Along66 Oct. 2021: Ed Debevic's in Chicago and the Old State Capitol in Springfield

OCTOBER 11

Ed Debevic's Diner reopens at a new location in Chicago.  In the past, the place was famous for its 50s decor and surly waitstaff.  It has reopened in the Streeterville area after the previous one in River North was closed and demolished six years ago.

The old one wasn't on Route 66, but it was such a unique experience that many 66ers went there.

The original was opened in 1984 at 640 Wells Street.  The new one is at 159 E. Ohio.

We went there on several occasions and once with my nephew who had no idea about the waitstaff.  When she plopped down next to him and started yelling at him to make up his mind about the order, he just about crawled out of the booth.  I, of course, enjoyed this immensely.

OCTOBER 13

The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, has reopened for tours.   

Abraham Lincoln served in the legislature there and gave his famed "House Divided" speech there.

--RoadDog

Route 66 Wins 2021 Illinois High School Football Showdown

The Championship games were played this past Friday and Saturday.

Out of 256 teams to start the playoffs, only 8 remain.

Route 66 wins by a 2-1 score.

Wilmington in 2A won their championships game vs. Nashville.

Joliet Catholic Academy won 4A over fellow Route 66 team Sacred Heart-Griffin of Springfield.

Since Joliet is also in the Lincoln Highway, Joliet Catholic also put a win in Lincoln Highway's corner.

Congratulations to Route 66.  --RoadDog

More IHSA Championship Action Going On Today

Today will pit the two teams from the Top 4 classes in the state of Illinois.

 All games will be played in DeKalb at Huskie Stadium, Northern Illinois University.

5A

Fenwick (11-2 vs. Kankakee  (13-0)

6A

East St. Louis  (11-2) vs. Cary-Grove  (13-0)

7A

Wheaton North (12-1)  vs. St. Rita (Chicago)  (11-2)

8A

Lockport  (12-1)  vs. Maine South  (Park Ridge)  (12-1)

There was some good action yesterday for the Class 1A to Class 4A.

--RoadDig

Hey, Route 66ers!! Five of the Sixteen Remaining Teams in the Illinois State High School Football Playoffs are on the Mother Road

Five out of sixteen teams, not too bad at all.

Playing today. we have Wilmington, the Home of the Gemini Giant playing for the Class 2A Championship at 1 pm.

Then, we have two teams on 66 playing for the Class 4A Championship, Joliet Catholic in Joliet, home of the Rialto Square Theatre and Springfield's Sacred Heart-Griffin.  Of course, Springfield is the home of Cozy Dog.

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Tomorrow at 1 pm, we have East St. Louis and the nearby Cahokia Mounds.  They are Class 6A.

Then at 4, we have Chicago's St. Rita playing for Class 7A's Championship.  Home of famed  Lou Mitchell's.

When I have my Route 66 vs. Lincoln Highway, I do not include Chicago teams.

--RoadDog

Illinois State High School Football Championships Have Begun Today

A month ago, 256 of the high school football teams with the best records for the 2021 season began play.  Today, just sixteen remain and by pairs they are playing for the championship in eight classes.

Going from Class 8A which are the schools with the highest number of students and going to Class 1A with the least.

The championship games are all being played at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, home of the Northern Illinois Huskies.  

Classes 1A to 4A are playing today, starting at 10 am and roughly every three hours after that.  Classes 5Ato 8A play tomorrow.

CLASS 1A      

Lena-Winslow (11-2) vs. Carrollton  (12-0)  Game start 10 am

CLASS 2A

Wilmington (13-0)  vs. Nashville  (12-1)    Game start 1 pm

CLASS 3A

Byron  (13-0)  vs  Tolono Unity  (13-0)   Game start 4 pm

CLASS 4A

Joliet Catholic Academy  (13-0)  vs.  Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield)  (13-1)   Game start 7 pm

I'll Be Watching.  --RoadFootBall

Along66, Oct. 2021: New Version '(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66' on Asleep at the Wheel's New Album Celebrating Their 50th Year

OCTOBER 9

Asleep at the Wheel releases a new version of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" on their 50th anniversary album.  The album is called "Half of a Hundred Years" and is in honor of their 50th anniversary as a band, with Ray Benson the only mainstay over all those years.  

