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 This vacationing family from out of state decided a photo on the rocking chair was a great vacation photo. If you are visiting the Cuba, MO area on Saturday, August 7, 2010 vacationing or visiting the 12 outdoor murals, the Fanning 66 Outpost is having its annual Picture in the Rocker Day, which has become an annual event. To say that the Route 66 Rocking Chair is one of Route 66’s biggest attractions is not an overstatement. At 42′1″, the Rocking Chair has been designated by the Guinness organization as the World’s Largest Rocking Chair. Now, you can be part of its history.
The Outpost charges $5.00 per person for you or your group to be lifted to the seat of the rocker. You bring your camera and take your own photos. In the past, photos have been taken for Christmas cards or other special events as well as just for the fun of it. The Saturday, August 7 event runs from 9 am to 5pm.
Previously, the Cuba Fire Department used their lift truck for the fund rasier, but they sold the truck. Rather than end the event, this year the Outpost is renting a lift truck, and the money raised will be used to pay for the truck.
The Picture in the Rocker Day has always been a fun day on Route 66. Last year a bluegrass band, The Lonesome Hill Gang, showed up to play on the Outpost’s porch. Below is their photo from the seat of the rocker.
While you are waiting your turn for the rocker, you can visit the Outpost’s convenience store with its colorful inventory, check out the indoor or outdoor archery ranges, or just rock on the front porch and watch the traffic roll by on Route 66.
Mark your calendar, if you want a photo that is “Far from Ordinary,” to borrow a slogan from the Missouri VisitMO vacation site. It might not make you younger, richer, or better looking, but it will be fun.
 The Lonesome HIll Gang played a little music from the seat of the Rocker. For more information on the rocking chair, read “Landmark Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair celebrates second birthday.”
To read about other big things in Cuba, read “The small town of Cuba, MO things big–really, really big!”
At times, Mother Nature pushes the Viva Cuba organization aside and takes over the beautification duties. In June, nature put on an evening display at sunset that we can’t rival.
 It's not a New York City or Chicago skyline, but it's home to us. 
Red sky at night,
Sailor’s delight;
Red sky at morning,
Sailor’s warning.
 Ray Harvey uses a preliminary sketch as a guide while he sketches the mural images on the wall. Working inside is a welcome respite from the 90+ degree temperatures and humidity. Missouri artist Ray Harvey is spending July adding to Cuba, MO’s growing collection of public art. Cuba is known for being the Route 66 Mural City and Viva Cuba’s 12 outdoor murals. However, as an offshoot of Viva Cuba’s mural project, business people in Cuba have commissioned their own examples of public art.
The latest entry in the public art scene is taking shape at Midwest Petroleum’s Truck Port and Restaurant located on the north side of the I-44 overpass. Midwest Petroleum’s CEO Don McNutt gave Harvey the go ahead on the mural after viewing some proposed sketches and choosing the classic cars and Route 66 logo.
Using Midwest Petroleum’s lift and a sketch as a guide, Ray Harvey drew his design on the wall and began painting the Route 66-themed mural with its complement of classic cars. For an artist that often perches on lifts and scaffolding outside in 90+ degree heat and humidity, this inside job in the lobby of the air conditioned restaurant and convenience store is a welcomed change of pace.
Customers to the restaurant follow Harvey’s progress as they munch on their meal, and bystanders stop in the lobby to gaze up at the scene taking place. This is public art in the truest sense.
 The mural will feature some popular classic cars that you probably wouldn't see together except in a car show or auto museum. If you want to see this latest addition to Cuba’s art scene, stop in at Midwest Petroleum’s lobby and watch it take color and shape. This is Harvey’s second week of working, and he estimates that it will take around three weeks of work. As you can see from the work so far, this colorful addition to Cuba’s public art should be a crowd pleaser.
 Ray Harvey steps back to gain a little perspective on the mural. Other locations of murals painted by Ray Harvey in the Cuba, MO area: Victorian Manor, My Place Tires, Bette Davis, Murals on the 1930’s Phillips 66 Station, and Holy Cross Church and school hall. These can be viewed at the Other Public Art link on Viva Cuba’s website.
 Artist Don Gray does restoration work on Civil War mural. Water had caused some damage. Viva Cuba continues to invest time and money in its outdoor mural project. Viva Cuba, a nonprofit organization, originally commissioned the murals between 2001 and 2007. Viva Cuba raised money from individuals, local businesseses, and fundraisers to finance the murals. They are not a city project although the city has been supportive, especially concerning mural lighting. You might think 2007 is when the time invested and expense of the murals ended. That is not the case. Viva Cuba still continues to fundraise to maintain the murals and finance other beautification projects.
