The Foundation of Woody Guthrie - Windshield Oklahoma

   

I've driven by this location many times knowing it was the old homeplace of Woody Guthrie and his family.  I never notice the foundation until the recent clean up.  This is the view from 1st street, the front of the house. 
It amazed me when I saw this beautiful foundation.  It had generations of rumble, waste and neglect on top of it yet underneath was this beautiful native Oklahoma stone.

 

We all have a little clean up to do.  Underneath all the rumble is a beautiful foundation. Sometimes we just have to dig. Sometimes we have to dig hard.

One time I was working on something for my daughter.  She was getting frustrated with my ability. I told her I was doing the best I could, which she responded, "you can always do better".  I love it that my kids are smarter than me, well sometimes.

If you don't keep any of your New Year's resolutions that is okay.  Just keep working at it.  Always remember that underneath all that rumble and down to the native stone is a child who will do incredible things and influence generations.  It is your job, our job to keep building the foundation, keep it moving forward.

Love,

Territory Mom

 

P.S. The rebuilding of Woody Guthrie's childhood will be featured on Discover Oklahoma January 18, 2014. 

P.S. again:  Please forgive me if it sounds like I am rambling. I'm a mom, enough said.

 

Rebuilding Woody Guthrie's Childhood Home in Okemah

Photo source: 19th Century Restorations

 

This is pretty interesting.

  Daniel T. Reidemann of 19th Century Restorations reconstructs many celebrity homes.  Soon he will be rebuilding Woody Guthrie's childhood home in Okemah, OK.  In addition to the rebuilding of the home Mr. Reidemann will also be doing a documentary showing the process which will include many people but especially, Arlo Guthrie as lead carpenter.

The project is accepting donations through Kickstarter.com-Woody Guthrie.  They need $93,000.00.  I'm sure this project will be fully funded.  Check out the above Kickstarter link for more information and to be a part of history. 

 

 Soon 301 S. 1st Street, Okemah, OK will have a home on it again.

Love,

Territory Mom

15th Annual WoodyFest Begins Today

The 15th Annual WoodyFest begins today in Okemah, America.  This year is Woody's 100th birthday so his son, Arlo Guthrie will kick off the festivities with a concert at the newly remodeled Crystal Theater.

Not the best photo of the theater but I had to get the movie title "Brave" and the poster for my little girl.

Anyway, lots of things going on this week in Okemah and it is not going to be 110 degrees every day so check it out.  For more information:

Woody Guthrie Folk Festival

For book signing information and other venues go to:

Okemah News Leader

For information about the rebuilding of Woody's childhood home and a link to Okemah's newest folk hero, John Fullbright, go here:

Newsok.com

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

The House That Built Whitney - New Hope Baptist Church and The Drinkard Singers

New Hope Baptist Church, Newark, NJ from Chron.com

On the site of New Hope Baptist Church, Newark is this scripture:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,

 thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end

Jeremiah 29:11

As you know Whitney Houston began her musical career at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark and this Saturday her family and friends will say goodbye to her in the same church.

New Hope began as a mission in the home of Addie and Maggie Vine and elected its first pastor, Rev. Jesse Williams in 1903.  

Sometime between 1920 and 1930, John Drinkard, Jr. and his wife Susan moved their family from Georgia to New Jersey.  John was Native American and Susan was part Dutch and part African American.  The name "Drinkard" means the running of water.  One of their children was Nitcholas A. Drinkard, "Nitch" and he married Delia McCaskill and together they had eight children.  Nitch wanted his children to be gospel singers and in the late 1930's four of the children began singing at New Hope as the Drinkard Four.  The group consisted of Emily Drinkard (later known as Cissy Houston), brothers, Nick and Larry and sister, Anne.   Older sister Lee, managed the group.  Lee, later became the mother of singers, Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick.  As the group expanded to include sister, Marie and Judy Clay (Lee's adopted daughter) they became known as the Drinkard Singers.

They became the first gospel group to sing with Mahelia Jackson when they performed together at the National Baptist Convention in the early 1950's. In 1957 they became the first gospel group to sign with RCA.  Over the next few years the group made changes and became known as the Sweet Inspirations.  They sang with the Warwick sisters, Elvis and Aretha Franklin and it all started at New Hope. There should be a movie about them.

You can listen to the group on youtube.com or go here.  I promise you will be lifted up.

Now when I was searching videos about New Hope I found one that included our own Oklahoma child, Gwen Guthrie.  I first wrote about Ms. Guthrie, here.  She was born in Okemah and shares a birthday with Woody Guthrie, July 14th.  I have to send you to youtube again at this link so you can listen to Ms. Guthrie singing "How Great Thou Art" at New Hope.  She is the one at the podium with the choir being led by Whitney's aunt, Anne Drinkard Moss (red robe).  This video is before 1999 because Ms. Guthrie died in 1999 at the tender age of 48.

Wouldn't you just love to go to New Hope and listen to all the beautiful music? 

During news reports I've seen New Hope's pastor and I thought to myself, "what a compassionate man" and so I had to learn more about him.

The current pastor, Rev. Joe A. Carter is only the sixth pastor in the church's history.  In 1980, Pastor Carter told his father, Rev. Henry B. Carter, Sr. that he had the desire to preach the gospel and so on March 16, 1980 at the tender age of nine, Joe A. Carter gave his first sermon in Oklahoma City, OK.  It was from Gensis 1:1; entitled "The Magic of God".

You can find out more about Pastor Carter from New Hope's website.

As Christians we know Whitney is in a better place and you know she'll get to sing all the solos in her new Angel Choir.

Goodbye, Whitney,

 . . . you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 28:20

Love,

Territory Mom

The Drinkard Singers 

Allmusic.com-Drinkard Singers

Anne Drinkard Moss

Windshield Oklahoma - The Guthrie's Old Home Place

Very remote road in Okfuskee County

I get my news from jenx67.com and today she has a post about our own Woody Guthrie and about a new exhibit being put together by the Kaiser Foundation in Tulsa.  Jen does a much better job reporting big news than me so you can check out her article, here.  She has a special connection to Woody.  If you follow me on twitter and facebook you know I have already posted it at both places probably more than once because I have fat finger syndrome.

Anyway, back to Woody and his old home place.  In and around Okemah there are many locations that are considered Woody Guthrie's old home.  There are some in town and some out of town.  You would have to talk to one of his cousins to be sure which place is actually a Guthrie old home place unless you have lived in Okfuskee County all your life and know where the best place to go squirrel hunting.

So, we are driving around one day by the lake trying to locate our old bull.  He is now at the cousins' place.  We are on this road that seems 10 miles long and I casually ask my husband,

Me: "do you think Woody Guthrie ever went squirrel hunting down here?"

Okay, apparently this was a dumb question because this is the response I got:

Hubs: "Well yeah, everybody's knows this is the best squirrel hunting around!!!"

"That's the old place over there"

Me:  "Where?"

Hubs:  "there"

Me:  "I don't see anything."

Hubs:  "Over yonder!"

Should I remind him I haven't lived here all my life?

Silence until we get here:

Everybody out of the truck so we can check out the old WPA bridge.

Nothing breaks the silence better than an old WPA bridge.  Very cool rocks.

Now I don't know if Woody ever went squirrel hunting, but if he was hungry he did.  Things haven't changed much. 

Jen also posted this article Bound For Local Glory At Last from the NY Times.

Got to go someone is wanting biscuits and gravy.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Thanks Utah Carl For Serving Our Country-Veteran's Day 11-11-11

I never knew Utah Carl Branscum, but I like his name.

We were visited family graves on Memorial Day and I took this photo of his grave.  He is buried next to my husband's brother.  They seem to be keeping each other company. 

Utah Carl was raised in Okfuskee County and served his country during the Korean War.  He married a girl named, Grace from Texas.

I found his parents closed by:

I bet they were proud of their son.  Tandy Branscum served our country during WWI.

I also found Utah Carl's brother:

Later I'll post these photos to findagrave.com so their family can find them.

Veteran's Day is about remembering those who served our country whether we knew them or not.

So, thanks Utah Carl for serving our country.

"Freedom is never free"

unknown

Here are some links to other blogs who are remembering Veteran's Day:

She Is Our Angel

Household 6 Diva

Tasha Does Tulsa

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand

Yogi's Den

Sew Like My Mom

Wonderfully Eclectic

Off The Beaten Trek

Love,

Territory Mom

It Rained In Oklahoma!

Love,

Territory Mom

Two Beloved Okemah Women Have Finished Their Race

Corner of Woody Guthrie Blvd and Glen D. Johnson Drive

Taken by me during the bitter cold of Feb., 2011

Two women in my community have gone on to a better place this week.  One woman, the beloved, Imogene had a long race on this earth and finished at age 90.  Brenda's race was cut short because of a tragic accident.  She was only 54. 

While both women accomplished a lot deal during their lives people share the hometown memories the most.  Imogene was the high school football queen in the late 1930's and Brenda loved her horses.

Both women contributed a great deal to the agricultural and educational needs of our community.

I never met these women but I know from reading about their sons in the local paper that they were both devoted and loving mothers.  Both women raised outstanding citizens.  Imogene had one son and Brenda had two sons. 