Road cruising music doesn't get any better than Asleep at the Wheel.  Like they say, "Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep at the Wheel."

And, of particular interest to 66ers, they have a new cut of the classic "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" with Ray performing with early Wheel members Leroy Preston and Johnny Nicholas.

Asleep at the Wheel has now been playing longer than the Western Swing innovator who inspired them and that would be Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.  Wills died in 1973 after performing for 44 years.

I am a huge Wheel fan and must have close to 15 of their CDs.  Of all the many, many versions of "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66," theirs is my favorite.

Wheelin' and Lovin' It.  --RoadDog

Going Into IHSA Championship Weekend, Route 66 Has Commanding Lead Over the Lincoln Highway

The semifinal winners in all Illinois High School Association football teams will be playing each other in DeKalb, Illinois, at the NIU Huskies Stadium this Friday (Classes 1A to 4A) and Saturday (Class 5A to 8A).

Route 66 has a commanding 4-1 lead over Lincoln Highway.  And, actually the Lincoln Highway can only tie Route 66 at best because their only remaining team is Joliet Catholic, which is also on Route 66.

The four remaining Route 66 teams and their class:

6A

East St. Louis

4A

Joliet Catholic

Sacred Hear-Griffin (Springfield)

This means Route 66 is guaranteed a win at 4A since the two semi finalists are both on the road.

2A

Wilmington

Good Luck Teams!!  Don't Freeze. Though.  --RoadDog

Northwest Highway (US-14) Wins the 2021 Rand Road-Northwest Highway Challenge

This past weekend, the last remaining high school football team on Rand Road (US-12) lost.  Richmond-Burton (where students in our subdivision go to school) lost to perennial powerhouse Joliet Catholic.

That means that US-14 won by 2-0.  Overall wins for the two roads since 2013 when I started the Showdown for them:

US-12  2 wins

US-14   5 wins

There was also one tie.  There were no playoffs in 2020 for some reason.

They have two teams remaining who will play in the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) state championship games this coming Saturday in DeKalb at Northern Illinois University's Huskie Stadium.

8A

Maine South (Park Ridge)

6A

Cary Grove

Good Luck to Those Two Teams!!  Keep the Titles in Our Area, Northwest Chicagoland.   --RoadDog

Along66, Oct. 2021: Restoration of a Cottage-Style Phillips 66 Station in Chandler, Ok.

OCTOBER 8

New owners get busy restoring landmark Phillips 66 cottage-style station in Chandler, Oklahoma.

The new owners are Shane and Sara Massie.  The Westfall Station at 707 Manvel Avenue (Route 66) has a neat, multi-colored roof.  The owners also have an AirBnB site adjacent to the station.

It was Phillips Filling Station No. 1423 and was built in 1930 as a brick-cottage-style design station.

In 2011, Bill Fernau bought it and spent years restoring it.  

I don't remember seeing it, but I rarely miss a cottage-style station.

--RoadDog

Along66, Oct. 2021: Gillioz Theatre in Springfield (Mo) Celebrates it 95th Year

These Along66 posts are taken from the Route 66 News site which has many more posts.  I just take the ones of most interest to me.  So for more information on each of my posts, and daily updates on out Mother Road, go to Route 66 News Blog.

OCTOBER 4

Gillioz Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, marks its 95th year.

It was built by M.E. Gillioz for $300,000 and opened on October 11, 1926, with the film "Take It From Me"  (It was a silent film.) 

This was just about a month before the U.S. government officially certified Route 66.

