Guest rwarn17588 Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 I've written letters to the Missouri state senator, state representative and Congressman who represent the Carthage area. The gist of it is, I'm asking legislators to urge Carthage Mayor Kenneth Johnson and the city council to use Section 17-54 of their own ordinances to identify, designate and safeguard the Boots Motel as a historic landmark, preserving it for future generations of Route 66 travelers. Here are the addresses if you wish to also write similar letters. The Missouri statehouse is not in session, but I've verified the addresses where they will read their mail. Don't use e-mail; other legislators have told us they don't read 'em. Besides, the city of Carthage's e-mailbox wasn't working tonight. Sen. Gary Nodler (District 32) State Capitol Building Room 433 Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-751-2306 State Rep. Steve Hunter (District 127) 7105 W. Emerald Road Joplin, MO 64801 417-623-0066 Rep. Roy Blunt 217 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6536 also: Northpark Mall 101 Rangeline Joplin, MO 64801 417-781-1041 also: 2740-B East Sunshine Springfield, MO 65804 417-889-1800 While we're at it, here are the bigwigs in Carthage: Mayor Kenneth Johnson City Hall 326 Grant Carthage, MO 64836 417-237-7000 City Administrator Tom Short City Hall, 2nd Floor 326 Grant Carthage, MO 64836 417-237-7003 Meanwhile, Emily and I probably will be attending one of the November city council meetings in Carthage. We're just collecting all the details before we make an announcement. We're trying to also get other prominent Route 66ers in Missouri to attend one of them, too. Ron Warnick www.friendsofthemotherroad.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeff Jensen Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 Scott, this message was infected with the bugbear32 virus.you better run a Norton scan! Jeff in Tucson -----Original Message----- From: Scott Piotrowski [mailto:rt66prods@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2003 1:36 PM To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Southwest Museum in Peril (long) I've posted to both Route 66 groups to which I am member, but I felt that this needed posted here as well. I apologize to everyone who gets this two or three (or more) times! Recently, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Museum (www.southwestmuseum.org) in Highland Park, California, voted to begin an operational partnership with the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Unfortunately, that may lead to the closure of the Southwest Museum and moving its collections to the Autry. For those of you who do not know about the Southwest Museum, it has been in operation for almost 100 years, and is located just off of Figueroa (Route 66) in Highland Park, near Sycamore Grove Park. It has one of the most comprehensive collections of Native American artifacts in the United States. The Southwest Museum opened in 1907 and is the oldest museum in Los Angeles. It is also a Los Angeles City Historical Landmark. It is that city landmark status that will help us in the battle to keep the Southwest Museum open. We have very active preservationists in the Highland Park Heritage Trust and Los Angeles Conservancy working to save this important piece of American history. It looks like we might be needing more. So I ask that each and every member of this list please get those pens and paper out (or I'll settle for an email or word processor and printer!) and get ready to send letters to the groups listed below. I assure you that these letters will definitely get passed on from the Conservancy and HPHT. Highland Park Heritage Trust PO Box 50894 Los Angeles, CA 90050-0894 (Their website is www.hpht.org, but the email is currently down.) Los Angeles Conservancy 523 W. Sixth St. Suite 826 Los Angeles, CA 90014 info@l... www.laconservancy.org The Autry Museum of Western Heritage 4700 Western Heritage Way Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462 (I do not have a specific name to send to at the Autry Museum.) At this point, the battle is being waged mostly within Los Angeles. So, for now, please only contact the following City and County representatives that represent the district: Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa 200 N. Spring Street Room 425 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina 856 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 molina@b... Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn 200 North Spring Street Room 303 Los Angeles, CA 90012 MayorHahn@mayor.lacity.org Please also send copies of any letters to me, preferably via email. I want to make certain, when we do have to attend City Council and County Supervisor Meetings, that I am armed with the support of all my friends and family along America's Historic Roads. Additionally, the Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, made up of a variety of preservation organizations and local interest groups, has finally made some headway with the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. (The Autry and Southwest Museums have merged, and the Autry is taking over control of the Southwest.) Unfortunately, the headway that has been made only includes the opportunity to meet with the Autry board. At this time, no decision on the fate of the Southwest Museum has been made. The Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, as mentioned, is made up of a long list of organizations that is interested in saving the Museum. Now is the time to add our various Historic Roads groups to that list. I'm sending out personal emails to a few groups later today. In the meantime, anyone who is involved in a preservation organization of any kind, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, please consider joining this group. If you are interested, please email me OFF LIST so that I can forward that information to you. Thank you, everyone, for your time and continued support of preservation across the route and around the world! Scott Piotrowski, Director 66 Productions www.66productions.com Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT <http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=12c7bv9s0/M=267637...96.1261774/D=eg roupweb/S=1707284507:HM/EXP=1070829334/A=1853618/R=0/*http:/www.netflix. com/Default?mqso=60178338&partid=4116730> click here <http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=267637.41...1261774/D=egrou pmail/S=:HM/A=1853618/rand=328087247> 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! <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> Terms of Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Russell S Rein Posted August 2, 2003 Report Share Posted August 2, 2003 Hey Kip, Visit my website again at: www.LincolnHighway.com Send me your address if you want a copy and I will send it out on Monday. You can pay by personal check or PayPal (non-credit card sourced). Regards, Russell Russell S. Rein, ypsi-slim on ebay 522 Maulbetsch Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-669-7534 days, 734-434-2968 eves. On Wed, 5 Feb 2003 19:41:27 -0500 "Rudyard Welborn" <r.welborn@worldnet.att.net> writes: What is this book? New? if so I would like to know about it--the last thing I saw on 40 was the two vol. national road set. Kip ----- Original Message ----- From: roadmaven@aol.com To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 8:09 AM Subject: Re: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: Digest Number 39 Ypsi, E-mail me regarding the US 40 Today book. I tried to e-mail you off-list, but it was bounced back at me. Thanks! Pat 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. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hester_nec Posted August 4, 2003 Report Share Posted August 4, 2003 Due to Yahoo somehow losing both my password AND my ID info, I have had to change my email address. Same address - but with and underscore (_) between hester and nec (hester_nec @yahoo.com) - ignore the spacer between hester_nec and the @ and the at sign - necessary to eliminate the underline that blocks the underscore. Hudsonly. Alex B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Ross Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 Hey Everybody, Thought I would post an update on the tornado that just smacked Oklahoma City. I'm watching the reports live as I type this. Almost unbelievably, this F3 touched down in Moore and crossed I-35 in almost the exact spot as the F5 of May, 1999. After cutting an identical path through Moore, it crossed I-240, wiping out a few semi trucks, a bus, a bank, two restaurants, and a truck stop, among other destruction. From there it hit the GM plant next to Tinker AFB, then razed a few suburban housing subdivisions before lifting off. It came close to the Landrunner's neighborhood but apparently stayed just to the southeast. All told, the damage is massive, especially in the city of Moore. The storm that produced it continued on, connecting with Rt. 66/I-44 near Chandler, then tracked right up the turnpike over Stroud and Bristow. Haven't heard of any damages along the route, though. Jim R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrymc66 Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 Hey, Kevin, The first place my family lived in in sunny California was the El Rancho Motel, on old 99 on the south side of Castaic! This was in 1959, after we moved west