River to River

Romantic Attractions along Iowa Route 6? Yes!

"Historic US Route 6 is Iowa's romantic highway." Dimitri Makedonsky

By Getaway Mavens
https://www.getawaymavens.com/

Would you consider 1800’s farm settlements, the “World’s Oldest Soda Fountain”, killer butterscotch pies, Bonnie and Clyde robbed banks, best blue cheese, presidential diners, tiny cornfield towns, and the like, romantic? Then you’ll love driving US Route 6 Iowa with your best buddy for a nostalgia trip like no other.

Route 6 Iowa begins at the Mississippi River and ends at the Missouri River – a 320-mile stretch originally called the “River to River Road.” (Identified by telephone poles painted white, it was also referred to, in parts, as the White Pole Road or Great White Way). 

Amana Colonies, Amana Iowa.

In the Midwest, US Route 6 played a crucial role in the shipping of farm goods to points east and west, and became a popular road for auto-tourists. But many of the small farm towns were literally left in the dust after I-80 was built.

 

So – rediscover these small towns and their suspended-in-time attractions with your favorite traveler. READ ON!

 

To purchase the award-winning documentary, visit FourthWallFilms.com!

Stream the film at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/highway6movie.

You can also get the "River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6" DVD at the fabulous Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton, Iowa right on Historic Route 6!

In Memoriam: The Wilton Candy Kitchen's Own Sweetheart, Thelma Nopoulos

Fourth Wall Films' Kelly & Tammy Rundle visit Thelma Nopoulos a final time at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in 2016. 

We are deeply saddened by the news of Thelma Nopoulos' passing on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at the Wilton Retirement Community. 

For decades, Thelma and her husband George were the owners of the Wilton Candy Kitchen located in Wilton, Iowa off of Iowa's Historic Route 6. The beloved couple and their story was featured in the Emmy-nominated and award-winning documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6, and their romance, quick-witted barbs, and devotion to the history and business of 'the world's oldest soda fountain' captured the hearts of viewers.

George worked for nearly all of his life at the Candy Kitchen, and his death at age 95 in 2015 prompted Thelma's retirement. Current owner Lynn Ochiltree keeps the Wilton Candy Kitchen tradition thriving, feeding Historic U.S. Route 6 travelers and visitors from all over the country.

George and Thelma Nopoulos, Dave Darby (former Executive Director of Iowa's Historic Route 6 Tourist Association), Tammy and Kelly Rundle (Fourth Wall Films) at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in 2011.

We first met George and Thelma in 2011 when introduced by Dave Darby, retired Executive Director of Iowa's Historic Route 6 Tourist Association.  One of the wonderful benefits of producing historical documentaries is that you learn about interesting and inspiring stories, and you meet amazing people like George and Thelma Nopoulos. 

Even now, when we stop by the Wilton Candy Kitchen, we can faintly hear George whistling "Frankie and Johnny" as he prepares the sweetest of treats, and see Thelma buzzing around, ringing up orders, cutting up bananas, and sprinkling the finishing touches on a hot fudge sundae. 

George and Thelma Nopoulos on the big screen in River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6.

Thelma and George live on in that wondrous, magical place of yesteryear, and in our memories and hearts always.

"Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts oh Lordy how they did love; Swore to be true to each other true as the stars above..."

More information about Thelma's funeral will be shared HERE.

A special screening of River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 was presented in Wilton, Iowa on January 22, 2017 to a capacity crowd. The event was a tribute to Thelma & George Nopoulos and the historic Wilton Candy Kitchen.

The Wilton Candy Kitchen is located at 310 Cedar Street, Wilton, Iowa and is open 10:00AM-7:00PM Monday-Sunday. Visit https://www.wiltoncandykitchen.com/ for more information. The award-winning documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6, featuring George & Thelma Nopoulos and the historic Wilton Candy Kitchen, is available for purchase at the Wilton Candy Kitchen.

