Letters to the editor, Nov. 19, 2008
Disagree without getting disagreeable
Disagreements are natural, but to do it with outright nastiness is not.
Political debates are also natural, but when certain individuals take it over the line with plain trash talk and nastiness, along with a second writer with outright untrue statements, it's time to draw the line.
Every time a letter from Alan Osborn appears, it's degrading someone in the worse way he can possibly think of, along with nothing but complaining. He must be a very unhappy person from the way he comes across constantly.
Unfortunately, he gives the rest of us who come from Chicago a very poor image even if other Chicagoans are not on this level. From his constant ranting, he obviously is a very angry man.
As for the reply letter that was published in Wednesday's edition regarding Osborn's, and also the second letter calling it a total "fairy tale," I couldn't agree with him more.
Kaleas's fairy tale talks about what the economy will be under President Obama. What planet was she on for the past eight years to this present day with the country being in the worse economic shape ever under President Bush? How much worse can it get with the country almost on the brink of another depression?
The stock market is crashing, and the housing market is down the tubes. Oil prices went through the roof. Food prices soared because of shipping costs. This was under eight years of her patriot conservatives and Bush. She also insists on calling President-elect Obama a Muslim, which he is not. He is a Christian, always was one, and was raised as one. Even Sen. McCain said at one of his rallies, "Sen. Obama is not a Muslim."
In her previous letter she indicated his middle name of Hussein proved he was a Muslim even though he was named after his father and grandfather but was never raised by either. I know a man with the first name of Adolph. Does that make him a Nazi because of Adolph Hitler? She shows total ignorance. Name calling of Obama or the rest of "dumbacrats," serves absolutely no purpose and just has a negative, reverse effect.
It won't cost me a stamp to send this reply because I like most of us have computers and we send our letters through the Internet. Perhaps that is something to look into, and then learning how to use it to broaden one's intelligence and education.
God bless America as we stand united as one.
Joan E. Forsythe, Wisconsin Dells
Jaycees say thanks and be ready to be scared again
The Dells/Delton Jaycees say thank you to the community for a successful haunted house again this year. The Jaycees is a group of volunteers dedicated to creating and managing events that we hope will contribute to a prosperous community.
Our "House of Horrors" is by far one of our more intense projects. It takes amazing dedication, creativity, patience and long hours to make such an event successful.
Every year our goals consist of spookier costumes and equipment, a more intense fear factor, louder screams and higher attendance. This year our attendance goal of 500 was met with 535 participants. By obtaining this goal we hope to provide an even scarier haunted house for 2009 as well as give back to the community through various programs such as scholarships, donations, Santa's village and lunch with the Easter Bunny.
At this time we say a special thank you to all the community establishments who accepted and distributed flyers to their guests. Also thank you to Noah's Ark for sponsoring our first building in 2005 and 2006 and to Riverview for our new location in 2008.
Thank you to the Dells Events, local television stations and local radio for the ongoing advertising.
A well deserved thank you goes to the volunteers — members and nonmembers — who did an extraordinary job in creating and spooking at this year's haunted house.
A very warm thank you to our guests who visited the "House of Horrors." Because of your support we were able to meet our attendance goals.
We hope you enjoyed this year's haunted house and are looking forward to bringing you frightful experiences for next year.
If anyone is interested in joining the Jaycees we meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, adjacent to the Kilbourn Library. If you are interested in helping at the "House of Horrors" or any other event you may call 963-2370 for details.
Shawna White, Dells/Delton Jaycees
Best Friends says thanks
Best Friends of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. thanks those involved in making the fourth annual Spaghetti dinner/silent auction a success.
The event raised $1,300.
Several items were not bid on and additional items have been added to the list. A silent auction will take place at our "Plinks & Plunks" concert at the Portage Center for the Arts on Nov. 29 at 3 p.m.
Best Friends of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters) is a local non-profit youth mentoring agency.
The agency serves Columbia, Sauk and Green Lake Counties. If you would like information on the organization, would like to enroll your child or would like to become a mentor to a child, call Best Friends office at (608) 742-4742.
Best Friends of South Central Wisconsin, Inc. Staff
'Marriage Is Murder' is great show
"Marriage Is Murder" is the name of the fast paced two-character play in which Michael and wife Amber Showalter, Mr. and Mrs. Show Productions, are currently performing at the Dorf Hous in Roxbury as part of a dinner theater production. The play is a rousing comedy with much physicality as well as verbal bickering. Michael and Amber are in top form as Paul and Polly Butler, divorced mystery novel writers who come together to hash out another murder mystery with the intent of it being produced as a movie.
The modus operandi is to act out various murder techniques on each other to see if they work. Their bruised egos lead to an unending game of "Gotcha" as they practice all of the tricks of the trade on each other: daggers, lethal cocktails, rigged shotguns, even to the point of being bound and gagged. It appears that the collaboration may be mended, and they may end up even mending their marriage. It is all good fun, and the energetic performance by the only two people in the cast leaves one breathless with laughter. The meal was excellent, too.
I would urge you to see this fine production by two very talented local artists. Performances are Nov. 20-22 and Sunday matinees on Nov. 23 and 30. You can call the Dorf Hous at (608) 643-390 or contact Michael at (608) 697-7469 for information.
I'm always on the lookout for good entertainment.
Gisela R. Hamm, Wisconsin
Fitzgerald's Motel gives thanks to community
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday that reminds us of humble beginnings, hard work and a deep appreciation for what a land can give to its people if they know how to harness it with respect.
Thanksgiving is a time to be with those we cherish and to express gratitude for the bounty of our lives. In times of economic uncertainty, non-material gifts become even more important: the gifts of family, friendship, community and shared experience are the true measure of who we are and what we have.
Fitzgerald's Motel is one of the greatest treasures of our own life. We are grateful to all of you for your friendship and continued support of our business, as we are grateful to the thousands of guests who came before us and who made it possible, through hard work and commitment, for the Fitzgerald's Motel to celebrate its 60th anniversary next year.
It is in this spirit we say, thank you and best wishes for a joyous Thanksgiving Holiday!
Margaret Gewont, Eugene Tokarczyk, Andrew and Katherine, Fitzgerald's Motel