Route 66 Association of Missouri recognizes work of Fran Eickhoff

Bob Gehl presents a Route 66 T-shirt that Fran designed and Fran's award from the Missouri Association to Betty DeLeo of the Cuba History Museum. The memorabilia will be used in an exhibit that honors Fran.

Fanning, MO Members of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, family, and friends met on Saturday, April 25 at The Outpost General Store to recognize member Fran Eickhoff ‘s decades of dedication to Route 66 since becoming a charter member in 1990. Frances “Fran” Eickhoff, of Cuba, MO, passed away August 7, 2008 after a battle with cancer.

For many years Fran ran The Route 66 Lounge and greeted Route 66 travelers with her warm smile. She would go on to become an “activist” for preserving and promoting the Mother Road. She made friends not only in Missouri but also all along the road from Chicago to California as she attended Route 66 meetings and festivals. Even when facing the end of her life, one of Fran’s last trips was to the Litchfield, Illinois Route 66 Festival in June 2008 where she was able to visit with some of her Route 66 friends for the last time.

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Route 66 Association of Missouri Welcomes New Business Members

We welcome the following new business members and thank them for their support:

Antiques & More on Route 66 – Doolittle

Ty’s LIQUOR – Eureka

Spencer Garage – Spencer

Team Liquors – Strafford

Afton Station & Route 66 Packards - Afton, Oklahoma

Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum – Miami, Oklahoma

Please patronize the business members that support what we do. Here is a link to the complete list: Route 66 Association of Missouri Business Members

Cuba Missouri Tourism to Dedicate Plaque in Honor of Fran Eickhoff

From Glenda and Tommy Pike:

“As you all are very much aware, Missouri Route 66, The Route 66 Association of Missouri and all of us as individuals, lost a good friend with the death of Fran Eickhoff, August 7, 2008.

We are very pleased to tell you that Cuba (MO) Tourism is going to place a plaque in Fran’s honor.  This plaque will be placed on the front of the Fanning 66 Outpost General Store (home of the World’s Largest Rocker), just a short distance on Route 66 west of Cuba, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 25.   All of Fran’s friends are invited to attend!  Just be there by 11:00 AM!   Fanning 66 Outpost was chosen because the plaque will be placed in a secure location on the porch and out of the weather.  And there is plenty of parking for those wanting to visit the plaque (and Rocker and Store) as they travel Missouri Historic Route 66.

Our thanks go to Dan & Carolyn Sanazaro, owners of Fanning 66 Outpost for providing the location.  Thanks also to Norman DeLeo and Cuba Tourism for their thoughtfulness and work to provide this honor for Fran.

If there would be enough interest, we will find a location that we could have lunch after the presentation. If you can be there and would like to have a very informal group lunch, just send us a return email at furyon66@earthlink.net so we will have an idea of the number.

We do not have every members email in our address book, therefore, please tell anyone you might have contact with in the next week or so–or give them a call.  Fran would be please to be honored in this way.  We hope that you can join us!

Glenda and Tommy Pike”

Metropolis St. Louis Downtown Walking Tours to Resume for 2009 Season

From the Metropolis St. Louis events newsletter:

Date: April 18, 2009
Time: 10:00 AM

Every Saturday 10 a.m. From April-October
$5/Person No Reservations

Uncover the splendor of the architectural masterpieces that have made their home in Downtown St. Louis. Erected in the late 1800′s to the present, these structures were designed by famous architects such as Louis Sullivan, Cass Gilbert, Eero Saarienen, and Phillip Johnson. Experience a journey into the history of St. Louis.

WESTERN
The Western Tour begins at 10 a.m. every Saturday on the sidewalk outside the hotel entrance to Union Station on Market Street. Your tour guide will lead you through the downtown of one of America’s most historic cities. Walk through streets decorated by buildings such as Union Station and City Hall.

EASTERN
The Eastern Tour begins at 10 a.m. every Saturday outside the western entrance to the Old Courthouse, on Broadway between Market and Chestnut, opposite Kiener Plaza. You will learn about the architects, the design, and the history of buildings such as the Old Courthouse, Old Post Office, Wainwright Building, Missouri Athletic Club and many more!

2009 Float Season is Almost Here…

…and Forest 44 Canoe Rental is preparing by updating their web site which is now linked from our business members list web page. Forest 44 Canoe Rental will be offering floats on weekends in April and May, and everyday starting in June.  They’ve also added a new float trip: from Robertsville State Park to Pacific, floating through the Shaw Nature Preserve. Forest 44 Canoe Rental has also teamed up with the Jellystone Park Resort campground to offer family-friendly camping nearby.  They will pick you up from your campsite and bring you back.  Its time to start making your reservations now for the spring and summer! Please support the businesses who support the Route 66 Association of Missouri by working them into your summer recreation plans!

Route 66 Race to Rocker gets blue skies and high fives

First Annual Race to the Rocker

On Saturday April 4, in Missouri, an event took place on Route 66 that shows the spirit of the historic route is alive, well, and taking on new vitality. It was a beautiful day with sun, blue skies, and temperatures approaching 70 degrees. It was high fives all around for racers, planners, and volunteers.

JOG,inc., a local running club, staged its first annual Race to the Rocker. The four-mile race along Route 66 started at Cuba and finished at the Guinness World Record Largest Rocking Chair at the Fanning Outpost General Store with 155 participants pounding out the miles to the finish.

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Route 66 Association of Missouri Welcomes New Business Members

We welcome the following new business members and thank them for their support:

Peggy Sue’s Drive-In – Carterville
City of Florissant
Gay Parita Sinclair – Gay Parita
Hogs & Hot Rods Saloon – Joplin
RVExpress RV Park & Motel – Marshfield
Hot Wheels Mobile Auto Detailing / Party Express DJ Entertainment – St. Charles County
Comfort Inn – St. Robert
Fairfield Inn – St. Robert
Hampton Inn – St. Robert
ArdPark Cabins, LLC – Steelville
Midpoint Café & Gift Shop – Adrian, Texas

Please patronize the business members that support what we do. Here is a link to the complete list:
Route 66 Association of Missouri Business Members

Pinga’s Reopens at Witmor Farms

Jane Dippel of the Route 66 Association of Missouri sent along some good news about Pinga’s Mexican restaurant, formerly located in a pink stucco building just south of Rolla, Missouri. It has reopened inside Witmor Farms Restaurant in Buckhorn, and the food is just as good as before, Jane reports. I’m one of many association members who has enjoyed Pinga’s food over the years, and I’m looking forward to visiting the new location.