Over time, paints degrade, weather takes it toll, and erosion of the surface occurs. Oxidation can cause the paints to dull. However, the Viva Cuba beautification organization remains committed to keeping the murals looking as good as possible. Murals are inspected quarterly for damage or degradation, and maintenance is ongoing. Each year during the repair/restoration season a team of artists and workman flock to the murals to clean, scrape, prime, repaint, and make any repairs or adjustments necessary.
When possible, Viva Cuba likes to have the original artists inspect, paint, and work with the maintenance team. However, that is not always possible because of the artists’ geographical location or other factors. Sometimes, the murals require only minor cleaning and touchup and at other times, more significant work is required. Preventive maintenance can save money and damage in the long term.
Last summer, Viva Cuba spent a significant amount on the Amelia Earhart ,Gold Star Boys, and the Apple murals.
Although cleaning and touch ups might occur on all the murals, this season the Al West mural and the Civil War series have seen major work.
See Michelle Pearson’s Cuba Free Press article “Al West gets touched up” for her report of the artist working on the Al West Mural. The artist Leslie Faust was part of the original team that worked on the mural, and she was able to return for repair and restoration.
 Artist Leslie Faust confers with Viva Cuba maintenance chairperson Jill Barnett (R) and painter Jeff Zelasko of Rolla, who assists Viva Cuba with cleaning and maintenance of the murals. The Al West mural is receiving restoration/maintenance work this summer.  Even the back of the mural wall gets attention. It was decided to clean and paint the back of the mural for moisture protection. The mural team likes to do preventive maintenance when possible. The Civl War panels on Buchanan Street sustained some water damage early this spring. The damage was noticed and analyzed. The artist Don Gray who lives in the state of Oregon was consulted, sent photos, and agreed to fly to Cuba for a week of consultation and work. Gray is as committed to keeping the murals looking good as Viva Cuba is. He later complimented Viva Cuba for immediately dealing with the damage and preventing it from becoming worse.
Viva Cuba members picked Gray up at the airport. He was suppose to stay with Bill and Catherine Lange, but a short term AC glitch caused an overnight stay at Super 8, which the motel donated. Viva Cuba’s Vanessa Damouth coordinated meals and food for his stay. Gray had gift certificates from Frisco’s and MO-Hick BBQ to use while in town. Robert-Judson allowed him to charge the materials he needed to a Viva Cuba account, and the Lions Club let him keep his supplies in the building next to the Lion’s Den. Stovall rentals delivered scaffolding. Again, community support came together to help Viva Cuba make Gray’s visit to Cuba go as smoothly as possible.
Cuba’s Kevin Britton consulted with Gray on how to make the framing more protective for the murals and avoid future problems. Artist Julie Nixon Krovicka brought in newly painted text panels for the murals to further restore the mural series. After Gray scraped, primed and repainted some sections of the Leasburg panel, a new coating was put on all the murals that revived the oxidized paint and made the colors “pop” again.
 Artists Julie Krovicka and Don Gray inspect the murals panels and discuss restoration. The Civil War murals should be in good shape when there is a planned historical re-enactment of the Civil War battle at Leasburg in 2011.
For Don Gray’s own words on the Civil War panel restoration visit his Thursday, July 15 blog. He also provides some photos and links to information of the battles depicted in the murals.
Viva Cuba and its artists have found that passersby are just as interested in the maintenance of the murals as they are in the completed murals. The artists mention the tourists and locals who stop by to watch and question them about the murals. Both Faust and Gray kept mural brochures to pass out to travelers who stopped by. Gray was amazed at the how many people stopped by from so many geographic locations around the world.
The murals have changed the face Cuba. Businesses have contributed their own public art projects to the Cuba scene. Cuba is known for its art work, and it has helped boost our economy. Viva Cuba will continue to raise funds and ask for your support with our fundraisers to keep our reputation as Cuba, MO “Rt. 66 Mural City” intact.
 Leslie Faust's car shows that an artist's tool box can be pretty extensive.
 Cuba's history museum got a new sign at the corner of Smith and Washington (Rt. 66). A trip around Cuba, MO shows some changes, updates, and “signs” of summer.