Owner of Historic Route 6's Iconic "The Chili King Drive-in" Passes Away

George Karaidos, Jr. "George the Chili King" died October 24th. Photo copyright Des Moines Register.

From the Des Moines Register

Des Moines has lost a celebrated culinary icon. 

George Karaidos, Jr., legendary owner of George the Chili King, located at 5722 Hickman Road, has died. He was 86.

A manager at the George the Chili King confirmed Karaidos died Tuesday around 10 p.m.

The restaurant is known for its endless and heaping ladles of thick, saucy chili served over hot dogs and Coneys alongside massive pork tenderloins.

George the Chili King has been in operation since it was founded downtown in 1920 and moved to its now-classic location at the corner of Hickman and Merle Hay roads in 1952.

The restaurant has appeared in both the written works of Bill Bryson and been featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. 

Read the rest of the story HERE.
To purchase Fourth Wall Films'  Emmy-nominated River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 or other award-winning documentaries on DVD, click HERE!

You can also get the River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 DVD at the Wilton Candy Kitchen in Wilton, Iowa right on Historic Route 6!

Iowa's Historic Route 6 Executive Director Darby Retires

Photo by Dave Darby.

It was as if the traffic stopped on Iowa's Historic Route 6 to pay tribute. 

A standing ovation is in order for Dave Darby who has 'retired' as executive director of Iowa's Historic Route 6 Tourist Association. His accomplishments over the years are legion: researching, spreading the word in print, on radio, televison and social media; raising awareness in the treasured-towns and cities that anchor the route; fundraising and promoting; marking and signing Iowa's historic Route 6 from Davenport to Council Bluffs.  His camera captured countless beautiful images of the road, the people, and the places that make Route 6 so memorable.

He convinced Fourth Wall Films' Kelly and Tammy Rundle that a documentary should be made to preserve the story of this forgotten highway--no longer forgotten at all. River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 went on to win an Emmy nomination and became an award-winning crowd-pleaser at film festivals.

His 'River to River Classic Car Cruise' has grown each year with fans celebrating the small town eateries, museums, and town squares. He reminded us that there is nothing like hugging the curves of the two-lane road in a classic car (...any car...motorcycle...bicycle...whatever your pleasure...) and soaking up the beauty of the Iowa landscape.

He made us believe there was no better route to take. We caught his 'dream'. He is the face of Iowa's Route 6 as sure as the signs he helped erect along the way. Join us in shouting bravo to Dave and thanking him for teaching us that "the journey should be the destination". It has been and always will be.

He is the face of Iowa's Route 6 as sure as the signs he helped erect along the way. Join us in shouting bravo to Dave and thanking him for teaching us that "the journey should be the destination". It has been and always will be. A heartfelt thank you, Dave, for convincing us to take 'the ride' with you...and what a ride it has been. 

To order the award-winning and Emmy-nominated River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6, click HERE.

Below is Dave's announcement:

Hello Everyone,

2018 marked 10 years as Executive Director of the Route 6 Tourist Association. I am very proud of the accomplishments we’ve made over that time period. In 2008 I made it my goal to raise awareness of the original route, to sign it, and boost tourism.

10 years ago, very few people were aware, or cared that Historic US 6 didn’t travel concurrent with Interstate 80 in Iowa. We changed all of that. Most portions of Historic 6 that were relegated to county road status are now properly marked. With your help we erected hundreds of signs all the way across Iowa.

I partnered with Fourth Wall Films to help create the Emmy nominated and award winning Route 6 documentary “River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6”.

I also partnered with the Sons of Union Veterans to create and help place new Grand Army Highway signs with restored artwork across Iowa.

With Fourth Wall Films and Dahl Motors of Davenport, I organized the very popular River to River Retro Road Trip.

Two and a half years ago, my wife Cristi and I welcomed a son, Max into our family, and with that, I realized over time that my family needs to be my main focus.

