In Bad Faith
I just finished your article about the Catholic Church in Minnesota (“Fate of the Faithful,” May). The first parts seemed fair and reasonable to me, so I was disappointed when I got to the section on my church, St. Stephen’s.
I think the article would have benefited from interviews with the parishioners or with our parish council. I have found St. Stephen’s to be a place where more thought—and theology—is put into each decision and practice than any other place I have worshipped.
I think your article painted an inaccurate picture of St. Stephen’s, and made it even easier to dismiss the diocese’s actions against churches like ours, who are following in the spirit of
Vatican II.
Gretchen Hovan
Minneapolis
The Real Writer
In your article, “Remembering Hassler” (June), the writer has crafted a curious piece of gossip sprinkled with a few partial truths about Jon Hassler’s life. One might wonder after reading this article whether Jon was really that mean-spirited and manipulative.
He was the least judgmental person I’ve ever known. If you ever met Jon Hassler, and he treated you warmly and respectfully, you could take that at face value. He was genuine.
The writer saw Jon as a heavy drinker who found marriage and children burdensome. I saw a man who had a strong bond with his sons and daughter. And the perception that he dreaded marriage is just wrong. In his marriage with Gretchen Kresl, Jon found a soul mate and true love, and it was plainly evident to his friends and family. This article is an ironic reduction of Jon Hassler’s life, Jon, his children, and Gretchen deserve better.
Chris Seymour
Richfield
I had interviewed Jon Hassler in regard to 10 of his novels, and I would like to point out two corrections in Rebecca Hill’s article, “Remembering Hassler.”
Jon’s widow is Gretchen Kresl, not Kreml.
Jon buried the manuscript of The Book of Brendan, not Grand Opening, at his cabin near Nevis. It is true that part of The Book of Brendan re-surfaced in Grand Opening.
Joseph Plut
Crosby
Ancillary Proposition
How is it possible to create such a list without including Dr. Ancel Keys (“How Minnesota Saved Civilization,” May)? We are all living longer and better because of his monumental accomplishments. The starvation studies, identification of cholesterol’s importance in cardiovascular disease, and the Mediterranean diet—just to name a few.
David Maas
Bloomington
Criminal Oversight
In your May 2008 article “How Minnesota Saved Civilization,” you state “that the [James-Younger] band met its demise in Minnesota, at the hands of a bunch of potshot wheat farmers, sounds like the plot of a Western that Hollywood never green-lighted….”
Actually, they did green-light it: The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid, starring Robert Duvall as Jesse James and Cliff Robertson as Cole Younger, came out in 1972.
Jane Burnett
Minneapolis
Harold the Great
I recently read the article in your May issue entitled, “How Minnesota Saved Civilization.” While I enjoyed the article, I must take issue with your characterization of former Governor Harold Stassen as a “rogue” and “source of infamy.”
Governor Stassen was central to founding the United Nations, established one of the first and arguably most successful civil-service systems in the country, and, in 1941, created what we now call the Iron Range Recovery and Rehabilitation Board—the first public-private partnership created to foster economic and environmental sustainability. He was one of Minnesota’s most important political leaders.
Mark Ritchie
Minnesota Secretary of State
St. Paul
Oh Mary!
Mary Jo Pehl has a wonderful gift for blessing the everyday with her humor. The June 2008 issue carried two stories that demonstrate her range of talent: “Ladies in the Water” was a touching and beautifully written piece about continuing life after a tragic death in the family. “Suitable” was a hilarious commentary on wetsuits which made me laugh so hard I couldn’t breath.
Thanks for choosing such talented and entertaining writers for your magazine.
Lynn Joachim
Scandia
EDITOR’S NOTE: We received considerable feedback on Christy DeSmith’s article in our June issue, “Played Out?” Because of space limitations, these letters have been published online: August Overrun Letters
DEAR MNMO
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