The President's View
Category: The President’s View
A Tribute to American Patriotism
Elkhart Historical Society
May 24, 2024 Dinner Lecture
Charles “Chuck” Fricke, a local businessman for over 50 years in Logan County and popular speaker, will be welcomed back to the podium for the Elkhart Historical Society’s dinner lecture event on Friday, May 24, 2024. The dinner lecture will be held at the Wild Hare Café, Elkhart, Illinois, 5:30 p.m.
Chuck will share his love of country with a tribute to American patriotism, the history of Old Glory (including the design and symbolism of the different U.S. flags), and faith in its heritage. He will also share the untold/unknown historical facts of a medical corpsman during World War II, serving under General Patton and General Bradley, as they toured through Africa and Italy.
Chuck is a 1973 graduate of Chicago Worsham Mortuary School and University of Illinois (Springfield) with a business degree in Organizational Management. He served as the State’s youngest president of the Illinois Funeral Directors’ Association in 1983. He later served as a Board Examiner on the National Funeral Directors’ level, as well as being appointed to the State Board of Examiners by the governor in 1984.
Chuck graduated in 1973 from the State’s first Emergency Medical Technicians’ Assistance Program (EMT-A), and he later served as Director of the Emergency Service Disaster Agency in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois.
Reservations must be made by calling 217 947 2238. After receiving confirmation, fill in the reservation form indicating your choice of entrée and dessert, and mail it in within 5 business days with your check to The Elkhart Historical Society. The inclusive cost per person is $45, and covers the meal, tax, and tip, of which $15 is for the Elkhart Historical Society program. The deadline for reservations is May 13th. For reservation forms go to www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org
Doors open at 5p and dinner service begins promptly at 5:30p. Additional parking is one block east of the restaurant on Gov. Oglesby Street.
First Annual Red, White, and Blue Tour of the Lincoln Highway
The First Annual Red, White, & Blue Tour will take place on the last weekend of April. Explore the Lincoln Highway in Illinois driving at your own pace during the weekend of Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28, 2024.
The Lincoln Highway in Illinois starts in Chicago Heights in the east and ends in Fulton along the Mississippi River in the west. The Lincoln Highway continues at both ends in Indiana and Iowa, too. Click here to discover participating museums and other points of interest along the way!
President’s Letter – Spring 2024
“Everybody Talks About the Weather, But Nobody Does Anything About It.”
Whether that quote is attributable to Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) or to Charles Dudley Warner (more likely), one thing is for certain – we have been experiencing some rather odd weather. When it’s 72 one day and nearing 0 wind chill the next, it makes it difficult to plan trips down the Mother Road. Still, those nice warm days did make it inviting to jump in the car and take an impromptu trip down the highway. With Spring upon us, I look forward to “dropping the top” and cruising down the road…as long as that weather cooperates, of course.
Now, for me, those trips have been a little out of the question lately, as I finally succumbed to the dreaded Covid, including a “rebound” after I thought I had recovered. But all seems well now, and I can get back to the business of enjoying life and getting my thoughts back on that road.
I did miss out on a few things, including the Travels with Darley event in Joliet, which centered on Route 66 in Illinois. I hope least some of you were able to attend this – if you were, be sure and let us all know how it was. Of course, you can still hop onto our website and view the Samantha Brown’s Places to Love Route 66 in Illinois video – it’s the first item in the News menu – go watch and enjoy. You might even catch a glimpse of our own John Weiss…
Speaking of events to attend, the Chain of Rocks Park in St. Louis will be having its opening celebration on April 14 at 2:00 p.m. I plan on attending and enjoying the festivities, as well as getting a good look at this new development. Pictures I have seen have been impressive, and I hope the Association can enjoy it on a future Motor Tour, with, of course, a crossing of that iconic bridge. I believe both the Illinois and Missouri Associations are excited by this new park – let’s all give Great Rivers Greenway and the others involved a big round of applause for their achievement.
The historic water tower in McLean has been saved, and will remain a monument for McLean and the people that erected this rare style of construction of which fewer and fewer examples remain. At the time of this writing, the contract had not yet been signed, but it allows CORE to take up to two years to complete the painting of the tower, something that should not be an issue. The Association has earmarked funds to assist in the preservation, and we invite others to do so as well. I’m looking forward to seeing the water tower in its new paint!
As far as saving things, there’s news regarding the Gemini Giant in Wilmington. That news is that the auction in March closed with a winning bid of $275,000. That bid was submitted by the Joliet Area Historical Museum, who then donated the Giant to Wilmington. Plans are for the Giant to be placed in the South Island Park in Wilmington next to a Route 66 monument. While many would’ve like to see the Giant remain at the Launching Pad, it’s great that Wilmington will still be home to this icon. I’ll let others consider the pricing…
We’re looking forward to our Motor Tour – join us and join in the fun! Plans are coming together for this annual excursion, but we also are planning on multiple day trips throughout the state. Watch for announcements for both the Motor Tour and the 66 Centennial Series day trips and see what Illinois has to offer! And let us know what you would like to visit. By the way, do you have suggestions for communities along 66, large and small? Let us know at our quarterly meetings or use the contact pages on our website.
Of course, planning for the upcoming centennial celebration continues, both in our state and in the other Route 66 states. As more concrete decisions are made, we’ll keep you informed. Lots of great ideas are being considered.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the Main Street of America!
Dwight M. Cannon, President
Route 66 Association of Illinois
P.S. I remind everyone that we would be excited to see you at our quarterly meetings. Dates and times are posted on the Association’s website calendar.
