July 15, 2011

This Machine is bound for glory. This Land wishes Woody Guthrie a happy birthday with the release of an issue centered around the man and his legacy. In this issue, we also launch the “Imaginary Oklahoma” series, where the world’s best writers dream up stories about life and culture in Oklahoma.

WOODY GUTHRIE’S SOCIAL GOSPEL ROOTS: Larry Guthrie unearths Guthrie’s gospel roots and proves once and for all that our favorite son had a soft spot for Jesus.

GOODBYE OKLAHOMA: Shawna Lewis says goodbye to Okemah’s Masonic Lodge, a peculiar place in Guthrie’s hometown.

BABY BOOMER: A very promising zygote makes history by becoming the youngest player drafted to a college football team — despite the fact that its sex has yet to be determined. Beau Adams has the Okie Doke.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER: Writer Ben Greenman imagines an Oklahoma crippled by alcoholism and inferiority complexes.

POETRY: John Wooley tells us how to build a frog — with surprisingly pleasant results! All that, plus eye-catching illustrations by Jeremy Luther and a refreshing design by Carlos Knight.