Mailbag - November 2021

CELEBRATING LIFE Joe Schlesinger laughs as he climbs into a boat in 1968. The tattoo on his arm is what remained of his time in the concentration camps. "This photo symbolized his whole attitude of living a joyful life," son Alan says. 

Everyone needs a champion 

Just read Telling Dad's Holocaust Story: Thanks to puppy walks and a new friend in the neighborhood by Andria Frankfort [October 2021]. I love historical biographies and will order a copy of Alan's book [Resilience: The Story of How My Father Survived the Holocaust, by Alan Schlesinger]. 

Kudos to Dee Dee Dochen on a job well done in encouraging Alan to write his father's memoir of survival and righteousness. Everyone needs a champion and encouragement.  

I had such a friend that encouraged me to write my book. For my birthday he gave me a round-trip ticket to New Mexico with the keys to his cabin in the Sandia Mountains and the stipulation that I couldn't come home without having a completed first draft for him to read. Sadly, Steve passed away from liver cancer before the book was published, but he provided many edits and challenges to my thinking and delivery before he departed this mortal life. 

By the way, the puppies are precious. Encouraging friends and puppies are both a blessing from God.  

Tim Phillips

Clarification for historical accuracy   

There are always interesting stories to read in your magazine. Among many in the last edition was Telling Dad’s Holocaust Story. It is a wonderful idea to write and publish a book with such stories for future generations. Though I just wanted to make a small historical correction as it is little misleading in the article. It is important to know that Auschwitz was a German concentration and extermination camp located in occupied Germany [in] Southern Poland. The Memorial and Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau can be visited and serves as a memory of horrors of Nazism and Holocaust. 

Aggie P. 

Editor’s note: Aggie, it’s good to hear from you, and thank you for your close read. We mention that Auschwitz was in southern Poland but didn’t specify it was in a Nazi Germany-occupied region. For other readers who want more information, see auschwitz.org and the Holocaust Museum Houston at hmh.org. 

Much in common

Telling Dad’s Holocaust Story was a wonderful read. It seems that Alan [Schlesinger] and I have much in common. My Hungarian mother (of blessed memory) was in Auschwitz-Birkenau and three other death/concentration camps, and I am also a retired, dog-loving doc! How wonderful that [neighbor] Dee Dee Dochen encouraged Alan to write the book.

Genie Landon 

Not-so-spooky bedtime story 

I read Keep Your Friends Close: And keep your witches closer [by Meg Scott, October 2021] to my 9-year-old son James one evening when we got home late one evening and needed something to read together to wind down. We appreciated the descriptive language and photos! Thank you for the fun article and details on all the witches! I like to learn about the interests of my neighbors.

Sheila Hall

Remember that sauce? 

Your article is fantastic on restaurants in Houston [Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past, by Russell Weil, November 2014]. I remember Kelley’s, I believe on Texas Ave.; over the years I have tried to find their recipe for pontchartrain sauce. It was fantastic – lemon butter creamy with shrimp and crab in it, served on broiled red snapper. Also they had flat hush puppies that were fried very crisp. Excellent.

I believe over the years Christie’s bought them out. Christie’s moved into their location on South Main. I have asked Maria Christie, but she says she does not have the recipes. If you come across this please let me know.

Minnette Carrabba

Editor’s note: Writer Russell Weil said he doesn’t recall this dish but will look into this. If any of you remember this sauce or know where to find the recipe, please share it with us at [email protected]. See this popular story here. 

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