Mailbag:

It was brought to my attention that there were some complaints from readers that the costumes and dancing style of the dancers performing at the Fish Fry were not to their liking.

Well, my daughter is one of those dancers. The only thing my daughter was promoting was her love of dance, the love for her studio, and fellow dancers (who are also her friends) in conjunction with donating time to the community in the way of dance. To the casual observer, dance costumes, as well as many other performing costumes, may not please everyone. But in the dancing world, her studio’s costumes, music, and dancing style have always fallen on the conservative side of the dancers’ spectrum.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to condemn a studio, its dancers and their parents over one photo is a sad commentary on some people who have chosen to chastise a newspaper and its photographer for a group of dancers who were trying to give back to the community with dance and being criticized for their efforts.

It appears that some people are too busy looking for faults in the pretty outside wrapping to notice the wonderful contents of the package (there seems to be a lot of that these days).

And finally, I would like to say thank you to Endeavor School of the Arts for embracing a dancer who has had to battle a multitude of medical conditions on and off her whole life. In the loving arms of the Endeavor family, its teachers, her fellow dancers (one of them being her older sister) she has found a place that continues to encourage and inspire her. Dance has strengthened not only her self-esteem, but her physical and emotional well being as well. I hope that one day dance will inspire others who have physical challenges to believe in their dreams and the healing power of the arts.

Thank you to the photographer for, in this particular case, making one little girl very happy.

Dawn Small

Costa Mesa

Family is committed to historic ship

We are so pleased and proud to see our city and many in our community stand behind our beloved Shawnee.

The Adler family’s commitment to her goes back 55 years when we found her in San Francisco in disrepair. We restored her and have loved her for all these years. When it became apparent she was in need of another total restoration we all looked for other possible solutions to this project and time became our foe as she sat in the water. We were thrilled that Dennis Holland was interested in taking on the project. His craftsmanship has no equal and we would entrust her to no other. Our family’s love and commitment to her goes on as we know Dennis shares our caring and commitment for her survival.

There are few truly historic vessels in our local waters. Shawnee’s origins are California through and through, with most of that in Southern California. Starting with her commission by the Fontana ( Fontana Steel ) family, then on to San Francisco and then her return in 1955 by the Allan Adler family to Newport Harbor. She now has a chance for another long life here thanks to those who see her value, beauty and place in our community.

THE ADLER FAMILY

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa