Letters to the Editor

+ No longer sniffing, but still laughing
Dear Editor:
After the wife and I had sniffed several pages, and after a long diatribe about the evils of (Schroeder-Manatee Ranch)’s plans to grow the evil weed, and after loading my camera into the car to go in search of the elusive “big bird,” I finally arrived at page 4!
Nicely done!
Thanks for the belly laugh!

+ Road spoof story highly inappropriate
Dear Editor:
I have been a reader of your magazine for years. But, following your recent April Fools’ Day article about the 44th Avenue expansion, I will never endorse or read your publication again.

Apparently, you and your staff feel it is appropriate to write a “spoof” about a very serious issue that impacts seven major communities and thousands of residents. I doubt you would see the humor if your neighborhood was included in the path of this project that threatens to reduce property values and increase noise, traffic and pollution.

Thank goodness for karma. What goes around comes around, and you will get yours.

+ Totally fooled: home purchase ‘stalled’
Dear Editor:
Your gotcha article (on the 44th Avenue East extension) you did was awesome. It totally got my friend who was about to buy a house right on that line.

+ Edition delivers much-needed laughs
Dear Editor:
Loved the April Fools’ section of the Observer ... You got me! I started reading about SMR shifting crops to medical marijuana and thought something was off. Thanks for the laughs, and keep up the great work!

+ Issue proved a waste of valuable time
Dear Editor:
Regarding your April Fools’ “Gotcha” issue: entirely inappropriate, unprofessional and distasteful. We read the Observer to get the news, not be played childish pranks upon. (It was) a complete waste of our time.

+ Fully ‘got.’ Keep the laughs coming
Dear Editor:
I read the “I Gotcha” stories today! Yes, I was fully “got.” I loved the Mayberry festival idea, even though I didn’t see how it actually fit in with (Lakewood Ranch). Ha. Ha.
Thanks for the laugh.

+ False headline rude idea to educators
Dear Editor:
Normally, I find your April Fools’ edition cute. Unfortunately, this morning I found your headline — Manatee School District discovers surplus in budget — in very poor taste. Teachers have not had a raise in more than four years and have also had pay cuts. The district is cutting almost 200 positions. To think that your paper would even make light of our situation is very sad.
So much for hometown support.

+ Found it: Not double, but triple vision!
Dear Editor:
(Regarding the magic eye puzzle on page 1), I did what you said and I saw three towers! Great!

+ Still hunting for the ‘Big Bird’ and loving it
Dear Editor:
You sure got me. My wife showed me later the section showing it was an April Fools’ joke. Ha, ha. I’ll be laughing at that for awhile, because I did look around a few times for that Big Bird. I got lots of photos of sandhill cranes since I moved to the county.

I’m even happier about the marijuana part that it was all a joke. That ... turned my stomach, because at this point in time, it wouldn’t be too difficult if it did happen. Our morals have become a bit ... loose! I’m very happy it was just an April Fools’ joke.

I hope everyone will appreciate a good laugh afterward. Thanks. We all need a laugh at this point!

+ Former resident fears the worst
Dear Editor:
I am visiting my daughter and family in Abu Dhabi. I took the March 28 (April Fools’) issue with me. I told her that Lakewood Ranch is really changing since she lived here. I was playing with my iPad at the time and captured her surprise at the first few pages. I let it play out then had to give in — too funny. Can’t believe that she is the only person who was “ blown away” with the articles. Great stuff.
Patt Staley, Lakewood Ranch