American Giants Museum Grand Opening
Friday, May 24, 2024
* 10am – 4pm American Giants Museum Open
* Installation of the Texaco Big Friend Giant – specific time TBD.
* Installation of the Viking Carpet Giant – specific time TBD.
* Bring lawn chairs and watch from across the street at Xenia Park as these giants are installed.
Saturday, May 25, 2024
* 10am-1:00pm American Giants Museum Open.
Sunday, May 26, 2024
* 10am-4pm American Giants Museum Open
* Noon-3pm – Lunch in Xenia Park and the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop at the American Giants Museum
* Phat Daddy’s BBQ Food Truck – Pulled pork, Brisket, etc. – At Xenia Park, Arch & Vine Streets
* Polen Grilling – Grilled Ribeye and Porkchop Sandwiches & Brats – At Xenia Park, Arch & Vine Streets
* Chubby’s Bar & Grill – Fresh daily hamburgers, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches & More [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063934987998] – 111 SE Vine St, Atlanta, IL
* Country Aire Restaurant – Family Restaurant, Daily Specials, Homemade Pie [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057054326635] – 608 E South St, Atlanta, IL
* Missy’s Sweet Shop – Cookies & Baked Goods [https://www.facebook.com/ThePalmsGrillCafe] – 110 SW Arch Street, Atlanta, Illinois
* 12:30pm – The Man Behind the Giants – A Conversation with Joel Baker – Join Joel in the Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop Area, on the grounds of the AGM, for a Q&A session about all things Giants and the American Giants Museum.
* 2pm — American Giants Museum Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting – Remarks from Joel Baker, American Giants, LLC, along with local dignitaries.
Motor Tour Hotels/Motels
The following properties are provided as a courtesy. The Association does not endorse or recommend any particular establishment.
Romeoville
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
1265 Lakeview Dr.
Romeoville, IL
(630) 378-1052
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Romeoville
1280 Normantown Rd.
Romeoville
(815) 524-8428
Delta Hotels by Marriott Chicago Willowbrook
7800 Kingery Hwy
Willowbrook
(708) 290-0006
Extended Stay America – Chicago – Romeoville – Bollingbrook
1225 Lakeview Dr.
Romeoville
(630) 226-8966
Lincoln
Comfort Inn and Suites
130 Olson Dr
(217) 735-5800
Hampton Inn
1019 North Heitmann Drive
(217) 732-6729
Quality Inn and Suites
2811 Woodlawn Rd.
(217) 735-3960
Regal 8 Inn and Suites
2011 N. Kickapoo St.
(217) 671-9216
Super 8
2809 Woodlawn Rd.
(217) 732-8886
A Day on the Dixie
Save the date, Saturday, June 22, 2024. for the 2024 edition of A Day on the Dixie
New route this year, starting with a complimentary pancake/omelet breakfast sponsored by the City of Markham with new stops along the way down to St Anne, IL.
Online registration is available. Both mail-in and online registration will be offered to those who wish to pre-register for this exciting event.
Sponsored by A’s R Us Car Club of Crete, IL.
Wilmington Giant Mayoral Press Release
White Fence Farm
Hall of Fame member, inducted 1998
1376 Joliet Road, Romeoville, Illinois 60446, United States
The White Fence Farm was established in the early 1920s by Stuyvesant ‘Jack’ Peabody, son of Peabody Coal Company founder Francis S. Peabody and himself CEO of Peabody Coal at the time. It was opened on a 12-acre plot that Peabody owned across what would become U.S. Route 66 from his 450-acre horse farm. It is said that Jack Peabody often had weekend guests at his horse farm, but there was no restaurant in the area where he could entertain them – so he started one himself. The roadside restaurant, which opened in a converted farmhouse, was known then for its hamburger sandwiches and Guernsey milk products, including ice cream.
By the time U.S. Route 66 opened in November 1926, White Fence Farm had already served several thousand customers. It was reviewed several times during the Peabody years by the early restaurant critic Duncan Hines, who had been a fan of the restaurant since the late 1920s. After Prohibition ended, Jack Peabody promoted California wines at the restaurant and helped to revive the California wine industry, as he had earlier helped to revive thoroughbred horse racing in Illinois during the 1910s and 1920s. Peabody operated the restaurant successfully until his death in 1946. After that, the restaurant was first leased to several different renters, then eventually sold by Jack’s son, Stuyvesant Peabody Jr.
Since 1954, the restaurant has been owned and operated by the Hastert family. Robert Hastert Sr. was the first family owner-manager. Hastert had begun as a wholesale poultry dealer at the Aurora Poultry Market during World War II and later owned the Harmony House restaurant in Aurora, Illinois, which he had opened four years before he bought White Fence Farm. The property had gone through several operators/owners after being sold by the Peabody estate.
The restaurant building has expanded several times under the Hasterts. It now has several dining rooms, with seating for more than 1,000 customers. It also features a side room and gallery that includes an antique car collection, other antiques, and Jack Peabody’s collection of original Currier & Ives prints, among other nostalgic displays. During the summer, the restaurant has an outdoor petting zoo.
Phone: (630) 739-1720
https://whitefencefarm-il.com/Mon: Closed
Tue - Sat: 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 08:00 pm
66 Centennial Series
As the centennial of the Mother Road rapidly approaches, the Association will be hosting various events. While most will involve Route 66 in one way or another, we may also provide for some events that are off the path somewhat.
Most of these will be day trips, although we will also be including our annual Motor Tours in this series. The list below will reflect the events and will be added to as events become scheduled. For these and other events, please refer to our calendar of events.
- Funk Prairie Home, March 30, 2024
- 2024 Motor Tour, June 7-9, 2024