So to that end, I have stepped down from my position as Executive Director. I will continue to be an ambassador for the road, and will assist in any way possible in the completion of the signage, but I am no longer involved with the Route 6 Tourist Association. I thank them for the opportunity to make a difference, and I wish them well. I also wish to thank the countless volunteers along the way.

From Cristi, Max, and I, we wish you happy trails, and remember, US 6 will take you more places than the interstate will, with more fun and less stress.

Godspeed, and God Bless.

David W. Darby

Fourth Wall Films - Making 'Movies That Matter'

Filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of the award-winning Fourth Wall Films celebrated their tenth year in the Midwest producing historic Midwestern documentary film stories.

"Fundraising is the single most challenging part of independent filmmaking," said producer Tammy Rundle.  "And while Fourth Wall Films has received more than a dozen Humanities Media Grant Awards from seven Midwestern states for various documentary projects, we must raise matching funds for each grant awarded to our film projects."

"Each year we reach out to supporters and fans of our film work for contributions to help us continue making Movies that Matter," said director Kelly Rundle.

You can help Fourth Wall Films continue to make "Movies That Matter" through a new GoFundMefundraising campaign.  Supporters can contribute any amount at GoFundMe.com/fourthwallfilms.

Money raised will be used as matching funds for recent grants awarded to two Fourth Wall Films projects ("Riding the Rails to Hero Street" and "Sons & Daughters of Thunder") and will be used for editing, licensing and production fees.

The campaign is live December 2017 (for year-end-contributions) through the end of 2018.

Fourth Wall Films' River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated documentary. To order the DVD visit: http://www.fourthwallfilms.com/dvds.htm

QC Filmmakers Win Film Festival Prizes

By Jonathan Turner
Dispatch-Argus
April 12, 2016

Filmmakers from Moline and Davenport have earned honors for their latest projects.

Moline-based Fourth Wall Films, operated by Kelly and Tammy Rundle, and their co-producer partner Garry McGee won an Award of Excellence from the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards in Los Angeles for "Movie Star: The Secret Lives of Jean Seberg."

"Movie Star" is the first documentary film to focus on the private side of Ms. Seberg, an actress from Marshalltown, Iowa. It explores her American and international film career, civil rights-era activism and her mysterious, untimely death in Paris.

The Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards is a monthly film competition with quarterly award ceremonies. "Movie Star," the feature documentary winner for the March edition, will screen in June during the a red-carpet ceremony held at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles.

The film also received the Gold Eddy in the Pro-Am Documentary category at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. Their "River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6" won the Gold Eddy in the Pro Documentary category -- plus the Iowa Connection Award from Produce Iowa for the film the group feels best represents filmmaking in Iowa -- Kelly Rundle said Monday.

This is Fourth Wall's 11th honor from CRIFF, a nationwide contest open to movies with an Iowa connection such as setting, subject, shooting location or home base of the filmmakers, he said.

“I think because we won our first award for our first film at the 2006 CRIFF, this festival will always be special to us,” Mr. Rundle said. "Villisca: Living with a Mystery" won the Gold Eddy at the 2006 festival.

"River to River" takes viewers on a nostalgic classic-car journey through yesterday’s soda shops, filling stations, general stores, drive-ins, historic sites and roadside attractions that line U.S. 6 in Iowa.  The documentary was inspired by Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association's Executive Director Dave Darby's research, photography and passion for preserving the historic highway.

Read more of the article HERE!

Order the award-winning River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6.

      

Gazette Shines Light on Cedar Rapids Independent Film Fest, "Highway 6" and "Movie Star"

"River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6" producers Kelly & Tammy Rundle, Fourth Wall Films. Photo Courtesy Quad City Times.

By Diana Nollen
The Cedar Rapids Gazette
March 30, 2016

The Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival is all about Iowa connections on-screen and behind the scenes. And Fourth Wall Films, based in Moline, Ill., is all about preserving the Midwest's "forgotten" history.

