After article, boost in book sales

I just wanted to report that I am very pleased with the sales of my two books, “Shock Treatment” and “Two Souls,” after your article appeared in the Local (“Hiller with many successful careers; now add 'author,'” Jan. 7). Sales have well exceeded the number of people who have purchased a book just to be supportive, and they seem to be growing steadily.

Of course I am working my Owen Delaney Mystery Novels Facebook page to death. But still, it seems to be working. And it is fascinating to see what kinds of posts get results and what kinds don't. So, you can relax a bit now. I won't be bombarding you with so many sales pitches. But if you have promised yourself to read them, see www.owendelaneynovels.com.

Gene Caffrey

Chestnut Hill

‘Leash’ article is inspirational

I just loved the article on the judge from Mt. Airy and the New Leash on Life program which is using prison inmates to train dogs to help handicapped people and Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are disabled (“Mt. Airy judge helps wag-nificent program with prisoners,” Jan. 14).

What a wonderful person Judge Ceisler is and what a brilliant idea to save the lives of the dogs and help war vets and teach the inmates to be kind and loving. That is pure genius. And the photo brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for an inspirational story. I love reading about people from our neighborhood who are helping to make the world a better place.

Lorraine Bradley

Mt. Airy

After the article, a sold-out show

Ben Paterson put on a great show to a sold-out crowd – both shows!

See what you did with your article (“Hill native, a national star, coming home to perform,” Jan. 14)! My husband and I went, of course, and loved hearing Ben and his trio. Ben was blown away by the article in the Local. He and I did not have any idea you would go all out like that; it's a keeper!

Some of the people at Chris' Cafe raved about your article, too. Between your article and the wonderful crowd, Ben was in heaven!

Thanks and thanks! Bet he's invited back!

Margie Gleit

Ambler

Great memories of ‘Blue Moon’

Len Lear’s evocative piece about Chestnut Hill’s fabled Under the Blue Moon restaurant brought wonderful memories.

Blue Moon had a magical quality, and Len reminded us why: it was the loving presence of  proprietors Gene and Phyllis Gosfield, and their enthusiastic staff.  The food was consistent and wonderful, too, but Gene and Phyllis made every meal an uplifting treat.

Articles like this are excellent examples of how local newspapers with deep institutional knowledge of their communities remain a valued and essential part of our lives.

Art Howe

Chestnut Hill

Call terrorism by its right name

I listened to President Obama's final State of the Union address last night with an open mind (those who know me are aware that I am not a big fan of this president).

I was most interested to hear his remarks about the existential threat presented by radical Islamic terrorism, especially in light of recent events in our country and around the world.

Sadly, the best he could do was refer to these terrorists as “fighters on the back of pickup trucks.”  He described ISIS as killers and fanatics, which of course they are. But he went on to say “ISIS fighters do not threaten our national existence.”

Not one word was mentioned about the attempted assassination of a Philadelphia police officer last week by a man wearing Islamic garb, as we all could see, on the surveillance video.  Mayor Kenney, in his first week on the job, decried any attempt to link this horrific crime to Islam, in spite of the terrorist’s admission that he did it in the name of the Islam.

This was no fighter on the back of a pickup truck. A “killer and fanatic” most definitely, but that is not all he was and is. He is a radical Islamic extremist – words that President Obama (and now apparently also Mayor Kenney) consistently refuses to utter in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

With the coming presidential election, we have the chance to turn in a new direction, as South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley stated in her response to the President's speech.

We miss the opportunity to do so at our own peril.

Sharon M Reiss

Mt. Airy