Guest David G. Clark Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Hey, Everybody! I'm just posting a reminder to anyone who is planning on participating in the Route 66 Association of Illinois's Motor tour-- please try to come in early on Friday, June 6th to join me on a Chicago Loop walking tour covering many of the sights to see on the Mother Road's eastern end. The tours will be about 2 hours each. One will start at 12:15 p.m., and the other at 2:30 p.m. There will be loads of info on transportation history in general, and plain ol' American History in general, as well as stuff about all of the buildings we will see. After all, the starting point of US 66 was also graced (either parallel to or intersecting with) these other routes at some point in the past: Dixie Highway, US 41, US 32, US 34, as well as Illinois State Bond Issue Routes 1, 2, 4, 18, and 42. And there may be more, but sitting here at my computer at work, I can't think of any others. There will be discussion of the sites of a nearby Studebaker Carriage showroom from the 1880s, the site of the Pullman car company's downtown office building, the Railway Exchange building, and anything else I can cram into 2 hours. And, if anyone from the Chicago area is NOT participating in the weekend motor tour, you are still invited on the walk. Here's a link to more information: http://www.il66assoc.org/idx_Walk03.htm Or, just get hold of me directly: dave@windycityroadwarrior.com http://www.windycityroadwarrior.com 312-432-1284 843 W. Adams St. #312 Chicago, IL 60607-3017 I'll be happy to help navigate folks in to the starting point at Adams and Michigan Avenue, in front ot the Art Institute, at the southern Lion Statue. Finally, I will repeat my general invitation to any list member who is traveling to or from Chicago on a road adventure this year--get hold of me for a private tour. I'll be on the road from May 4th until approximately May 21st myself, traveling for the first time with laptop computer, so I should be within e-mail contact most days. See you somewhere on the road! Dave Clark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Russell S. Rein Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 I believe the Lincoln Highway (the Father Road) and what later became Route 66 intersected and ran together for three blocks, N. Division St., in downtown Plainfield, IL. ypsi-slim > After all, the starting point of US 66 was also graced (either > parallel to or intersecting with) these other routes at some point > in the past: > > Dixie Highway, US 41, US 32, US 34, as well as Illinois State Bond > Issue Routes 1, 2, 4, 18, and 42. And there may be more, but sitting > > here at my computer at work, I can't think of any others. ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rt66roadologist@attbi.com Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Yes that do allso in Joliet thay cross paths.Jeff Meyer ---------------------- Forwarded Message: --------------------- From: "Russell S. Rein" <Ypsi-slim@juno.com> To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [AMERICAN_ROAD] (unknown) Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 23:01:06 -0400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shellee Graham Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 > Shellee whats the update on the coral court video are we going to be able to > buy it, or what? Keep us informed. I'd sure like to have a copy of it. Fred Hey Fred, The documentary "Built for Speed: The Coral Court Motel," is nearly finished. The project took longer than expected for different reasons/setbacks. The past few months, my partner Bill Boll has been piecing the segments together into reels that make sense, working music into it, and finally we have to make sure we get the thank yous and credits right. Last month, we filmed parts of the world premier of the play "Kid Peculiar at the Coral Court Motel" at Washington University. And yesterday, we interviewed an older, local newscaster about St. Louis gangs, the Greenlease (kidnapping/murder) case from 1953. Now we must finalize the images, music, etc and tie up loose ends. I have also been working on the movie POSTER for the documentary. Maybe I can post it to the yahoo site? Minutes later... hey, I just posted my first photo to the American Road Yahoo Group site. Not sure how you can find it, but I tried to copy and paste the URL. It's very long... http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ameri...lee+Graham% 27s+stuff&.src=gr&.dnm=CCM+Doc.+Movie+Poster+IDEA.