Historic Shakespeare Festival Theatre burns to the ground in Stratford

A view from across the Housatonic River of the fire that destroyed Stratford’s Shakespeare Theatre. Jan 13, 2019

From Fox61: STRATFORD – Fire destroyed one of Connecticut’s historic and cultural landmarks early Sunday morning. The American Shakespeare Festival Theatre, where actors from Katharine Hepburn to Christopher Walken trod the boards, burned to the ground.

The historic theater on the shore of the Housatonic River opened in 1955 with a performance of Julius Caesar. In its heyday in the 1960’s and 70’s, performers including Fred Gwynne, James Earl Jones, Kim Hunter, Hal Holbrooke, Ed Asner and Barbara Barrie performed on its stage. When it ran out of funding the state took ownership, but by 1989 the theater closed and eventually the town assumed control. The town was preparing to restore the historic theater.

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Travels with the “Green Book”

Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe in Boston catered to everybody. CBS NEWS

From CBA Sunday Morning: Watching Mary Wilson, feeling the love at New York’s glamorous Café Carlyle, it’s hard to imagine what she felt at the age of 19 when, as a newly-minted Supreme just out of high school, she went on her first-ever road tour with a regular who’s-who of Motown stars. Traveling by bus with Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells, The Temptations and others, Wilson was confronted by hate in the still-segregated South.

She recalled. “We were getting off the bus, and there were gunshots.”

“They were shooting at the bus?” asked correspondent Martha Teichner.

“Oh, yeah. We had several holes in the bus,” said Wilson. “You know, your parents had told you, ‘Be careful, da da dah dah dah.’ You knew about the segregation, but I mean, the gunshot sort of brought it right into your face and saying, you could be killed.”

It was this chilling fact of life, the racism that in 1936 inspired “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” Victor Green, a postal worker who lived in Harlem, began publishing a guide to businesses that welcomed African American travelers.

In each year’s edition, a warning: “Carry your Green Book with you. You may need it.”

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Route 66 is most Instagram-worthy road trip in the world for Brits, study finds

Roy’s Motel and Cafe on the famous Route 66

From The Sun: A study, which polled 2,000 adults, found the top three routes are all located in the US – specifically through the Grand Canyon National Park and along the Pacific Highway Coast.

The drive through the Grand Canyon parks, typically following the South Rim to the North Rim and famed for its exquisite views of the stunning natural wonder was second.

“PCH”, also known as Route 101, came third.

Here’s why people rallied to save a small building in Perry

The old Sinclair Station in Perry, Ga., one of the first dedicated gas stations in the city, will be saved after the Perry Area Historical Society helped raise $59,000 to cover half the cost of preserving it. The city will pay the rest. By Jason Vorhees

A year ago the City Council discussed tearing down the small brick building that sits at the corner of Carroll and Main streets, but a group of people came to its defense.

Now the building known as Sinclair Station is headed for preservation.

“I am elated,” said Ellie Loudermilk, director of the Perry Area Historical Society. “I don’t think every old building should be saved, but something that has historical value for the next generations to come and they will not be able to see something like this except in pictures should be saved.”

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