's A to Z Rock Count Down-- Part 2: 'Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' '

Kind of fun to try to guess the name of the songs as they come up (especially when you know what letter it begins with and where they're at with that letter).

GET READY--  Rare Earth

GETTING BETTER--  Beatles

GETTING IN TIME--  Who

GIVE ME ALL YOUR LOVIN'--  ZZ Top

GIVE ME BACK MY BULLETS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

GIMME GIMME GOOD LOVIN'--  Crazy Elephant

GIMME GIMME SOME LOVIN'--  Spencer Davis Group

GIMME SHELTER--  Rolling Stones

GIMME THREE STEPS--  Lynyrd Skynyrd

GIRL CAN'T HELP IT--  Journey

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS--  Motley Crue

GIRL'S GOT RHYTHM--  AC/DC

GIVE A LITTLE BIT--  Supertramp

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Was Cutting the Rug Down At A Place Called The Jug."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Gimme Three Steps"

The Drive's A to Z Rock Count Down, Now In the Letter 'G'-- Part 1: 'Gallows Pole'

We are in Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM's annual year-end countdown of Classic Rock songs from the letter "A" to the letter "Z." They started on Christmas Eve and will be going until sometime in the new year.  At least 2,000 songs.

They start playing them at 6 am and play to midnight before starting the next day.  That way you can hear them all if you can get by with six hours sleep.

By the way, it streams.

Right now they are in the letter "G."

Here are the songs they have played since I started listening to them this morning:

GALLOWS POLE--  Led Zeppelin

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Alan Parsons Project

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY--  Joe South

GAMES WITHOUT FRONTIERS--  Peter Gabriel

GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

GATOR COUNTRY--   Molly Hatchett

GEORGIE PORCHIE--  Toto

GET A LEG UP--  John Mellancamp

GET BACK--  Beatles

GET CLOSER--  Seals & Crofts

GET OFF MY CLOUD--  Rolling Stones

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "To Reminisce With My Old Friends, A Chance to Share Old Memories."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Garden Party"

Along 66, November 2020: Gillespie Coal Museum and Lowell Davis' Red Oak II

NOVEMBER 21

Gillespie, Illinois, receives a state grant to improve its Illinois Coal Museum.  They will receive $33,800.  One of 43 sites receiving a total of $22.3 million in grants.

It is located at 121 S. Macoupin Street (Route 66).

When people think of coal, they rarely think of Illinois, which is too bad.  That was a big state industry and this museum helps bring this to public attention.

NOVEMBER 24

Lowell Davis' widow pledges to preserve his portion of Red Oak II.  He died earlier in November.  He was the sole owner of the property until 2007 and then Larry Frickenschmidt and his wife began purchasing parts of Red Oak II.

Here's hoping that the place will go on.  Just one more interesting thing to see on 66.

--RoadDog

Little Steven's Underground Christmas: 'Santa Do the Mambo'

Since this be the day, here is a humble offering from Little Steven's Underground Garage's Christmas A-Go-Go to get you in the mood.  There are probably some on this list that maybe you haven't heard before.

JINGLE BELLS--  Electric Prunes

I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS--  Ronettes

BEATLES MERRY CHRISTMAS

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER--  Tiny Tim

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY--  Slade

MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY--  Dion

FATHER CHRISTMAS--  Cocktail Slippers

SANTA CLAUS IS SURFING TO TOWNN--  Soupy Sales

HEY, SANTA CLAUS--  Chesterfield Kings

I WISH IT COULD BE CHRSITMAS EVERYDAY--  Roy Woods

BEATLES CHRISTMAS--

SANTA DO THE MAMBO--  John Greer

I'LL BE YOUR SANTA--  Rufus Thomas

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY--  Joan Jett

IF IT DOESN'T SNOW ON CHRISTMAS--  Joe Pesci

Christmas Music Like You Never Heard It Before.  Go to his site to get a long list and chance to hear these songs.  And, don't forget to look down the pictures to the right of this to see the world's largest Leg Lamp in Oklahoma.  Hey, it's that time of the year, you know.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "How's Fatso Going To Use That Sleigh?"  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"If It Doesn't Snow on Christmas"

Lincoln Highway, Aug. 2020: Working On Wilkinsburg Pa's Lincoln Statue-- Part 1

News from the Lincoln Highway.

