Betty Larson invites you to swing on Elm Street

Betty (Larson) and Perry Butcher. They bought Betty's childhood home on Elm Street in Alexandria. Swing is still there on the porch, phone number is the same. (ROckwell 3-4246). She says, "Please come visit while we're there in July."

(We just got a nice manila envelope from Betty, with pictures and bio. She, like many of her classmates, doesn't do cyberspace. You may recall that Betty and her husband entertained the class at the last reunion with some rousing music, notably "Makin' Whoopee!" Here's her story since then. -- Trailboss)

By Betty Larson Butcher
After seeing you all in ’90, we had many good years to play before maturity stepped in. I finished my degree in music at age 42, then taught public school for awhile before going back to the private school.
I am still there, directing three plays a year. I work with a wonderful woman who has been such a great friend. We have put on twenty years worth of plays for children and never even had an argument! We also published a small book of Christmas plays with a tape of my original music. I sent one to the Alex library but have never checked to see if it was there!
My husband Perry and I were so lucky to meet in the theatre. We have done 16 musicals together and have been able to enjoy these talents in many other settings. Our area of northwest Arkansas has an abundance of theatre to enjoy, including plays from NY University Theatre, and three community theatre groups. Also, I am in an adult chorus at the U of A and a small madrigal group which has been together twelve years. Many blessings of the Spirit here.

Perry has been a collector of antique cars. Jaguars are his favorite and he had four, plus a '66 red Corvette and a ’55 T-Bird. Now we are down to two – the ’69 and ’60. We belong to the “Brits in the Ozarks” car club. They put on a nice show in October and events throughout the year. Perry has six children and 24 grandchildren.

Sons and granddaughter in Fayetteville
My two children, Cassidy and Coby Hurst, live here in Fayetteville. I have one granddaughter, 13. She grew up going to theatre rehearsals with Perry and me and loves the theatre. After being tone-deaf until she was eight, she is really enjoying singing, along with acting (and going to NYC to see the plays!). Just got her started with a great opera teacher at the University of Arkansas. She loves the Italian.
Perry and I were so lucky to be able to travel while we could still walk and talk (every bathroom in Europe is either upstairs or downstairs!). We made six trips to Europe and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t run those tapes back through my mind. (We did not take movies!).

9-11
The last trip we were in Ireland at the beginning of a three week period, when 9-11 occurred. That night in Kilarney we were at a restaurant when Perry stood up to make a speech about America. People were slightly afraid when he began – you remember the fear on the first day – then he began to sing God Bless America. By the time he finished, everyone in the restaurant was singing. We also visited Salzburg, Prague and London before being able to get home. The outpouring of love for America by the Europeans is something we will never forget.

Papa
Although winter here is pretty mild, we usually went to Key West. We stayed 10 times at author Ernest Hemingway's guest house. The picture of Perry looking like Papa Hemingway is on a wooden sailing ship with a storm coming up.

Firm grew from 20 to 200
Perry’s architectural firm grew from 20 people when we got married to 200 people when he had his stroke. It was very interesting to be a part of it all. He ended up with the largest firm in Arkansas. During the last years we invested in some race horses in Kentucky – the ones that live in barns nicer than our homes! It was pretty exciting to visit the farms, go to the events, and enjoy the Kentucky Derby for a few years. But if you want to have any money to retire, I’d stay away from thoroughbreds – trust me on this!

Perry's stroke
Perry had a stroke exactly two years ago. He is physically ok but cannot read, write or talk. One cannot explain what you go through with something like this, but life has changed considerably. We are thankful that we have finally turned the corner of acceptance and can see all of God’s blessings in the midst of this tragedy. I miss Perry so much as I have not had a conversation with him in two years. But we’re going forward and we will love seeing all of you.
We bought my parent’s house in Alexandria at 1319 Elm. The old swing is still on the porch and you can call the same phone number as ever, ROckwell 3-4246. We’ll be in residence after July 4th and would love to see you for Lemonade or Happy Hour on the back porch!
Ya’ll come see us, now!
Betty and Perry Butcher