Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast. We're back at the Newberry Springs Senior / Family Center—home to the Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce, and chatting with Ronnie Shaw, Director, and Karla Claus, Vice President, of the Chamber. They share the vibrant history, community pride, and behind-the-scenes stories that make Newberry Springs a must-visit destination along Route 66.

Whether you’re a road trip enthusiast, a festival lover, or just curious about hidden gems in America’s heartland, this episode promises inspiration and a taste of all things Newberry Springs.

DISCUSSION

Introduction of Ronnie Shaw, director, and Karla Claus, vice president of the Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce

Backgrounds and Roles of the Guests

• Ronnie's history in Newberry Springs since 1993, and inspiration from Treasurer Rose Beardshear
• Karla's role as vice president - Coordinating festivals and performing volunteer duties, participating in outreach activities, and representing the Chamber at local events

Visitor Experience and Common Inquiries

• Maps and information for hiking and travel
• Airbnb's recommendations to visit the Chamber and the local cafe
• Merchandising: T-shirts, water bottles, and local pistachios available

Signature Community Events

• The annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival
  • Held on the first Saturday in November
  • Approximately 27–30 years running
• Route 66 Centennial, including a birthday bash and car show in May

Leadership Structure of the Chamber

• President: Renee Kaminsky
• Vice President: Karla Claus
• Director: Ronnie Shaw
• Director: Keller Horton
• Secretary: Diane Yoder Bubier
• Treasurer: Rose Beardshear

Volunteerism and Community Support

• Reliance on volunteers for organizing events like the Pistachio Festival
• American Legion’s involvement in festival operations

LEARN MORE

To learn about Newberry Springs, CA, the Route 66 Big Birthday Bash, the Pistachio Festival, and much more, visit the Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce at https://newberryspringschamber.com/, https://discovernewberrysprings.com, or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewberrySpringsChamber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbsp_chamberofcommerce/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce, Route 66 Centennial, Pistachio Festival, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#NewberrySpringsChamberofCommerce #Route66Centennial #PistachioFestival #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

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The Magic of Newberry Springs: The Senior & Family Center, and the Drifting Sands Cafe

Welcome to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In today’s episode, host Speaker A visits Newberry Springs, California—a charming stop along the historic Route 66, currently celebrating its centennial anniversary. Broadcasting from the heart of the community at the Newberry Springs Senior/Family Center and the beloved Drifting Sands Cafe, we're sitting down with local volunteer, Kim Gregory. Kim shares her journey from Menifee to Newberry Springs, her involvement with the community center, and what makes this desert town such a warm and welcoming destination.

Get ready to discover the people and places making this a Route 66 destination and must-visit spot on your next road trip!

DICUSSION

Introduction to Kim Gregory

Kim’s Background and Move to Newberry Springs

Kim’s Involvement in the Community

Activities at the Senior / Family Center and Drifting Sands Cafe

Daily life at the Community Center

Community Center and Cafe operating hours

• Wednesday–Saturday: 7 am–2 pm
• Sunday: 7 am–3 pm

The Drifting Sands Cafe Experience

Community Center Features and Thrift Opportunities

The Chamber of Commerce

Living in Newberry Springs & Why Visit Newberry Springs?

Social Media and Contact Information

LEARN MORE

Newberry Springs Senior / Family Center, and Drifting Sands Cafe - 33383 Newberry RD Newberry Spgs CA 92365

https://www.facebook.com/NewberrySpgsSeniorCenter

Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce

To learn about Newberry Springs, CA, the Route 66 Big Birthday Bash, the Pistachio Festival, and much more, visit the Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce at https://newberryspringschamber.com/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewberrySpringsChamber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbsp_chamberofcommerce/

The Mother Road e-Newsletter: https://motherroadnewsletter.com/newsletter/

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Newberry Springs Senior/Family Center, Drifting Sands Cafe, Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce, Route 66 Centennial, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#NewberrySpringsSeniorFamilyCenter #DriftingSandsCafe #NewberrySpringsChamberofCommerce #Route66Centennial #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

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Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! In today’s show, we're immersed in the fascinating history of Newberry Springs with community leaders from the Newberry Springs Economic Development Association - Historical Committee, Paul Deel, and Brian Fisher. Together, they share the legacy of Margaret Orcutt and her unique adobe home—complete with handmade blocks, historical gun ports, and even remnants of her greenhouse where she famously grew orchids.

Paul shares personal stories about Margaret and the origins of her home, uncovering its dream as a sanctuary for unwed mothers and a community gathering space. Meanwhile, Brian takes us behind the scenes with the Newberry Springs Historical Committee, revealing the painstaking process of organizing Margaret's archives and bringing her true story to light.

Whether you’re a history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or just curious about the colorful characters that built this desert community, this episode offers a heartfelt look at preserving local heritage and the power of community. So settle in, and let’s journey together through the stories that make Newberry Springs a remarkable stop on Route 66.

DISCUSSION

00:00 Margaret Orcutt's Desert Vision

04:16 "Committee's Historical Cataloging Effort"

09:19 "Route 66 Centennial Adventure"

10:03 "Follow, Listen, Explore, Enjoy"

LEARN MORE

To learn more about NSEDA, visit their website at https://www.nseda.net/.

To learn about Newberry Springs, CA, the Route 66 Big Birthday Bash, the Pistachio Festival, and much more, visit the Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce at https://newberryspringschamber.com/ or on these social sites:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewberrySpringsChamber
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbsp_chamberofcommerce/

Car & Driver: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15385694/mrs-orcutts-driveway-204-mph-on-a-double-nickel-road-page-1

NEXT STEPS

Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.

KEYWORDS

Paul Deel, Brian Fisher, Mrs. Orcutt's Homestead, Mrs. Orcutt's Driveway, NSEDA, Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce, Route 66 Centennial, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview

#PaulDeel #BrianFisher #MrsOrcuttsHomestead #MrsOrcuttsDriveway #NSEDA #NewberrySpringsChamberofCommerce #Route66Centennial #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview

My Favorite Podcast Tools:

1. Production by Descript
2. Hosting Buzzsprout
3. Show Notes by Castmagic
4. Website powered by Podpage
5. Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch
6. Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva