To the editor,
Thanks for the pictures of New York beauties Bethlene Pancoast and Bess Myerson, the only Jewish Miss America, crowned in 1945 (“Snubbed! Miss New York loses again,” Feb. 3). The local pride in your article was a welcome break from yet more news that our politicians are giving Bruce Ratner yet more money for the “favor” of turning us into Anyplace, USA.
Like the southern contestant who beat Miss New York, Brooklyn may soon have its own false smile, false facade and one-size-fits-all “glamour.”
How can we expect the rest of the country to appreciate our brand of individual and neighborhood beauty unless we are willing to fight to save it?
Jezra Kaye, Prospect Heights
The writer is a volunteer with Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.
Fooled ya!
To the editor,
You have got to be kidding me! I looked at the pictures on your Web site and if this thing was judged on beauty, I can’t believe your position! I don’t know what you see, so I hope this was not a serious article. Either way, it represents a typical New York attitude. You feel like you are owed something.
But why waste the time writing about it? Then again, I guess I did read it. Oh, well.
John Piotrowski, Oklahoma
Photo evidence
To the editor,
The photographs shown of the two Miss America contestants in question were enough evidence to see why New York lost: she’s just not that attractive. I am sure she is talented, but you don’t win beauty pageants on talent.
Jeffrey A. Phipps, Charleston, S.C.
• • •
To the editor,
She didn’t win because she has a horse face. Send someone hot next time.
John Hassel, Duarte, California
Wish they could be…
To the editor,
When will New York ever get the recognition it truly deserves? America’s “most illustrious pageant” (a ceremony for crowning a queen of the asinine) surely must have a bias against the Northeast.
Being the nation’s largest city does not entitle you to anything, least of all a beauty contest. I realize the value of tailoring your reporting to local tastes, but I have had enough of the East Coast inferiority complex.
Grow up! Go outside! It may be cold, but you live in an entire city of Miss Americas. This is a luxury we are not all afforded. Go hang out on Atlantic Avenue or in Williamsburg. You’ll find what you’re looking for.
Rory Gillick, Madison, Wisconsin
Numbers don’t lie
To the editor,
You are out of line whining about your state not winning Miss America yet again. You pointed out that New York had won Miss America three times since 1921. But at that rate, New York has won the pageant at a rate above what the national average should be.
Yes, I realize that my state has won it six times and for you New Yorkers that’s hard to bear because we are hillbilly, redneck Oklahomans. But there’s a simple truth: Our girls are prettier, smarter and obviously better than New York girls. Playboy even ranked Oklahoma State University number 3 on the “Hottest” college girls list.
So there’s your proof that you should stop your whining and write about something worthwhile, maybe, for instance, world peace?
Keith Mackey, town withheld
Myrtle memories
To the editor,
Dana Rubinstein’s recent column about Myrtle Avenue brought back some memories (“Cheesy future for Myrtle Avenue,” Feb. 3). Many years ago, I was at the Navy Yard. During those three years, the area now known as “Wallabout” I felt like my own neighborhood.
On Myrtle Avenue, my favorite delicatessen was called “The Clinton Hill Delicatessen.” Walt and Vinny were always there, and they made the best hero sandwiches in the world.
There was a really fine Italian restaurant to the east of the deli, and an old movie theater that showed old movies for almost nothing. It was a great place.
I was also in the Clinton Hill Symphony, and we rehearsed in a church not too far from the Navy Yard. I also played with several different area symphony orchestras and opera companies. I still remember being stopped on Flushing Avenue one morning by and older man who asked me if I was interested in playing with an orchestra. I was ready to brush him off, but he knew the man who had served before me in the band and had played with this orchestra he was telling me about.
I agreed to go try it out and it turned out to be the Young Men’s Hebrew Association orchestra. I’ll never forget the night of my first rehearsal. Almost 100 players there. The concertmistress was a 75-year-old grandmother. And play? It was the first time I had ever heard Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The orchestra played it with this tremendous outpouring of feeling and passion, and played it very well.
I liked the people in Brooklyn. One night, on my way to rehearsal, I was walking down the sidewalk with my French horn, and this man said, “Can you really play that thing?” When I said could, he replied “Well, good luck with it.” A real warmth in his tone. He meant it.
Myrtle Avenue was never the safest place I have ever been, but there were some really nice people there. I wish them well.
Ray Gibson, address withheld
iPod pal
To the editor,
In regards to your recent column about “iPod Oblivion” (The Brooklyn Angle, Feb. 10), I find it alarming that you would waste your paper’s space with such nonsense.
But what is even more nonsensical is that state Sen. Carl Kruger would think it wise to spend tax dollars on a measure banning the use of any electronic device while crossing the street. All this will achieve nothing more than another step in the dumbing down of America.
If people want to talk on their phones as they cross the street that’s their prerogative. Like mother said, look both ways before you cross, otherwise learn the hard way. Same goes for the banning of trans fats. People should be able to walk however they like, talk however they like, and eat however they like. It should not be up to the government (especially considering the people who are running it) to make those decisions for us.
We elect people to office to run the government, not our lives. All these tax dollars being wasted on complete crap!
Joe Weiner, Clinton Hill
