The Mill on 66 is showing off new shutters on the ground floor, courtesy of the talents of John Sutton and Bob Wilmert, and made possible through grants from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway and Lincoln Rotary.

The Mill on 66 fall cleanup day Wednesday Volunteers welcome; open for tours [September 16, 2013]  The public is welcome to stop by The Mill on Route 66 this Wednesday from 1 to 6 p.m. during the fall cleanup day at the historic restaurant site, 738 S. Washington in Lincoln. Stop by and lend a hand or visit with Route 66 Heritage Foundation members and volunteers who remain dedicated to "Saving The Mill." Tours of the landmark will also be available.

"We're getting ready for our signature event, the annual Cruise-In at The Mill, on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. -- the final day of National Scenic Byway Week," said Geoff Ladd, chairman of the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County, the group that owns the historic site. More information will be released soon about the cruise-in, which is also the final event of the season for, and co-sponsored by, the Railsplitter Antique Auto Club.

"Stop by Wednesday afternoon and say hello, see what progress we have made, help us clean up the inside, provide inspiration, join the group as a member, make a donation, or tell us we're crazy!" said Ladd. "I didn't intend to make this a public event, but it is a good, informal opportunity to interact with the community. From doing our latest round of work this summer, there is stuff that needs to be cleaned and organized, and the downstairs needs a good spic-and-span cleaning -- mopping the floors, wiping stuff down, that type of thing."

Ladd said a wall of the future museum will be dedicated to those who have volunteered and donated funds and issued grants over the years, including organizations and individuals such as the National Park Service, Danner Trust, Route 66 Association of Illinois, Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Lincoln Rotary, Railsplitter Antique Auto Club and Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County.

"I always like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with The Mill since we saved it from destruction back in 2006 with coordination from the city of Lincoln," said Ladd. "I particularly want to thank some very special individuals -- Larry Van Bibber for his generous donation, the late Ernie Edwards for his insistence, John Weiss for his mentoring, Bruce Huskins for the Route 66 Garage Sale, the Huffman family, Hallie's Restaurant, Chris and Deb from Timeless Presentations, two very special anonymous donors, a bunch more folks I don't have room to name, all past and present board members, and all the generosity provided by the local media," said Ladd.

More information is available at SaveTheMillOnRoute66.com.

[Text from file received from Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County]