From the August 18, 2020, TribLive "Plan to replace Abraham Lincoln statue in Wilkinsburg moving along" by Paul Guggenheimer.

Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

They are hoping to have the statue back on its perch in time for the anniversary of his birthday next year (Feb. 12 in case you're wondering).  For the past eighteen months, a group of Wilkinsburg residents have been working to raise $70,000 for a new life-size statue of our 16th president.

The statue stood (at one time)  at the intersection of Penn Avenue  and Ardmore Boulevard for decades.  A GoFundMe page was created in April 2019 and an anonymous donor has offered to match donations on it.

The statue currently is in a foundry ready to be sculpted.  A clay model exists and is described as stunning.

It will replace the old statue that stood there for so long, but was the victim of many mishaps, the latest in April 2018 when a car lost control and  plowed through part of the fencing around it.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Joliet's Chicago Street Reopens and Oklahoma's New 66 Signage

NOVEMBER 19

Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street (on the city's original Route 66 alignment).  I am not sure why exactly it was closed, but it goes by the Rialto Square Theatre.

NOVEMBER 20

Oklahoma is getting new historic Route 66 signage.  Actually, it won't appear to be too different from what they already have.  Even better, though, they will be significantly adding to the numbers of signs.

To me driving Route 66 with the aide of these signs makes it a much more enjoyable thing.  Nothing worse getting to a spot where two roads diverge and you're not sure which one to take (like the poem said).

When we drove 66 end-to-end back in 2006 when we retired, we found that Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma had by far the best directional signage.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Paul Was Here (in 2008)

NOVEMBER 11

The Illinois Scenic Byway unveils its revamped website, mobile app and membership program.

NOVEMBER 17

New sign marks Paul McCartney's brief stop on Route 66 in Oklahoma on August 5, 2008.  That year, Paul and his future wife Nancy Shevell drove Route 66 in a 1989 Bronco.  This was on his 66th birthday, so Paul did 66 when he was 66.  We happened to be on Route 66 a short time after that and there was a lot of talk about and sightings that people were talking about.  

One place they stayed at was the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in OKC.

This gave us then idea to do this when we turned 66 and we did.

And, George Washington Did Not Sleep Here.  --RoadDidn't

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: The Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 3: She Just Wanted to Remember

Although the terms "motel" and "motor court" are used interchangeably, the former was coined in 1926 (a combination of "motor" and "hotel") and is generally used to describe a single building of connected rooms whose doors face a common parking lot.

There are cost advantages to connecting the rooms; plumbing is more accessible, utilities are more efficient, and there are fewer outside walls to be maintained.  Also, you can get more rooms to the land.

But, people also discovered new technologies by staying at a motor court.

A lot of people experienced their "firsts" at the motor courts.  Firsts like linoleum flooring, wall-to-wall carpeting, box spring mattresses, electricity, plumbing and  central heat.  Even radio.

Owner Bob Altizer says that several times a week, people pull in and ask for a tour, which they are happy to give.  One time, a woman in her 90s and driving a Cadillac stopped by and asked to see Cabin #6.  She had stayed there on her honeymoon  right before her husband left to fight in World War II.

Bob said, "She just wanted to remember."

--RoadCourt

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: Pennsylvania's Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 2: Heyday of Motor Courts

But in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions, businesses that once seemed quaint and outdated like drive-in theaters, carside  food service and motor courts, now may be in the position for a comeback.  And, that also applies to the old motels with outside room entry instead of  down a hall.

The article writer checked into the Lincoln Motor Court in late June of this year and was greeted by Bob Altizer behind a pandemic partition who slid the old fashioned metal key with plastic piece worn from years of use and with the words "Drop in any mailbox.  We guarantee  postage" stamp on it.

The Lincoln Motor Court was built in the 1940s which Bob calls the "Heyday of Motor Courts."  It was by no means the first motor court in the country, but might end up being the last at this rate.