On Smith and Washington, the History Museum folks have changed their sign to point out that they have some info on Rt. 66 and the murals. Their new website address crawfordmomuseum is also on the sign. If you haven’t visited the museum, check out their website, and then make a visit. Take the kids and show them what it was like back-in-the-day.
The Museum staff works continually on improving their exhibits and collections. Upgrading their Route 66 collection is a current goal. They would love to make copies of any of your Rt. 66 photos, memorabilia, etc.. Museum hours are expanded for the summer.
The Main Street Bakery and Cafe has undergone several changes of management and names since its opening and is about to undergo another. Gordon Juneau, formerly of Gordoz in Rolla, will be re-opening in the historic Cox Complex building. As the sign in the window shows, he is advertising for workers. We look forward to having the 100+ year-old building with its murals and hand-painted signage re-open.
 The Bakery & Coffee Shop needs a few good workers.  Soon, tourists and locals will again be meeting at the Bakery. The Gym has new quarters in the Resource Recovery building. Inside, they have cardio rooms, a weight room, a children’s play area, a personal training room, office, and more. Travelers can get a day pass. The business has a convenient rear entrance off Oakhill Road.
 The Gym has moved to new quarters at 412 N. Franklin, the back of the Resource Recovery building with a rear entrance on Oakhill Road.  The Gym's hours are posted on their new door.  Are these machines calling your name? One sign in town which changes weekly is the sign at the Methodist Church located on Washington (old Route 66). The signs are sometimes humorous and make a spiritual, sometimes Biblical, observation.
 This is one of the weekly sign changes on the Methodist Church sign. Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel Motel now has a new green sign on Route 66. The newly renovated rooms are open for booking and the gift shop is drawing lots of visitors.
 Connie's Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel has a new bright green sign to bring folks into the gift shop/office. Of course, the neon Wagon Wheel Motel sign still shines at night as it has since 1947. The last sign is our candidate for a sign upgrade. The current sign is too small for the entrance to Hood Park. The metal sign on the right identifies Hood Park, but it seems a little dwarfed by the rock fence at the entrance gates. Could someone come up with a better plan for a classy sign and a way for the city to finance it? The industrial parks will be getting new signs this summer. Perhaps Hood Park could get one like those so that there would be some consistency of signs in Cuba. Or perhaps one of the local welders could make an arched metal sign over the entrance.
Or maybe we could have this really big rocking chair at the entrance with the name of the park on it. Only kidding about that…That’s a crazy idea.
 Hood Park needs a more stately and visible sign.  Doesn't the rocking chair give the entrance a more stately presence?
 Dressed as a Highway Patrolman, the fair parade participant went unrecognized this year. A small town like Cuba, MO is made up of people and their stories such as the one below.
How does a 30 year-old prepare for her 31st Crawford County Fair? Will the “blue dress” make another appearance? What is this fair participant’s long-term goal? Is another generation bitten by the “fair bug”?
For the answers to these questions, read the Cuba Free Press article here.
And this year, when our participant goes by during her 31st parade appearance, yell, “Go Molly.”
 The "blue dress" made another appearance in the Crawford County Fair Queen Contest.  This rocket and its first place ribbon may be the catalyst for a new generation of "parade passion."
 This building on Smith Street got a new look in keeping with its historic character. As part of keeping Cuba, MO and the neighborhood where they do business looking good, sisters Virginia Watson (of Frisco’s Pub & Grill) and her sister Casilda Kekeisen hired Perry Barton Construction to paint the historic Smith Street building where Crawford County Office Solutions is located.
 Perry Barton Construction gave the formerly blue building its facelift. The color looks darker or lighter depending on whether the building is in sun or shade. The sisters purchased and upgraded the building a few years ago. The upstairs has a modern apartment that is now rented by one of Frisco’s staff. But the sisters decided that they wanted a color and trim more in keeping with the historic area.
The Benjamin Moore Color Richmond Gold and the accompanying Montgomery White trim were chosen as part of the historical color palette adopted by Cuba’s Historic Preservation Commission and suggested by Marilyn Stewart, a tireless worker for Historic Uptown Cuba.
“We just wanted to do our part to clean up the neighborhood,” stated Virginia Watson on a recent afternoon at Frisco’s. Her sister, who also works at Frisco’s, nodded her head in agreement.
Virginia and her husband John Watson have a sentimental reason to keep the historic building looking good. At one time it was owned by John’s great-grandparents, Benjamin Franklin Askins Sr. and his wife Dona, who had a small grocery and meat shop there. Fred Askins Sr. was also present the day that Senate candidate Harry Truman came to town in 1940 to make his speech on the steps of the Cuba Methodist Church, which is now Wallace House.
