To promote, preserve, educate and enjoy Route 66 in Illinois. This is our motto and this is what the Association strives to accomplish every day. We want to take care of our Mother Road portion, assist in helping others preserve their history and historic sites and help people safely enjoy our 400 miles. Covid changed the world for the most part, and we are all adjusting to change. Most of us aren’t crazy about any kind of change anyway – so for some being limited to travel and availability of different 66 locations can be frustrating. Some destinations are changing their hours, some are temporarily closing for the winter months, some are closing their doors and retiring.

The Road was nurtured by businesses that were run by families that gave their all – years ago the Gray Sisters talked about giving up their beds so their parents could rent their rooms to the workmen that were building Route 66 by hand in Illinois. They thought of it as an adventure. Today I doubt you’d find too many children that would sleep on their porches willingly to take in and shelter strangers. These families that rented rooms and beds to these men respected their hard work and appreciated the financial aid of extra money. Soon many of these strangers became family and often visited for years after the road was finished. Route 66 does that to you. You start off as strangers and acquaintances and become family. Roger Gray used to carry clothing and blankets and extra necessities in his tow truck because he never knew exactly what he’d find when he went out on a tow. Families that were driving up north from southern states often had no idea of the differences in climate. Roger would talk of finding families in broken down cars where the people were in summer clothes. Ernie Edwards used to tell stories about families that had car troubles, no money and hungry children. Sometimes he’d get his brother Joe to fix the car while he fed the family. If the repairs were large, Ernie would put them up in the motel next to the gas station and restaurant. In the morning, after a good breakfast, he’d send the family on their way with a little extra money, a full tank of gas, and food. As tough as Ernie was, he believed in people and helped when he could. There are so many people who since 1926 have quietly helped the Route 66 travelers. This continues today, and eventually when the borders open again and our Roadies from afar come home to see the Mother Road we will be here, helping when needed, appreciative of the time and effort it takes for an International traveler to come here. I get emails all the time from people who have not been able to get back into the States, and how they miss visiting. I had an email about someone whose motorcycle broke down and how “some guy” stoped and helped him out and how his bike ran better after that. I want to thank all the “some guys” and “some gals” that have stopped with a second thought to assist a Traveler year ’round.

The Road Ahead is working on many projects and the National Trail Designation is slowly (hopefully) coming to fruition in Washington. As some of us are aging we need the assistance of the Federal Government to ensure that the road built by hard work, great service, and mutual respect is here for the next hundred years. The road has always had its ups and downs and it wasn’t always a pretty story but it was a place that connected our country making the Midwest its heartbeat.

We are working on the 2022 Motor Tour which will go North to South with our overnight in Lincoln. We are watching the Covid situation and are going to follow the 2021 guidelines of limited stops but still a great Tour with some new places and faces. Dates are the second weekend in June – the 10th, 11th and 12th. We have some plans for a fun Friday night start and we are open to suggestions on stops for the tour. This year we will again be taking the checks/payments for the tour in two parts: one for the Tour that always goes on rain or shine. and the second for the Hall of Fame dinner. Currently there are no Covid restrictions on banquets, however we are including in our plans that the Tour goes on whether or not we can hold a Hall of Fame Banquet.

We have the Association and Preservation members, Debbie and Emmy Bates working on organizing our historic documents and histories. We have a new position, Historian, that Dwight Cannon has stepped up into. You will see articles from Dwight periodically in our newsletter about different places along the road. Tim Walsh is now representing us on the Road Ahead as our voice on several committees. John Weiss continues to lead our Preservation Committee and its never-ending maintenance, maintenance, maintenance and a newly formed Museum Committee to help Curator John Wile with Hall of Fame and Museum initiatives.

We held our first Motor Tour meeting in November with the City of Atlanta hosting us at the Palms Cafe restaurant with a catered breakfast from Country Aire. Atlanta has a new Tourism director, Whitney Ortiz, and the town has been working on its historic properties and one of the featured items on the tour will be a visit to the “new” “old” original Atlanta mine! Who knew?

Do do your honey do lists while winter settles in. Spring will be here – I always use my morning mantra, “One day closer to spring.”

The Board of Directors of our Association wishes all of you – our extended 66 family – a healthy, happy and safe 2022.

See you on the road,
Cathie Stevanovich, President

Fall again. Seems faster this year for some reason, mainly because we’er returned “to the streets” and instead of shelter in place and Zoom family get togethers, we’re out and about and getting real hugs. With real hugs comes responsibility and we’ve been exposed to new flu varieties and variations of Covid. If we continue to be careful, follow whatever mask requirements are in place wherever you travel, and as more people get their vaccinations, together we’ll move toward a healthier winter.

