July 1, 2008 5:15 PM
BUNNIES IN THE MARBLE
Re: Julia Street. May 2008.
I’d like to give you a historical correction if I may. My grandfather was E. Lysle Aschaffenburg, owner and founder of the Pontchartrain Hotel. The “marble” lobby was done in the late 1960s after one of the hurricanes flooded the first two floors of the hotel. The marble isn’t actually marble but a “faux marble,” hand painted in its entirety by a famous artist whose name escapes me at the moment. Your reader is indeed correct in that there were bunnies hand-painted very discreetly as well as one with three hula girls and another with a horse. There were others. The Pontchartrain is currently closed for renovation. I hope this helps.
Lysle Aschaffenburg Wagner
Rutherford, Calif.
JAZZ WITH CLASS
Re: “Jazz All-Stars.”April 2008.
Thank you and the staff of New Orleans Magazine for selecting me to be in your 2008 Jazz All-Stars. I truly appreciate the honor.
Connie Jones
New Orleans
P.S. It is especially rewarding to be honored in our hometown. Thanks, [Mrs.] Elaine Jones.
MUSINGS
I have been writing poetry all my life – not always good but I enjoy doing it. I recently wrote this after taking a ride around Lakeview. My friends thought I should submit it to something, so I thought of you.
I am 87 years old, a native of New Orleans. I wouldn’t live anywhere else!
Empty Lots
Empty lots, they’re everywhere,
Testimony to what once was there.
Homes of wood or brick or stone,
Survivors standing all along.
Windows empty like sightless eyes,
Wondering where their future lies.
Will their families return and make things right?
Fix the walls, turn on the lights?
Or will their sides and roof be torn,
And one more empty lot be born?
Where are the kids on bikes and skates?
Where are the Dads with mowers and rakes?
Will they come back to build again?
Or will only empty lots remain?
Mary K. Doiron
Metairie
Re: “Quirky New Orleans.” June 2008.
I saw [my] photo in New Orleans Magazine; I think it came out well and I loved the write-up. A human interest story. I could relate to their story because so many people have told me how uplifting my show is to their spirits, and a fun time. I would like to thank New Orleans Magazine for the photo and the write-up. Maybe someday they will see to having my photo on the cover of their wonderful magazine.
Chris Owens
New Orleans