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

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day! Is it me or does it seem like Illinois has taken on a grunge season like Oregon or Washington? As long as we get some sunny days in between, this too can b e adjusted to.

We go into high gear at this time of year – festivals, car shows, county fairs and outside entertainment everywhere! Looking for something different or unusual? Just google your area and you would be amazed what you will find! Don’t forget that Sunday drives are always aa good time to take a break from work and responsibilities and find your own fun. Years ago if you invited me to lunch in Connecticut I would be on the road in no time! Now I’m still adjusting to having a little less mobility and energy so I’m ok for about five hours.

The 2019 Motor Tour was wonderful! From Dr. Jordan Bellar’s museum to the Niemann’s Farm in Litchfield, a great time was had by all. The Hall of Fame dinner with new honorees, The Fatlan Family, and the De Benedetti brothers, Mario and Darin, and the Milano Bakery Company was great! Good company, great food, and the Milano Bakery brought us an atomic cake and homemade cookies that were so good! Thanks to all who sent their suggestions and comments on the tour. The Board of Directors appreciates your input and many of these suggestions will be put in place for next year’s tour! Believe it or not, it takes about 10 months to arrange the tour!

We are celebrating out 15th year in Pontiac! Time has flown by, and we have been blessed to have the3 support of the City of Pontiac! The world comes to our door and we’re not fancy or computerized or 3D, but the museum is appreciated for what It is: A record of Illinois 66 memorabilia and our Hall of Fame members. The Hall of Fame recognizes those who built businesses, services, destinations, etc. along the Mother Road. If you know of anyone who deserves to be in our Hall of Fame, nominations start September 1st through December 31st. The criteria is on our website, available at the museum or email me for information. There are 91 communities along 66 in Illinois – there are people you may know that should be honored!

We are awaiting the fate of the National Trail! The Road Ahead and the various sponsors of making Route 66 a national trail have been hard at work quietly working to make sure the Mother Road is protected in the future. The current preservationists and state association workers are an aging community and it’s important that our work carries on. There is a season for everything – including Associations – so having Route 66 a national trail will ensure that the Road continues. As more and more families make Route 66 a local staycation, our numbers for visitors in Illinois is increasing. Some of the Mom and Pop places are being replaced b y big box stores, but there is still spirit and room for individuals to set down roots. The small but mighty Route 66 Historical Shop in Springfield highlights that during Route 66’s start up and growth, Springfield was a major contributor to travelers of any color on the road.

As a people, as a country we have gone through many growing periods and will continue to do so. How we were raised morphs into where society has changed and how we as people change. Occupations change as well. Visiting Niemann’s Farm was eye-opening as to the amount of equipment needed to farm. And that no matter how great your equipment, timing and weather affect your final crops. When people say to me that all this Route 66 stuff is based on “living in the past” I like to point out lessons learned from the people of the road that respectfully provided food, services, and were the volunteers, scout leaders, church leaders, town council members, etc. All taught us lessons worth learning. Respect, hope and freedom never goes out of style. All should be enjoyed by everyone no matter where they are.

John Miller will be representing us on another The Road Ahead committee as the nine associations (eight states) work together as a group for future preservation needs and guidance. The Road Ahead will not replace the state associations – grass roots will always be important in our Illinois projects. Since the Association started in 1989, we were aggressive on correct signage, on getting involved where we could, or when we were asked, and several of the nationally/world famous preservation projects in the state – Odell Station and The Mill – continue to need our support and work. Preservation is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.

Our award-winning Preservation Committee has members who come in from Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, etc. to lend a hand. The Waldmire Bus is well on its way to International fame, and it requires waterproofing and cleaning and volunteers to share its story. Since 2011 when the bus was first opened to the public on Red Carpet Corridor weekend, thousands have been through the bus. Many return as an annual trek. Preservations inspires, it reignites dreams and hopes that anything is possible all based on choices we make.

We’re facing tougher financial times, gas prices are good but the increased gas tax in Illinois is going to take some adjustment. Please don’t forget that the communities along the route need support and dollars spent on the road are so appreciated. Many communities need volunteers – so step up and give a few hours a month to a local museum or historical society that needs help in order to be open. You will be amazed at the benefits you get when you give a few hours of your time. I have made so many friends from all over the world sitting in the Waldmire bus for a few hours. I met a sculpture artist from Japan, a fellow quilter from Canada, a teacher from Samoa, and learned that we’re all the same. We found a little peace on a two lane road that inspires us to have hope and dreams for the future. It’s a family of choice!

So get out and enjoy before we find ourselves surrounded by fall foliage! Roll down your car windows, get the wind in your hair. Share your stories of growing up with your friends and grandchildren. Go to the drive-in and watch the movie! SS\top by antique shops and browse. Support local museums that tell the story of that town and its people. Give tow hours of your time to a place that needs volunteers – whether its our Association of your local historical society.

