TRIANGLE MOTEL
7954 AMARILLO BLVD E
AMARILLO, TX, 79107
ON ROUTE 66

We had a special benefit at the Triangle Motel. Plans started out several weeks earlier as a community gathering. To get better acquainted, several Hispanic families wanted to fix a festive Mexican meal to thank the volunteers working to restore and preserve the historic Triangle Motel just across the street. The families that we'd already met included the volunteers who came and started the tree-trimming.

To make a long story as short as possible, Gustavo Ferrusquilla, 38, one of the tree-trimmers, was brutally beaten to death at the Club Balloo in Amarillo, leaving behind two teen age boys and their mother. They have no insurance or Social Security. Pat Kenney, Alan's Vice President and Superintendent, is a member of the family. He suggested that we make the occasion a Benefit for the family.

The plans stayed about the same. A meal of authentic Mexican recipes enticed the families and volunteers to gather together, enjoying the chance to make new friends and tasting some of those delicious dishes.

Alan, Pat and Marianne

               ajm.trianglert66@yahoo.com                    Alan J. McNeil, Owner
               drmf6566.trianglert66@yahoo.com            Pat Kenney, Superintendent
               mmmltx@nts-online.net                           Marianne McNeil Logan, Secretary

This is my poem which was published in the Route 66 PULSE Newspaper's October edition, page 9.

Route 66 Historical Restorations

Route 66 is in the news—

endangered Mother Road—

antiquities must be preserved

with seeds of knowledge stored.

What memories hide inside walls

that shadows block from view,

as history of yesteryears

intrigues like mysteries do?

Historic sites have future now

along Route 66

to bring prized treasures back to life

when dreams, commitment, mix.

Route 66 recalls the strength

of sixty years ago,

the pride and power of strong and brave

who helped our country grow.

As once known gems deteriorate,

it takes determined team

to reconstruct historic sites--

and persevering dream.

The heritage of long gone days

must be preserved for youth

so they can find ancestors' steps

and know the pride in truth.

There’s magic in old memories

connecting to the past,

so youngsters learn of history

through sites rebuilt to last.

Route 66 holds promises

in strength of the Old West,

as reconstructed relics rise

to prove we passed the test.

More exciting news on recent happenings! The National Park Service people from Santa Fe, with the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, were here last week on Tuesday. We enjoyed meeting them. Michael Taylor and his assistant, Kaisa Barthuli, really impressed us, and I think the Triangle impressed them. Alan wasn’t able to get off work to meet them, but they checked the motel out carefully, took notes, and took pictures. We will be applying for a grant in February, and winners will be notified next July.

Alan, my husband Claude, and I attended the Small Business Development Seminar and got much helpful information to prepare a business plan. It will be presented next week to Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.

Another important happening. This is nearly unbelievable. Denise Blakemore at Rental Service Corporation was so impressed with the idea of restoring such a significant historical site that she wanted to be personally involved. She donated a backhoe to be used over this weekend. What a marvelous way to show concern for local structures that belong to history and need to be preserved. Man, things are really getting done with that huge machine. RSC, just off Grand Street at 3900 I40 E., is one of the largest firms for machinery rentals in the country. Their headquarters are in Sweden. Denise, your name and RSC will be listed at the top of our billboard as our way of saying thanks.

Another generous donation was the 30 gallons of biodegradable cleanser from Leo Martinez at Hughes Cleaning.  When we get water, that will be the first job done. His thoughtfulness is also greatly appreciated. We’re adding PayPal to our web site to make it easier for others who would like to make donations.

We appreciate all the publicity the site is receiving. Ron Warnich’s articles and pictures in his newsletter “Route 66 News”; Margaret Foster at National Trust On Line News HTTP://www.national trust.org/Magazine/index.htm In Washington, D.C. wrote the Story of the Week after interviewing Alan over the phone about the challenges faced in trying to restore a condemned historical structure; Emily Priddy of Tulsa wrote a page and a half article about the Route 66 Work Day August 19, published in the second
issue of the Route 66 Pulse Newspaper. She is a terrific writer.

The City’s 90 day inspection for progress will be Tuesday morning at 10:30. It went quite well.  They seemed surprised and pleased with the progress.   Their report, and I believe ours, too, will be on the agenda Tuesday, October 3, at 3:00 in the City Commissioners Court on the third floor of City Hall.The Triangle Motel progress will be discussed during the 2:00 pm work session Sure hope there will be lots of interested people in attendance! That means YOU, if you’re in the area. See you then, we hope.

Thanks to those who attended.

Till next week...

Alan, Pat and Marianne

Please click the link below to donate using Paypal
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=3D3D_xclick&TriangleMotel=3D3Dm