I hear from many people the need for a good hard freeze to kill the germs so we’d be healthy all winter and all school year. I’m personally hoping for a real true fall before the cold weather returns.

There is renewed activity all up and down the Mother Road. Festivals are returning in the states out west; here in Illinois the Mother Road Car Show returned to downtown Springfield September 24-26. This year we saw the return of Pontiac’s Thresherman’s Parade on Labor Day weekend, and the Basset Waddle in Dwight on September 19. Atlanta now has their own Tourism person, Whitney Ortiz, and they have had several car shows including the Coffee and Corvettes show. Wilmington hosted an Autumn Craft Show at North Island Park on October 10th. The 6th Annual Route 66 Miles of Possibility Conference will be virtual this year, running October 21 -24.

Wilmington will also be rededicating the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker on Route 66/Baltimore Street on November 13. It is a multi-Memorial service to celebrate the Blue Star Highway, Veterans Day, and the 95 birthday of Route 66. The event will be from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and food will be provided by the VFW post.

We had limited Preservation projects this year as we were “technically” on lockdown until June 11 when groups were once more “allowed” to gather and our Motor Tour and Hall of Fame banquet were held. We had a great tour – and it was nice to return to our annual trip on the Mother Road. 2022 Motor Tour will start North and if you know of a place or event we should include in our tour, please email me or your county rep and let them know!

Our annual elections are October 19th and will be held at the Pontiac City Annex at 115 Q Howard next to City Hall. This building is directly across from the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum at 110 W Howard. The Board meeting is at 10:00 AM and the General meeting/elections will be at 1:00 PM. Come out and volunteer!

The Road Ahead continues to work on economic development and tourism for the entire eight states through with Route 66 runs. I have read in some newspaper and online journals that tourism from Europe is still diminished by travel restrictions. We have had at the museum a huge increase in local Illinois visitors taking the time to do parts of Route 66 and families that are including Day Trips with family get togethers. There are Illinois health mandates still in place and we hope our visitors appreciate our effort to keep everyone healthy and follow the rules.

Over the past 10 years there has been a lot of proposed changes along our Illinois miles. We attended meetings when the Illiana Toll road wanted to cut a wide swath through 100 year of family farms, cemeteries and small communities while paralleling Route 80. There was talk of creating a toll road between Joliet and Wilmington. There were many community meetings regarding the high speed rail and proposed changes along Route 66 to accommodate safer railroad gate and truck access. In the end, the accesses were changed to accommodate safety without taking away the northbound lanes on 66. People would say to me, “They can’t do that!” and the truth is “they” can, unless you participate and say “No!”  Many people in state and public works don’t have any idea about or affinity for the Mother Road, so our association is an important voice for the Illinois communities and preservation. Landmarks Illinois is another great organization that brings attention to places in Illinois that need to be saved. These are properties all over the state that need to be saved for future generations. Our award-winning preservation group has accomplished much in this state and will continue to help when asked and of course, we still “Work for food!”

So many changes in our personal contacts in Illinois! Ellie Alexander after a long, amazing career at Pontiac Tourism, recently retired. We were blessed to have the support of Ellie (and her family – thank you, David!). For the last 16+ years, Ellie had a great sense of humor and was amazingly resourceful when we needed her expertise and assistance.

We are excited that Liz Vincent has become the new Tourism Director. Liz has been involved with Pontiac and many will remember seeing her at the various Pontiac plays and musicals at the Park and the Eagle Theatre. Her vibrancy and energy for Pontiac and for Route 66 is awesome.

Sarah Waggoner who had been the Tourism Director in Litchfield has taken a new job in Springfield and we look forward to working with her in her new position as Tourism Manager for Visit Springfield. Sarah will manage the Springfield Visitors Center. Sarah replaces Jeff Berg who had been a valuable Springfield contact for the last 20 years.

Our association is thankful for many things.

Our docents Rose and Mary Ann who greet our visitors and represent Pontiac so well and take care of our museum and our visitors every day.

Marlene (and Russ) of PermaGraphics who go above and beyond to be part of our Route 66 community on their own besides editing and publishing our newsletter.

Gina and Scott of Esembe who are our hired hands with our email newsletters, our PayPal operations, Facebook page and website administration.