In the early 1900s, as automobile travel became increasingly  affordable and popular, roads improved, people drove further, and the need for overnight lodging increased.  Farmers turned portions of their fields into campgrounds and some even built small rustic cabins -- sometimes called tourist homes -- to house travelers.

--RoadDog

Along the Lincoln Highway, July 2020: Pennsylvania's Lincoln Motor Court-- Part 1: One of the Last

From the July 24, 2020, Roadtrippers Magazine "The last surviving motor court on the Lincoln Highway is still  welcoming overnight guests" by Alexandra Charitan.

In the early 1980s, Debbie and Bob Altzier bought this motel without knowing anything about the hospitality industry.  You might say they learned the biz the hard way.  Up front and personal.

What they bought back then was a 12-small unit, free-standing motel in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  When they bought it, there were  still at least a dozen motor courts operating in the  area.  Today, the Lincoln Motor Court is the last one.

It's a trip back in time.

USA Today recently had a 10 best Roadside Motels contest and the Lincoln Motor Court ended up #2.  Congratulations.  I've written about it and you can check it out by clicking on the Lincoln Motor Court Motel label below.

--RoadCourt

Along 66, November 2020: Red Cedar Inn's Neon Sign and Death of Barb Adkins

NOVEMBER 9

Restoration has been completed on the Red Cedar Inn's neon sign near Pacific, Missouri.  This is a project to the Route 66 Association of Missouri.

They had a ceremonial relighting on November 8.

The restaurant opened in 1932 in that neat rustic log cabin building and closed abruptly.  We had planned on eating there, but drove past it in 2002 and 2003.  By the time we got around to it, they were closed.

The city of Pacific is going to reopen it as a visitors center.  Looking forward to visiting the place.

NOVEMBER 11

Barb Adkins, manager of the Route 66 Cruising With Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington, Illinois, died at age 66.  She had previously worked many years for the city.

Sorry to hear that.  But we are so happy Bloomington-Normal has FINALLY become aware of their Route 66 heritage and she was a large part of that awakening.

Better Late Than Never.  --RoadDog

Along the Lincoln Highway, April 2020: Rochelle's Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival Canceled Because of You-Know-What and a Pot Palace in DeKalb

APRIL 28

The 2020 festival in Rochelle, Illinois, was canceled.  Safety, as you know.  This would have been the 23rd festival and is the first time in its history that it has been canceled.

But, dates have been set for 2021:  August 20, 21 and 22.  Always sad that these dates always conflict with nearby DeKalb's Corn Fest.

We've been to it several times.  Lots of fun and entertainment.

See Ya Next Year.

******************************

And, in unrelated Lincoln Highway News, in nearby DeKalb, Illinois, home of Northern Illinois University.

DeKalb has approved a second  pot shop, though it will be awhile before you can buy product.  It will be at the Junction  Shopping Center at 818 W. Lincoln Highway.   Hmmmn.  A pot shop at a college.  Now, who'd have figured.

Of course when we went there, we always had the rumors of marijuana growing wild along railroad tracks.  In the last several years, thanks to my World War II blog, I have found that there was some truth to those rumors. There was a thriving hemp industry in DeKalb County during the war.

--Old RoadHead

Crestline, Ohio

From the Historic Byway: The Ohio Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor:  "Crestline"

In the last post, I wrote about a presentation that was supposed to take place about Crestline's role in the Lincoln Highway earlier this year.

Crestline is located east of  Bucyrus and has a population of around 5,000.  The Lincoln Highway originally went through the town of Galion, to the south of Crestline, but as I found out in the last post, Crestline decided they wanted the highway more and did what they had to do to get it.

Crestline has been on the LH since 1921.

Crestline came into being as a major railroad center in 1851, as the crossroad of the nation's four biggest railroads.  However, things went south by the 1970s with the decline of the railroads, as did the city somewhat.

THINGS TO SEE:

**  Crestline Shunk Museum

**  Two Lincoln Highway brick pillars.  One honoring Bement and the other McMahon.

**  Holcker Hardware in business since the late 1800s.

**  Hunger Paynes Restaurant and Just Jokin' Bar and Grill**  Ice cream and sandwich stands open during the summer.

--RoadShunk

Along the Lincoln Highway, March 2020: Crestline, Ohio, Wants On Lincoln Highway

MARCH 12, 2020

From the Crestline Source "A centennial celebration of Lincoln Highway program set for March 26."

