The White Dog Hill restaurant, site of the former Clinton Country Club clubhouse east of Clinton, Okla., will have a soft opening Thursday through Sunday during the National Route 66 Festival in town.

The owner, Nelson King, says it will essentially be an open house from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. those days, with desserts such as strawberry shortcake and pies served.

Live music from Buffalofitz, a country-rock group, will provide entertainment Thursday and Friday.

King says White Dog Hill probably will be open for regular hours after July 1. It will be a steakhouse. For more information, call King at 580-323-6922.

(Photo by Clinton photographer Sherri Jones.)

Kathryn of Australia, a Route 66 veteran who’s blogging about her current trip on the Mother Road, pointed out there is a new business in the Route 66 town of Seligman, Ariz.

It’s the Historic Seligman Sundries, which is a combination soda fountain, coffeehouse and gift shop that opened May 1.

The building is one of the oldest in Seligman, having been there since 1904. It’s been a trading post, theater and dance hall during its history. Movie star Tom Mix purportedly rode his horse into it during the 1920s. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The business at 109 W. Route 66 also has free wi-fi. Here’s a photo of the business so you don’t miss it while you’re passing through. It’s right next to the Copper Cart.

(Photo courtesy of Historic Seligman Sundries.) 

Former “Dukes of Hazzard” TV star John Schneider was scheduled to appear at the fourth annual Cruisin’ Route 66 Classic Car Show during June 22-24 in Litchfield, Ill.

However, the City of Litchfield made this announcement Friday:

John Schneider of the Dukes of Hazzard television series was contracted with the City of Litchfield to appear at the 4th Annual Cruisin’ Route 66 Classic Car Show. On June 13, 2007, the City was notified that John Schneider is breaching that contract and will not appear at the car show scheduled for June 22-24, 2007. Mr. Schneider has left to do a movie and will be unavailable.

The City is devastated by this news after months of marketing the appearance of John Schneider but the show must go on.

The autographed General Lee car and the replica of the Sheriff’s car will still be at the Car Show for photos. In addition, we are going to be holding a John Schneider look-a-like contest at 12 noon. So get out your tight jeans and your blond wig and win a ride in the authentic General Lee Car.

According to this article, Schneider finished shooting a movie in April and has three more films on his schedule.

The city probably should sue him, but such celebrity contracts are notorious for containing loopholes that prevent liability.

At least Litchfield is doing the right thing by allowing the festival to continue.