Watch the following videos and you will agree with me that these were two wonderful women and mothers: OSU 2011 Outstanding Senior and Lessons In Leadership - Dr. Glen Johnson.

It will be a busy day tomorrow in Okemah with two funeral for two lovely ladies.

I have fought the good fight,  I have finished the race,  I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) Also, sadly I lost one of my high school classmates this week.  She was also a devoted and loving mother.  I will post about her later. Have a great day. Love, Territory Mom 

For more information you can go to these links:

Imogene Johnson Obit

Parks Brothers Funeral Home - Okemah

Durant Democrat

After WoodyFest is Okie Noodling & Eskimo Joe's 36th Birthday!!!

Daddy's catch from last summer's noodling adventure at Lake Eufaula

What do you do the day after WoodyFest?  Well, the party continues with the Okie Noodling International Championship where else but Okemah, OK.  The competition is closed but the party starts at 3:00 pm today until dark at Jimmie's Grocery, Hwy 62 (aka Columbia) and 5th Street.  There will be drinks, bbq, bluegrass and a lot of fun rednecks.  Remember I'm not a redneck but according to my husband I'm a hillbilly.  Apparently there is a difference.

Anyway for more information check out this article from the Okemah News Leader.  The article has the date as July 19th, but today is definitely July 18th.

Oh my gracious I'm so excited about this Eskimo Joes   kicks off it's 36th birthday bash at 11:00 am this morning.  This also means that my friend Trish is also 36 years old.  Happy birthday, Trish.

Who is the entertainment for the first day of celebration none other than Okemah's own, John Fullbright.  I first wrote about John in my post Spirit of Woody Guthrie.  He sang for my daughter on her birthday last year.  It was wonderful!  Thank you, John.

Now, the headliner for today's celebration at Eskimo Joe's are the Turnpike Troubadours who also have roots in Okemah, OK.  I screamed like a little girl when I heard this. 

Also, Eskimo Joe's is unveiling it's very first OSU co-branded t-shirt.  I'm so excited.  I'm getting my kids one for their birthday and me too.

On another note it makes you wonder what is in the water around here when one town produces such musical talents like Woody, John Fullbright, Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours, Jamie Coon, Shawna Russell and of course, Gwen Guthrie.

Have a great day and enjoy the music!!

Love,

Territory Mom

Ronny Cox - From Deliverance to Okemah or Should It Be "Deliverance From Okemah"

Photo from:  Ronny Cox.com

I'm so happy that Ronny Cox was resurrected from his Deliverance nightmare so that he can entertain everyone at the 14th Annual WoodyFest.  Not only is he a wonderful actor but he is also a gifted singer, songwriter and musician.  There are some great videos of him on youtube.com.

If you are a child of the 70's like me then you remember him well.  I loved him in Apple's Way.  One of my favorite shows of course because it was created by the great Earl Hamner.

Anyway, back to Mr. Cox or Ronny.  It is only fitting that he play at WoodyFest.  My goodness wasn't he great as Ozark Blue in Bound For Glory.

According to the Okemah NewsLeader Mr. Cox is writing a book about the making of Deliverance, 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the movie.  I watched the movie for first time about ten years ago.  I only watched it because it is a classic and I could finally understand what people were taking about if you know what I mean.  I heard Regis interview Burt Reynolds a few years ago asking if they were ever going to make a sequel to Deliverance.  Burt said something like, they are going to but Ned is not too happy about it.  The audience roared with laughter.

I'm really getting sidetrack today.  Well, it's Friday, and I'm hot and tired.

Ronny Cox will be playing at the Okemah Middle Auditorium due to the renovations being done at the Crystal Theater on Saturday, July 16 at 1:00 pm.

Be sure and check out Bam's Blog from newsok.com.  I just saw on her Facebook page that she interviewed Mr. Cox this morning.  Her blog is a great source for the WoodyFest and other Oklahoma entertainment.

One more thing and I'll let y'all go for the day, Tulsa artisan, Bifftastica is at the festival selling her handmade bags and jewelry, so cool.

Have a great day and drink lots of water.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S.  Don't forget about the other Guthrie from Okemah.

Woody Guthrie's Birthday - His Song For Laura - The Story of Laura Nelson - Part 1

It happened here.

 

This is a follow-up to my post from July 8, 2011.  It is a difficult subject and I have had a hard time getting my words together and so the story of Laura Nelson and her family will be told in more than one post.

First of all today is Woody Guthrie's 99th birthday which means WoodyFest is happening in Okemah, Oklahoma.

One year before Woody was born in Okemah, Okfuskee County and 12 years before Clara Mae Luper was born in the same county, Laura Nelson and her son Lawrence were lynched by an angry mob.

