Our first order of business this blustery afternoon are condolences. I received notice this morning that Jan Finder (AKA The Wombat) has passed away.
Though we only met twice in person, once in Kingman for breakfast at the now defunct Silver Spoon as he motored west on Route 66, and at the international Route 66 festival in Amarillo, there has been a fair amount of correspondence and some interaction via Facebook over the years.
I will miss his witty snippets and observations. If I were to try and describe Jan, colorful and unique would be my succinct description.
Often I talk of how Route 66 in the era of resurgent interest has assumed the persona of a 2,000 plus mile small town. Indicative of this is the international outpouring of condolences for Jan’s family.
In an unrelated note, acclaimed photographer Michael Campanelli stopped by as he headed east on Route 66. Here is yet another indicator that a new season of fun, excitement, and adventure on the legendary double six is about to begin.
If you are unfamiliar with Michael’s work, there are two wonderful exhibits on Route 66. One is in Pontiac, Illinois at the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum, 110 W. Howard Street. The second is housed at the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce in Tucumcari, New Mexico, 404 West Route 66.
As we are on the subject of photo exhibits,I should remind you that Route 66 is the theme for the month of May at Beale Street Brews & Gallery in Kingman. I am quite sure that this as well as other activities being planned for Saturday evening during the annual Route 66 Fun Run will round out a fun filled weekend.
Angela, the owner, still has room to display some work. So, if you are an artist or photographer with a portfolio of material pertaining to Route 66 you might want to give her a call or drop an email. Here is a link to her website.
As there have been a few delays in the refurbishment of the historic Brunswick Hotel, the location for our forthcoming gallery, we will be displaying work at Beale Street Brews & Gallery in May. If you are attending the fun run, I hope you will stop by on Saturday evening.
Development of the first installment of Jim Hinckley’s America is on track in spite of my inexperience that has resulted in numerous “do overs.” This past Saturday we shot a segment about the Desert Classic Race of 1914 along a pre 1920 portion of the National Old Trails Highway, and another at the old Methodist church where Clark Gable and Carol tied the knot. We also did some work at the site of the American Kitchen restaurant where Tom King was killed in October of 1926, and at the former gunnery range for the Kingman Army Airfield. Thank you for the patient tutelage Mr. Fisk.
Mr. Fisk, the producer, is working on another project at the same time as my schedule prohibits development except on weekends. This second project may be even more exciting, the documenting of the Van Dutch bus restoration that will also feature exclusive interviews with family.
Meanwhile, a great deal of my spare time is filled with research pertaining to the compilation of information on movie, music video, and television filming locations on Route 66. Your input would be most appreciated.
Speaking of movies on Route 66, can anyone provide insight into an early 1950’s movie entitled Route 66 starring Burt Lancaster as a long haul trucker? I have several newspaper clippings pertaining to development but there is no indication that the film was completed.
Well, that is about all I have time for today. If all goes well, I should have a few more updates to share in a couple of days.