Wonder if they had it?  Kind of doubt it with the you-know-what.

The first of a quarterly Living History series will be presented at the Crestline, Ohio,  Historical Society and Museum on March 26 at 7 pm.

The inaugural program is titles "The Lincoln Highway: A Centennial Celebration of Crestline's Stretch of Main Street America" will be presented by Bill Fisher.

After missing out on the Lincoln Highway's first route through Crawford County, Crestline rolled out the welcome mat in 1920.  Come and learn how Crestline  adapted to the coast-to-coast excitement and travelers.

The Crestline Historical Society and Museum is located  at 400 Scott Street, Crestline.  This is a free event and refreshments will be provided.

*************************

I don't know about you, but I sure miss my history meetings.

--RoadDog

Along 66, November 2020: Cleanup Work at the Shamrock Court in Sullivan

NOVEMBER 9  

Volunteer crew does repairs, cleaning on Shamrock Court in Sullivan, Missouri.  The Route 66 Association of Missouri spent a weekend working at the long-closed old motel on the west end of Sullivan.  Most of the work was done on the subflooring in the old office.

The motel is made of that wonderful giraffe stone so identified with the Ozarks and was owned by the Weiland family for over 60 years., since 1953.  They bought it from Freeman Dodds.  It was built in 1948 and consists of ten units.

If you want to buy a real piece of Route 66 Americana, the asking price is $125,000.

Buy It.  --RoadSham

Along 66, November 2020: Death of Lowell Davis

NOVEMBER 2

Lowell Davis, creator of Red Oak II and many folk art masterpieces has died at age 83.

He is known as "The Norman Rockwell of Rural Arts."

I was only familiar with his Red Oak II where he recreated his childhood town outside of Carthage, Missouri and his wonderful and intricate large metal sculptures scattered around Carthage.  But, I see he also did paintings and small figurines.

Liz and I were lucky enough to meet him (and his ever-present pipe) at the Boots Court motel back in 2017 when we did our "Route 66 Cruise When We're 66" tour.  We were staying at the Boots and Lowell and crew were putting the finishing touches and his latest creation "Welcome to Carthage" right next to the Boots.  This is the one which has a real automobile with cop hiding behind the sign.

We had a nice talk with him sitting out on those famous metal chairs in front of the Boots.  And, as we were told, he kept that pipe either in his mouth or nearby.  Anyone coming up for a photo and he would quickly grab it and insert in his mouth.

He will be missed.  He was one of those characters who make Route 66 so much fun.

--RoadDog

That Last Post Was #6,000

I just happened to notice that the last post I made was the 6,000th one on this blog.  This was my very first blog and started it on April 25, 2007.

I was coming back from visiting my mom in North Carolina and was spending the night with my nephew and his wife, Andy and Andrea, in White House, Tennessee.  She is quite tech savvy and I had been thinking seriously about getting into the blog thing I kept hearing so much about.

She showed my how and that is when the blog started.  I wrote about being on Route 66 on my way down to North Carolina in the towns of Odell and Dwight. Illinois.  This first blog was and still is mostly about old roads and kindred stuff most of the time.

However, even with 6000 posts, this is not by biggest blog.  That is my second blog called Down Da Road I Go which has 7191 posts.  This blog started when I got back home in Illinois and couldn't get this blog to come up.  I eventually got this one up and decided to keep the new one and write about anything else I was interested in.

Since then, that blog has spawned six more blogs.  I am interested in way too many things.

I Need to get a Life.  --RoadTooMuch

So, What Do I Do On a Saturday, Non-Cruisin' Day, Here When It's Snowing

Not that we've been doing much cruisin' since March.  The farthest I have been away from the house is about 25 miles.  If I'm going somewhere I want to have all the fun I can have, and you just can't these days.

So what do I do besides these crummy blogs which take up WAY TOO MUCH of my time?

Well, right now, I'm sittin' here a typin' away with my two little fingers and making posts.  And I am listening to both the radio and a radio station on the internet.

