Archives for February 2021

Roamin’ Rich represents the latest generation of preservationists dedicated to promote and preserve Route 66.  He is the president of the Missouri Route 66 Association, a key member in the Painted Desert Trading Post cooperative, and the person behind most of the shields you see painted on the roadway.

Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Roamin’ Rich about:

• His earliest memory of Route 66
• The popular nickname Roamin’ Rich
• His first act as a preservationist
• Painting Route 66 shields on the road
• His largest shield ever placed to honor Gary Turner
• The infamous Chevy hood with Route 66 signatures
• The Missouri Route 66 Association
• Roamin’ Rich and his YouTube channel
• The unknown fact about Route 66
• Most cherished souvenir
• Painted Desert Trading Post, Gasconade Bridge, and other projects

This extended version of The Route 66 Podcast is only available to Patreon members and also includes Rich talking in depth about:

• How he tried to honor Gary Turner with one of the largest Route 66 shields he ever painted in Paris Springs and why the Missouri DOT requested it be removed.  Hear about the compromise they both agreed upon.
• Although it was never his intention to become president of the Missouri Route 66 Association, Rich talks about how the past president antagonized him one too many times and the final straw that caused him to run for president and overwhelmingly win the seat.  You may be surprised at the grade he gives himself as president.
• His thoughts on the closing of the Eat-Rite Diner in St. Louis amidst a worldwide pandemic.  What are some of the biggest challenges of operating a historic business along Route 66 in St. Louis?

Thank you again to everyone who has supported both the podcast and scholarship program through Patreon.  The 2020 – 2021 scholarship program has opened.  Please encourage all students in grades K – College to show their Route 66 spirit and apply here!  The college award will be $500.

A big shoutout to those who have supported the Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Program, including:

• Mary Beth Busutil – Florida
• Jim Crabtree – California
• Shellee Graham – Oklahoma
• Kristin Haakenson – Washington
• Rich Havik – Minnesota
• Brian Sawyer – Indiaana

International

• Charli Beeton – United Kingdom

Route 66 Businesses

• Mid Point Cafe – Adrian, TX

Congratulations to Patreon supporter Rich Havlik from Minnesota, who is the latest Patreon winner!  Rich has won a Route 66 wall calendar.

Roamin’ Rich Links:

Website: Roamin’ Rich

Facebook: Roamin’ Rich

Twitter: Roamin’ Rich

Website: Gary Turner (Gae Parita Service Station)

Website: Missouri Route 66 Association

FB Page: Painted Desert Trading Post

FB Page: John’s Modern Cabins

FB Page: Eat-Rite Diner

 

 

Painting the largest Route 66 Shield to honor Gary Turner

Peter MacDonald – Navajo Code Talker

At the age of 15 as a Navajo Native American, Peter MacDonald enlisted in the US Marines simply because he admired the official uniform.  Shortly after boot camp, he was recruited into a secret military program that would rely on a language that has no written form for what would later be known as a Navajo Code Talker.

The code talkers were pivotal during the Battle of Iwo Jima, a 6week intense battle that resulted in 25,000 casualties on both sides.    From a group of 450 Navajo Native Americans, MacDonald is only one of five surviving Navajo Code Talkers and he shares his life experience with The Route 66 Podcast.  After the war, MacDonald was sworn to a code of secrecy for the next 23 years while working as a Project Engineer for Howard Hughes on The Polaris Missile Project.  MacDonald also served as a Chairman of the Navajo Nation for four terms.

In addition to MacDonald, Route 66 realtor Jacque Kellogg talks about her initial reaction when a local motel owner in Flagstaff reluctantly decides to list the El Reno Motel on the market.  Unknown to her, Kellogg later learns that the motel has a historic place in history regarding the Navajo code talkers and the motel was later taken off the market.

Episode Highlights

• Flagstaff realtor Jacque Kellogg talks about the El Reno Motel and role in recruiting Navajo code talkers
• Peter MacDonald’s earliest memory of Route 66
• Enlisting at the age of 15 into the US Marines
• The Native American art of storytelling
• Understanding a language with no written word
• The turning point on Iwo Jima
• A 23 year code of silence after returning home
• A recent visit to the White House
• An impressive career as a missile defense specialist with Howard Hughes
• Hopes of establishing a national Navajo code talkers museum
• What everyone should know about Navajo code talkers
• Today’s biggest challenges for the Navajo Nation

Route 66 Patreon Program
The Route 66 Podcast has launched a Patreon campaign, where you can pledge a monthly donation to help support both the podcast and 2021 Scholarship Program.  The Route 66 Scholarship Program not only includes awards for students in grades K – 12, but will include a 2021 college level award.  More information about the Patreon program, including monthly prizes for supporters can be found here.

Special thanks to the Route 66 Podcast and Scholarship Patreon supporters:

• Mary Beth Busutil – Florida
• Shellee Graham – Oklahoma
• Kristin Haakenson – Washington
• Rich Havlik – Minnesota
• Brian Sawyer – Indiana

• The Midpointe Cafe – Adrian, TX