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Two new graduates of the Dongbai International Airbrush Art School recently have been awarded certificates of completion for their efforts in learning new art techniques. Vicki Hetman of Chenoa and Stanley Jones of Macomb both completed the beginning airbrush painting course at the school.

Jones came to the school with some already polished art skills, while Hetman’s time at the school was her first professional airbrush art school experience. According to Tang Dongbai, both students accomplished much during their time at the school.

Thanks to Bill Thomas of Atlanta, Illinois for making us aware of the following opportunity:

Attached is a press release and application/guidelines we're using to announce the fact that the lease for someone to manage the Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois is going to become available 5/1/13. Please feel free to distribute this information far and wide to anyone you think might have an interest in preparing/submitting a business plan/proposal to manage this unique, historic Rt. 66 cafe.

Click to read the details in the official press release from the Palms Grill.

Click to view/print the business plan application.

Our thanks to Misty Bell of Abraham Lincoln Toursim Bureau of Logan County for providing the following press release for us to share about the Heritage in Flight Museum:

Governor Pat Quinn recently announced that public museums across Illinois will receive $15 million in state capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. Heritage in Flight, a Logan County museum located at the Logan County Airport, is one of those announced to receive funds.

Click to read the Official Press Release.

Our thanks to Mike Brick, Development Director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum to sharing the following request for us to share:

Please see the attached Press Release regarding the Joliet Area Historical Museum’s efforts to raise funds to restore one of the few remaining Lincoln Highway Markers that were originally installed along historic Lincoln Highway in 1928.

We would appreciate your support in helping the Museum to create awareness for this restoration project. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thank you,
Mike Brick
Development Director
Joliet Area Historical Museum

Click to view the Official Press Release.

Our thanks to Ellie Alexander, Director of Pontiac Tourism, for providing the following press release for us to share:

The City of Pontiac, in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and the Illinois Humanities Council, presents the travelling exhibit, Journey Stories, to be on display at the Livingston County Courthouse beginning February 23, 2013. The exhibit will be only one part of the entire Journey Stories event. Along with the display, there will be three informational programs exploring different aspects of our local and national transportation and travel history. The programs will all be held in the Pontiac City Council Chambers located at 115 West Howard Street in Pontiac. Programs will begin at 7:30 PM, and admission is free.

Our thanks to Pontiac Tourism Director, Ellie Alexander, for providing the following press release for us to share:

The City of Pontiac and Pontiac Tourism recently announced the results of the 2012 tourist season. According to Ellie Alexander, director of Pontiac Tourism, the city experienced a 25% increase in the number of visitors last year. “In 2011 we had just over 18,000 visitors. Last year (2012) we had just short of 23,000 visitors sign our guest books. As only a portion of the visitors actually sign in, the total number of visitors was estimated to be somewhere near 30,000.”

By Jim Robinson

On Christmas 1996 my wife Twila gave me the book “Route 66 Remembered.” Inside the cover she wrote “…For help in planning our own journey over the Mother Road.” We had done several Illinois Route 66 road trips and one Missouri Route 66 trip but we had never done the big trip until 2012.

On Saturday April 21 of this year, Twila and I slid into our rented 2012 Camry and with our luggage and Tom Snyder’s “The Route 66 Travelers Guide and Roadside Companion” we began our journey in front of the Art Institute in downtown Chicago. Immediately hitting detours and traversing some questionable neighborhoods, we made our way toward Santa Monica. We stayed the night in Bloomington, IL and Sunday morning we headed toward St. Louis.

By Josh Friedrich

It has been a whirlwind of travel on the ol' double sixes these past few months. When we last checked in we had just wrapped up a memorable Motor Tour in June.

We'd like to thank Misty L. Bell of Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County for providing the following press release about an exciting, first annual contest, Route 66 Reinterpreted Art Project. Let your creativity flow!

Click to read the press release in its entirety.

Work on the Jason W. Strevell house exterior is nearing completion for this year as engraving begins on the bricks for the memorial walkway that will run from the public sidewalk to the front door. The Livingston County Historical Society has been working towards the completion of this phase of the home’s restoration since 2009 when the building was rescued from possible demolition. The Strevell house is the only remaining structure in Livingston County known to have hosted Abraham Lincoln. Work on the bricks is being done by Pontiac Granite Company.