Fourth Wall Films filmmaker Kelly Rundle is thrilled the two are again intersecting, with screenings of "River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6" (Friday, April 1 at 7:50pm, Saturday at 2:50pm) and "Movie Star: The Secret Lives of Jean Seberg" (Friday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 1:30pm) making the cut for this year's film festival.

The event, founded in 2001, runs Friday and Saturday (April 1 and 2) at Collins Road Theatres in Marion. The 63 selected films - ranging from 2 minutes to 2 hours - include a mix of features, shorts, documentaries, music videos and experimental films from students, amateurs and professionals. They compete for gold and silver Eddy awards, audience choice and Iowa connection awards.

Fourth Wall's Seberg documentary is a direct result of networking at a film festival. Garry McGee of Elma, who had conducted a bevy of interviews with the late actress' family and friends, called the Rundles in Los Angeles after reading about Midwest screenings of their Villisca film. The conversation picked back up after the Rundles moved back to the Midwest in 2007 and ran into McGee at a Mason City film festival.

"We're always looking for Midwestern stories that have a local or regional following but deserve a much wider audience or awareness," Rundle said. "This was obviously one of those stories."

"Movie Star" is a tale of Hollywood and heartbreak, beginning when an unknown 17-year-old Iowa girl beat out 18,000 actresses to play St. Joan in Otto Preminger's 1957 film. The documentary goes behind the scenes of her rocky life in the international film spotlight, her civil rights activism that drew FBI attention, and her mysterious death in Paris in 1979 - deemed a "probable suicide." "That leaves room for doubt," Rundle said.

"I hope that audience members, when they see that film, see their own daughter or granddaughter or niece or sister or friend. I just think the story relates to people on that level."

Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association's Dave Darby.  The documentary was inspired by Darby's research, photography and passion for preserving the historic highway and drawing attention to the small towns along the way.

The Highway 6 documentary, making its first film festival appearance, travels a more nostalgic route across Iowa. Taking on the form of a classic car cruise from Davenport to Council Bluffs, it looks at the towns and stories along this forgotten stretch of highway that weaves under and over Interstate 80 in places.

Rundle hopes the film inspires viewers to take their own weekend jaunt along the route, to discover hidden gems like Ladora, home to the secret writer of the "Nancy Drew" mysteries, or Dexter, site of a Bonnie and Clyde shootout.

Read the full story by clicking HERE!

 

TICKETS: Advance: $8 per session (Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening) or $25 all-event pass; day of shows: $10 per session, $35 all-event pass; theater box office or Crifm.org/ticketinfo.html

SCHEDULE: Crifm.org/festivalschedule.html

 

    

Iowa's Historic Route 6 Featured in New Documentary by Emmy-nominated Filmmakers

Emmy® nominated documentary filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle spent three years filming landscapes, town-scapes, historic sites and exploring the stories that line historic Route 6 for their new documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6.  The film will premiere Thursday, September 17, 2015 on the Putnam Museum Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa and then tour and screen at other venues along Highway 6 from Davenport to Council Bluffs, September 17-29. 

River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6 guides viewers on a nostalgic classic car journey through yesterday’s soda shops, filling stations, general stores, drive-ins, historic sites and roadside attractions that line Iowa’s U.S. Highway 6.

“With Interstate 80’s near universal use by travelers, Route 6 and the memories that define it have faded from the public’s consciousness,” said director Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films.  “The film is a celebration of a journey.” 

“Most travelers are unaware of the many colorful stories from the past around every turn in the road,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “Iowa’s portion of the transcontinental Route 6 has a past that includes Bonnie and Clyde, Jesse James, Nancy Drew, Jack Kerouac, the Great Race Across Iowa, and others.”

Showings will continue at film festivals and in art theaters, followed by a national DVD release, and broadcasts on Midwestern PBS stations in 2016.

River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6 was funded in part by grants from Humanities Iowa, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area and the National Endowment for the Humanities through the documentary’s fiscal sponsor, The Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association. 

