Dear Margo

One of my favorite columnists is "Dear Margo", who "brings wit and wisdom to everday problems, large and small". And her mother was Ann Landers. So imagine my consternation when I read this in her column Friday:

[her response to a women fretting about a name for her nephew] DEAR FRET: I think you are not only wrong, but focused on the wrong thing. Many Anglo-Saxons have first names that are Italian, German, French, you name it. I think when people talk about "the wrong name" for a child they are referring to weird names like those of the Hogg sisters from Texas, who were named Ima and Yura.

THIS incorrect comment about Yura Hogg (there was no sister named Yura), prompted me to write an email almost immediately to Margo....

Dear Margo,

As a Texan born in Houston, I’m disheartened to read in your column that you mentioned a well known urban legend, famous around these parts, about Ima & Yura Hogg.

Ima Hogg, a prominent Houstonian and philanthropist, does NOT have a sister named Yura. As much information that is available on the internet these days, I would have hoped that even you would have prudently researched that information to determine it to be factually incorrect. The story itself sounds too farfetched to even be believable. I cringe to think how many people read your comment and actually believe it to be true, because you are a columnist I believe to speak truthfully with fair-mindedness.

Please retract your comment and provide your readers with the real information, possibly even a little biography about Ima Hogg. As a philanthropist who started the Houston Symphony, the Houston Child Guidance Center, and other numerous honors at a national level, this urban legend is shameful to represent a story of such a strong and inspiring woman.

Regards,
Adrienne

I sent that email Friday evening at 9:55pm CST. And I got a response from Margo Howard less than an hour later at 10:37pm....

"I think half of Texas has let me know my mistake by now.
thanks."

Makes you wonder how many people sent her an email.