Thank you so much for the article about Roeser’s Bakery (Sidewalks, Oct. 17). Since living in the suburbs, I have often wondered if it was still there. We enjoyed their bakery so much and to name a section of the street for John C. Roeser was appropriate.
My father-in-law had a hat store on North Avenue for more than 65 years. My husband was the third generation to run the store but sold as men stopped wearing felt hats. I cherish the years in Chicago in those days that I enjoyed so freely.
— Kay Mell, Mt. Prospect
Wow, what memories you evoke! When Roeser’s was located on North Avenue near Crawford Avenue (in the ’30s), my grandmother, mother, sister and I walked there for the best whipped-cream cakes around. That was the special-occasion cake in our family. The pastries were so pretty! And delicious! Thanks for the reminder of those happy days.
— Beverly Newman, Skokie
As I read “Still Fresh From the Oven,” my mouth started to water thinking about the wonderful crusty rye breads and cakes made by the family-owned bakeries in Chicago. They are too quickly closing and being replaced by assembly-line goods at the supermarkets.
It’s a shame that as these bakeries close, the future generations will never know the delicious taste of these crusty breads and cakes and sweet rolls that are not made with commercial frostings that come in a bucket.
— Dorothy Farnsworth, Chicago
FIXER-UPPER
Bill Lavicka (“Scavenging Angel,” Oct. 17) is positively fascinating. I didn’t realize there were still people like him who care enough about the city to restore instead of tear down.
But couldn’t you have shown us more examples of his wonderful renovations, especially the spire made out of a garbage can, mop bucket, cake pan and bowling ball?
— Thelma Greene, Northbrook
GLOVES OFF
The attached photo is, of course, from your magazine (“Il Est de Retour!” Oct. 10, Page 12) and what a very good, clear photograph it is too . . . all the way down to the two exposed injuries on the chef’s hands! And he is apparently not wearing any type of glove protectionnot for him, but for the customers.
— Vincent and Marie D’Nofrio Jr., Chicago
KEANE INSIGHT
I would usually give a nice kid from Jefferson Park a break, but I noticed something unusual about William Keane’s Fast Track interview (Oct. 10). For a guy who doesn’t have a TV, a few things seemed unusual:
1. If Moe Howard is his favorite performer, how does Keane watch him?
2. How can he be addicted to Regis Philbin’s show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” if he doesn’t have a TV?
3. What father of a 6-year-old would not have a TV?
The next time you see William, tell him to remember his Chicago roots and to forget about being an artsy I’m-in-TV-but-against-TV actor.
— Thomas O’Brien, Chicago
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