Thank you for the nice write-up and photographs after the fire at the Daddypops Tumble Inn Diner (“Suspicious fire damages iconic Claremont diner,” July 31).
My uncle, Angelo “Angie” Baldasaro, and my father, Anthony “Tony’ Baldasaro, owned the Tumble Inn Diner back in the 1940s, the exact date I don’t quite remember. It was my uncle who went to Worcester, Mass., to pick out the diner and brought it to Claremont to set up. They did a fantastic business back in those days. It was just about everyone’s favorite place to eat. My favorite was a cheeseburger and french fries and a cold Coke. Once in a while I would help out by typing the menus (my father would never let me wait on customers). Uncle Angie died in the mid-1950s of a heart attack and my father took over running the business, with the excellent help that was hired. Everyone pitched in and helped my father keep the diner running — otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to do it by himself. My father kept the diner until the mid-1960s. I believe it was Wanda Perras, who ran a taxi stand next door to the diner, who bought it at the time.
It has been in this same location since my uncle picked it out and bought it back in the early 1940s.
JOYCE BALDASARO CHILDS
Norwich
Uncomfortable paradox
of mask mandates
As a “preemptive measure to minimize risk,” the Hanover Co-op’s new mask requirement should go into effect immediately, not arbitrarily on Aug. 9 (“Co-op to reinstate mask requirement,” Aug. 3).
But an on-site COVID-19 vaccine clinic would be a better way to achieve the goal, since it is reported that nearly 30% of Co-op employees are not fully vaccinated, and the coronavirus will still be circulating after all mask mandates have been relaxed, leaving them just as vulnerable if they don’t get the shot.
That’s the uncomfortable paradox of mask mandates: they leave the unvaccinated they are intended to protect less safe in the long run.
We also need to acknowledge that children under age 12 who as yet cannot get vaccinated are simply not that vulnerable, and their parents can require them to wear masks.
KEITH LOUD
Norwich
With liberty must come
personal responsibility
Some issues aren’t difficult to solve if we applied some logic to the situation. People’s refusal to get vaccinated is an easy example. Most who refuse vaccination say it’s their personal liberty and right to decide. Of course, their decision affects many besides themselves, but they don’t usually see it that way.
But here is an easy solution. For those who refuse to get vaccinated for personal reasons rather than any medical contraindication, the rule should be as follows: If you get infected, no medical insurance policy will cover those incurred expenses. If you want the liberty to choose, then you must accept the responsibility for that choice. It is not reasonable to refuse vaccination, incur a huge medical cost, and expect society to foot the bill.
So, put up or vax up.
WILLIAM ROSEN
Hanover
How you can support
Hartford Garden Friends
People here in the Upper Valley know this is a beautiful place to live. There are a wide variety of reasons to think so. One of ours is seeing all the flowers in the towns and villages. There are many people involved in the various beautification efforts.
That is true in Hartford. Hartford Garden Friends invites you to join us. Whether you know nothing about growing flowers or you can name every kind, we will welcome everyone. Some members share one garden and others are the single caretaker of a plot. Come and get your hands dirty.
If getting dirty is not your idea of fun, you can support Hartford Garden Friends with a donation.
Contributions are used to purchase plants and other supplies.
To become a member, contact Iris Berezin at irisberezin@myfairpoint.net. To donate, please send checks to Hartford Garden Friends, P.O. Box 884, Wilder, Vt. 05088.
Come to share your knowledge or to learn a new skill. If you think the town looks better with flowers, your time and your money will help to continue our work. No matter what you do, please enjoy the beauty.
IRIS BEREZIN and LINDA KAHL
Hartford
The writers are co-presidents of Hartford Garden Friends.