Letters to the editor

Winchester meant a sound sleep

As I read the pros and cons concerning gun control, I am reminded of an incident from the past.

When I was a child, there were two guns that always hung on the wall of our big country kitchen. I knew I was never to touch them, but otherwise never gave them a thought.

One day, at about age 12, I heard on the radio that an escaped convict was believed to be in our area. I immediately told my parents and older brother who listened, but didn’t seem unduly concerned.

I, however, became increasingly anxious. Even then, I knew that desperate people can sometimes do desperate things. We not only did not lock our door, but I had also never seen the key. The adults were doing nothing to protect us.

Before going to bed, I did the only thing I knew. I placed the back of a wooden chair under the door knob of the back door. I knew it was a fragile solution, but it was better than nothing. My father, who never seemed to miss anything, suddenly appeared.

“What are you doing, girl?” I reminded him about the convict. “Oh go to bed, girl,” he said as he placed the chair at the table. “Before he gets to you he will have to get past me and that Winchester.”

The gun — I had not thought about the gun. Also, I suddenly realized something I’m sure my father already knew. Before an intruder could get to our door, he would have to get past our faithful old dog who slept in a big pile of straw in the shed.

Magically, the weight lifted from my shoulders. I went to bed, secure with the knowledge that before he could get to me, he would have to get past Daddy and that Winchester. I slept soundly.

Rachel Donald

Frederick County

No other solution

The most cogent writing that has appeared recently regarding the tragic mass shootings is Charles Krauthammer’s “The roots of mass murder,” published in The Star on Dec. 26.

He lays bare the futility of attacking a multi-armed problem with single-armed solution. There’s wisdom in his words, “If we’re serious about curtailing future Colmbines and Newtowns, everything — guns, commitment [care of the deranged], culture [violent games] — must be on the table.” And every aspect will impinge on our liberties.

He poses the question, “How much are we prepared to trade away after Newtown?” I recommend it for everyone’s reading.

Ah, if we could but compel legislators to face the whole complex problem and cope with all rather than part of it! Is it beyond our reach to deal with the root cause? There is no other solution!

Lester F. Hubert

Frederick County

Cinematic treat

On Dec. 22-23, area movie-goers were treated to a free Christmas movie, “White Christmas,” at the Royal Cinema Park Theater in Front Royal.

This holiday classic, which is my all-time favorite movie, was enjoyed by my wife and me on Saturday, along with around 80 other movie-goers in attendance. We enjoyed great musical scores, dancing, and plot.

Upon leaving the theater, a young man was speaking to a woman, saying he had seen “White Christmas” many times and always enjoyed watching the movie. She responded by saying that during her youth she and her generation enjoyed entertainment that included music, song, and dance (i.e., Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers). It certainly was nice to see different age generations in attendance.

It was fantastic to see the movie again on the big screen. At the end of the movie, Bing Crosby, Vera Ellen, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and the rest of the cast and crew received applause. People left with smiles. Wonderful!

Thank you, Irving Berlin, Bing, Vera, Danny, Rosemary — and Royal Cinema Park Theater.

Larry A. Carbaugh

Stephens City