I want to thank the entire board of the Route 66 Association of Illinois for their continued hard work and attention to detail whether it’s a day of volunteering at the Hall of Fame and Museum, attending Preservation workdays, or working on the themes and places and faces for the annual Motor Tour. Your continued support and time spent is so well appreciated. We hear from people all the time about how much they enjoy the museum and look forward to seeing us their next time down the road. We have been happy to help those communities that have reached out to us for information or asking for letters of support for their grant applications.

Our best support of our 91 communities is to get out on the road and spend some of your hard-earned dollars supporting the businesses along the road. Your breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon ice cream and/or pie snack, and dinner before you go home helps these authentic 66 roadside service businesses survive! Don’t forget the weekend Picker’s Markets and end of the season car shows and craft fairs! We all notice how gas prices differ out on the road – so fill up before you go home! Every little bit helps.

As we return to our new normal, I look forward to new challenges and new opportunities for our association. So, put your windows down, leave the honey-do list on the kitchen table, and enjoy the colors of fall. Find out whether pumpkin spice is really your thing. (I’m still not sure…).

Cathie Stevanovich,
President, Route 66 Association of Illinois

The world is slowly coming back – our black and white stay-inside-until-it;-ok world is like a Ted Turner classic movie. It’s being colorized and we now have periwinkle skies and everyone has a little blush on their cheeks. People who were truly frightened by getting sick – or sharing it with their loved ones have gotten their shots and finally feel safe. Driving home from work I was amazed at how packed every store is. I drove past our local car show and not only were the cars on display packed in (with social distancing but packed) there were huge crowds floating around the cars. Nice to see people out and smiling.

We’re smiling because we were able to have our Motor Tour this year. Originally our tour was planned for 2020 and then shelved and adapted for a more self-contained 2021 tour. Not too many stops that require outside the care and waiting in line, more actual on-the-road time and allowing for some self-directed exploring. When we started planning this tour we weren’t’ sure what the state rules would be. Our mini-cruise on April 17th broke the ice and  35 cars showed up. Between mask sales and donations and cruise card sales, we raised $1,000 for the Mill. We had a great day one the road and a sneak preview of the updated Mill. Best of all, we had a sunny day on Route 66.

Our museum attendance has slowly gained momentum as staycations and day t rips are becoming more common again. Our museum hours will be 10:00 am to 4:00 pm through the end of the year. I personally feel that we’re not quite out of the Covid woods yet – but if we continue to be careful, wash our hands, sanitize with safe sanitizer or wet wipes, and get some vitamin D (either sun or supplements), we’ll be ok.

There are new businesses popping up along the road and long time businesses struggling to reopen. So many communities are reorganizing their annual events and on Memorial Day there were many mini parades and events to celebrate those who served our country and those who gave their lives. I encourage everyone to remember to thank veterans whenever and wherever for their service. A simple thank you means so much to those who served and those who continue to serve.

There are multiple small festivals being planned along the road and you will see pockets where new ev ents will bloom this year. (There were events that were cancelled this year and will be held in 2022 instead.) If you are looking for adventure, remember there are 91 communities along 66 in Illinois, many of which are starting to switch to high gear. Litchfield has an amazing lineup of monthly events, from festivals to monthly Picker’s Markets! Don’t forget the SkyView Drive-in for a real night of fun! The Chicken Basket in Willowbrook has been having Trivia Nights and Open Mic nights and various dinners! The Gemini Giant has reopened and expanded their menu! Assorted ice cream places and creameries along the road call for an indulgent ice cream cone (or two!). Pontiac has music “Rockin’ at the River” on Saturday nights, and Picker’s Markets and car shows! Odell Station is opened for the season! After a year of stay home and stay safe – I encourage you to continue to stay safe, but get out on the road! You NEED this! Netflix/Hulu/Discovery+ will wait patiently for your return!

The Bob Waldmire bus will remain closed this year however we will have a notebook with all the pictures of the inside of the bus when we first received it back in 2010 available for our visitors to look through. We opened it up to the public during Red Carpet 2011 and the last 10 years we’ve have entertained thousands in Bob’s house.

We are working on our Facebook and website to provide more information for day trips and events as well.

As we venture out on the two lane, more organized activities and businesses will be coming our way. For now, we can take a deep breath, relax and – for lack of a better word – frolic. We can put the worry we all felt on the side and take a bold step back into life. Frolic means to more cheerfully, excitedly or energetically. Let’s move! Rich Henry always says, “a body in motion stays in motion.” We can remember those family members and friends we’ve lost with gratitude for the gift of their friendship and the shared laughter – and move forward with great enthusiasm into the remaining 2021.

Looking forward to seeing you on the road –

Cathie Stevanovich
President, Route 66 Association of Illinois

Vaccines are slowly but surely becoming available, and with it the promise of a less quarantined world. People who did not venture out since last March have gotten their shots and waited out this strange period in our life. I spent hours and hours tryiing to get an appointment online for Cook County, on hold with the local Walgreens, etc. to no avail. A customer of mine went to the Adams County website and was able to get an appointment and a shot. I decided it was tine for a road trip! I was able to get appointments and Saturday we took a cruise to the Quincy Civic Center and were treated like royalty.  Wheelchair assistance, fast access registration, easy parking, and an amazing staff. Marty’s doctor had told him to get the Johnson & Johnson shot – and this was the only place I could find it. Once and done! We all need to be careful = the numbers are rising and that will affect all of us. In complimenting a paramedic working at the clinic he shared with us a lot of people had come down from Chicago. I spent more time in line at the Quincy McDonald’s in the drive up lane than I did at the entire Quincy Civic Center and that included waiting 15 minutes to make sure we didn’t have any reactions to our shots! First cruise of the year a little bit “off” 66 but parallel most of the way!

It has been a strange winter and spring. We started this year in quiet reflection mourning the loss of many of our members from sickness, age, and even a few from Covid. Saying goodbye is never easy and I am honored to haver had the opportunity to know some amazing people from all walks of life as a member of this organization.  Since last summer we lost Marty Bilecki, Chuck and CJ Beeler, and Duke Cartwright. The recent passing of Glaida Funk, Rose Vargo, Lou Vargo and Adella Hodges recall great memories. I am happy to have shared time during the Motor Tours with all of them. Over 20 Motor Tours personally and each one with special moments – our Association is blessed with so many great people.

Slowly international travel is being eased. I believe it’s going to take at least two years to get to the prior amount of visitors we were experiencing. The interest in Route 66 remains strong. Our museum in Pontiac will continue to be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM until the end of the year. The City of Pontiac continues to support us and we are thankful for all they do for our association.

To get everyone out of the house comfortably and safely, we are sponsoring a “Spring Fling” Car Cruise to raise money for The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois. The Mill’s museum does not have heating and air conditioning so our association gave a donation to them and are holding a caravan cruise down Route 66 on Saturday, April 17th to help them pay for proper heating and air conditioning. We will be starting in Wilmington with limited cruise “stops” along the way. This cruise is structured so it is strictly you and your family or friends in your car (with your germs) enjoying a great day on the road. There will be seven designated places where you can get a stamp on your Cruise Card simply by pulling up. to a designated stamp giver on the street at the assigned place. If you choose not to make the stops you can get all seven stamps at the end of the cruise in Lincoln at The Mill. The Mill will be open for socially distanced information and fun! There will be a split the pot as well. We thought it would be a great way to get out of the house safely and give the car a little extra mileage to get your car primed for the summer season. Safe, secure and masked your are on your own to add stops or meals to your day on the road. Activities will concljude at The Mill between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. There will be an e-blast and the info will be on the website. This is a cash/check only sign up. Rain or sine we caravan. $20 gets you a Mill Mask and a Cruise Card -= additional masks will be available at $5 each. ALL PROCEEDS go to The Mill. For questions or more information, email cathiesb@earthlink.net.

Red Carpet Corridor will be a one day outing this year. It will be a no-contact event with your cameras catching photos of a special code, and people without fancy phones can write down codes posted in each community. Codes sent to the Red Carpet will result in being mailed a special 96th anniversary postcard. All communities will have socially distanced activities from Joliet to Towanda. Info is also available on ilroute66redcarpetcorridor.com – please review times and places. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 1, note the Route 66 Association of Illinois museum will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM that day just for the event. The museum will be the Pontiac location for the code. It’s also the Swinging Bridges ARt Festival in Pontiac so there will be a lot to see and do!

The Odell Car show is Saturday, May 29th. This is a fundraiser for the Cancer Support Center in memory of Lenore Weiss. Details on the website. Be there or be square! John Weiss and Debbie Mosher have had amazing raffle prizes in the past and I am sure this year will be no different. The Cancer Support Center in Mokena and Homewood provide food, support, counseling and care for families affected by cancer so your raffle tickets make life so much easier for families who need emotional and physical assistance. Think of all those days you have been inside safe and sound and dig deep to help those families who cancer is always present in their lives every day and night and it’s personal.

