Don't miss chance to see 'Carousel' at the Playhouse

Don't miss chance to see'Carousel' at the Playhouse
EDITOR:
The people of Youngstown and surrounding area are missing an evening of pleasant entertainment if they pass up the chance to see the ongoing production of "Carousel" at the Playhouse in Youngstown. In spite of some bad publicity, this local production turns out to be an evening of fun and enjoyment.
Leslie Gent has the lead as Julie Jordan, and she has a voice of pure silver, and she is perfect for the part. David El'Hatton plays the part of Billy Bigelow. He has a fine baritone voice but has a little trouble with the high notes. The rest of the cast acts as if they are all having a good time, and the scenery and lighting are very professionally done.
By the time it was over, I had tears in my eyes. Take my advice, try it, you'll like it.
ROBERT R. FISHER, M.D.
Canfield
It's time for U.S. to normalizerelations with Castro, Cuba
EDITOR:
An extraordinary, historical event took place recently that gives one reason to believe that there are other ways for "regime changes" in government besides going to war. In January of this year, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made a historic visit to Havana, Cuba, where President Fidel Castro presented him with the key to the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
The plot of land on which the church was built was donated by Castro and constructed by Cuban government funds. The patriarch and all the guests who went there for this occasion were greeted very warmly by Castro and all the Cubans. Indeed, Castro expressed an interest in learning more about Mount Athos and monastic life and Christianity. There was another communist leader not too long ago who allowed the churches in the Soviet Union to reopen, and surely that helped bring about the end of the Cold War between the United States and Russia. Perhaps this is Castro's way of reaching out.
There are 2000 Orthodox Christians in Cuba -- Greeks, Russians and Ukrainians. The leadership of our country and President Bush should recognize this as a step forward to normalizing relations with Cuba. It doesn't make sense that we should have so many sanctions against Cuba when sanctions against Libya have recently been lifted. Instead, President Bush wants to tighten the Cuban embargo.
We waste millions of dollars annually on TV and Radio Marti which is supposed to jam Cuban radio and TV transmissions. This hasn't worked for years, and yet we still throw that money away. Now the president wants to reduce the flow of money and visitors from the United States going to Cuba. He is asking for $59 million for the radio and TV jamming. Also included in this plan is a limit on visits by Cuban-Americans who want to visit their relatives to once every three years. Other travel restrictions will be put into place, such as who can get permits to go to Cuba, how much money they can spend on food and lodging in Cuba, from $164 per day to only $50 per day.
Well, we have a presidential election coming up, and this is probably being done for the Cuban-American votes in Florida, but it is wrong. We don't need any more conflicts, regime changes, etc.
KELLY GIALOUSIS
Campbell
Why are public officialswhining about $10 million?
EDITOR:
It was very interesting to read the the various public school treasurers' and superintendents' take on the money being poured into their coffers due to Treasurer Reardon's successful tax-lien sale.
Not only didn't Mr. Reardon get slaps on the back from the aforementioned, they actually seemed to be whining about $10 million. Quotes such as "one-time shot," "it's not a solution," "if it was reoccurring" and "it would be unwise to think" rained down on all of us.
Since when did $10 million divided up by five school districts become such a nuisance? It's found money, and they should be grateful.
Spend the money the right way, or maybe us private-school paying parents will lobby Mr. Reardon for it.
SAMUEL M. MOFFIE
Boardman