Have a wonderful summer – and see you on the road!

Cathie Stevanovich, President
Route 66 Association of Illinois

Seasons come and seasons go, and I am oh so ready for this 2018-2019 winter to be over.

My mom used to tell me all the time that everything has a season and it’s not always a good season but it will eventually pass. Since Christmas, I have attended three funerals for my ’66 Family: Mike Cummings, Willie Anderson and Dee Pincsak, and one for my real extended family. I had been notified about another passing of a great friend of ’66, George Leone.

I also ended up in the hospital myself and thanks to an amazing paramedic team and wonderful care at the hospital, I (in Ernie Edward’s terms) lived to tell. With time comes adjustments and I am certainly learning/trying to adjust. I had sepsis and didn’t know until I shoveled some snow at work and set off a chain of physical reactions.

It’s been a hard winter for tourists all up and down the road – we weren’t the only ones experiencing bad winter weather. Parts of Arizona saw snow in areas it hadn’t been seen in years! The visitor numbers at our museum were down but now it’s March so they wil start going up again. This is the time of year we have an upswing in school visits and our curator, John Wille, has been putting together some fun activities for this year’s students. The Bob Waldmire bus has been closed for the winter and will reopen to visitors on May 4th during the Red Carpet Corridor weekend.

The Red Carpet Corridor tour will officially be just one day this year – Saturday, May 4th, however some of the Red Carpet communities may have activities on Sunday, May 5th as well.

This year’s collectible is a magnet, and the communities will have them available AFTER the festival as well. Look for your Red Carpet Corridor brochure and all the directions and information are available in it. The website to check out locations and activities is www.ilroute66redcarpetcorridor.com. This year Smokey the Bear will be 75 years old and will be featured at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Towanda will have their annual car show and fabulous Pin-Up contest just to name a few events!

We are working on the 2019 Motor Tour – this year’s tour goes north to south and our overnight in Lincoln includes our Hall of Fame dinner with Chef Wentlandt providing a fantastic Roadie dinner at our banquet. We will be at the American Legion for our meal which is located next to the Best Western hotel. Our board has been working on providing a lot of “news” for the tour as well as some favorites. We look forward to this tour, aptly titled, “Life in the Slow Lane.” We are celebrating 30 years as an association! We will be visiting a private auto collection, several “new” museum stops, and the tour will conclude in Litchfield this year.

This is the last year of the National Parks Service Route 66 corridor Act. This Act will be sunsetting this year and our association is working on a nomination. Over the years, Illinois has had the opportunity to use these Federal grants for many of our preservation projects. The Ariston in Litchfield will be relighting their original/rebuilt/repaired neon window lighting soon. The original window neon repairs are the latest project of the joint efforts of the Route 66 of Missouri Neon Preservation Committee and our Route 66 Association of Illinois to get a National Parks grant. Other grants received for neon repairs were for the Vic Suhling sign (Litchfield), the Del Rhea Chicken Basket sign (Willowbrook), and the beautiful rainbow-colored neon at the Luna Care (Mitchell).

Our award-winning Preservation Committee has some work days coming up – and “We work for food!” so come out and get dirty, laugh, and make our icons clean and fresh for the upcoming Route 66 travelers!

The Road Ahead just held their annual meeting and we will be publishing details on our website and in the nest newsletter. This committee has been working with representatives of all eight states and has been working hard to establish committees and put in place guidelines to help all eight states with preservation and economic development. The National Trail is alive again in Washington, D.C., and we are ever hopeful that this will pass. Just as each state has taken care of their Mother Road miles individually, the entire road needs to be under the care of the National Parks Service to Make sure its historic story never fades. We aren’t losing our miles, we will be protecting the work that’s been done and we will continue to assist Illinois’ 91 Route 66 communities.

Mark your calendars for June 22 and 23. Our Association will be co-sponsoring (with the city of Pontiac) Cheryl Jett’s play, “Aprons Away,” at the Eagle Theatre in Pontiac. This will be a free performance. Association members can reserve a seat in advance – details will be posted in May on how to reserve a free ticket and the show times on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. This is to celebrate our Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum’s 15th anniversary in Pontiac. More information will be available via an email newsletter and on our website and Facebook page with we have all the details worked out.

We all look forward to Spring! Before you “honey do” lists get filled out, take a few hours and get out on the road! Holly and Tully have done amazing work at the Launching Pad/Gemini Giant in Wilmington. There’s a lot of new businesses and restaurants in the Bloomington/NOrmal area. It’s almost Sirup time at Funks Grove! Take a photo at the Williamsville Public Library corner photo opp! Don’t forget to stop at the Litchfield Route 66 Museum (and stop for hash browns at Jubelt’s across the street).

Sunny days are coming and I can’t wait to complain about the heat! Be safe, be strong!

Cathie Stevanovich
President, Route 66 Association of Illinois