OK SR83

Honors Dawn Welch, owner of the historic Rock Café in Stroud, Oklahoma, for her perseverance and accomplishments.

Rock Café was opened in 1939 and became a Route 66 landmark; Welch became the fourth owner in 1993 and secured its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

After the café burned down on May 20, 2008, Welch rebuilt it in just over a year using rocks excavated during Route 66 construction and guidance from a historic preservationist.

Welch authored "Dollars to Donuts: Comfort Food and Kitchen Wisdom From Route 66's Landmark Rock Café" published by Rodale and appeared on NBC's "Today" show on January 21, 2009 to discuss the cookbook.

Named "Woman of the Year" by the Oklahoman newspaper on December 31, 2009; her daughter Alexis Herr serves as a page with the Oklahoma State Senate.