Letters to the Editor 

IN DEFENSE OF TOURTERELLE

[Suzanne Podhaizer] is completely off base [“Taste Test,” September 16]. Tourterelle is a wonderful place. Her review was all over the map, and her conclusions did not reflect the observations that she wrote about. The bouillabaisse was amazing, but you only recommend a burger? Where is your consistency? It is an amazingly beautiful restaurant, and all you wrote about was a squeaky door hinge? Not that I give these reviews a lot of weight, but this one was particularly off base.

Spencer Taylor

BURLINGTON

FLYNN’S FIRST LADY

Merely a P.S. to Paula Routly’s lovely paean to Andrea Rogers [“Bowing Out,” September 16]. “Rogers rubbed certain people the wrong way.” Well, anyone who has done what Andrea has done would have to from time to time! What I wish to add to Routly’s toast is my profound admiration for Rogers’ ability (in contrast to rubbing people the wrong way) of tolerating fools, if not gladly, then most civilly. I have long admired this immensely ladylike stance, which has done the Flynn no end of service, along with her thousand other gifts and virtues.

I was a board member once and I recall a meeting, soon after September 11, in which a proposed Flynn-sponsored tour to Cuba was mentioned. One board member wondered aloud, quite seriously, if “we wouldn’t be seen to be supporting terrorists.” I left the board after that meeting because I couldn’t stand it (and felt I was letting both Andrea and Arnie down by my impulsive, possibly selfish act). I utterly admire and respect Andrea for not having stood up and shouted, “What pitifully narrow planet are you from, anyway?!”

No one who did this, of course, could have achieved what Andrea has achieved. I can’t imagine the strength it takes to be in her position and keep her mouth shut when necessary, without compromising herself (an important point!). I salute her, her ardent passions, her intelligence, her dogged faithfulness, which have brought so many marvelous gifts to this part of the Green Mountains. She’s a rare, rare one.

Marianne Lust

LINCOLN

WELCH WIMPED OUT

Shay Totten wrote a nice piece about [Rep.] Peter Welch and the warm reception he has received in Washington [“Man of the House: Peter Welch,” September 16]. I wish Peter would show a little more backbone, however, on votes, like standing up to the lynch mob seeking to cut all federal contracts with ACORN. Senators Leahy and Sanders will take flak for their courageous votes, and I wish Rep. Welch had stood up against the rush to judgment. Congress seems to need to hold hearings when there are allegations of wrongdoing against corporations like Pfizer, Blackwater, Halliburton, etc. Why is there no due process when it comes to an organization that helps poor people, many of whom happen to be black or Hispanic?

Will Hunter

CAVENDISH

HURRAH FOR HARDWICK

I just wanted to congratulate everyone in the area mentioned in the article [“Hardwick Hits,” August 19]. You have all worked so hard to get the recognition. Would anyone believe that a town such as Hardwick … is thriving as it is today? I am so happy to be a part of the community.

I have lived in the area for my whole life, with the exception of a few trips out West and to Europe. I remember Hardwick in its tough times, when businesses on Main Street would barely last a year — if that — and some of them struggled and stuck it out only to be closed because of fire or water damage. I also feel that there are so many small farms and businesses in the area that are the roots, the foundation, the inspiration for all of this. To name a few, some of which have been around longer than I have: Hazendale Farm, Riverside Farm, Surfing Veggie Farm…

Oh, and I almost forgot: This wonderful place called the Buffalo Mountain Co-op for decades has provided a doorway for all of the local farmers and consumers to … lay a foundation for a healthy and sustainable community. With big-name fame coming to the area, such as an article in Gourmet magazine and the filming of an episode of the “Emeril Green” show, let’s all remember who our neighbors are and how it all began.

Thank you to all of the people who have worked so hard to put our community on the map, and to get the word out there that local and small are better, right?

Miranda Hunt

CABOT

LOVE ‘RED MEAT’

I feel the need to write in to defend the cartoon “Red Meat” after it was scathingly insulted in the “Letters” section [September 9]. While “Red Meat” may not be traditional, good clean humor, it happens to be hilarious and the personal favorite of many of my friends. It appeals to the kind of people who understand why Kurt Vonnegut and zombie movies are funny. I’m not sure [letter writer] Tom Simon has ever heard of dry humor, but I want to make it clear that just because a person doesn’t understand a joke doesn’t mean it’s not funny.

Kara Wilbeck

BURLINGTON

VERY VERDé

I just wanted to say thank you, Seven Days, for recognizing Verdé’s presence in southern Vermont [“Stratton’s Secret,” September 9]. While I live in downtown Burlington and love the many restaurant options, I oftentimes observe that nothing I have had in Burlington compares with the caliber of Verdé’s menu.

As a former employee of Verdé, I admit I am biased, but once you’ve had the best, it’s hard not to compare against. Verdé was and is, hands down, the best restaurant I have ever worked at. While I worked under the previous head chef, Bob Touchette, I did have the pleasure of working with Rogan [Lechthaler] on a few occasions before I moved to B-town. You can be sure that during the holidays I will pay Verdé a visit and see what Rogan’s been up to.

Dara Wentworth

BURLINGTON

KNOW YOUR GUN LAWS

This question appears in the article “An Essex Family Wrestles With Unanswered Questions About Their Son’s Recent Suicide” [September 2]: “Finally, why doesn’t Vermont have any laws governing the possession of handguns by minors?”

I direct your attention to the following, found at the Vermont State’s Attorney’s website (http://www.atg.state.vt.us/issues/gun-laws.php):

“Section 4008. Possession of firearms by children. A child under the age of sixteen years shall not, without the consent of his parents or guardian, have in his possession or control a pistol or revolver constructed or designed for the use of gunpowder or other explosive substance with leaden ball or shot. A child who violates a provision of this section shall be deemed a delinquent child under the provisions of chapter 11 of Title 33.”

That took me 32 seconds to find.

Jonas Hart

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.

Hart was born and raised in Burlington.

HAIR SHARE

Thank you, Joe Shal of Hinesburg, for the “She’s My Barber” letter [September 9] relaying the message of an “apparently hurried story” for the August 26 article “Cutting Crew.” I felt compelled to write for the same reasons as Joe! I agree, it could have been a great story! The article had a photo of Jeff Wetmore. If the author had simply asked Jeff, I am sure he would have told him that he graduated from the only barber school currently in Vermont and that he was the first barber to graduate barbering in 2008 — our pilot year. Jeff is also on our advisory board. Also, Joe’s barber, Leigh, is currently a student instructor in this program at O’Brien’s Aveda Institute. A barbershop at the institute is very near completion. Guests may come here for a reduction in the price of haircuts. Students are being graded, so they may take longer, but the work is well done.

AnnaMarie Charlebois

BURLINGTON

Charlebois is head of public relations and student development at O’Brien’s Aveda Institute.