Dear Mr. Guthrie,
I have a friend who went to school in Okema, OK. She says at that time your dad, who was in her class, would play the harmonica during recess and everyone would dance. When she tells of this relationship, she starts to jitterbug. Her name is Lura (maiden name uknown) Rouser and she will be 100 years old next October! She speaks so highly of your father. I wish that somehow you might contact her on her 100th birthday next October. She is in good health (only takes one aspirin daily; has her own teeth and wears contacts, and tho she says that she misses her mind sometimes, she is very alert and active. She lives alone in Wichita Falls, TX AND still drives a little Mercedes.

I believe that a phone call or visit would really make her day! We docent together at a house museum and she often tells visitors the story about Woody Guthrie and dancing at recess in Okema, OK. My email is carole@wildblue.net. Please contact me about possible contact with Lura. Thank you for your interest, Carole Sinclair

That is amazing, Carole, and I hope you hear from Arlo. Meanwhile, if you haven't done so already, you should put Lura in touch with the WoodieFest people at http://woodyguthrie.com. Have you tried contacting the folkslinger's sister, Nora?


mikey

Thanks Mikey, that is a great idea!

That is a neat story. I bet Arlo would love to hear her tell him that story...