Our Motor Tour, Life is a Highway, will be June 11th, 12th and 13th. This will be our 30th annual tour – from south to north, starting with opening night registration at the Comfort Inn in Edwardsville. Saturday we will start with a double cross of the Chain of Rocks Bridge, and up along the road. New places, new faces! Stops include Fairmont, Collinsville, Livingston, Mt Olive and Litchfield. Optional stops Raymond, up to Chatham for the “new” Corvair Museum (admission$5). Drive thru Springfield to the Hall of Fame banquet and overnight in Lincoln. Sunday morning there will be activities at The Mill, drive thru Atlanta, Funks Grove, and Bloomington for a passport stop at Hall of Fame Casey’s in Bloomington, and up to Lexington and on to Pontiac for lunch. After lunch, cruising thru Odell, Dwight, Gardner and up to Joliet for a private event/pre-Grand Opening at the New Rock and Roll Illinois Hall of Fame! Price is $35 prior registration, $45 at registration. Hall of Fame dinner will be at the American Legion Hall next to the Lincoln Inn and the Abe Lincoln Wagon. $25 for dinner. Due to Covid regulations, we will be socially distancing and tickets will be limited to 150. If you are going to send in a check for your reservations, please send separate checks in case we can’t do our dinner as planned. The banquet will be modified to allow social distancing so we are well within current Covid guidelines. We plan on a safe tour, great stops, good times after a tough year of Covid lockdown.

I look forward to a safe spring and fantastic summer filled with car shows, cruises, the Motor Tour and more community events with you! Remember to support eh 91 Route 66 communities and to invest in them by buying gas, meals and motel rooms. We are in this together and together we will make 2021 a banner year!

Cathie Stevanovich
President, Route 66 Association of Illinois

Whew! We’re done with 2020! Looking forward to 2021 to make up for the sadness, the loss, the health issues, the financial concerns of 2020. The new year has its work cut out for it – 2021 has to be almost too good to be true to make up for last yer. My mom used to talk about seasons and that everything had a season. Seasons were to bring endings as well.

This year we have lost many 66 supporters and may Route 66 members. Marty Bilecki, longtime 66 fan, passed away from heart issues (June). Hall of Fame member Chuck Beeler passed away in August from complications of surgery, his wife, C,J. Beeler (hall of Fame member Dixie Truck Stop, owner of Shirley Oil Company and her own private interior design business) passed away in September of COVID-19. Longtime Route 66 member Dorothy Seratt McMullin’s son passed away. Nate had helped out on many of the original workdays at Odell Station. Duke Cartwright, one of our Association’s longtime 66 supporters, and current Board member passed away in October. We lost Rosie Vargo, Longtime Preservation Member and Board member in the beginning of November in a car accident. We’ve had other members come through COVID-19 with some side efFects and after effects and we pray for their full recovery.

We’ve seen the world change since March. We survived “lockdown,” then “no lockdown” then slowly the opening of stores and our museum, and then a second wave of limitations and lockdowns. Our museum is currently closed in Pontiac (UPDATE: Our Hall of Fame and Museum has reopened as of January 20, 2021.), and although we were open for a few months, visitation was limited but “healthy” in that families were still out on the road, mostly from Midwest states but a few hearty International travelers.

Our Preservation Committee did get the exterior work done on Bob Waldmire’s bus. We were able to complete waterproofing and cleaning the bus before the lockdown. Our work days for the rest of the year were cancelled. Odell Station was used for a season of “Fargo,” with Chris Rock. The station received a lot of love as it was painted for the series and then repainted back to its original colors so with the exception of some outside work, the station will be fine until next year. Tall Paul in Atlanta has to wait to have his countenance freshened up due to COVID-19 regulations. We have a plan for a COVID-19-safe, self-contained(!) car cruise as a fund raiser this coming April. The Mill in Lincoln needs a heating and air conditioning system. The Board voted to contribute $1500 to The Mill to help them get started. Currently there is no heating or air conditioning at all!

By mid-April we all will be a little stir crazy – and will need to get out! So safely road trip with a purpose! Self-contained in your own car, out on the Mother Road, caravanning in and out of communities, getting stamps on a Tour Sheet from a street stop (you stay in your car, stamps are handed through the car window) all to support The Mill. Tentative cost will be $20 per car and that gives you a Tour Sheet map and a reusable fabric Mill mask. All funds raised will go to The Mill towards their projected $10,000+ cost of enabling their Museum to be open year ’round! Extra Mill masks will be available for $5 each. Details to be published online and in e-blasts (so make sure you’ve signed up to receive our informative emails here. We can, and we will, social distance, and safely get our kicks on 66 for a great cause. Plus, this will be the perfect warm-up for the 2021 Motor Tour that we hope will be able to be held in June. The Motor Tour will be South to North, overnight is in Lincoln. The theme is “Life is a Highway” and color is “safety orange!” You will definitely see us coming in 2-21 with bright orange safety cones highlighting our Passport stops and adorning our banquet tables – which will be properly distanced and only held if Illinois mandates approve inside dining at the time. Cross your fingers – so we can cross the Chain of Rocks Bridge twice!!

