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Our thanks to Grundy County Representative, Ike Widner, for writing and submitting the following account of a Halloween-season excursion taken recently by Association members to Bachelor's Grove Cemetery.

On October 27th, 2012, members of the Route 66 Association took a ride up to Bachelor's Grove Cemetery around 2:30 pm. The day was crisp and the sun was shining with some clouds over the horizon. The park was filled with many spectators walking to the cemetery to see if one could see a ghost or an impression of any figure that lay in the distance or any orbs of colors that filled the air. As we approached the cemetery with our group, we noticed many other thrill-seekers and adventurers out as well. Reaching the point of the entrance many people were walking around the cemetery, looking at the ruins that laid under their feet, hoping that an apparation would appear to them.

We thank Pam Monson, Editor at Free Press Newspapers for sharing the following report with us about the works of a local folk, metal artist, the late Jack Barker, which will become a Route 66 landmark in Wilmington, IL.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is purchasing a one-of-a-kind piece of folk art for a future roadside attraction that will greet Route 66 travelers visiting Wilmington.
The Chamber is working with the city to purchase and place a metal sculpture of a bison created by Jack Barker of Essex.

We're proud to announce two new items are available for purchase through our Association to demonstrate your '66 pride:

A Funk's Grove Midpoint Commemorative Pin - In honor of the official declaring of Funk's Grove as the midpoint of Route 66 in Illinois, Diaz Sign Art, in Pontiac, IL was commissioned to create this striking commemorative pin.

A T-shirt adorned with an original Bob Waldmire design - This work of art was created in 1989 by artist, icon and friend of Route 66, Bob Waldmire, exclusively for our Association. It now is emblazoned upon a black T-shirt (made of American-grown cotton and made in the USA) which will be available in sizes Small through 4XL.

Our thanks to Chicago-based journalist, Maria R. Traska for submitting the following article:

By Maria R. Traska

A fixture of Route 66 in suburban Chicago has risen again. The former Snuffy’s 24-Hour Grill on Joliet Road in McCook, IL has been gutted, renovated and revived as the Steak N Egger on Route 66. And not a moment too soon. The Route 66 landmark had been closed since late 2010 and hadn’t been open 24/7 for some time. Despite the efforts of the former operators, the place had aged badly and gotten somewhat grubby. The turnaround began last September 15, when the property was bought by new owners.

It is with a heavy heart and many tears that we say goodbye to a dear friend of ours and of Route 66, Ernie Edwards.

Ernie was owner of the Pig Hip in Broadwell and was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 1990 for the lifetime of memories he created as a fixture along the Mother Road.

Erine passed away on April 11, 2012 at the age of 94. He will be missed greatly by many.

Click to read Ernie's obituary which includes funeral arrangements.

Thanks to Logan County Tourism for providing this official press release for us to share about Ernie.

Photo credit: Geoff Ladd

This is an incredibly gratifying Route 66 Economic Impact Study. According to National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program Manager, Kaisa Barthuli, "It's nice to see that a Federal Agency is reinforcing what we already knew. Your efforts have had a big impact for all Route 66 communities! Well done!"

Click to read this Economic Impact Study in its entirety.

Red Carpet Corridor brochure

Marty Bilecki, the 52 year old son of longtime members Geri and Marty Bilecki, passed away on Friday, February 3rd.

Services will be Tuesday, February 7th, from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM at:

The Lawn Funeral Home
7732 W. 159th Street
Orland Park, IL 60462
Phone: 708-429-3200

Burial will be Wednesday February 8th.

This is the obit from the Tribune:

Do you recognize any of the locations in this commercial for the Illinois Lottery?

Our thanks to Director of Pontiac, IL Tourism, Ellie Alexander for sharing the following press release with us. What a proud distinction for this Route 66 community (and our Museum, too)!

Ellie Alexander, Director of Pontiac Tourism, announced today that the number of visitors who came to Pontiac’s Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in 2011 exceeded all expectations. “According to the records kept by the docents at the Route 66 museum, over 19,000 guests came through their doors this past year,” Alexander noted. “That represents a 40% increase over 2010.”