The Route 66 Chick

A couple weeks ago, I gave my "Route 66 in Madison County" program based on my book of the same name for the Marine Historical Society in Marine, Illinois. There was a nice-sized and very attentive audience, made up for the most part of Marine Historical Society members. I appreciated the invitation from this dedicated group of local historians and preservationists. I meant to post about it in a more timely fashion, but in my excitement over and preparation for the New Mexico trip, it temporarily slipped my mind. Thanks to Troy Times-Tribune editor Steve Rensberry for allowing me to use photos he took that evening. Giving my Route 66 in Madison County program in Marine IL. (Photo by Steve Rensberry.) These two lovely and accomplished young women came to the program to hear about Route 66 in the county they represent! On the left is Madison County Fair Queen Kristen McDowell, and on the right Junior Miss Madison County Queen Anna Nichols. (Photo by Steve Rensberry.) ...

Recently, I wrote a set of crime stories for the May issue of the Madison County (Illinois) Historical Society newsletter as their guest author for the second time. Meanwhile, a meme I'd seen circulating on Facebook kept trying to surface in my mind - something to the effect of, "We all have a chapter we don't want read aloud." Well, a serious crime has such a traumatic effect on the victim's life, and yes, also on the perpetrator's life, that it IS a chapter that one doesn't necessarily want read aloud. And then in sweeps the reporter...or the crime writer...and reads that chapter out loud. Because those are the chapters that are interesting, or show a moral to a story, they appeal to a wide audience. Last week the newsletter was printed and mailed to members. And hopefully, if you reside in or near the Madison County, Illinois, area, you are a historical society member and have received a copy of this issue. There'll be a stack of FREE ones given o...