Expect news from our Winter Quarterly Meeting regarding this year’s Motor Tour and the possibility of holding these meetings via Zoom rather than in person in the future.

We look forward to seeing what Governor Pritzker decides ass we go forward into 2021. We know there is work to be done at the Museum (annual spring cleaning), Odell Station, Tall Paul and perhaps sone new work projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we sincerely wish all of our members and Route 66 supporters a wonderful New Year. We hope that 2021 brings you health and happiness. We appreciate your support over the last 31 years and we look forward to 31 more!

See you on the road!

Cathie Stevanovich
President, Route 66 Association of Illinois

We are currently experiencing a life altering event – something that we have no control over. We are told to “stay in place” and if we do go out, to keep at least 6 feet of space from the next person. Paper towels and toilet paper are difficult to find, and big Plexiglas shields are on the registers at. grocery stores if you do venture out. More people have died of this virus as of March 31st, in the United States, then died on 9/11.

Many of us were told by our employers that our jobs were being closed for the duration, restaurants closed, town halls/village centers closed, because of a virus.  It’s scary and its unknown – and the one thing that everyone can do to help control it is social distancing.

Due to the State “stay in place” mandate and the posted Federal guidelines, we are cancelling the April 19th Quarterly meeting in Litchfield. We ask our members to stay home and stay safe.The Red Carpet Corridor event, with the communities from Joliet to Towanda, scheduled for May 2nd, has been cancelled due to current “shelter in place” mandates and concern for public safety. The entire event has been moved to May 1st, 2021.

We are cancelling the 2020 Motor Tour. Our Board has worked very hard to put together a great tour with some new places to go and another great Hall of Fame Banquet in Lincoln at the American Legion, food by Chef Wentland.  We are moving the entire tour to 2021 – the 2nd weekend of June – June 11th, 12th, and 13th. We will celebrate our 30th Motor Tour at that time – starting South and heading North utilizing everything we had planned for this year. With the current health situation in our country, and an extended “shelter in place” order we feel that although 80% of the Motor Tour is in your own car on the road, the 20% of community events/activities could be dangerous. If even one person got sick on the Motor Tour it’s not just one – the exposure will be there and we value our members too much to put them at risk. So we ask that this year you stay home but make sure you mark your 2021 calendar for the 30th Annual Motor Tour. We had such a great time last year we booked the American Legion hall and caterer, Chef Wentland, for the next 2 years so we are assured a venue and lots of great food.

In the meantime, take care of yourself and your family and friends.

Someday we’ll look back at this and remember those that gave their all in hospitals all over the country taking care of others who couldn’t take care of themselves. We’ll tell stories of hospital tents at McCormack Place where the Car Shows usually were, about restaurants being closed and of toilet paper and paper towels as being impossible to find. We’ll chat again, 6 feet apart, and think nothing of it.

We invite you to put on your calendar our Route 66 Association of Illinois Annual Picnic, August 16th from 11:30 a.m. to ???  The Association will supply meat, pop, water, and please bring something to share. It’s at the Sugar Grove Preserve in Shirley, Illinois, and it is in a covered pavilion.

This was a tough decision made by the entire Board of Directors for all our safety. 

When the health threat subsides, please remember to support the 91 communities along Route 66. Take a Sunday Drive, order take-out, fill up your tank with gas, while cruising with your windows down – face masks optional. Stay well, be careful.

Cathie Stevanovich, President

Route 66 Association of Illinois 

Baby, it’s cold outside! It’s dark early and cold and everything is gray and I can’t believe this year just flew by! So much to be thankful and grateful for, so many people helping out and giving their time and energy to our Association and to the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum.

There is construction everywhere – it’s long been Illinois fifth season – you know, Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall and Construction. Everywhere there are road crews fixing, changing or repairing. Sos much commotion and change that we’re incorporating it into our 2020 Motor Tour. Our 30th annual Motor Tour: “Life is a Highway.”