from OK (nope..we didn't take US 66 west, thus spoiling my later-day DustBowl story). I went back in 1981, and found that the cabin we had stayed in was virtually unchanged...only this time it housed a poor Mexican family instead of poor Okies. The skeletal ruins of the old Shell station were still across the hwy, but the church we attended, that had been converted from a Spanish-themed restaurant, was long gone. Later we moved to a trailer park on the north side of Castaic, and I went to kindergarden in town...I believe the school was located where the old ridge route split off from the updated two-lane. I have memories of the later ridge route rendition, but still haven't had the chance to get out there and explore the oldest version..someday. Jerry Kevin wrote :Haven't done much 'tripping' since our move to Castaic, Ca. However, we have started hitting some of the local roads: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldroad Posted August 6, 2003 Report Share Posted August 6, 2003 on 6/8/03 12:41 PM, jerrymc66 at jerrymc66@pflash.com wrote: Hey, Kevin, The first place my family lived in in sunny California was the El Rancho Motel, on old 99 on the south side of Castaic! This was in 1959, after we moved west from OK (nope..we didn't take US 66 west, thus spoiling my later-day DustBowl story). I went back in 1981, and found that the cabin we had stayed in was virtually unchanged...only this time it housed a poor Mexican family instead of poor Okies. The skeletal ruins of the old Shell station were still across the hwy, but the church we attended, that had been converted from a Spanish-themed restaurant, was long gone. Later we moved to a trailer park on the north side of Castaic, and I went to kindergarden in town...I believe the school was located where the old ridge route split off from the updated two-lane. I have memories of the later ridge route rendition, but still haven't had the chance to get out there and explore the oldest version..someday. Jerry Jerry, Progress is taking hold of Castaic & the Santa Clarita area. I remember the Castaic Junction & a restaurant called 'Tips'. I've understood it was a good place to eat & a good evening hangout. At present, the overpass of the 126 hwy & the 5 Fwy is being demolished to allow for expanding traffic. I'm really wondering where the El Rancho, old Shell or the church you mentioned are. What was the name of the church? Love to see you get out here soon before everything really changes. Castaic has been a major stop for truckers off the 5 Fwy. With Castaic becoming a bedroom community, I believe the services for truckers will disappear over the next 10 to 15 years. Love to tag along with you if you get out here. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Glenn Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 I used to drive a lot on I-95 when I lived in Baltimore. When I moved to Las Vegas 9 years ago, I was astounded to hear a traffic report about a backup on I-95 - 2500 miles to the east! I soon learned that Vegans call U.S. 95 "I-95" because to them, it looks the same as "other" Interstates. I have been trying to emphasize the difference and history whenever possible. Many Marylanders refer to any freeway as "the Beltway" since I-495 & I-695 were the first freeways to most in Maryland. We roadies will have to bear with this terminology. A columnist in Vegas touched upon this today. If you are interested, take the link below. http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/200...s/21484107.html Glenn Adams glenninvegas@juno.com http://www.lasvegasregion.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anthony Poole Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 These cabins are 8 miles east of Bedford, Indiana-located on my mother-in-law's place. They were handbuilt by Kay and Barb, her roommates, and are used as storage sheds. They sure fooled me when I first saw them-I thought I had spotted another remnant of a cabin court that no one knew about! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anthony Poole Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 The station that made it down from Cedar Rapids-wouldn't happen to be KGAN, would it?? I ask because a friend is a producer there-I'm always sending her what I think are newsworthy items that I spot here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rudyard Welborn Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 The attachment has info on a Corvette that one of our friends wants to sell...unfortunately I could not open it up; it was built the last year they made Corvettes in St. Louis...happy buying; any questions let me know...Tsingtao, Kip and Quinn ----- Original Message ----- From: qgrimes@mspd.state.mo.us To: r.welborn@worldnet.att.net Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 10:19 AM Subject: Fwd: Corvette Information for Kip and Quinn ----- Forwarded by Quinn Grimes/Area021/MSPD on 07/07/2003 09:18 AM ----- Sara Serot <sjserot@yahoo.com> 07/06/2003 06:38 PM To: qgrimes@mspd.state.mo.us cc: Subject: Fwd: Corvette Information for Kip and Quinn Thanks for posting this. Love, Sara and Dr. Danny Note: forwarded message attached. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! X-Apparently-To: sjserot@yahoo.com via 66.218.93.104; 05 Jul 2003 11:06:04 -0700 (PDT) Return-Path: <weddingd@mimh.edu> Received: from 216.61.189.4 (EHLO mimhx.mimh.edu) (216.61.189.4) by mta429.mail.yahoo.com with SMTP; 05 Jul 2003 11:06:04 -0700 (PDT) Received: by mimhx with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) id <NFQQ0983>; Sat, 5 Jul 2003 12:54:27 -0500 From: "Wedding, Danny" <weddingd@mimh.edu> To: 'Sara Serot' <sjserot@yahoo.com> Subject: Corvette Information for Kip and Quinn Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 12:54:26 -0500 X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: <7B8EF3224389D1118B9F0004ACEC1F100182A406@mimhx> MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----_=_NextPart_000_01C3431E.796296D0" Content-Length: 1673 For Kip and Quinn: 1981 Corvette, Automatic, Black on Black, T-tops, 6CD player, new paint and seat belts, 103K, numbers match. $17,000 invested; will sell for $10,000. Thanks! Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest roadmaven@aol.com Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 Tony--Eight miles east of Bedford, eh? By chance, did you take Indiana State Road 58 to get there? From I-65 west to Bedford, SR58 is one of the best drives southern Indiana has to offer....next to my personal favorite, Indiana 450 which starts at Bedford and heads west through some fantastic twists and turns. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Butko, Brian A. Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 This story about the Shoe House includes a video clip: Shoe House Owners Hope For 'Soled' Sign: Owners Ask $129,000 For Shoe House http://www.nbc10.com/houseandhome/2315254/detail.html Brian Butko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Butko, Brian A. Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 New show on the History Channel next week: HIGHWAY HANGOUTS: EAT AND DRINK Monday, July 14 at 8 pm ET/PT Pull off the road and grab a heaving helping of grub from the best and quirkiest roadside eateries as you learn about the people who made a fortune from the need to eat and run. Restaurateur Howard Johnson made his roofs orange not because of style, but because drivers would be able to see them from a distance. Learn how Bob?s Big Boy got its colorful name, and the secrets behind its burgers. Find out how Stuckey?s determined its locations‹it spaced out the distance it took to drink a cup of coffee in the car! HIGHWAY HANGOUTS: EAT AND DRINK is the third in a series of THC specials that celebrates the weird and the wonderful roadside attractions that have grown up along our nation's highways. More info at: http://www.historychannel.com/global/listi....jsp?EGrpType=T heme&Id=8414176&NetwCode=THC Brian Butko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anthony Poole Posted August 7, 2003 Report Share Posted August 7, 2003 Pat- We were at Westphalia first-Deb's father took us to lunch at the Black Buggy in Washington, IN-from there we took 50 to Bedford, which is another fun drive-I was driving my 89 Thunderbird Super Coupe-had the wife white-knuckle the dash a total of 6 times. Then from Bedford we took 446 to 46, 46 to 63, 63 to I-74, and then I-74 to I-80 and I-380. We stopped at the Ernie Pyle memorial in Dana, IA-lots of damage there from a twister that didn't touch down. If anyone in the group gets the chance, visit Dana, Indiana and the EP Memorial-if you aren't familiar with the man, he was one of the most-loved war correspondents during WWII. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JEFF MEYER Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Hi in Tuesdays trib there a story on Photographer-Writer John Marolies He has done serveal roadside books.Go tribune.com then to leisure tempo road worrier.thanks Jeff Meyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Larry Kinsey Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 I want to thank Pat, Kip, Bliss, Allen, Mike and Brian for your input on things to see while on our trip this weekend. We plan on leaving around 4 this afternoon (5 at the latest). Us 50 is one of the major routes to the Lake of the Ozarks from Kansas City and since this is the about the last weekend before the schools open there will probably be a lot of traffic. We are going to see where we have gotten by 9 or 10 and then start looking for a motel. I am hoping to make it to Pacific, Mo. We are going to try to see as much as we can of all of your suggestions. Those that we don't get to see will only mean that we will have to take the trip again. I will report on our trip after we return and put the pictures on my server. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brownwho63 Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 We decided to do something different yesterday from what we usually do. Opened 'Lil Red's T-top roof and headed east on Route 100, old '66. Turned north onto Hampton (don't really know why) and then turned back east onto 40/64 to McCausland. Cruised north to Page and then turned back east again towards downtown. Note: This last part is a trip I would not recommend after dark unless you are armed. Looking for Washington so we can cross the newly reopened Eads Bridge -- okay, south on Jefferson and there it is. A quick left turn onto Washington takes us through the yesteryear of shoes and garments in an area that is rapidly being refurbished. Glad to see that. Okay - there's the bridge and it looks great. Cross the icon slow for the first time ever and wonder why there is no traffic on this bridge while the adjoining King Bridge is jammed. The exit road in IL has a Historic National Road sign posted, a confirmation this was once old U.S. 40. Need to check that out some other day. Turned around and crossed back over the Eads. Left onto Broadway, past Busch Stadium (day game, I guess, because there's lots of activity) to Choteau. West to 7th and there's the newly painted Eat Rite Diner. Had to stop for "lunch," a $1.35 burger with fries and a Pepsi. Great! Had no more arrived home when Jackrabbit knocked on the door. Said that he and Red Hare were in town for something she is doing with her job and they wanted us to cruise out to the Red Cedar Inn for dinner. Couldn't refuse an invitation like that and we thoroughly enjoyed the meat loaf special while yacking about our beloved Route 66. All in all, a great day. Still Cruisin', Bliss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest airfrogusmc Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Man great story; great day. I was in the St Louis area over the 4th of July and should have gotten down town. I thought that I read somewhere that the old McKinley bridge is closed. Drove over it in 92 and it was a in bad shape then but wirth the price of admission. Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brownwho63 Posted August 8, 2003 Report Share Posted August 8, 2003 Yeah, I think the McKinley is closed due to all of the ailments the Eads had. Supposed to reopen eventually but don't know if any actual work is presently being done to it. (Kip, do you know anything about this?) Our bridge situation is questionable. The Chain of Rocks on the north and the Jefferson Barracks on the south are both good functioning bridges. The "Poplar Street" next to Busch Stadium is still in good shape but always overloaded. The King is old and scary. The Eads appears to be in great shape. The MacArthur (sp?) next to the Poplar Street carries trains only and has been closed to vehicles for about 40 years. Sorry to say that I don't know nearly enough about our bridges. There has been some talk of building a new downtown bridge. Still Cruisin', Bliss --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "airfrogusmc" <abphoto7@c...> wrote: > Man great story; great day. I was in the St Louis area over the 4th > of July and should have gotten down town. I thought that I read > somewhere that the old McKinley bridge is closed. Drove over it in 92 > and it was a in bad shape then but wirth the price of admission. > > Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brownwho63 Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 Oops....I was wrrr- wrro -- wrong about the V6 vs the inline 6 cylinder. My truck friends told me this weekend that Chevrolet used the inline 6 in the early sixties BUT GMC began using the V6 because the two trucks were not joined at the hip as they currently seem to be. A thousand pardons, kind sirs. Bliss --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, Jim Ross <pathfinder66@e...