On July 3, 2010, the Preservation committee held a very special picinc at the Standard Oil Station in Odell, IL in honor of a very special lady, Lenore Weiss.

Lenore was a dear friend of Route 66 in general, our Association in particular and of many of our members. She passed away earlier this year and in her honor, the Preservation committee decided that a memorial to her dedication to Route 66 was in order.

After a tasty picnic lunch consisting of burgers, hot dogs and an assortment of side dishes and desserts contributed by the atendees, a brief ceremony was held. In Lenore's honor, a pear tree was planted on the property of this, our Association's flagship preservation project, the Odell Standard Oil Station. Lenore rolled up her sleeves along with the other preservationists to bring this treasure of the Mother Road back to its former glory. That's why this particular location for the picnic and dedication was so fitting to her memory.

The Route 66 Associiation of Illinois is asking for your financial assistance to create a brochure highlighting the many Route 66 attractions and preservation projects in Illinois.

Click here to visit the webpage which describes the project and how you can help make the brochure a reality.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

We are saddened to report that the Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, IL has fallen victim to fire this evening.

At this time we have no further details to report but rest assured that we will keep you up to date as we hear more about this tragic event.

UPDATE

Our friends at the Route 66 News have an in-depth, detailed account of the fire at the Riviera Roadhouse. Thanks to Jim Jones for providing us with this information.

Click to read the complete account on the Route 66 News.

Click to view photos of the fire at the Riviera from the Free Press Advocate's Facebook page.

We at the Route 66 Association of Illinois have been offered the opportunity to have a guided tour of a historic Sears Home in Carlinville, IL!

The homeowner has graciously offered to host a free tour of her home to a group organized by our Association.

We would love to make this happen sooner rather than later. How about during the Motor Tour coming up next weekend?

Jerry Law is waiting for your call expressing your interest in this tour! The best tour group would number around 20, so let's ring his phone off the hook in favor of this interesting and historic activity!

Contact Jerry Law today! (618) 251-4892 Email: thelaw1@sbcglobal.net

Photo via Carlinville Chamber of Commerce.

Ken Turmel gave us his permission to print the following story he wrote about Route 66 Artist, Icon and Friend, Bob Waldmire. Here is Ken's story in its entirety, as originally published in the National Historic Route 66 Federation Magazine

Greetings Fellow Route 66'ers and those of you who are a personal friend of my dear and close roadie buddy Bob Waldmire. It pains me to be the messenger of most unfortunate news. Bob has passed away this morning on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at 8:30am. This is a solemn day for me. We will all surely miss him dearly.

Submitted by John Weiss, Chairman, Route 66 Museum

The Dixie Truckers Home in McLean, Illinois has a new look. The exterior has attractive awnings all around. Route 66, Stuckey’s, the Café and General Store are all predominant.