We are traveling south to north, the tour will include a double cross of the Chain of Rocks Bridge and then we’ll be traveling far and wide as we head north. Our overnight will be in Lincoln with Chef Wendtland providing amazing food and we’ve pre-booked the American Legion Hall again as it was such a perfect venue last year. Mark your calendars now – the second full weekend of June, the 12th, 13th and 14th.

It wasn’t that long ago that many of us gathered in the old fire station in Pontiac in December, 2003 and held a simple ceremony to start the Route 66 Hall off Fame and Museum. We huddled together on that snowy day to christen our future home. We opened to the public officially in June, 2004 and 15 years later we’re going strong. The Road itself has provided us with additions to our displays and we are proud to provide a wonderful museum where everyone is welcome to come and see the past, present and future of Route 66. The tourism season is slowing down for a little while although we’ve had many Illinois families visit the museum, incorporating the visit with a family reunion, sports tournament or staycation. We are now open winter hours (10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.

Many businesses along the road are closing – and new ones opening. We have seen over the last 10 years more Route 66 communities utilizing their Route 66roots to add to their local history. We will be seeing a big change in some of the smaller communities. Pontiac will be the home to a huge car-only gas station with over 70 gas pumps, and Atlanta is working on developing a major truck stop off I-55. Elwood continues to be the home of the world’s largest inland port which means endless truck traffic. Joliet recently annexed more land where more warehouses will be built. Although they are building a diamond-style exit off I-80 with a major new truck stop before the exit to Chicago Road (IL53/Hwy 66), the truck traffic is still pretty intimidating to many Roadies as they start their adventures coming out of Joliet. It wasn’t that long ago when talk/meetings concerning the Illiana toll road were being held and discussions about how aa new toll road would benefit/impact all the communities in its path. I attended many meetings regarding the effects on towns, cemeteries, ancient burial grounds, current businesses, family farms, all that lay in the path of this progressive road. It’s just a story in the past now, and communities are looking for new ways to maintain their character yet expand their financial base.

As 2019 winds to a close, I want to thank all those who gave their time, energy, membership or support that enabled our Association to finish the year strong. Our award-winning Preservation Committee continues to provide advice and help where we can throughout the state. It’s one of the few crews where laughter and getting your hands dirty is a big part of why our preservation projects are so successful. We know the trick is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance, but we have such a great time doing it. We work for food and it doesn’t get better than saving a piece of history for tomorrow and somewhere there’s fabulous sandwiches or chicken dinners and homemade desserts of lots of conversation.

We look forward to spring – the preservation work days, the Red Carpet Corridor (first weekend in May) and then on to the 300+ car shows and festivals up and down the road. For now we’ll have to hunker down and conserve our energy for cold winter mornings and snowy nights. Time for the family traditions and New Year resolutions. Time to be grateful for all those that were an important part of our lives and the stories of the Mother Road, and time to enjoy and share the stories of those we still can. A big thank you to Mayor Bob Russell for all his Route 66 hands-on “mayoring” in Pontiac and we wish him well in his retirement. Another thank you to Bill Kelly from the Route 66 Scenic Byway who recently retired. Bill will remain active on our Road Ahead initiative so we are happy he’s not completely leaving his 66 roots as he moves out east to start his retirement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Route 66 Association of Illinois, I extend to you our warmest and sincerest wishes for a safe, happy, healthy holiday season. If you get a little cabin fever, get out and support the small businesses along the road.

Looking forward to an interesting 2020 with you!

Cathie Stevanovich, President
Route 66 Association of Illinois

Fall – Autumn – Indian Summer – I really don’t know what to expect this year! We had a strange Spring, a summer that was hot and wet, we’re moving into a Fall that’s hot, wet and with cooler nights and I am so not ready for Winter. It seems overnight the trees have shades of red and gold in them, the crops are high and tasseled, the soy plants bushy and dark green. Lots to do and so little time. I think I’m going to call a moratorium on being “ready” for anything.

It’s been eight years since we welcomed the Bob Waldmire bus to our Pontiac museum. During this time we’ve had countless personalities – public and private – come to tour Bob’s “house.” Sometimes the visitors come in quietly, amazed by what’s inside, and after some lengthly looking around and asking questions, people sit down and ask more questions or take the time to share with the volunteers on the bus a story about Bob, or about meeting Bob, or seeing a video of Bob on their computers.

