Route 66 Preservation Foundation

2006 Will Rogers Awards

In 2006 the Route 66 Preservation Foundation took over the Steinbeck Awards Banquet and Route 66 Festival from the National Route 66 Federation. Many heartfelt thanks go to David and Mary Lou Knudsen for their support of Route 66 over the years. The name of the awards was changed to the Will Rogers Awards in honor of a man who was a big part of Mother Road history. The Will Rogers Awards will continue to honor those people, businesses, and organizations that help preserve Route 66 for all of us and the generations to come. In 2006 the first Will Rogers Awards Banquet was held on Route 66 in Albuquerque New Mexico and was a resounding success.

  

   

Will Rogers Awards Banquet

2006 Will Rogers Awards Recipients
  
Will Rogers Award ~ John Lassiter and Pixar

Will Rogers Award ~ John Lassiter and Pixar

The top award is the Will Rogers and it is given to someone or group that has done the most for Route 66 in the past and is still doing something in the present. The 2006 winner was John Lassetter and Pixar for the tremendous job they did in bringing the message of Route 66 to the general public in their movie "Cars" released June 2006. All along the Mother Road business has increased as more travelers explore Route 66 because of this movie.
Cyrus Avery Award

Cyrus Avery Award ~ Ned Leuchtner and Cool Springs Camp

The second award is the Cyrus Avery and goes to a worthwhile Route 66 preservation project. The 2006 winner was Ned Leuchtner and Cool Springs Camp in Arizona. Ned bought a forgotten ruin located on Route 66 outside of Kingman and with the help of the former owner's family was able to authentically reconstruct the camp and turn it into a thriving Route 66 museum and visitor's center on the road to Oatman, Arizona.

Visit the Web Site:
www.coolspringsroute66.com/
Jane Dippel Person of the Year

Person of the Year Award ~ Jane Dippel

This award goes to the person that the Route 66 community feels is the best ambassador for the Mother Road. Through no personal gain other than the love of Route 66 this person travels and promotes Route 66. By unanimous agreement, Jane Dippel is the 2006 recipient of the award. She is a beloved traveler of the Mother Road and well known all along the length of Route 66.
Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Bob Audette

Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Bob Audette

This award is for a person who has done an extraordinary job promoting and preserving Route 66 over the years. One of the unsung heroes of the Mother Road, Bob Audette is the 2006 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. His contribution to New Mexico's Route 66 and its preservation, especially the Route 66 Neon Project, has made New Mexico one of the premier Route 66 states.
Route 66 Business of the Year Award ~ Munger Moss

Route 66 Business of the Year Award ~ Munger Moss Motel

This award is for a Route 66 business that, through all odds, has been able to stay open and continue the road's tradition when most have been forced to close down. The Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri is the 2006 recipient. The Munger Moss Motel has been serving Route 66 travelers by providing a clean, reasonable, and comfortable place to stay since 1946. Bob and Ramona Lehman have been continuing that great Route 66 tradition since 1971.

Visit the Web Site:
www.mungermoss.com/
Founder's Award ~ NPS

Founder's Award ~ National Park Service

The 2006 recipient of the Founders Award is the National Park Service. This award honors the work that the Route 66 Corridor Program, all staff members and the leaders of the National Park Service have done on behalf of our beloved road. We know that this is more than just a job to them and that each of them have also become major players in the Route 66 Community.

Visit the Web Site:
www.cr.nps.gov/rt66/
  

2006 Route 66 80th Anniversary Festival in Albuquerque
Artists and Authors Expo 2006

The 2006 Route 66 Festival and Will Rogers Award Banquet was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Hotel Albuquerque. This was a special year for Route 66 - the 80th anniversary of the Mother Road. This was the first year that the Route 66 Preservation Foundation sponsored the event. Route 66 fans, artists, and authors from all over the world attended. It was a great place to make new friends and renew old friendships in the spirit of the road.