It closed in 1979 and was listed on the NRHP in 1989 and reopened in 2006 after a multimillion-dollar renovation.  It was bought by Robert Low, owner of Prime Inc. trucking company in 2013.

I'm Sure Springfield Is So Happy They Kept This Magnificent Structure.  --RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Work on the Blue Whale

SEPTEMBER 27

The Blue Whale (one of our favorite Rt. 66 places) of Catoosa, Oklahoma, undergoing a weeklong effort of repairs and cleaning.

This is being done by the city and the famed whale will not be accessible to visitors during this time.

The City of Catoosa purchased the site and its 23 1/2 acres from the Davis family who were the long-time owners, for $1.5 million.

Hugh Davis made the famed whale out of concrete and shaped  rebar about 1970 as an anniversary gift to his wife.  It has a spring-fed pond.  After it was closed in 1988, it fell into disrepair until being restored in the early 2000s.  

Hugh Davis' son, Blaine, was caretaker of the property for many years.

We were able to meet him at the site once and had an interesting talk.

So glad the city realized what an important site they had and purchased it to guarantee its preservation.

--RoadDog

2021 Rand Road (US-12)- Northwest Highway (US-14) Showdown Going Into the Semifinals This Weekend

Northwest Highway (US-14) has a 2-1 advantage over Rand Road (US-12).

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NORTHWEST HIGHWAY (US-14)

Teams losing in the quarterfinals last weekend:  Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge

Teams remaining:

8A

Maine South (Park Ridge)

6A

Cary Grove

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RAND ROAD (US-12)

The only remaining team these last two weeks is 4A  Richmond-Burton

--RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: About the Route 66 Neon Wall at Uranus

SEPTEMBER 26

Uranus, Missouri lights up with a new, Route 66-themed neon wall..

It features a rocket ship, Cadillac Ranch, Blue Swallow Motel, Roy's of Amboy, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and a Route 66 Shield.

Uranus is sure putting its Route 66 foot forward.

Such an interesting place really close to my favorite stretch of 66 through the old Hooker Gap.

And, of course, in my book, you can never have too much neon.

--RoadDog

Route 66 Has a 3-1 Showdown Edge on Lincoln Highway After 3 Rounds

Going into last weekend (Nov. 12-13) Route 66 had a 4-2 lead over the Lincoln Highway.

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

ROUTE 66

Last weekend, Williamsville lost.

Winners still in the playoffs:

4A

Joliet Catholic

Sacred Heart-Griffin

2A

Wilmington

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

LINCOLN HIGHWAY

Last weekend, Lincoln Way East lost.

The only remaining Lincoln Highway team is now Joliet Catholic.  

Since Joliet Catholic is also on Route 66, the best Lincoln Highway can hope for is a tie if Joliet Catholic is the last team from both roads in play.

--RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Missouri Hick's BBQ and Bloomington's New Railroad Diner

SEPTEMER 20

The owner of the Missouri Hick Bar-B-Que in Cuba, Missouri, died of COVID-19 complications.

Dennis Meiser.  He opened the place in 2002.  

We have eaten there several times and that is some real good BBQ.  Hope it continues.

SEPTEMBER 23

Century-old railcar will be converted into a diner in Bloomington, Illinois.

It is 110-years old and is being moved there after sitting for the last thirty years at the former railroad depot at Harristown, Illinois, west of Decatur.

It had to be cut in half in order to be moved by truck.

So glad that Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, has finally figured out that stuff like this and pushing Route 66 draws tourists and tourist money.

Way to Go Folks.  --RoadDog

2021 Rand Road (US-12) vs. Northwest Highway IHSA Football Showdown

Going into the third round of the competition, things don't look good for US-12.

Those teams were already down 5-3 at the end of the first round, but right now they are down 4-1.

US-12  RAND ROAD

Palatine and Wauconda lost in Round two.

The only remaining team is Class 4A's Richmond-Burton.

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US-14  NORTHWEST HIGHWAY

Palatine lost (US-12 and US-14 both go through Palatine.

