Princess Grace
Thank you for your excellent remembrance of Grace Kelly (PEOPLE, Sept. 27). I attended one of her poetry readings in 1978, and will always treasure the memory of the beautiful and gentle lady. In Grace, I saw the perfection I strived to attain in myself, and I will miss her terribly.
Jay Jorgensen
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Although I'm too young to remember Grace Kelly's movies, I am old enough to know what Princess Grace represented: love and caring. The entire world grieves along with Monaco.
Stella Giannos
San Diego
Thank you for your tribute to Princess Grace. Her death held an extra sadness for me because I was one of the fortunate fans who briefly met the Princess after the Night of 100 Stars in February. I had waited three hours especially for her. She was very sweet, signing autographs and posing for pictures. She was truly a gracious woman, and it was a meeting I will never forget.
Barbara Pazmino
Brooklyn, N.Y.
How sad it is that we had to be once again reminded that we live in a world where princesses do not necessarily live happily ever after.
Claudia Craig Potter
Santa Monica, Calif.
I will never believe in fairy tales again.
Alice Jane Masley
Charleston, W.Va.
Fred Powledge
I was encouraged by the splendid interview with Fred Powledge on the water shortage. If your readers would exercise some control and spread the urgent message to "Save water," we could begin to get the crisis under control.
Janis A. Cohen
Flushing, N.Y.
James Hawkins
I found your article on Benton Harbor, Mich. school superintendent James Hawkins to be interesting. But I wonder if Hawkins is overlooking something—rather than placing all the blame with the children for their poor test scores, is he sure that his teachers are up to par?
Therese Warnke
North Canton, Ohio
I'm glad Mr. Hawkins is doing something about "social promotions." I am 26 years old and don't know half of my basic math skills. I should have been held back somewhere along the line but I wasn't. And those parents who complained about their children being held back should start spending more time helping them with their homework. That's where I feel the problem lies.
Sheree Slocum
Kansas City, Mo.
Jackie Sherrill
In your article on coach Jackie Sherrill you state that at A&M "the entire student body sometimes stands through whole football games as a sign of support for the team." This is wrong! Aggies always stand during football games. The tradition, known as the Twelfth Man, started in January 1922 when King Gill, a student who had given up football for basketball, was asked to suit up after many players were injured. Even though Gill never actually played, his readiness symbolized the willingness of Aggie fans to support their team to the point of actually entering the game. The Aggie student body stands as a gesture of its loyalty and readiness for duty.
Vivian M. Buckner
Robin A. Swattes
College Station, Texas
I am very pleased to learn that coach Jack Sherrill is concerned about his players' education. For all coaches who think Sherrill is crazy, I ask: How many of your star athletes can actually read college textbooks as well as understand them?
Marian Gregory
Sandston, Va.
Carl Payne
There is nothing more exhilarating than hanging on the side of a cable car and watching as it maneuvers in traffic. Let's get them repaired quickly so more tourists can experience them.
Pamela R. Carpenter
Bel Air, Md.
I was thrilled to see your story and pictures on Carl Payne, gripman on San Francisco's cable cars. My husband and I vacationed in that city last summer, and Mr. Payne's nonstop commentary and bell ringing were an added delight for everyone who rode with him.
Rita Rains
Clinton, Okla.
Happy Days
As a military wife who spent three years in Germany, I was greatly moved by the picture of Henry Winkler at the East German border. Americans should be confronted by the sight of that barbed-wire fence stretching miles in both directions. Maybe then they would appreciate the freedom we enjoy in this country and be more willing to defend it.
Sandra Norfolk
Fort Knox, Ky.
Chatter
Pass this on to Michael Morgenstern: Real men don't punch ladies. Ever.
Dolores Noell
Dallas
Picks & Pans
In writing about Laura Furman's novel The Shadow Line, your reviewer said that mystery books have "almost always been the province of second-raters." I object. As a mystery reader for years, I have not found that to be the case any more than in any other genre. You owe an apology to many "sensitive" talented writers.
Jan Gerke
Helena, Mont.
Mail
Re Patti Dillon's letter, Pavarotti is not the greatest tenor in the world. He is very good and is a great public relations man for opera, but the greatest tenor today is undoubtedly Placido Domingo.
Sheilagh Geer
Manitoba, Canada
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