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a/ /photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/american_road/lst%3f%26.dir=/Shellee%2bGraham %2527s%2bstuff%26.src=gr%26.view=t At first, I liked the poster. Now, I'm just not crazy about it. Now, if that professional graphic designer from Hollywood would just look it over and make a few adjustments. Constructive feedback is appreciated. Thankya. Shellee Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ken Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Russ, Yes indeed, and to Joliet also. This portion eventually became US 30. the landrunner --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Russell S. Rein" <Ypsi- slim@j...> wrote: > I believe the Lincoln Highway (the Father Road) and > what later became Route 66 intersected and ran together > for three blocks, N. Division St., in downtown > Plainfield, IL. > > ypsi-slim > > > > After all, the starting point of US 66 was also graced (either > > parallel to or intersecting with) these other routes at some point > > in the past: > > > > Dixie Highway, US 41, US 32, US 34, as well as Illinois State Bond > > Issue Routes 1, 2, 4, 18, and 42. And there may be more, but sitting > > > > here at my computer at work, I can't think of any others. > > ________________________________________________________________ > The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! > Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! > Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rudyard Welborn Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 I like the "pikes" around Nashville TN...Franklin Pike, Donnelson Pike...and I really enjoyed Wallis' article in American Road about what I always called Alligator Alley...I can see that mag being one cool thaing...Tsingtao, Kip ----- Original Message ----- From: "dona" <mistyowl@hot1.net> To: <AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 10:31 AM Subject: Re: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: Highway Nicknames > That is why I like where I live..It is very simple. Go 2 miles east, turn right at the Jone's place. ( Of course, the Jones haven't lived there in 30 years and there have been 4 families that have lived there since.); head down to the the Smith's, that is the house that needs painting and the screeen door is missing; make another right just pass the bridge, just don't forget to latch the gate back after you go through. > I think you get the idea. > dona > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: David G. Clark > To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:52 AM > Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: Highway Nicknames > Just got back from our first road trip through California, and I too > was fascinated by this. I also found the use of the word "freeway" > interesting. As a lifelong midwesterner, we just don't refer to > roads in this manner. We have expressways, tollways, Interstates, > highways, turnpikes, routes, but we just don't have "freeways." > > In Chicago, the interstates are referred to as "I-90", "I-290", etc. > However, if an expressway has been named locally in addition to its > numerical designation, then it might be referred to as "The > Kennedy," "The Eisenhower", and so on. But NEVER, "The 90". > > Also, when it comes to following U.S. or Illinois state highways > through Chicago, don't bother asking a Chicagoan for directions. > With the possible exception of US 41 down Lake Shore Drive, > Chicagoans have no concept of numbered routes running down their > streets. If you get lost and run into the corner gas station to > ask, "how do I get back on U.S. 12 westbound?" you will get a blank > stare and a mystified shrug of the shoulders. Streets are referred > to by name ONLY--Irving Park Road, Elston Avenue, Western Avenue, > Clybourn, 35th Street, Roosevelt Road. Its as if the route number > signs posted on the corners are completely invisible to the natives. > > Dave Clark > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor > ADVERTISEMENT > > > > > > Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com > > To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! > Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 > SUBSCRIPTION RATES: > 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 > (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) > 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 > (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) > > > For questions about the list, contact: AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com > > To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this group, send an email to: > AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > To POST a message via e-mail, send it to: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.483 / Virus Database: 279 - Release Date: 5/19/2003 > > > > > > Visit our homepage at: http://www.mockturtlepress.com > > To subscribe to AMERICAN ROAD magazine, PHONE TOLL-FREE 1-877-285-5434 WITH YOUR ORDER TODAY! > Or send payment to: Mock Turtle Press, PO Box 3168, Lynnwood, WA 98046-3168 > SUBSCRIPTION RATES: > 1 year (4 issues) for $15.95 > (save $3.85 off the newsstand price!) > 2 years (8 issues) for $27.95 > (save $11.65 off the newsstand price!) > > > For questions about the list, contact: AMERICAN_ROAD-owner@yahoogroups.com > > To SUBSCRIBE to this group, send an email to: AMERICAN_ROAD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > > To UNSUBSCRIBE from this group, send an email to: > AMERICAN_ROAD-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > To POST a message via e-mail, send it to: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Conkle Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Hello all you road warriors out there, How about we plan a caravan to run the length of Hwy 99 from the southern end to Canada? The Canadian folks will be coming down again for the Kingman Fun Run April 29 to May 1 in 2005, then heading back north on May 3rd or 4th. We can plan our caravan to include them and pick up others along the way. We have quite a lot of talent out there so putting this together now makes sense. So what say Anna, the two Mike's, Scott, Jill and all the rest of you? Art and Lorrie will work with their groups in promoting this event and will add their talent to getting it organized. Who else wants to volunteer to be on the committee? We need to set dates, stops along the way, contacts before/during/after, media coverage and support within the Hwy 99 Corridor. Sounds like a lot of work which it isn't and that we have a lot of time which we do not. So please add your voice, ideas, suggestions and support now! I will be happy to serve as a co-chair with who ever else wants to work on this. We will need contacts in all areas as there will be much leg work to pull this off so spread the word. Thanks Take care and see you on the road. Jim Conkle Executive Director/Chairman of the Board California Route 66 Preservation Foundation P O Box 290066 <http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&...p;csz=Phelan%2C +CA+92329-0066&country=us> Phelan, CA 92329-0066 USA jim@cart66pf.org tel: fax: mobile: 760 868 3320 760 868 8614 760 617 3991 <http://www.plaxo.com/signature> Signature powered by Plaxo <http://www.plaxo.com/signature> Want a signature like this? <https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=17180132597&...p;k0=1694238510> Add me to your address book... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Ross Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Greetings All, I have just returned from Albuquerque, where Thomas, Becky, and I attended the National Scenic Byways Conference. It was a fine event and we met a lot of movers and shakers from around the country, all with the same goal: to preserve and promote their favorite historic highway. Thomas didn't mention it in his post, but he was given the honor of introducing "The Grapes of Wrath" at the special Kimo Theater screening, and gave a short but compelling speech about the film to the delight of the crowd. Overall, American Road got a lot of attention throughout the conference. By now most subscribers have received their premier issue and we have been getting quite a few emails. We would like to thank all of you for your incredible support and encouragement. It is because of you that American Road is on the move. We have a great line-up in place for issues #2 and #3, so stay tuned! Jim R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Burr Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Still patiently awaiting the first issue - but then I'm still patiently awaiting my H-E-T club magazine too. The Hudson club did a survey recently on mailings - the problem seems to be located in the distribution centers; in our case here in New England it seems everything goes to a big center in the New York City area and then is sent out to other distribution centers - for most of Maine, it appears to be the Boston Main Post Office. So there are two large bottlenecks right there. In the case of bulk mailings it seems to take longer to sort these and get them on their way - smaller items, such as letters, appear to take priority. Typical postal worker mentality - do the easy first and hope somebody else does the heavy work. Oh, well, maybe tomorrow. It only took 10 days for a book to come to me here in Kennebunk, ME, from North Walpole, NH - I can drive over there in a couple of hours, depending on the traffic on U S 202 or 9. Everybody have a great holiday weekend - I'm going to get a ton of computer work done here; its going to be a typical New England Holiday weekend - wet, cold, windy and miserable. Hudsonly, Alex B --- Jim Ross <pathfinder66@earthlink.net> wrote: > Greetings All, > > I have just returned from Albuquerque, where Thomas, > Becky, and I attended > the National Scenic Byways Conference. It was a fine > event and we met a > lot of movers and shakers from around the country, > all with the same goal: > to preserve and promote their favorite historic > highway. Thomas didn't > mention it in his post, but he was given the honor > of introducing "The > Grapes of Wrath" at the special Kimo Theater > screening, and gave a short > but compelling speech about the film to the delight > of the crowd. Overall, > American Road got a lot of attention throughout the > conference. > > By now most subscribers have received their premier > issue and we have been > getting quite a few emails. We would like to thank > all of you for your > incredible support and encouragement. It is because > of you that American > Road is on the move. We have a great line-up in > place for issues #2 and > #3, so stay tuned! > > Jim R. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. http://search.yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron McCoy Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Hittin' the Road I just stumbled upon this site today and it is GREAT!!! It was produced by MSNBC. If you have the time, take the tour! I hope the link works for you. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/summer_drivin...des/default.asp Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brownwho63 Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Ken" <thelandrunner@y...> wrote: > > > I really need to get into contact with Patty Kuhn with the Central > Illinois Tourism Dept. She has apparently changed her email address > since our last correspondence and she is out of the office until > Monday. If any of you know her home phone, either contact me with her > number OR contact her and give her mine: > 405-737-3739 > > Thanks Ya'll! God Bless! > > Ken Turmel Ken, here's an email reply I received from Tom Teague, Route 66 Association if IL founder, in response to my my plea for help from the IL group: Good afternoon: I'm sending Ken Patty Kuhn's current phone number and e-mail address, which are 866-378-7866 and pkuhn@illinoisroute66.com. As for expenses, he can always count on a meal and a place to stay when he passes through town. Tom Hope this helps. Bliss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chris Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 Just came upon this ditty of a page. Lebanon, MO Record http://www.lebanondailyrecord.com/special5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Denny Gibson Posted November 6, 2004 Report Share Posted November 6, 2004 I'm on my way to the Tulsa Route 66 Festival via St Louis and much of the Mother Road that connects St Louis and Tulsa. I have the first day posted at http://www.dennygibson.com/rt66fest04 and will have others there as days & miles pass by. --Denny Thanks to some great advice, I spent Saturday enjoying the sites along US 6 in western Pennsylnania. Friday & Saturday up at: http://www.dennygibson.com/rt6plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Russell S. Rein Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 Hey Folks, The original Lincoln Highway between Omaha and Elkhorn, NE will be "re-bricked"! - http://Rebricking.notlong.com Gregory Franzwa, founder and former President of the Lincoln Highway and editor of the Lincoln Highway Forum is on the road - http://GregFranzwa.notlong.com See you at the National Conference in Chester, WV ypsi-slim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hodkin Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 You wouldn't believe what I had to go through to get that part!!! One of those humorous surprises in the museum and I happened to be there at the right or wrong time. The Daily Press of Victorville also picked up the story. Thorough Austrian & German crew with their last film on Robert Redford. Krill knows the desert well and has an appreciation for the land. Their 45-minute planned visit stretched to three hours of filming. More fun. Debra Hodkin Barstow Route 66 Mother Road Museum www.barstow66museum.itgo.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Bakerhab@aol.com To: Bakerhab@aol.com Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 1:04 PM Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Debra Hodkin - European Film Star Barstow Desert Dispatch - Front Page Friday, July 9, 2004 Barstow featured in European documentary By LISA HART/Staff Writer BARSTOW -- Lights and cameras decorated the Route 66 Mother Road Museum on Thursday, after Austrian filmmaker Herbert Krill brought his crew to Barstow. Lisa Hart/Staff Photographer Debra Hodkin (center) talks about Route 66 and Barstow as she is filmed by Roland Breitschuh (left) and Monika Allegretti on Thursday for a documentary called "American Space," produced by Austrian filmmaker, Herbert Krill. Krill, who has been making documentaries since 1986, came to Barstow to get footage for his new film, "American Space," a follow-up to his 2003 film called "American Psyche." The documentary will focus on the concept of space, and how the wide, open lands of America have influenced the American character. Krill said