Remaining teams:

Class 8A  

Maine South

Class 6A

Cary Grove

Crystal Lake Central

Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge

It could all e over in this competition by tomorrow.

--RoadDog

In Honored Remembrance on This Veterans Day, McHenry Remembers Her Vietnam Fallen

From the McHenry (Illinois) VFW.

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

Dedicated Veterans Day, November 11, 2014

Veterans Park, McHenry, Illinois

In Honored Remembrance

Cpl. John E. Granath, Jr., US Army

Cpl. Glen P. Davis, US Marines, 2nd Tour

Cpl. Carter  J. Freund, US Army

Pfc. James W. Ambrose III, US Army

These four men from McHenry were killed in Vietnam.

Because It's Their Day, A Salute to Our Veterans

I regard this as being an every day thing, but today, especially is a day to say thanks.  This country would not be what it is today without them.  Many have died while serving.

I will be having veterans stories in seven of my blogs.

Bob Stroud on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, will be doing his Ten at Ten show at 10 am CST on the "Red, White & Blue," ten songs with those words in them.  It will repeat at 10 pm.  It streams.

So, Thank You Veterans.  

2021 Lincoln Highway-Route 66 Showdown Standings After Second Week

Last week Route 66 led 9-8.  This week the Route 66 lead is 5-2.  It was a real bad week for Lincoln Highway last week.

Route 66 teams losing last weekend:  Plainfield North, Normal Community, Springfield and Carlinville.

Lincoln Highway teams losing:  Plainfield North, Batavia, Geneva, Rochelle, Aurora Marmion Academy and Sterling Newman Catholic.

Remaining teams:

ROUTE 66

6A:  East St. Louis

4A:  Joliet Catholic, Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield)

3A:  Williamsville

2A:  Wilmington

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LINCOLN HIGHWAY

8A:  Lincoln Way East

4A:  Joliet Catholic

Doesn't look good for Lincoln Highway, especially since Joliet Catholic is in both Route 66 and Lincoln Highway.

--RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Big Eatin' at the Big Texan

SEPTEMBER 16

Big Eatin' at the Big Texan in Amarillo, Texas.  This venerable place recently marked its 10,000th 72-ounce Steak Challenge.

The steak dinner was eaten on September 1st by John Lamons.  He finished it with just seconds to spare before the 60 minute limit expired.

This meal comes with the 72-ounce steak, salad, roll, shrimp cocktail & baked potato.  If you do not succeed, it will cost you $72.  Ouch!!

This challenge started in November 1960.

He was not the record-holder however.  It is held by 128-pound Molly Schuyler who ate a meal in twenty minutes.   NO, WAIT!!!!!!!  She ate THREE MEALS in twenty minutes.

She CONSUMED/Inhaled her first meal in 4 minutes and 18 seconds, also a record.

She is a competitive eater.

This is on You Tube.  Not for the faint of heart.  

Just Keep Your Hands and feet Away from  Her Mouth and You'll Be Okay.  --RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: A Shell Station in Bloomington and a Charcoal Oven in OKC

SEPTEMBER 13

Quinn's Shell Station in Bloomington, Illinois, will likely be torn down soon.

It is a member of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame, but has been closed for eight years.

It was a full service station and operated by Elmo Quinn, whose father and uncle opened it in 1941 on Main Street (Route 66).

Quinn retired eight years ago and closed the station after having its gas tanks removed.  Elmo is now 81 years old.

Of course, Bloomington and Normal, Illinois, have both recently become aware of how much good their Route 66 heritage can be for them, so maybe something will happen.

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SEPTEMBER 14

The owner of the Charcoal Oven in Oklahoma City has donated its neon sign to the Billboard Museum.

The restaurant has been closed for five years and the sign had already been taken down    They also donated a neon entrance sign and a menu board.

They cooked their last burger on September 11, 2016.  It opened in 1958 and the sign went up in 1960.