This morning, I started with Bill St. James' Time Warp on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM which takes you back to the 60s-80s from 6 to 10 am CST.

Right now, I am listening to WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback from 9 to noon.  Each week they feature the music and events of one year.  Obviously I enjoy it the most when they are in the 60s and 70s.  My era.  This morning they are in 1967, definitely one of my favorite years.  I miss my 1967 Firebird convertible and 1967 Pontiac Tempest.  A great high school year.

They just played the Moody Blues "Knights in White Satin", Peter, Paul & Mary's "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" "Pushing Too Hard" by the Seeds and "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix.

Right now I am multi-listening as I also have WVCO, 94.9 FM, the Surf on as they are having the Beach Music Countdown.  Beach Music is one of my favorite kinds of music.  

All these stations stream.

Love My Music.  --RoadSong

The Story of How the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Began

From the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) site.

Sure missed going to the show this year.  I have been going to the last 8 or 9 Indy 500s with friends and, let me tell you, this is one real fun party.  Good times for all and we sure had them.  We normally go from Thursday and come back on Monday.  Alas, no Indy 500 this year.  Hopefully next year.

I never ever thought I'd be interested in any kind of auto racing, even though I'm originally from North Carolina.  But when my friends said they had an opening for one person to go to Speedway, Indiana (the IMS is actually in Speedway, not Indianapolis) and stay in their RV across from the track, that was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Anyway, the IMS owes its existence partially to one Carl Fisher, who was the man behind the Lincoln Highway, Dixie Highway and Miami Beach.  To say Carl never did anything small is an understatement.

By the way. our seats are called the catwalk, all the way up at the top of the south stands, about where the man's right hand is in the picture.

Maybe Next Year.  --RoadSpeed

Along 66, November 2020: Lou Mitchell's Closes Because of the Virus and New "Cars" Stuff Coming

NOVEMBER 2

Lou Mitchell's in Chicago has closed indefinitely due to that virus thing.  

It has been the starting or ending point of any transcontinental Route 66 trip forever.

The restaurant says it is only their second closure in 98 years.

No more of that good coffee and love the fresh-baked items with their homemade marmalade.

NOVEMBER 5

"Cars: The Series" will be on the Disney + streaming service, apparently for next year.

However, this has not been officially announced by Disney.

When the original movie came out and I heard it was about Route 66, I was excited, but when I learned it was to be animated, I was greatly disappointed.  But, I went to see it anyway and must admit that movie went a long way toward getting me hooked on animated movies.

"Cars"  Me.  --RoadCar

Stealing Stuff from Vehicles in 1920

From the September 9, 2020, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"William Pooler of Carlton was the only person to report to the police station that anything had been stolen yesterday during the celebration.   He left his automobile standing out in front of a house on the corner of Third and Franklin  streets, while he went uptown.  

"When he returned he found that someone had taken his spare tire,  his blanket and several other articles of value.  He immediately notified the police and gave a good description of the property.  The police are on the lookout but it is doubtful if the thieves will be apprehended."

Not sure what the celebration was.  Probably Labor Day.

--RoadIDidn'tTakeIt

Why Remember Pearl Harbor?

From the December 6, 2020,  LimaOhio.com "Jim Krumel:  Remembering a Pearl Harbor survivor" by Jim Krumel.

I wrote about the first part of the column in my Running the Blockade:  Civil War Navy blog.

Every December 7,  I stop writing about all subjects in my eight blogs and concentrate on Pearl Harbor.  I also put up flags.  No one else in our neighborhood puts up flags for this date.  Some of them (they're in their 30s and 40s, might very well not know the significance of this day in U.S. history.

Wayne Rader was at there December 7, 1941, at Schofield Barracks on Oahu, which was also attacked.  For years afterwards, he wouldn't talk about it.

"We can't let people forget... you can't let them forget," he would say, often with tears in his eyes.  America was taught a lesson that day in a sneaky, cruel way.  So many young men and women came into harm's way that day.  One of those who died  was Frederick DeLong of Cridersville.  He was just 29 years old.

The United States had been caught off guard that day.  It was a lesson we were served again on September 11, 2001.

