Regarding the article about voice training [“Want to Be Like Britney? Or Do You Want to Sing?” Jan. 11, by Devin Rose], it may be true that you can’t learn to sing from a book, but you can improve your singing voice from a book. The key is to consistently practice the vocal exercises.
And you can always tape your own voice if you want to hear yourself. I bought Roger Love’s book [“Sing Like the Stars! An Easy-to-Follow, 10-Step Singing System”] after singing in our church choir last year and I’m sure our choir director would agree that I’ve improved greatly since last Easter. At $60 a lesson, I’ll stick with the book and CD for now.
–D.J. McKee, Hillside
A high-water mark
I was happy to see “Mr. Canoe” Ralph Frese’s name and “still a vibrant outdoorsman at 77” in “Going Outdoors to Be Indoors” (Male Call, by Ross Werland) Feb. 1.
I’ve known Ralph for over 40 years. He gave me a weekend July 4th job renting canoes when I was a kid. He taught me to listen to each canoeist’s story and to encourage them with information for the next trip. He tells me interesting stories and facts when I visit his Chicagoland Canoe Base on Narragansett Avenue. He has sold me boats, done repairs, given me information, taught me how to make repairs, provided me with interesting books and pointed me in directions I would have never known about otherwise.
In the summer in the Loop when I see kayaks on the Chicago River, I think of Ralph. When I visit the Lincoln Park Lagoon, I think of Ralph, perhaps wanting for several canoes to be rented there.
When I think of the Chicago Maritime Society, I think of Ralph and Rita Frese.
Thanks, Ralph.
–D. Campbell, Chicago
Thank you for your piece about the virtues of canoes within the world of water sports. More than 1,000 people in the Chicago area agree with you.
Prairie State Canoeists is a club composed of canoe and kayak owners who get together about 100 times a year to paddle–quietly, gently and cleanly. We welcome anyone who wants to do the same. You can learn more about us at www.prairiestatecanoeists.org.
–Bill Kessler, Berkeley