he first learned about Barstow from a feature film by German filmmaker Uli Lommel and was attracted by the charm of the town while driving through last December with his wife. "I think many Europeans would find Barstow a very interesting destination because of the history here and because it is so easy to access," Krill said. He said he wants to explore American expansion and the country's need for open space from a European perspective, and from his trip through "today's America," plans to show a European audience what he feels makes America so unique. "I think that Europeans, after they have seen the main things like Los Angeles and Disneyland, will become interested in all the places in between," he said. Museum Curator Debra Hodkin said Krill contacted her regarding the film Wednesday, so she tried to gather some community members with classic cars to be featured. Arnie Thompson, a member of the Barstow car club, "Just Cruisin' 4 Fun," came to the museum with his car and some of his fellow club members to participate. "I support the museum," he said. "And I believe that anything that brings people here helps the community." The 45-minute-long television documentary, which will air in Austria, Germany and France later this year, will feature images and interviews from across America, including the Midwest to the Mojave Desert. In addition to shots from the museum itself, Krill also interviewed Hodkin. She said people are fascinated with Route 66 because of its symbolism as the one road that brought everyone together. Contact the writer: (760) 256-4123 or lisa_hart@link.freedom.com Check out http://www.desertdispatch.com/cgi-bin/news...1089381002,2991, 7, or desertdispatch.com local newspaper's front page story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 The following AMERICAN_ROAD poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: In the interest in clarifying the issue, I'm creating a new poll. It's simple. Do you or do you not want to recertify Route 66 as a United States Highway. CHOICES AND RESULTS - Do you want to recertify United States Route 66 as a Federal Highway?, 2 votes, 28.57% - Do you want to leave Route 66 as it is?, 5 votes, 71.43% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_ROAD For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 The following AMERICAN_ROAD poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: 1) I believe that every effort should be made to help ailing, historic businesses on old Route 66 by increasing leisure and recreational traffic on the old road even if aging and historic infrastructure needs have to be addressed. 2) I believe every effort should be made to hold traffic to current (2004) levels to preserve pavement and bridges even if it means that some motels and diners might have to go out of business. 3) I believe there should be less traffic on Route 66 to slow the deterioration process of historic pavements and bridges. I don't care about the businesses. 4) I don't care about either pavement or businesses, I just want to drive my car by myself and be left alone. CHOICES AND RESULTS - 1). Increase traffic to help businsesses, 7 votes, 100.00% - 2). Keep traffic levels the same even if businsses suffer, 0 votes, 0.00% - 3). Cut traffic to save of pavement and bridges, 0 votes, 0.00% - 4) Don't care either way, 0 votes, 0.00% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_ROAD For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 The following AMERICAN_ROAD poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: The preservation of the actual Route (U.S.) 66 numbered designation should be a major part of any Route 66 preservation effort. The preservation of the 66 number should include, but not be limited to: Installation and maintenance of roadside re-assurance markers and clear, concise directional markers at all junctions and interchanges *AND* the appearance of the familiar 66 "shield" icon on all online and paper maps. In otherwords, any preservation movement to save landmarks and infrastructure should also include saving the 66 numbered desingation itself. CHOICES AND RESULTS - Yes, It should be included, 8 votes, 72.73% - No, just save the pavement and the landmarks, 3 votes, 27.27% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMERICAN_ROAD For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest R. Droz Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 The quick and dirty history of US 14: US 14 was assigned in 1926, extending from Winona, MN to Philip, SD. It extended west to Whitewood, SD in 1928, then it was extended east to Chicago, IL (near Wrigley Field) in 1933. US 14 was eExtended futher west to Cody, WY 1934. East end in Chicago was shifted to the modern location in 1938, the same year it was extended west to Yellowstone NP. The current length is 1398 miles, the maximum length was 1429 miles. -- ___________________________________________________________ Happy Motoring! _._._._.