It’s never Mr Waldmire, it’s always “Bob” in a respectful tone. Many people who come through the bus share their story – their own personal health issues, their own personal battle with cancer, or they share why they are on a journey on 66 and how this bus is important to them. I had a gentleman from France in the bus this past Saturday who told me about his trials and issues with cancer, and how he struggled to be healthy enough to make the Route 66 tour he had planned two years earlier when he was healthy. He had read up on Bob and his lifestyle and felt that visiting the bus would give him the strength to go home and make sweeping changes in his life as he felt he was being drawn to do. After sitting in the bus reflecting on the simplicity of Bob’s house, he turned to me and said he wasn’t sure he could give up everything for the life he felt called to lead. I suggested he modify his expectations and take smaller steps and I assured him small steps are just as risky as large ones – thankfully he laughed with me, and after meditating for a while he left. I sincerely hope he finds health and peace and his path in life. Bob was an ordinary man who followed his heart which led to extraordinary relationships with a lot of people. Route 66 people are special – they have a lot to share if you let them.

We had a great tour, and a Summer full of volunteers at the museum and on the bits and pieces of preservation projects we have along the road.

As the weather changes, I want to remind everyone that starting November 1st through March 31st, the Museum hours are 10:00 AM -4:00 PM. The bus will be closed for the winter as well.

The Preservation Committee will be moving our traveling exhibits back into the Funks Grove Rest Stop soon. The geothermal heating/cooling has never worked quite like it was supposed to – and the excess condensation threatened our display. John Weiss and a crew from Preservation safely stored our 66 gear away – and now that the rest stop is “fixed,” volunteers will spend a day setting up the two displays again. This is the busiest rest stop in Illinois and we’re anxious to share our Mother Road miles with those headed north or south.

Route 66 means so much to so many people whether it’s about freedom, or a bucket list, a final “waltz” down the two lane – whatever, the road has aa story for everyone on it. Did you ever share your story?

It’s that time of the year for Hall of Fame nominations! If you know any business, service, destination, place or person who has contributed to the road in Illinois, please share their story! There is an outline of Hall of Fame rules on our website; it’s available by request from me and there are printed copies at the Hall of Fame museum (see page 20)! Don’t let another year go by when you feel that there is something in Illinois that needs to  be honored and become part of our Hall of Fame. Don’t wait until that place or person is gone!

In October there will be an election for our Association’s officers. I want to thank all the county representatives for their efforts and time spent this last two years working on Illinois (and National) projects. The National Parks program is scheduled to “sunset” this year, and we are hopeful the National Trail will be passed in Washington and our eight state roadway will become a National Trail and be  protected in the future. It doesn’t mean that the 66 Associations will no longer need to exist as guardians of their state miles, it just means that in case future generations don’t step forward for our Illinois miles, we will not be dismantled. It won’t be new bypasses or alignments. It will mean maintenance on our existing roads, and reverence for the future We are an aging population, and as much as we encourage younger participation in our Association, we need to be realistic that the National Trail will carry on when our Association’s members are too old or not physically able to do the maintenance that preservation requires. It’s not money, money, money – it’s time, time, time and healthy joints and muscles. The Road Ahead is getting stronger and more cohesive and will enable all eight states and nine Associations to work will with each other and promote economic development and tourism. Those are not Association’s job or goals, this is a national team effort to realize that going forward will need to utilize grants and work together to provide funding for places along the road.

The coming year will be a big one as we work on our local preservation project and look to help surrounding communities with theirs. I totally appreciate all the help and good will that’s been given to me over the years. The City of Pontiac has been a faithful and proactive partner in helping us make an empty building into a home for our museum. The use/reuse of building in town to add to the museum complex has given Pontiac the reputation of being a great Route 66 town to visit. I am always excited when talking with people and they casually mention that this is their second, or fourth and with one woman, her ninth trip through Pontiac, Illinois because she found the city to be the most “real.” So a huge thank you to Bob Karls and the City of Pontiac, to our docents, Rose and Mary Ann, and to the incredible John Wille who as a curator holds it all together.

So go and enjoy the season of change, put off ’til tomorrow what you can and get a few more miles in some place on the road. Whether its soup and sandwich at Horsefeathers in Elkhart, or amazing breakfast hash browns at Jubelt’s in Litchfield, or singing karaoke at the Luna Cafe in Mitchell, get out! Savor the rustling leaves and warm sunshine!

I remind you that Route 66 was built on the dream of a better day, that hard work and service and respect never goes out of style There is nothing better than a cruise down a tow lane to sooth your soul. Share your time and money with small businesses along the road – you dollar will go further and it will help keep our 91 Mother Road communities alive.

Until the snow flies, see you on the road!

Cathie Stevanovich, President
Route 66 Association of Illinois