The Billboard Museum, however,  still doesn't have a location.  But, as I say, you can never have enough museums or neon signs.

Hanging On to Those Old Neon Signs.  --RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: U-Drop Inn's Restaurant and a 9/11 Garden in Winslow

SEPTEMBER 9

U-Drop Inn's restaurant officially reopens for the first time in decades.   First time in 25 years.  It was built in 1936 and has that striking architecture.  Maybe we'll stop in for a bite next time through.

I went to their Facebook page and boy, those pies, ice cream concoctions and chicken 'n dumplings.  A definite stop.

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SEPTEMBER 11

There is a 9/11 Garden in Winslow, Arizona, has a beam from the fallen Twin Towers.

That is a definite direct piece of history.

--RoadDog

Along66, Sept. 2021: Lowell Davis Tribute Set for Red Oak II in Carthage

SEPTEMBER 7

A tribute to be held at Red Oak II on Saturday, September 11.  More details will emerge.

It is to pay tribute to the recently deceased folk artist Lowell Davis.  Red Oak II is located near Carthage, Missouri and is his tribute to his youth and a place for his art.  This will also be a tribute to the victims of 9?11.

Lowell Davis died November 7, 2021.  This did not happen them because of the pandemic.

We count ourselves lucky to have had a chance to meet and talk with him back when he put up the Welcome to Carthage sign by the Boots Court where we were staying at the time.  What an experience.

He is one of those reasons why Route 66 is such a great road.

Pipe, anyone?

Talk About Being in the Right Place at the Right Time!   --RoadDog

US-14 (Northwest Highway) - US-12 (Rand Road) 2021 IHSA Football Showdown After First Round

After last weekend's first round of games, US-14 leads 5-3over US-12.

US-14 teams losing last week:  Barrington, Hersey, and Crystal Lake South.

US-14 (NORTHWEST HIGHWAY) teams remaining:

8A

Palatine

Maine South

6A

Cary Grove

Crystal Lake Central

Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge

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

US-12 teams losing last week:  Lake Zurich and Hersey

US-12 (RAND ROAD) teams remaining:

8A

Palatine

6A

Wauconda

4A

Richmond-Burton

Go teams!  --RoadFan

2021 IHSA Lincoln Highway-Route 66 Showdown: The Remaining Lincoln Highway Teams

At the start of the competition last week, Lincoln Highway had a 15-14 edge over Route 66.  This week Route 66 has a 9-8 edge over Lincoln Highway.

These Lincoln Highway teams lost last week:  Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Lincoln Way West, Sterling, Kaneland, Dixon and Aurora Christian.

These teams remain:

8A

Plainfield North

Lincoln Way East

7A

Batavia

Geneva

5A

Rochelle

Aurora Marmion Academy

4A

Joliet Catholic

2A

Sterling Newman Catholic

--RoadDog

IHSA First Round Standings Lincoln Highway-Route 66 Showdown

Going into the first round last weekend, there were 14 Route 66 teams and 15 Lincoln Highway teams.

As of today, there are 9 remaining Route 66 teams and 8 Lincoln Highway teams remaining.

ROUTE 66 TEAMS

Last weekend, Edwardsville, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Chatham-Greenwood, Normal Community West. lost.

These teams remain

8A

Plainfield North

7A

Normal Community

6A

Springfield

East St. Louis

4A

Joliet Catholic

Sacred Heart-Griffin

3A

Williamsville

Carlinville

2A

Wilmington

--RoadDog

Along66, September 2021: Work To be Done at the Shamrock Court in Sullivan

SEPTEMBER 6 

A Roof rehab Event planned for Shamrock Court in Sullivan, Missouri planned for September 9.

Rich Dinkel, "Roamin' Rich" and president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri has received a $30,000 cost/share grant from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program tp stabilize the building's subfloors, dormers, roof, gutters, HVAC system and the electric and plumbing systems.

