One of the things Richard Massa and Chad Stebbins loved to do when I was at the Chart was to give me a thread to pull to find a person or something. I channeled those lessons (albeit it’s a bit easier with the internet) and tracked down the contact for Michael Wallis. Wallis is a Route 66 historian who was influential in the research process of Pixar’s Cars. I’m doing a Cars unit with my drama students and pulling in Route 66 and other “hometown connections” like Rascal Flatts (Joe Don Rooney / Picher native). Anyway. I just got off the phone with Wallis. He can’t meet with my students this spring, because of things going on in his life - but he wants to talk to me in the fall. He’s been named to the presidential commission for the Route 66 Centennial and is excited to share about preservation efforts. The #nerdmoment in my #deepdive into this area for my students. #lifeofaneditorteacher #onceajournalistalwaysajournalist #stillgotit #thankfulforconnections https://www.instagram.com/p/CqvkVq5ug53/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
