EVENT: 'Cruisin’ on Route 66: Sample the Good Life' at Redlands CC
DATE: Oct. 27
 “Cadillac Ranch” is one of Shellee Graham’s photos that will be on display during Redlands Community College’s 2007 Route 66 presentation “Cruisin on Route 66: Sample the Good Life,” which is scheduled for Oct. 27. |
For the fourth year in a row, Redlands Community College is pleased to offer individuals the opportunity to learn more about Route 66 during their continuing series with “Cruisin’ on Route 66: Sample the Good Life.” RCC’s 2006 Route 66 presentation is scheduled for Oct. 27 in RCC’s Conference Center.
“Cruisin’ on Route 66: Sample the Good Life,” which is free of charge and open to the public, will feature presentations by Jim Ross, renowned Route 66 author, and Shellee Graham, noted Route 66 photographer, as well as lunch, live music from Brian Dunning and the Rockabilly Trio, and an art exhibition by Graham.
Beginning at 11 am, the events kick off with the opening of Graham’s exhibit, “Return to Route 66: Photography from the Mother Road.” Graham’s exhibit, which will be on display in RCC’s Art Gallery in the Larry F. Devane Multimedia Building, features photographs that detail the history along historic Route 66. Each photo is accompanied by text that tells a story of the photo.
At noon, the fun continues with an Eats and Treats luncheon, featuring 1950s style food, including hamburgers with fried onions, chili cheese hot dogs, ice cream novelties and more. During the luncheon, music will be provided by Brian Dunning and the Rockabilly Trio.
Following the luncheon, Ross and Graham will speak about their experiences with Route 66. Ross will speak about the highway’s history and its place in today’s world of heritage tourism and roadside culture, while Graham will discuss her photography exhibit and experiences along Route 66.
Immediately after the presentation, Ross, Graham, and Brian Dunning and the Rockabilly Trio will be available to sign books, prints, DVDs and CDs. During the signing, several items will be available for purchase, including “Oklahoma Route 66,” a book by Ross; an eight-state set of Route 66 maps; “Bones of the Old Road,” a DVD; and more.
Ross is a writer, photographer and Route 66 historian whose work has appeared in a wide variety of publications during the past two decades. In 1992, he published the first guidebook to Route 66 in Oklahoma. He has written a National Register of Historic Places nomination for a section of Route 66 and his book, “Oklahoma Route 66,” is considered to be the most comprehensive guide published. In 2001, he became the fourth recipient of the John Steinbeck Award for historic preservation, and later that same year, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Route 66 Hall of Fame.
Graham has worked as a courtroom artist, graphic designer, fashion illustrator and an art director. She is the author and photographer of two books, “Return to Route 66,” a postcard book, and “Tales from the Coral Court: Photos and Stories from a Lost Route 66 Landmark,” for which she received the Route 66 Magazine Book of the Year Award in 2002. In addition, Graham has received a grant from the Committee for Access and Local Origination Programming to complete a video documentary about the Coral Court Motel.
RCC’s Route 66 presentation series was developed as part of Oklahoma’s Official Centennial Celebration. For more information, contact Denise Wynia-Wedel, RCC Fine Arts Coordinator, at 405.262.2552, ext. 2628.