Pat Piper Knocks Readers Down Laughing

Dear Bay Weekly:

Pat Piper’s column “Taking A (Fruit) Stand” [Vol. xv, No 30: July 26] almost caused me to have a heart attack, I was laughing so hard. He hit all my buttons. I hope that woman in the SUV spent hours running all over the state to find a 6:30 cantaloupe — burning up very high gas-guzzling dollars. Thanks.

–Maggie Mangan, Annapolis

Bay Gardener Sets Bill Burton Straight

Dear Bay Weekly:

Please tell Bill Burton and his granddaughter Grumpy I did not say that the pumpkins would not grow [The Burton Castle Is Under Siege: The forces of nature are crossing the moat: Vol. xv, No 30: July 26].

But do understand that farmers who grow pumpkins for cash don’t have the time to baby their plants to make them survive.

I will be glad to accept their flourishing third pumpkin so that I can give it to my granddaughters.

With regards to raccoons on the back porch, if Bill had read the Bay Gardener’s articles on raccoons in the garden printed in July of 2005, he would have installed flashing light on that porch to keep them away. A flashing 40-watt bulb is what keeps raccoons from eating my corn every year.

–The Bay Gardener, F. R. Gouin:

Upakrik Farm, Deale

July 19’s Paper Rang the Bell

Dear Bay Weekly:

Kudos for Vol. xv No. 29 [July 19]. The editorial on selfish, drunken yahoos on the Bay who spoil the water for everyone else was right on target. Like the initiative Virginia is taking to ticket aggressive drivers, Maryland needs to enforce the safe-boating laws for the benefit of the rest of society.

The Constitution guarantees “the pursuit of happiness,” not mindless, irresponsible, drunken behavior that endangers others. It’s about time law enforcement made arrests where individuals are too selfish to be responsible for their own actions. Drunkenness is no excuse; nobody forced them to get drunk.

Bethany Rodgers’ article “Will Work for Experience” reminded me of my own years in high school and college, earning money for tuition and getting to know what interested me. Working at this age is something that can benefit any teenager as it not only provides spending money but also gives them a maturity many seem lacking today. It is also an eye-opener that should happen before they head out for that first career job.

–Glenn H. Weder, Hollywood, Md.

Thanks to Good Bay Samaritan

Dear Bay Weekly:

We had the unfortunate experience of breaking down by the ferry to New York State on the Canadian side of the border.

At least 30 Canadian cars passed us by (we are Canadian and have Ontario, Canada, license plates) before a wonderful American man driving by with Maryland plates stopped and gave us a boost.

He drove a silver Chevy half-ton and said he was from Chesapeake Bay. He didn’t give us his name, nor would he take any money for his time and trouble.

We want to say a big thank you to him through your newspaper to this man (who is originally from New Jersey). It’s wonderful to have such beautiful neighbours when you need a hand. This man’s kindness made a bad day into a better one.

–Paul and Kelly Demorest.

Belleville, Ontario