Condolences to the Westbrook Family
The Koehler family has appreciated Ray’s support through the years. Ray will be missed. Ray’s writing kept the history of Lubbock County and Shallowater alive.
Longtime Lubbock A-J reporter Ray Westbrook dies at 83
Shout Out to Texas Tech Alumni!, Spring 2019
Mary Lou is featured in the Books section of the “Alumni News” in the May/June 2019 edition of the Texas Techsan. The magazine is mailed to members of the Texas Tech Alumni Organization and is also available digitally if you are a member (click here for additional details).
Mary Lou at Glencoe Elementary, Spring 2018
Mary Lou visited a class of 5th Graders at Glencoe Elementary in Portland Oregon. She brought Mamie’s tea set and mirror, Mama’s shoes, the cigar box top, a buffalo horn and other objects from the family’s daily life on the Plains to share with the students. Mary Lou had reproductions of a West Texas windmill and an outhouse. Mr. Walker demonstrated how to adjust the wick on the oil lamp. The 5th graders read I Could See Nothing and had plenty of questions for Mary Lou.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Article
Thanks to Ray Westbrook of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (lubbockonline.com) for publishing an article about the book on October 29, 2017. You can find the article here.
Mary Lou…… You probably will not remember me from when I was in school at Shallowater but I’m sure you’ll remember my folks Gale & Florence Ballard. I remember when I was young I would visit with you dad, Mr. Bob, when I was in town. That was usually around the barber shop which was the social center of Shallowater. Not long ago I was visiting with my cousin Jerry Brock and he mentioned you. during our conversation. I moved away from Shallowater in 1957 and have lived here in El Paso for the last fifty years. My sister Alice Ballard-Petersen of Arlington found your book and sent me a copy. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it! Congratulations…………
Tommy Gale Ballard
El Paso, Texas