Later, his son Benjamin Franklin Askins Jr. and his wife Mary, John Watson’s grandparents, took over running the store. The Askins Jr. family lived above the store when John’s mom Pat Watson was a girl.
 Benjamin Franklin Askin's Jr. and his wife Mary behind the counter of the market. Chub Grayson stands in the front of the counter. Chub's brother Dick would later become CEO of the Burlington Northern Railroad. Viva Cuba salutes the businesses and owners of Cuba property who do their part to keep the historic nature of their buildings in tact and part of Cuba’s historic beautification.
For more preservation in Cuba, MO…and more to come…
See “Preservation in Cuba creates ageless beauty.”
See “Before and after images tell the tale of restoration in Cuba, MO.”
See “If this corner could talk…Washington Street (route 66) & Smith Street.”
See “Route 66 Historic Landmark Wagon Wheel Motel enters decade with updates and renewal.”
Occasionally, we like to feature some of our visitors to Cuba because their diversity never ceases to amaze us. Cuba’s Route 66 continues to be a main artery of travel for many. Cuba’s attractions and restaurants draw travelers in for a stop in our town.
Viva Cuba members routinely engage them in conversation, give them a brochure, and tell them of attractions in town. Here are some of our recent encounters.
One of our more exotic encounters this week was this couple from New Caledonia, an island in the Pacific Ocean. They started their trip in Chicago and were traveling on a Harley west along Route 66. I ran into them photographing the murals on Buchanan Street. After giving them a mural brochure, I discovered that they were Lions Club members, and they were interested in the Lions Den door logo. The woman had even attended an international Lions Club conference in Chicago on one of her visits to the U.S. New Caledonia is French, and they spoke with a French accent. They were headed to the World’s Largest Rocking Chair after they left Cuba.
 This couple from New Caledonia, traveling Route 66, were Lions Club members. The couple below was visiting from Nunica, Michigan. I met them in the morning as they were photographing at the Apple Mural in the Alps parking lot. They were traveling on and off Route 66 and seemed to be enjoying the murals and asked some question about the them. They were using an old Route 66 guidebook, which didn’t mention the murals. Since they were traveling west, I told them about the Rocking Chair.
 This couple from Nunica, Michigan were traveling on and off Route 66. On a recent Monday, Jill Barnett and I stopped in at the Al West mural to check on the artist and the mural maintenance there. While there, we ended up as impromptu greeters for out-of-town visitors.
The couple below from Maplewood, MO was celebrating their 35th anniversary with a day trip in their bright blue convertible. They stopped to watch the artist doing maintenance work on the Al West mural. They commented on what a neat town Cuba was and later had lunch at MO Hick BBQ. While they were here, we invited them to return for the Fair, the Lions Club Car Show, or Cuba Fest.
 This couple from Maplewood, MO was celebrating their 35th anniversary. The next woman had an interesting story that she shared with us as she got out of the car to take a photo at the West Mural. She told us that she and her husband had been at the Kinder Cemetery and found her husband’s family’s tombstone. Since Viva Cuba is now doing a Trolley Cemetery Tour during the annual Cuba Fest the third weekend of October, we are always interested in family histories.
 Jill Barnett and this visitor shared Cuba history and contact information. During our conversation we found that the family member in the cemetery was Charlie Frankenstein, and he had worked at the small stone Wagon Wheel Gas Station at one time. The couple thought the station had been torn down, but we told them that the station was still there and had recently been uncovered. We got their contact information and will be pursuing this part of Cuba’s history. Later, after driving by the station, they also had lunch at MO Hick.
I met another couple at Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel Motel. I didn’t get a photo, but they were from Moscow Mills and were checking out some Route 66 attractions. Connie mentioned that she is getting many Route 66 travelers who are interested in the renovation at the Wagon Wheel Motel and just want some more information about this part of Route 66’s history. She has given many impromptu tours.
The next photograph is sort of a hometown visitor, meaning that he use to live in Cuba, but now lives somewhere else. However, Nick Sacco, as is true for many ex-Cubans, likes a trip back to meet old friends. He drove in on his yellow bike on his way to Arkansas. He stopped overnight in Cuba and ate at Frisco’s with his old friend John Stewart and his family. John was also visiting his mom Marilyn Stewart in Cuba for the weekend. The Stewarts breakfasted with Sacco at Country Kitchen and had coffee at Java.net. Sacco enjoyed seeing the changes in Cuba and cruising the area on his bike. He and John enjoyed swapping stories from the past.
