For 33 years, my family spent every Labor Day weekend at the Presbyterian campground on the shore of Lake Michigan at Saugatuck, Mich. This year, because my wife was ill, our grown “kids” had to attend without us. It was a rough weekend as we imagined each hour the fun and fellowship we were missing.
What a treat, then, to happen upon Richard A. Wamsley’s photo titled “Watch for Presbyterians” as your Oct. 26 Midwest Portrait. We pass this modified caution sign just before turning onto the dirt road into the church camp. My wife and I shared a joyful laugh as the picture warmed us with memories of many happy times. We plan to frame it for our family room.
Dan McGuire, Bensenville
FOOTBALL, MUSIC AND SEX
How shameful to have placed Georg Solti and Dick Butkus side by side on your Oct. 19 cover (“Legends”).
True, each excelled at his endeavor. But Mr. Butkus did little to enrich us as human beings. His endeavor was a “sport” in which his goal was to slam his opponent to the ground, maiming him at times. The appeal of Mr. Butkus was only to our baser instincts on a gladiatorial level.
Mr. Solti, on the other hand, conducted and brought to its highest peak the world’s grandest symphony orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, enriching our hearts and minds with the most beautiful music that could be played, and leaving us elevated in a way Mr. Butkus could never match.
Theodore M. Utchen, Wheaton
In “Monster of the Midway” (Oct. 19), Dick Butkus states that George Halas truly believed that sexual activity drained an athlete of his ability. If this is so, there must be some wild orgies taking place in Lake Forest this year.
Steve Scovil, Streamwood
THE SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Joan Frank (“A Lover by Any Other Name,” Oct. 19) is at a loss as to what to call the guy she lives with. She, like so many others in these “modern” times, has created her own bailiwick and expects society to dignify it with a name? There is none, other than what the Bible labels “sin.” To “help give primal weight to commitment,” she ought to marry the man!
Elizabeth Pearson, Elmhurst
Boring, boring, boring! How many times do we have to hear about Joan Frank’s “lover”? What inane, introspective psychobabble! It’s called “shacking up.”
Barbara McDermott, Crestwood
The terminological problem described by Joan Frank has long since been solved. Charles Osgood has waxed poetic over the acronym POSSLQ, for “Persons of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters.” See his 1981 book, “There’s Nothing That I Wouldn’t Do If You Would Be My POSSLQ.”
Richard L. Hoffman, Mesa, Ariz.
PREPARE FOR FINGERPRINTS
I enjoyed the article on foyers (“Entrance Exam,” Oct. 19), but I had to laugh at the phrase “. . . a mirrored credenza in a foyer that could double as a play area for children.” Every parent of young children knows that a mirrored credenza in a play area would last about five seconds before being completely smudged with fingerprints!
Teresa Shattuck, Oak Park
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