To the Editor:
How often have we as parents heard our children complain, "We don't have anything to do around here!  Will you take us to someplace where we can have some fun with other kids?"
This problem has been solved by the action of our city council in one of the recent meetings with the approval of the building of the new Sports Arena/Field House.  From the understanding of what is planned, not only will the children have a place to go, but the adults can participate also.  It could and will provide opportuni-ties for families.
I'm looking forward to seeing the fruition of the council's action.
Dave Kocka, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
The good thing about car accidents is that they often are an opportunity to meet nice people - lawyers, for example.  Glad you came through okay.  Please continue to follow Fr. E.'s admonishments.  They do have a spiritual basis.
Love, Jim Larkin, Placida, Florida

To the Editor:
I enjoyed reading your column in the January edition.  Here are two palindromes I ran across in the Apache Wells newsletter.
1) "madam, I'm adam"
2) "a man a plan a canal panama"
Kathy and Mike look so cute "smooching" in your Victoria Moments page.  Mike looks trim enough to put the football pads on again and play for the Hawks.  Not a bad idea.  Maybe they could get some wins.  Kathy looks lovely, as she always does.
A bit of news ... I found a nice condo for Marge Chapman and her sister Vangie to rent at Apache Wells.  It's a golf course community in Mesa, Arizona.
So long.  It's tee-off time.
Vern Steimmetz, Mesa, Arizona

To the Editor:
I read your column about palin-dromes.  The word literally means running again, from the Greek.  Some dictionaries give the following palindromic sentence:  "Able was I ere I saw Elba."  This does read the same backwards and forwards. 
When I worked at the Oak Forest Hospital near Chicago, I used big and unusual words on a friend, Frank Kaminski.  He enjoyed that.  I told him about palindromes.
The only palindromic phrases I could come up with are "pets step" and "pots stop" and also about 33 palindromic words including civic, rotor, level, and wow!
Thanks very much for coming to my jubilee celebration.
Father Conran Schneider, OFM, Chaska, Minnesota

To the Editor:
What a delightful column you wrote, for which I thank you.  Believe me, I do not use difficult words in order to impress or to put an unnecessary burden on readers.  Usually it is because it seems to me that that is just the word that conveys the meaning - and sometimes, I must confess, it is just because I like the sound of it and think it might give others some pleasure as well.  Please be assured of my blessing, and please keep me in your prayers.
Cordially,
(The Rev.) Richard John Neuhaus, First Things, editor, New York, NY

To the Editor:
Your January, 2002, editorial was reminiscent of an English Literature class which I endured as a junior in high school.  It, too, caused my brain to hurt.  By the way, do you know which automobile is also palendromic?  A Toyota.
Tom Stumpf, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I want to let you know that my Grandma Regina Kerber has been declin-ing the past few days.  She is very peaceful and sleeping most of the time now.  Family has been spending days with her talking, praying, and comforting her.  She is dying and ready to go "home," as she has told many the past few months.
My Grandma is 99 and is so special to us.  She has lived a rich life full of family, many friends, and a strong faith in God.  We have great hope that she'll be singing and dancing in heaven.  Please keep her in your prayers.  Thank you for listening.
Love, Julie (Michel) Widmer, New Prague, Minnesota

To the Editor:
The Board of Directors of Holy Family Catholic High School want to express our support of Dick and Mary Jo Copeland as they endeavor to establish Mary's Place in the Chaska area. 
The exemplary work of Dick and Mary Jo in their continued efforts to carry out the Gospel in our world is best demonstrated in the outstanding project called Sharing and Caring Hands.  We know of no one who best lives the Beatitudes than Dick and Mary Jo.  Their desire to establish a meaningful living community for those less fortunate deserves our total support.  We encourage the civic leaders of Chaska to set the pace in bringing Mary's Place to our area.
Sincerely, Steve Burke, Chair, Holy Family Catholic School, Victoria
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