The old motel with its distinctive giraffe stone exterior dates back to the 1940s and was previously owned by the Weiland family for nearly 70 years.

In the late 1970s it was converted into efficiency apartments with living quarters for long-time owners John and Rose Weiland until they died.

(However, this was postponed because a plan of action for the grant was not in place.)

--RoadDog

The Return of the Rand Road (US-12) vs. Northwest Highway (US-14) IHSA Fooball Showdown

I also have in the past, until last year of course, pitted these two local roads against each other as well as Route 66 and the Lincoln Highway.

The winner is the last road with a team still in the playoffs.

Here are the NORTHWEST HIGHWAY (US-14) TEAMS:

8A

Barrington  (5-4)

Palatine  (6-3)

Maine South (Park Ridge)   (8-1)

7A

Hersey  (Arlington Heights)  7-2

6A

Cary Grove  (9-0)

Crystal Lake Central  (6-3)

Prairie Ridge   (Crystal Lake)   (7-2)

Crystal Lake South   (5-4)

Here are the RAND ROAD (US-12) teams:

8A

Palatine  (6-3)

7A

Lake Zurich  (5-4)

Hersey  (7-2)

6A

Wauconda  (9-0)

4A

 Richmond  (9-0)

May the Best Road Win.

--RoadDog

Here It Is; The Route 66/Lincoln Highway 2021 High School Football Showdown Lincoln Highway Teams

Fifteen high schools along the Lincoln Highway are playing in the IHSA football playoffs.  Route 66 has14 teams.

The top two schools remaining in each of the eight classes will play each other at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois, at the end of this month.  (This is the home of Northern Illinois University.)

8A

Plainfield North (7-2)

Lincoln Way East  (7-2)

7A

Batavia  (9-0)

Plainfield Central  (8-1)

Plainfield East  (5-4)

Geneva   (5-4)

Lincoln Way West  (5-4)

5A

Sterling  (7-2)

Rochelle   (7-2)

Kaneland   (5-4)

Aurora Marmion Academy  (6-3)

4A

Joliet Catholic   (9-0)

Dixon  (6-3)

2A

Sterling Newman Catholic  (6-3)

1A

Aurora Christian   (6-3)

The winner between these two roads is the one with the most or last teams playing.

--RoadDog

Here It Is, The 2021 Lincoln Highway/Route 66 High School Football Showdown

These are the high schools representing Route 66 with theu Class and regular season record.

8A

Edwardsville   (5-4)

Plainfield North  (7-2)

7A

Plainfield Central  (8-1)

Plainfield East  (5-4)

Normal Community  (9-0)

6A

Springfield  (6-3)

East St, Louis (7-2)

Chatham Glenwood   (6-3)

Normal Community West  (6-3)

4A

Joliet Catholic  (9-0)

Sacred Heart-Griffin (Springfield)   (8-1)

3A

Williamsville  (8-1)

Carlinville   (7-2)

2A

Wilmington  (9-0)

Next, the Lincoln Highway high schools.

--RoadDog

It's Back Again, the Route 66/Lincoln Highway Illinois State High School Playoffs

 Last year, we didn't have it because  of you-know-what.  But I have been running this every years since 2012.  And, since we have the IHSA football playoffs again this year. we're back as they say!!

Right now, the overall series stands with Lincoln Highway leading 4-2 with two ties.

I go through all eights section levels in the state and find high schools whose towns are along Route 66 and Lincoln Highway.  I then make a list for each road and the contest begins.  As teams lose and are eliminated, they are taken off the road teams until just one (or possibly none) are left in the final round, the state championship.

This year, I have 14 high schools listed along Route 66 and 15 listed on Lincoln Highway.

Overall, the top 256 high school teams are involved in it.  Out of nine regular season games, a school has to have at least a 5-4 record (but usually they end up playing a 9-0 or 8-1 team).

Best of Luck to Both Roads.  --RoadDog