A brief tour of StableRidge Winery March 4, 2007
Posted by Ron in Businesses, Food.1 comment so far
The OfficialBestOf.com folks put together a nice two-minute video tour of StableRidge Winery, which is on old Route 66 in Stroud, Okla.
Better-quality “Our Town” scene from “Cars” March 4, 2007
Posted by Ron in Movies, Music.add a comment
Someone has posted a better-quality version of the “Our Town” scene from the hit summer movie, “Cars.” The Academy Award-nominated song was written by Randy Newman and sung by James Taylor.
The previous “Our Town” scene posted on YouTube was OK. But this one is letterboxed, with better quality and sound.
Route 66 root beer maker bought out March 4, 2007
Posted by Ron in Businesses, Food.add a comment
According to a news release, Route 66 Soda & Bottling Co. of Wilmington, Ill., was acquired by Route 66 Sodas LLC on March 1.
The company was founded by Larry Tarantolo in 1996, a longtime supporter of the road. The rechistened company is led by Scott A. Cameron.
The acquisition includes the soft drink formulas originally created and developed by Route 66 Soda & Bottling Co. for Route 66 Route (Root) Beer, Lucky 66 Orange Soda and Lucky 66 Lime Soda.
“Our products are currently available throughout the Route 66 States in many locations including Restaurants, Drive-Ins, Gift Shops, Trading Posts, Gas Stations, Motels, Hotels, Tourist Attractions and Museums, and have been featured soft drink products at numerous Festivals, Shows and Celebrations,” Cameron said, making the announcement from the company’s headquarters in Wilmington, Illinois.
“In addition to the millions of residents along Route 66, we are excited with the increasing international popularity of America’s Highway. Estimates indicate in excess of 300,000 tourists visited portions of Route 66 in 2006 and those numbers are expected to increase dramatically in future years. Because of this, our products have been introduced to visitors from around the World. We are proud to be associated with this icon of Americana (Route 66) and eager to increase the distribution and availability of our soft drink products.”
It sounds like the new company is keeping things the same, except to increase its distribution. As long as the quality remains stable, especially with its excellent root beer, this is a good thing.
Storm blows down “Rattlesnakes” sign March 4, 2007
Posted by Ron in Attractions, History, Signs.5 comments
Bob “Crocodile” Lile, president of the Texas Old Route 66 Association, reported that a severe storm blew down the historic “Rattlesnakes — Exit Now” sign which stood for decades off old Route 66 near the Lela exit of Interstate 40.
The sign advertised the Regal Reptile Ranch, which has been in ruins for many years except for the sign itself.
The Mock Turtle Press site about Texas Route 66 had this to say about the reptile ranch’s history:
Curiously, the Lela area also marks the last stand of roadside reptile exhibitor E. Mike Allred. The surly carnival man — who at one time operated snake attractions along Route 66 near Elk City and Erick, Oklahoma — moved to Texas to establish the Regal Reptile Ranch at Alanreed. He partnered in this scaly enterprise with his sister, Addie. But when business relations grew rough, E. Mike moved his share of snakes toward Lela and set up shop in the old service station that had once been graced by Conald Cunningham’s Neon Steer.
Today, E. Mike’s towering RATTLESNAKES: EXIT NOW sign survives as a local landmark. E. Mike’s old building has been moved to McLean and now serves as part of the Red River Steakhouse. E. Mike himself can best be honored through a visit to the Devil’s Rope Museum of McLean, Texas — where some of his sister’s pickled snakes remain on display.
Lile says Delbert and Ruth Trew, longtime Route 66 supporters, are talking with the landowner to see whether the sign can be salvaged.
(Photo by Emily Priddy.)
