Letters from Readers

Columnists have no way of knowing whether or not their work is read by anyone, so it’s deeply gratifying to hear from readers who take time from their day to express the pleasure they derive from something I've written. Over the years I have been the happy recipient of countless such e-mails and letters. Below are a few.

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Laverne,
I guess writing for a paper is much like sowing seeds by throwing them out the window of your car as you're driving down the highway. Often not knowing how many of them reached the growing season. Well, let me thank you, for I picked up one of your scattered gems, and it hit the mark. Not so much the content...but your wonderful humor is what I needed. I see that you are a local girl, so I can tell you that I was in the Sparta Cancer Center waiting for my wife to get plugged in for her second chemo drip, and I picked up the 50 plus paper. Now I’d love to lose 25 lbs. as much as the next guy, but like I said, it wasn’t the subject (of your column about weight loss) as much as you and your girlfriends sacrificing a plane full of people rather than disclosing your weights, that just cracked me up. I needed to be cracked up right then. Thank you.

Seeing the humor in the common, the ordinary, the ups and downs of “everyman’s” life is a gift. Thank you for sharing.

John Gardner

 

Good morning Ms. Pollak (Bardy):
Steve Sears, Bloomfield based freelance writer here. Please know that, at 6:15 AM this morning, your column, Help! I'm Drowning in Minutia, had me in stitches. There’s no better way for a tired writer to start his day...

Steve Sears
www.SGSWrite.com

Laverne, honey,
I like your column. It’s so brutally and hilariously honest.

Suzette Martinez Standring
Syndicated Columnist, GateHouse News Service
Author, The Art of Column Writing
http://www.readsuzette.com

Hi -
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your column in the 50 Plus paper. The last one on medications (Open At Your Own Risk) was so hilarious I laughed continually. This was while riding on the bus into the city and people were wondering about me. My husband also enjoyed it immensely. We always pick up the paper to read on our frequent trips into the city and your column is the first thing we read. Thanks so much for your talent,
Sincerely,

Gayle Stone

Laverne,

I always read your column in 50 plus which I thoroughly enjoy. In the April issue, A Message of Hope, is so well written that it necessitates a special tribute of praise.

Dorothy Rubino

Hi Laverne!
I'm Judy and David's friend from Baltimore. David forwarded a copy of your latest column to me and I love it!! We are kindred souls. You were describing me to a “t”. Loved it!!!

Marilyn Savage

Hello:
You have no idea how much I enjoy your written work, I had been tempted to send that last one (Open at Your Own Risk) on opening darn meds to all the manufacturers......you hit the subject right on target.
Thank you for being so real,

MVV

 

Hi Laverne,
I just read your Reach Out and Touch Someone column, in the September issue of 50 Plus while at lunch.  I don't remember the last time I laughed that much!  I had to respond and agree with you about offers that we get for people that have passed away.  We keep getting offers for an Aunt that passed years ago for everything from magazine subscriptions to approved credit cards.  My husband used to call up right after she passed away, to have her taken off the subscription mailing list to save them the cost of postage but, oh my goodness, you would think he was from another country or a spy!  But Aunt Pinny is still on the same mailing lists even after all these years. 

You have a great day!  Peg

Thank you,
Peggy E. Hilts
Skylands Community Bank

Hello Laverne,
I just picked up a(n outdated) copy of the 2/09 50 Plus at the St John's Church in Summit and enjoyed your article on “Loss of Innocents”.

My 2 daughters are now 8 & 13 and the youngest is pretty much out of that phase at this point. Time flies! I remember when both daughters were unconcerned about what others thought about them and their actions - no more! We live in Randolph and I see these kids growing up so fast. It's downright scary! Thanks for taking me back to more simple times....

Steven J. Riecker
KSR Travel

Laverne,
You have a wonderful brain and you use it so well. This is the best column of so many wonderful stories you weave so well and with humor and honesty like Ms Bombeck wished she was capable of writing. I, and so many more, love you.

Joe Werner

Dear Ms. Laverne,
How many times I thought I would sit and write you a short thank you note for the pleasurable articles you write for 50 Plus...thank you for being a bit of sunshine to so many of us. Note is a bit overdo since I am “Queen of Procrastination”.
Thank you for the wonderful articles.
Respectfully yours,

Marie Vander Vliet