____~__ Robert V. Droz ( us98@earthlink.net ) [____________][___ U.S. Highways : From US 1 to (US 830) [________/____[_|__ http://www.us-highways.com/ ()() ()() () Route Logs - Standard Oil - Highway Makeover - Pics - Maps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jennifer Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 Hi all, I finally had a chance to put up the page at my site for the Route 66 Classic Car Festival in Litchfield, IL from two weeks ago. There's lots of photos - actor Paul LeMat ("John Milner" in American Graffiti) with the 1932 Deuce Coupe from the film; lots of classic cars (including Pat's 1965 Corvair); the Ariston Cafe at night; Art's Motel in Farmersville; Funk's Grove; Atlanta; Lexington and Chenoa. Even a two story outhouse!! http://www.roadtripmemories.com/trips/litchfield2004.htm Enjoy! Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jennifer Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Just a reminder about the program tonight - I'm eagerly counting down the time!! Jennifer From: "Brian A. Butko" <babutko@hswp.org> Date: Fri Jul 9, 2004 1:18 pm Subject: PBS roadside show this Sunday ADVERTISEMENT "A Program about Unusual Buildings & Other Roadside Stuff" will air on most PBS stations this Sunday July 11, 8 pm. It's produced by Rick Sebak who also did shows on ice cream, amusement parks, and hot dogs. My wife Sarah and I talk briefly at Kentucky's Wigwam Village about our next book, Roadside Giants. Owner Ivan is also interviewed. We just returned from a 5000-mile roadtrip - with 3 kids - visiting the Gemini Giant (and Launching Pad restaurant) on Rt 66 in Wilmington, Ill., Denver's hot dog-shaped hot dog stand, etc. What a BIG country, but we're ready to do it again. Brian Butko http://www.brianbutko.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest airfrogusmc Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 I just dropped a couple more photos of mine in the folder marked Allens more stuff in the photos section. Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Alex Burr Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Neat, Allen. Loved the juxtopisiton of the Mickey D arches with the Tropics sign. LOL Hudosnly, Alex B --- airfrogusmc <abphoto7@comcast.net> wrote: > I just dropped a couple more photos of mine in the > folder marked > Allens more stuff in the photos section. > > Allen > > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bakerhab@aol.com Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Brian drove his 1930 Nash out on Santa Monica Pier at approximately 5:30 PM PDT on July 11, 2004, to the cheers of thousands of well wishers. Needless to say, it was a very emotion day for Brian, and for all of us who have been following Brian's incredible journey. Look for additional reports when we all come down from Cloud 9. Helen Baker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest M. Macedo Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 I found this information on the web site of Randy Garbin who took part in the History Channel show. Highway Hangouts: Biting the hand For those of you that missed it, the History Channel aired a third installment of its Highway Hangouts series last week. Entitled "Eat and Run," this show focused on roadside eateries, including the "great American diner." The show also included shots of yours truly as one of the several "experts" on roadside culture. The program also included Peter Genovese, Brian Butko, Jim Heimann, and a smattering of the folks that actually operate some of the roadside attractions featured as examples of the genre. Given the show's pedigree as a commercial program on a low-budget cable network, we shouldn't expect much. Riddled with cliche, rife with incongruent supporting video, and narrated by the 84-year-old Mason Adams, who's down-home voice now sounds like a thick coat of frosting on a bucket of saccharine, the program yanked just about every nostalgic string it could grasp during its two-hour run. OF COURSE, the producers just had to show diner waitresses speaking "diner lingo." OF COURSE we had to see people sitting in '57 Chevy's. And OF COURSE, we had to devote a quarter of the program to Route 66. I guess people drove along no other road in this country, though I faintly recall reading a few things about something called the Lincoln Highway which actually stretched coast to coast. I did learn a few things. The show spent some quality time with a few attractions that haven't had much of their own publicity, including the Clam Box and the Java Jive. Also, seeing Harold Kullman of Kullman Industries and Jack Mulholland of the Mayfair Diner talk about their respective businesses of building and operating diners gave the diner segment most of its credibility. In fact, I wish the producers spent more time