The Rundles' Fourth Wall Films is an independent film and video production company. They produced the regional Emmy® nominated documentaries Letters Home to Hero Street (with WQPT-PBS) and Country School: One Room – One Nation; and the award-winning films Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2 & 3, and Villisca: Living with a Mystery.  For more information, visit Highway6Movie.com

To schedule a screening of the film in your town, email [email protected].

To pre-order the DVD and save click HERE!

Gilbert's Highway 6 Coast to Coast Run for Kids Hits Iowa July 22

COAST TO COAST FOR KIDS

 

The Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association is excited to help Aprylle Gilbert, an accomplished folk-rock musician and long-distance runner, as she makes her way through Iowa on her coast-to-coast run across historic U.S. Route 6.  Her goal is to inspire youth and to raise funds for a youth center in a troubled neighborhood in San Jose, California.  

 

Her goal is to run an average of 30 miles per day as she makes her way from Long Beach, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts, along Route 6--an overall distance of 3,652 miles.  At various locations, she will also be doing concerts, as time allows. Aprylle has an estimated ETA in Council Bluffs of July 22nd.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP? 

·         Run or walk alongside Aprylle as she makes her way through your town 

·         Create a media event for your local news 

·         Provide lodging for an evening for Aprylle and her support driver 

·         Provide a meal and encouragement 

·         Donate to her cause 

·         Host a concert – with 50% of the donations going to Aprylle’s cause and 50% going to a charity of your choice.  Aprylle is a highly accomplished folk-rock musician.  (Note: Only as time allows.  Please plan in advance so Aprylle can coordinate her schedule.) 

·         Become a Member of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association

 

FOLLOW APRYLLE’S PROGRESS AND FIND FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT HER CAUSE AT www.route6tour.com.

Durant, Wilton and Walcott Put Highway 6 Back on the Map

Dave Darby, Executive Director of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association.

Wilton, Iowa's Community Center will be the place to be on Thursday, June 14, 2012 when representatives from the towns of Durant, Wilton and Walcott are presented with their new Historic Iowa U.S. Route 6 signs by Dave Darby, Executive Director of the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association.

The dedication and presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. and is open to the public.  Attendees include Quad City Times columnist Bill Wundram, representatives of the Iowa Department of Transportation, and River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 documentary filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films.

The Wilton Candy Kitchen, on Highway 6 in Wilton, Iowa.

The Rundles visited the town of Wilton with Darby in April 2011 and shot preliminary footage at the Wilton Candy Kitchen for their new documentary.

The Wilton Community Center is located at 1215 Cypress Street in Wilton, Iowa.

Quad City Times Columnist Bill Wundram Shines a Light on Iowa's Highway 6

Courtesy Fourth Wall Films. Copyright 2011.

Iowa's U.S. Route 6 got some attention today when Quad City Times columnist Bill Wundram focused his pen on the forgotten highway and new efforts underway to post signs along the long stretch of road.

“These signs will make motorists realize that the Route 6 they remember is alive and well,” says Dave Darby, executive director of Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association.

Wundram wrote: 

"THIS WEEK, I cruised Old 6. No trucks, no signs, just fields of fingerling corn and green blankets of beans. It wasn’t until I was past Wilton and had made a couple of gooseneck turns peppered with confusing highway signs that the name U.S. 6 reappeared.

It never made sense to slice Old 6 off the map.

Those who love the country and peace should be happy that the new signs may help guide humanity back to rural sanity."

Read the full article at "Old 6 Gets Its Proper Name Back" and thank you, Mr. Wundram, for shining a light on Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association Executive Director Dave Darby's tireless work to get Iowa's Highway 6 recognized.

For more information about U.S. Route 6 and Iowa's Route 6 visit www.route6tour.com

Production on our documentary River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 continues.  We will join Dave Darby in Wilton at the Community Center on Thursday, June 14th, 6pm to talk about the film project.

We are enjoying the ride!