> wrote: > > Bliss: Rocinante - I can't answer your question about the V-6. I will refer this to Mr. Brusca and we'll try to publish the question and the response as a letter in #3 or #4. > Jim R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ted Bachman Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 .........from today's Chicago Tribune............... In age of TV, drive-ins put stars in skies Outdoor movie theaters peaked in the late '50s, yet viewers still come for nostalgia or novelty By Tom Nugent Special to the Tribune Published September 8, 2003 COLDWATER, Mich. -- As a nearly full moon hung over the giant twin screens of the Capri Drive-In Theatre on U.S. Highway 12 in southern Michigan, co-owner Tom Magocs made his move at 9:17 p.m. "It's showtime!" barked Magocs, 45, who operates the high-tech projection gear at the 750-space theater seven nights a week during summer months. Then, turning to his wife Susan, with whom he's spent the past 20 years running this popular drive-in near the Michigan-Indiana border: "Are you ready with that announcement?" She waved her microphone. "All set!" Nodding, Magocs hit the switch on the Smart Mod 11-B cinema processor, and the giant film loop began to spin through the Xenon lamp house. In a flash the first 115-foot-long screen lit up with a series of brief commercials, followed by his wife's FM radio-amplified voice: "I want to invite all of you to the 39th birthday party of the Capri Drive-In next Thursday night!" Jammed with more than 700 cars, vans and pickups on this Saturday night, the Capri settled down to begin a summertime ritual that has become rare in a 21st Century America of multiplex cinemas, cable TV and high-tech home entertainment centers. "A lot of people back in the 1970s assumed that drive-in movies were going the way of the dinosaur," said Susan Magocs, moments after the night's first feature--"Freaky Friday," starring Jamie Lee Curtis--began to unfold on screen No. 1. "But it didn't happen because there's something magical about going to the drive-in, and people respond to that." She waved at the crowded rows of vehicles and the brightly lit concession stand. "There's something very American about drive-ins. Maybe it's the combination of cars and movies that people seem to love, or maybe it's the freedom to sit outside under the stars and enjoy some family time. Working hard, liking it "Tom and I work hard at this business, and the marketing part of it is especially challenging," said Susan Magocs, who also is in the middle of raising three kids. "But every once in a while, I step back and take a look around on a summer night, and it just gives you goosebumps." Invented by an auto parts dealer in Camden, N.J., in the early 1930s, American drive-in theaters reached the height of their popularity in 1958 with 4,063 operating. Then they declined swiftly, as television changed America. Today there are fewer than 500 drive-ins in the U.S.-- about 110 in the Midwest, compared with nearly 1,000 in the region in the 1950s--and many of them survive by adding auxiliary services such as flea markets, playgrounds and miniature golf during daytime hours. "There's no doubt that the outdoor-movie industry shrank dramatically between 1970 and 1990," said Randy Loy, co-executive director of the 145-member United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. "On the other hand, 19 new drive-ins have been built since 1990 and more than 40 others have re-opened. I think we're seeing a modest resurgence. Many drive-ins have survived by offering first-run movies, full-service food operations and new high-tech projection and sound equipment, including FM radio-broadcast, which has replaced the old `car speakers' almost everywhere." According to the association's latest survey, Ohio and Pennsylvania are tops in the nation for drive-ins at 36. Illinois has 11, Michigan 10, and Wisconsin 9. The nation's largest drive-in, in Ft. Lauderdale, features 13 screens, but many Mom and Pop operations consist of a single screen on a rural highway. At the Skyway Drive-In Theater in Ephraim, Wis., co-owner Darrell Jacobson, 70, said his audience returns year after year. "They like the nostalgia of it, and they also like the fact that you don't need a babysitter when you go to the drive-in." Elaine Dearduff, a co-owner of the 300-space Starlite Drive-In near Indianapolis, said many of her patrons are "looking for a way to slow down and escape from the fast pace of life today." Many visitors, she said, "come out here two or three hours before dark, in order to play volleyball or throw a Frisbee." Easy does it Dearduff, who also operates an indoor movie theater in nearby Frankfort, Ind., said she has observed a sharp difference in behavior between drive-in patrons and those who attend movies indoors. "The outdoor experience is definitely much slower, much more relaxed." At the Capri on a recent evening, three teenagers sat in the back of a Chevrolet S-10 pickup watching "American Wedding" and nibbling on turkey sandwiches washed down with grape drink. "The drive-in is definitely cool," said 19-year-old Josh Tennant. Wrapped in a purple quilt, the three kids nodded and laughed. "How can you beat this?" asked Josh's girlfriend, Brooke Ziegler. "You've got the moon, the stars, a nice breeze--and plenty of room to stretch out!" Copyright © 2003, Chicago Tribune Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ken Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 Greetings Denny! Glad you liked the suggested route and scenic drive! Got thousands of 'em in the bag of treks! Looking forward to seeing your pics! I'll bet you got a great one of the old Salt River bridge, huh? Q:) God Bless and Many More Happy Trails. the landrunner <http://www.route66postmarkart.com> --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Denny Gibson" <mail@d...