Even though we've entered a new month with new hopes and promises for the coming days, readers have reminded me it's equally important to remember there are still many people still managing after last month's flooding and storms.

For example, I received the following letter from Jan Compton of Munster:

"Dear Phil:

We met at South Side Christian Church on Broadmoor, in Munster, last year when you came to speak at a group luncheon. (By the way, our church took a big hit during the 'great flood' a few weeks ago and is totally out of commission now. It will be months--if ever--before the church can be inhabitable again.)

My purpose in writing you today, however, is because the group I chair called 'The Friends of the Theatre,' connected to the Ridge Arts Foundation, has planned a Fall Fantasy Luncheon Buffet on Tuesday Oct. 21, at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. There's a buffet lunch from noon until 1:30 p.m. and the Harvest Jubilee Shops open from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

But because of the 'great flood,' our tickets sales are terribly slow.

We're worried that most have forgotten they even got an invitation to come, with so much going on now with clean-up, FEMA, etc..

It's imperative this benefit luncheon is a success.

We need to keep our Theatre at the Center alive and well and thriving, and that means $$$$ in support money.

Might you help us by mentioning our Fall Fantasy Buffet Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Center for Performing and Visual Arts in Munster in one of your columns? We'd so appreciate your help. For more information or tickets, readers can call Charlie Misovye at (219) 836-0422. Jan Compton"

More help

The following letter is from John Kruzan of Munster:

"Hi, I read your column this week about Jack Lalanne. Bob Smith of Munster, who lives with his daughter and son-in-law Betsy and Mike Kroll, was in the service with Lalanne, when they were both stationed on the West Coast during the war. They were friends and even double dated. Mr. Smith is a veteran of Iwo Jima. He lost contact with Jack, but would like to contact him to remember old times. He is 87-years-old and has had health problems as well as having to deal with damage from both the recent storms and floods. It would be nice if you could

get him in touch with Jack as a break from all the recent woes. Thanks, John Kruzan"

Thank you John for reading my columns and I will be happy to forward the address for the Lalannes to Betsy to give to her dad.

Helping hands

Debbie Metsch-Lilly, owner of Debbie's Designs Floral, in Crown Point, shared some wonderful compliments about the many dedicated people who were so great working as a team during all of the flooding problems last month around Lake County. I couldn't agree more with Debbie. She was especially proud of the young people in her church's youth group who worked around the clock to help rid their church building of the rapidly rising water. "Young people usually get bad press when they are in trouble," Debbie said. "But that's not always the case and these kids deserve some credit."

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

celebBirthdays

Singer-guitarist Leon Rausch of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys is 81. Critic Rex Reed is 70. Singer Don McLean is 63. Country singer Jo-el Sonnier is 62. Actor Avery Brooks ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine") is 60. Guitarist Mike Rutherford of Genesis and Mike and the Mechanics is 58. Musician Sting is 57. Actress Lorraine Bracco ("The Sopranos") and guitarist Greg Jennings of Restless Heart are 54. Singer Phil Oakey of Human League is 53. Singer Freddie Jackson and singer-producer Robbie Nevil are 50. Drummer Bud Gaugh of Sublime and Long Beach Dub All-Stars and country singer Gillian Welch are 41. Country singer Kelly Willis is 40. Singer Dion Allen of Az Yet and actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa ("All My Children," "Live With Regis and Kelly") are 38. Singer Tiffany is 37. Singer Lene Nystrom (Aqua) and LaTocha Scott of Xscape and

actor Efren Ramirez ("Napoleon Dynamite") are 35. Gospel singer and former "American Idol" contestant Mandisa is 32.