My sister first told me about it a few years ago and my brother emailed this article from the Oklahoma Gazette a few weeks ago.  Warning: The article in the OK Gazette has a photo of the actual lynching.

There are several different accounts of the story. I'm sure that was the same case one hundred years ago. I will provide a few links of the story at the end.
Anyway, in May of 1911, Laura, her husband, Austin and children, Lawrence and Carrie were living in the Creek Township of Okfuskee County.  This is near the town of Boley, OK.

This rural area hasn't changed much in one hundred years only a few new tombstones have been added to the old cemetery hidden in the woods.

Austin Nelson had stolen some livestock.  When the deputy went to the Nelson home to investigate he was shot.  It is reported that Lawrence shot him.  Lawrence or L.D. was only 13 years old and reported to be mentally challenged.  The deputy died and the Nelson family was arrested.  In order to save her son Laura claimed she shot the deputy.  Her husband was tried and found guilty of stealing then taken to McAlester where he served a 2 to 3 year prison term.

A few weeks later Laura and her son were taken from the jail by a group of vigilantes and lynched.  Their bodies hung over the old Hwy 56 bridge overlooking the North Canadian River when the famous photo of them was taken.

It is unclear what happened to baby Carrie.  Some say she died along with her mother and brother, but others say a woman grabbed her and took her home.

I'll write more about this event later, but for now Laura's song.  The song, Don't Kill My Baby and My Son was written by Guthrie about the lynching.   The song was only recently discovered and brought out of hiding by Joel Rafael at a Woody Guthrie Festival and on his CD, The Songs of Woody Guthrie, Vol 1 and 2.  Many were not familiar with the song not even Arlo.

The lyrics of the song are haunting, much like other Guthrie songs.  In one verse, Guthrie writes:

Now, I've heard the cries of a panther,
Now, I've heard the coyotes yell,
But that long, lonesome cry shook the whole wide world
And it come from the cell of the jail.

I hear the coyotes yell and just last year a panther was spotted in the area of North Canadian River bridge.

You can go here for the complete lyrics.

This story is never discussed.  I asked my husband about it one time and he just said he knew about it.  One day we were driving over the bridge and he just said, "it happened here" and immediately the image of Laura popped in my head.

I'll leave this for now.  Here are some other articles:

wikipedia.org-Laura and Lawrence Nelson

The Community Paper

Laura Nelson Lynching

Brooke Harvey's version of the song

To be continued.

Territory Mom

Windshield Oklahoma - 4th of July

That speck in the road is a pregnant doe.

On Monday it was so hot that we took the kids for a drive.  It was about the only thing we could do around here.  No fireworks this year because of the burn ban.  Even the local casino cancelled it's fireworks.  Anyway the kids did have a good weekend.  This was some of their fun.

Okay so we are out driving around and spot this pregnant doe.

And now she is gone.

She is really gone now.

We saw a total of 5 does and 1 buck during our drive.  This seems a little strange for them to be on the move since it was hot outside.

Hope you had a safe and fun holiday.

Love,

Territory Mom

She Was The Thread - Clara Mae Luper

Oklahoma Backroads Quilt from Quiltville

Oklahoma to me is like a beautiful handmade quilt.  The quilt top is Oklahoma's people.  A vast collection of fabric.  Some cut from a pattern to make the blocks.  Some are remnants saved over time carefully sewn together.  Others are appliqued-shapes placed perfectly on the quilt top to bring out its beauty. 

  The backing of the quilt is our many different cultures brought together to make the largest part of the quilt.

The quilt borders are our beautiful land, mountains and lakes all around us so that we may enjoy living each day with friends and family.

And the batting, oh the batting is the most important.  It is our history, our present and our future.  It is the events of Oklahoma, whether triumphs or tragedies, that bind us together.  From before statehood until now and in the future the batting binds the sections of the quilt together to keep us warm and to cover us in times of difficulty.

If Oklahoma is a quilt then Clara Mae Luper was the thread.  With the hand of God holding the needle Clara painstakingly sewed us together.  If a seam came undone with the batting showing she carefully sewed the fabric making us beautiful again.

Clara Mae Luper or Mother Luper was born and raised in Okfuskee County, OK, the same county I live in.  She humbled herself before God and she was able to move mountains.  She touched so many lives.  A pioneer in the Civil Rights movement, a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, and aunt.  She was also a teacher and her students loved her.  You did not have to "know" to know her.  She inspired us to move mountains.  We now know that we can do it.  We can overcome diversity, tragedy or injustice.  Every time I heard her voice I was inspired to move the mountain that was before me.

Thank you Mother Luper for sewing us together.

Love,

Territory Mom

For some very beautiful and poignant photos go to Alternative Crop-newsok.com a blog by Nate Billings of The Oklahoman