One of Nick’s claims to fame, is that in the 1970s when he was a high school student in Cuba, he made up the fictional character Joe Beezley who has entertained students and teachers for decades. Joe is sort of the “ghost of Cuba high school.”
 Nick Sacco stopped for a photo outside Java.net As you can see, it is possible to learn a lot if you stop to pass out a brochure and have a little conversation. Viva Cuba!
For more on Viva Cuba and the Cuba MO Murals visit our website. Or visit our Facebook page for Cuba MO Murals.
 Travel writers get a kick out of the World's Largest Rocking Chair In April, three Viva Cuba members met six representatives from the Society of American Travel Writers and three officials from Missouri Tourism at the US 66 Outpost General Store and site of the famous rocking chair. After boarding a rented van, we toured along Rt. 66 in Cuba, which was the focus for their tour. There was an article in the Cuba Free Press that chronicled the experience.
 The writers took notes and asked questions as they toured Rt. 66 in Cuba, MO. The time spent resulted in an article by Katherine Rodeghier in the Sunday July 4th Travel Section of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Titled “Kick back on Missouri’s old Route 66,” Cuba, “Route 66 Missouri City,” was given a prominent place in the article with mention of its 12 outdoor murals.
A related story in the Post, “Places to see, stay, and eat on Route 66,” mentioned the Guinness World’s Largest Rocking Chair, the Historic Wagon Wheel Motel, and the Main Street Bakery & Cafe, located in a mural-adorned 100-year old building.
Unfortunately, the Main Street Bakery & Cafe has closed, but the good news is that it should re-open soon. The owner of the well-known Gordoz restaurant in Rolla will be opening the bakery with soups and sandwiches with plans to expand. Whether the restaurant’s name will stay the same or change, we don’t know at this time. Whatever it’s called, the new eatery will add to Cuba’s already thriving independent restaurant scene.
Route 66 is a popular destination for international and domestic travelers, and Cuba, MO “Route 66 Mural City,” continues to benefit from its association with the historic road that spurred economic development in the 1930s.
We’re glad that people are still “Getting their kicks on Route 66.”
 The Wagon Wheel Motel's renovations were a focal point for the writers. Read previous blog “Four Route 66 Stops for American Society of Travel Writers members.”
 On july 4th, the US celebrates the July 4, the day in 1776 the US adopted the Declaration of Independence. Break out the sparklers, cake, watermelon, BBQ, and fireworks! It’s time to celebrate!
US citizens celebrate our birthday as a nation on July 4, the day our founding fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and declared our independence from England.
July 4, a federal holiday, has been a day of national celebration that is celebrated with fireworks, picnics, and displays of the red, white, and blue. Flags, bunting, and other colorful displays remind us that patriotic symbolism is enduring.
 Viva Cuba added bunting to the garden this week to commemorate our nation's birthday.  Genifer Capes' photo of t Brummet's Pyrotechnics shows why Americans love their fireworks when they light up the sky. As we get closer to the holiday, more and more displays of the holiday appear, and they aren’t limited to the flying of the flags. Americans show ingenuity in ways to display the red, white, and blue. We see displays on the fourth and throughout the year that remind of the “broad stripes and bright stars.”
Many businesses incorporate the flag and its related sentiments at their businesses year round…
 This business shows its colors 24/7/365.  Some businesses use a simple window decoration to express their sentiments.  This painting has been a permanent display in Cuba since 9/11. Organizations show their patriotism…
 These veterans posed at Viva Cuba's Gold Star Boys mural during a bus tour.  The Cuba History Museum's military exhibit shows our colors and reminds us of the sacrifices of our soldiers.  Community support raised the funds for this Veterans Memorial. A wreath commemorates the sacrifice of area veterans.  On Memorial Day, area Veterans Organizations held a flag ceremony. Others display patriotic colors and symbols at their homes…
 This historic home shows its flag.  A Crawford County country home decorates for the holiday. And some express their patriotism in more personal ways…
 These spyder riders show their colors  The fair parade brings out its share of patriotism. 
 Coming or going. this truck shows the colors.
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! |
Related posts…
“Cuba MO Historical Society and Museum launches new website” for more on their military displays and other offerings.
“Gold Star Boys Mural remembers sacrifice…”
“Two brothers spark remembrance of Cuba, MO veterans…”
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