Category: Letter

David Knight, of Fridley, and Lori Gerdts recently summited the tallest mountain in the world—Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, which measured from its base stands at 33,476 feet. They even took time to read The Rake at the top. Most people think Everest is the tallest, but at 29,035 feet (above sea level) it is only the highest. Mauna Kea is 13,796 feet above sea level. In the background are the two Keck telescopes (the world’s largest optical and infrared telescopes) and Haleakala (10,023 feet above sea level).

Debra Heisick of St. Paul recruited some friendly policemen for a photo in front of the historic Capitol building in Havana, Cuba. She was there as part of a delegation of law professors and lawyers meeting with lawyers, judges, and assembly members, as well as members of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution. She plans to return in February 2006.

Hello, this is Bryan Alvarez, Dr. Marla Spivak’s son. I am writing to say thank you for publishing such a wonderful article about her and her work. It’s a pleasure to finally see a story about honeybees that doesn’t read like a Dario Argento script. Bees don’t kill people. People kill people. Or something like that. I work at the National Institutes of Health, and if you don’t mind I’m going to forward the article to some friends over in the Infectious Diseases department. Maybe they’ll redirect some of their grant money to my mom. Probably not to The Rake, though. Sorry.

Bryan Alvarez
Chevy Chase, Maryland

I enjoyed reading the article about the stone arches and wall that stood amidst the weeds alongside Highway 52 in Inver Grove Heights for decades [“The Ruin,” September]. Growing up in the fifties and sixties, my family made a monthly pilgrimage to visit my grandmother on the shores of Lake Pepin. Sitting in the back seat of the car looking out the window, I’d see those lonely “ruins” go by and wonder what they were from. Neither Mom or Dad had any idea. As a young man I spent a few years in the Mediterranean area and often thought of the Inver Grove ruins when I passed some lone arch or pillar alongside a road, a similar forlorn remnant of bygone days. In time I returned to the Twin Cities, had a family, and pointed the Inver Grove ruins out to my children on the way to Lake Pepin. Of course, the passing of the Inver Grove ruins is no big deal–it was just a base for a billboard. But in a land bereft of real ruins it was all we had. Nice to know someone else besides me wondered about it, and cared enough to find out the story behind it.

Steven M. Hansen
Plymouth

I recently was given the September issue of The Rake by a Twin Cities relative. She passed it on to me as I am from Litchfield and there is an article written by Christy DeSmith titled “Power in Our Union” [September]. I enjoyed the article as I have a deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum. I was very disappointed, though, when it stated the building sat between two ugly buildings. Did the writer realize the one building is a church–The Christian Church (formally Church of Christ)? It is clearly evident it is a church. The building on the other side is not ugly, either. It is a modern garage alongside a nice house/office of an insurance agency. I enjoyed the article and the publicity it gave the G.A.R. Hall but was hurt by the usage of the word “ugly.”

Gerry Moen
Litchfield, Minnesota

www.rakemag.com/today

“An anonymous interlocutor took me to task last week for crying about the FEMA and Army types who wouldn’t let reporters ride along to document the search for the dead in New Orleans. Well, the reporters have their own rides now, but it seems the Army didn’t get the message about letting reporters do their jobs. Or perhaps they got a different message? I find it doubly ironic that the proud 82nd Airborne, heroes of WWII and a vanguard of our rapid deployment capability, was deployed so late to New Orleans and was given the task of protecting the president’s reputation above protecting the people attacked by Katrina.

“Do we need to see pictures of bodies from New Orleans? Yes, just like we ought to see coffins from Iraq. It’s part of the story. It makes us think of how and because of whom we got in this situation. It helps us remember how to vote next time we get the chance.”

The Read Menace, September 13

Amy and Jeff of Minneapolis write: Here’s our rakish travel snap from the Good Old USA — We are “raking” in the gorgeous view of the Grand Tetons on our July 4th road trip out West. And of course we had The Rake along for some stimulating reading material!

Sally Helmerichs of Minneapolis writes: Gentlemen/Ladies: The Rake gets around. I took it to read on the seven (ugh!) hour flight to Spain and Portugal.

Chillon Leach of St. Paul, writes: Taking a break from all the lights and activity of the Las Vegas Strip. (bringing some quality reading from home)

Cici family of Maple Grove sends greetings and photos from Europe. The Cici kids read the Rake before their trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower (and Jessica Cici at the top). Matt Cici checks out the new release from one of his favorite bands, the Foo Fighters. A solemn visit to Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.