> wrote: > and, as many of you know, they are without telephones. John has graciously > allowed me to connect via the office phone to send this but pictures of the > day's trip along Ken's suggested route (Ken, I owe you a very tall cold one. > Excellent drive.) will have to wait until tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Denny Gibson Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 Pictures are there (I believe. Had the normal amount of motel vs. computer vs. internet vs. brain cramp goings on.). That sample was super and I hope to dip into that bag again from time to time. Many thanks, Denny Gibson http://www.dennygibson.com (Triangle-Fish Adventure at http://www.dennygibson.com/ariz092003) -----Original Message----- From: Ken [mailto:thelandrunner@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, September 08, 2003 7:03 PM To: AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] Re: I'm sleeping in a Wig Wam... Greetings Denny! Glad you liked the suggested route and scenic drive! Got thousands of 'em in the bag of treks! Looking forward to seeing your pics! I'll bet you got a great one of the old Salt River bridge, huh? Q:) God Bless and Many More Happy Trails. the landrunner <http://www.route66postmarkart.com> --- In AMERICAN_ROAD@yahoogroups.com, "Denny Gibson" <mail@d...> wrote: > and, as many of you know, they are without telephones. John has graciously > allowed me to connect via the office phone to send this but pictures of the > day's trip along Ken's suggested route (Ken, I owe you a very tall cold one. > Excellent drive.) will have to wait until tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mike Ward Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 Nicole, Next time you get a couple of days off try the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's a little harder to get to than the South Rim but there's about a tenth as many people to contend with, it's a lot less commercialized, and the views are at least as spectacular, if not more so. Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: Nicole To: ; julieannmoe@hotmail.com ; Peter Harpin ; Jim St Louis ; Colette St Louis ; Jeri L Koenig ; Sherry Allen ; Sean Keidel ; April A Cyr ; Jackie Rowland Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 7:53 AM Subject: [AMERICAN_ROAD] My Supai Adventure Hi all- The words that come to mind the most when I think of Supai/Havasu Falls is spectacular, awesome, breathtaking, unbelievable, unbeatable, and simply WOW. I have been to the South Rim numerous times now..I love the Grand Canyon. In fact, that place has squeezed its way to #1 in my book, having to share that spot with Route 66. I have much more exploring time to do up there, and many more days to request off of work in order to enjoy myself in a place that to me, is the most beautiful place I have ever been. The South Rim is awesome..a place where you take family or friends if they've never been, a place where you first introduce someone to this great wonder, or a great place to introduce yourself to if you've never been. BUT..that Canyon is such a huge majestic place, that an average 4 hour visit to the South Rim is just the tip of the iceberg, the taste before the indulgence. I've learned that I really underestimated what that Canyon has to offer. I know even though I've now been to (which I will elaborate on shortly) what I deem the most beautiful and magical place I've ever seen with my own two eyes, there are still many more places to explore in the Grand Canyon. I found my new hobby: Gathering all the info whether it be books, brochures, word of mouth, educated persons who know more than I do..whatever, the Grand Canyon is where it's at for me until I can go no further. How lucky I am that I can just drive there in a few hours time. I can be at the west end of the Canyon in only 2 hours. As far as I'm concerned, that certainly is something to brag about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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