with folks such as these and less with the talking heads. After all, those in the trenches of this culture have much more interesting stories to tell, and in fact, provide all the source material anyway. The show also lavished considerable screen time to John Margolies and Michael Stern. Margolies has authored nearly a dozen books on the subject of the American roadside, covering everything from mini-golf to travel brochures. Michael Stern constitutes the male half of the RoadFood royal couple along with Jane, his wife. The pair write books and articles that have appeared in many major magazines and newspapers, which have established them the nations preeminent over-the-road dining mavens. I've previously called the Sterns to task for their snide, condescending, almost nasty commentary about local food and the people that work the business. Seeing them trotted out as experts on diners frankly does a tremendous disservice to their readers and especially to the diner industry. I give the couple credit for shining the spotlight on many deserving gems. But too often they bestow their praise in snotty, backhanded fashion delivered high from their Fairfield County perch. On the radio, the drawling whine of their voices could only find fans among those who'd rarely risk leaving their Hummer H2 to chance a mingling with the lowly plebeian regulars in such places. But if Jane and Michael says its okay, then it's time to go slumming. At least Stern has a palatable on-screen persona. The producers of this program nearly shot themselves in the foot by allowing Margolies to get so much face time on this program. Is it just me, or did you also squirm every time the camera cut to this guy? John Margolies is one of several authors of the past decade who has churned out book after book that I would describe as "gee whiz" displays of their personal collections of photographs and ephemera. In a sense, these books -- which also include those by Karl Michael Witzel -- do some good by calling the mainstream's attention to threatened roadside culture and enterprise. While it's generally easy to dismiss Witzel's efforts out of hand as pandering, poorly researched, badly produced, albeit pretty picture books, Margolies has established a notable career for himself as the New York Times puts it, "America's premier chronicler of architectural kitsch." He's currently an Alicia Patterson Foundation Fellow, which has awarded him a one-year grant of $35,000 to pursue independent projects of significant interest and to write articles based on his investigations for the APF Reporter. The Highway Hangouts series is based largely upon Margolies's body of work. Yet Margolies may have based his career on a false pretense as well. When Witzel published the otherwise awful American Diner, he used a great deal of the work of a photographer named Pedar Ness. Ness's photos of diners and other roadside gems dated from the 1960s and 1970s, a period when only a handful of people recognized the value of this type of architecture. I met with Ness three years ago when I traveled to Los Angeles, and he claims that his early photographs provided Margolies with a kind of visual reference from which to base his own work. Ness had claimed that he sought to publish a book of his photos and happened to submit his proposal complete with original slides to an agent who also worked with Margolies. According to Ness, the agent rejected his proposal, but his slides came back to him in complete disarray -- as if someone had pulled apart the portfolio to make copies. Some time later, Margolies had published his first book and began presenting slide shows using photos identical to Ness's, except, as Ness explained it: "He cleaned up the scene. Swept away the trash." Ness says he later attended one of Margolies's slide presentations, but when he introduced himself, Margolies wouldn't so much as look at him. It's a sad irony that some of the most successful and notable chroniclers of this proud and honorable aspect of our history and heritage -- rich with tales of honest, hard working folk struggling to do something good for themselves, their families, and their communities -- have fashioned careers upon such thin or dubious credentials. With that in mind, I look forward to seeing Rick Seback's next production due out next summer. As I write, you can find Rick roaming the country visiting large buildings "that look like something else." Rick has already produced an impressive body of work for his station WQED in Pittsburgh and for PBS with programs such as the "Pennsylvania Road Show," "A Hot Dog Show," "The Ice Cream Show," and "Pittsburgh A to Z." While not exactly scholarly, the programs are honest, and at least I know that Rick really loves this stuff. And so it goes. Randy Garbin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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