Years from now, today's high school seniors will be telling stories about going to school during the coronavirus.  You won't hear them talking about 9/11 -- they weren't even born then.  And, unless they have had a good history teacher -- or just a history class -- they may not be able to tell you the significance of Pearl Harbor.

We cannot let them forget.  You cannot let them forget.

When I taught school, we had a several day unit on Pearl Harbor (even though I just had U.S. history up to the Civil War).

--Pearl Harbor

A New Danger on the Cement Road in 1920: That Black & White Critter

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago. 

"A number of motorists have been held up while traveling on the cement roads lately, but the new highwayman does not attempt to take valuables from the drivers.

"The offender is a small black creature with a bushy tail and is commonly known as a skunk.  When this animal is in the middle of the cement it has the right of way all to himself and no one cares to pass until the offender has left the road."

Try not to hit the skunk.

They are still a problem.  I'd like to know who keeps hitting them.  As bad as driving down the roadafter a farmer has used manure on their fields.  

Smell That Dairy Air.  --RoadSmell

A Big Mud Puddle in Malta (Illinois) in 1920: Rain, Rain Go Away

From the December 2, 2020, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago.

"But very few automobilers were in Malta yesterday because of the bad condition of the roads and most of the people coming in used  the 'old reliable,' the horse and buggy.  

"In fair weather the roads in this section are in fine shape but with the appearance of rain they take on the aspect of mud puddles."

Another reason those hard surface Lincoln Highway was needed.

--RoadMud

People Speeding On the New Cement Road (Lincoln Highway) in 1920

From the December 2, 2020 MidWeek  (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1920, 100 Years Ago

"Motorists are becoming quite civilized in the way of driving lately and no reports have been received by  by the local police for some time concerning speeders.

"Even on the cement road at night but very few cars pass each other at a greater rate of speed than  15 miles an hour which is a fine thing as this will cut down on the number of accidents by half."

The cement road most likely refers to the stretch of Lincoln Highway between DeKalb and Malta.  Work had just been completed on it earlier in the fall.  So people were speeding even back then.

There was already a one-mile-long seedling mile paved west of Malta which was done in 1914.  Seedling miles were paved every so often along the Lincoln to show people what a joy driving on a hard road would be compared to dirt roads after it rained.

Even with the seedling mile, the rest of that stretch from DeKalb to Malta (and then on to Creston) evidently had not been paved.

--RoadSpeeder

Along 66, November 2020: Where I Get the Info and Lowell Davis & His Red Oaks II

I take these stories from the Route 66 News blog site.  I have my own Route 66 alerts but don't use them because of this site.  However, I don't use every article from it (even though there is at least one every day), I use just the ones of most interest to me and make comments on them.  However, I am usually at least a month behind.

But, if you want to really know what is going on on the Mother Road, check out the site.

NOVEMBER 1

Train planned for Red Oak II complex near Carthage, Missouri.  It will be a rideable train.

Red Oak II is the brainchild of folk artist Lowell Davis, one of those interesting characters you meet along Route 66.  Among other full size items in it are a Phillips 66 station, an old schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, feed store, general store and several houses along with his really interesting art work.

We were fortunate enough to meet him when he was putting up his Welcome to Carthage sign by the Boots Court Motel several years back.  We were staying at the Boots.

So, the Boots and Lowell.  How Much 66 Can You Get?   --RoadDavis

Along 66, October 2020: Build Me a Bronco and the Mayor of Uranus Muffler Guy

OCTOBER 26

A factory that rebuilds vintage Ford Broncos is located in the Route 66 town of Hamel, Illinois.  (Weezy's!!!)  They take vintage 1966-1977 Bronco bodies and essentially rebuild everything from ground up and make it even better than original.  Or, they will just build one for you evidently.

They are called Gateway Broncos.

But, they sure "ain't cheap.  They cost between $150,000 and $300,000!!

They have a FaceBook and internet site.

***********************

OCTOBER 29

A Muffler Man statue is planned for the Uranus, Missouri complex near St. Robert.  It will be made in Louie Keen's image.  he is the self-proclaimed "Mayor of the Uranus Complex."

--RoadDog