I came to Pennsylvania from Seattle this summer to participate in a six-week intensive Slovak language course at the University of Pittsburgh. When I found out that a local theater company (Unseam'd Shakespeare) would be presenting "Out of This Furnace," though, I knew I would have another special layer added to my summer studies.

This past year, I took a genealogy and family history course at the University of Washington and wrote a paper on Slovak Americans and their struggles to endure the hardships they encountered in their new American world. I'd read "Out of This Furnace," pleased to discover that a novel had captured many of these struggles.

The recent play's beginning, the moment when Mary learns that her husband has been killed, shook something loose inside me that I had not been aware of. There were deep tears of grief that came up -- a grief not produced by gratuitous melodrama, but instead a deep grief for a whole community. I had reached this understanding on an academic level through my recent studies, but the play allowed me to reach it on a personal, emotional level. I could experience it.

But that was just the beginning of this most recent production of "Out of This Furnace." From there, the play gave audiences a chance to witness the challenges that Kracha, an early immigrant, faced: his risks, his losses. We also looked into the shining life of Mike Dobreczak and the reflective moods of Mary, as well as considering the commentaries of the youngest, Dobie. I don't think I will ever forget the feeling of being a part of the audience for this play: I realized how extremely lucky my timing was -- to be in Pittsburgh, to get one of the last seats, to be a part of this experience. I am sure the actors' faces will remain with me too.

In addition, the audience members themselves created another dynamic in my experience of this production. Before the performance, I started talking with the people around me as we waited to get into our seats. I found my community all around me! I talked with one man and his wife about their trips to Slovakia, to the homeland; another woman and her daughter, who could have played the roles of those Slovak women on stage, suggested places where I could get pirogi in town. Another older man told me how he'd lost his own father to the mills, how he'd vehemently refused the offer of a mill job when he was offered one -- at his father's own funeral. Perhaps one of the most moving moments was talking with the man who was sitting next to me: he is almost finished with his own career of working for the Braddock mills. I was surrounded not by disengaged theater-goers but instead by Slovak Americans and others whose lives overlapped with the stories presented in the play. I am still moved to have had the chance to speak with these thoughtful, generous people.

I am so thrilled for everything this production of "Out of This Furnace" could accomplish. I have been a witness.

Susan Casey
Seattle

Reading around the world

Before attending a meeting of the Friends of the Library, I glanced at the Saturday "homemaking" article written by Peter McKay (Homemaking: I have some bad news ... July 5)

I was quite surprised at his comments about taking one's kids to the library: "This week, an expert advised taking your kids to the library, where, for free, they can 'read' their way around the world, taking an adventure if only in their minds. If you can sell that one to your kids, either you're a pretty persuasive salesperson or your kids are pretty stupid."

I cannot believe such an intelligent columnist would really believe this. Yes, taking one's kids to the library does let them take trips around the world. It also stretches their imagination, opens the world of different cultures, experiences, viewpoints, and, basically, the great experience of reading. It's also a place where they can feel safe -- from street gangs, temptations of drugs, hazing, even, at times, their own families.

It's where famous writers, such as August Wilson, learned the great power of "words." It's the opposite of "stupid." Any kid who is bored at home should go to the library -- where the whole world awaits him/her.

I'm sure Mr. McKay knows this and was just carried away with the "bad news" in the media. Go to the library yourself, Mr. McKay, and experience the joy of reading something good.

Marion Damick
Squirrel Hill

Rich cultural scene

Recently, we participated in our school district's Teacher-in-the-Workplace grant program, which affords teachers the opportunity to explore careers and outreach projects that will enrich our classrooms and ourselves. We were extremely fortunate to work with three top-notch arts venues within the city: the Senator John Heinz History Center (our mentor: Dani Hale); the Pittsburgh Public Theatre (our mentors: Fred Noel and Rob Zellers); and the Carnegie Museum of Art (our mentor: Jordan Crosby).

Not only were we welcomed cordially and professionally, we also were treated to amazing shows and exhibits at each of these sites. We traversed the new illustrators' interpretations of Pittsburgh through the ages at the History Center. After a behind-the-scenes tour complete with interviews, we watched the Public's excellent production of "The Odd Couple" from the stage manager's booth, the best seats in the house. At the Carnegie, we enjoyed lunch with a view of the dancing fountains before meeting a wide array of curators and docents. We then completed that experience with a tour of the "Life on Mars" International exhibit. Overwhelming, to say the least.

In this 250th celebration year, we should rejoice at the growth of the arts in Pittsburgh. From the Cultural District to the South Side to Oakland and beyond, there is truly something for every artistic palate. We deeply appreciate our mentors for providing us a most intriguing look at their arts forums. And we encourage everyone in the greater Pittsburgh area to take advantage of these urban treasures.

Susan Rigotti
Patricia Ross
Freedom Area School District

Soul Asylum rocked Regatta

I would just like to say how amazing the Soul Asylum concert at the Regatta was. Whoever decided to book them chose quite wisely.

First of all, their lyrics are outstanding. They're deep, poetic, intelligent, beautiful, inspirational and extremely original. Frontman and songwriter Dave Pirner truly has a way with words and his songs speak from the heart about so many different aspects of life.

Another wonderful thing about Mr. Pirner is that for the entire hour and a half they were up there, he didn't stop smiling for a single moment. You could really tell what a great time he and his bandmates were having. And if he was having fun, you know all of us out in the audience were having fun, too.

I don't know how else to say it: they rocked! And they really knew how to please the crowd and there wasn't a dull moment all night.

I really don't understand why they're not more popular. If you're not familiar with them, check out "Grave Dancer's Union" or any one of their other albums for some good old rock 'n' roll from a very talented and committed group.

Sara Schmitt
Shaler

Rush of life

Just read Scott Mervis' review of the Rush concert (Rush, even with all its noise, sounds pretty darn good, July 4). Well done, sir. I'm a 50-year-old (young) Rush fan, have been for over 30 years now. Good memories go with their music for me: high school, college, getting married, buying a house (or three), having kids, watching them grow and the pains that can go along with that.

Their skill, talent and their ability to laugh at themselves is so nice to see in this day of self-promoting wannabes. The smiles on Geddy and Alex during the show truly seemed to show they still love playing for the audience.

The music of Rush has truly been the soundtrack of my life.

Gary Boothe
Fort Worth, Texas

Weather the storm

Each summer the Allegheny County parks department is gracious enough to host a large amount of concerts throughout the summer.

In years past, I have had the opportunity to attend these concerts. However, last summer and this summer I have not been able to enjoy these concerts due to them being canceled by the county. I can understand if it is pouring buckets that they must be canceled, but they seem to get canceled at the chance of a raindrop.

For example, on Sunday, I went out to Hartwood Acres to see the PSO. I arrived about an hour early so that I could secure a spot on the lawn and enjoy some refreshments with family and friends. When I got to the gates they were closed and there were about four other cars waiting there.

After a few minutes, we drove down to the other entrance to find an Allegheny county police chief telling people that the event was canceled. Well I should have figured this because there was a flash flood warning issued for Allegheny County that same day. Mind you, there was not a raindrop to be found. I suppose they were looking out for our safety.

In the future, I would hope that the county would at least let the audience enter and hear just a few songs until the rain comes, considering we make the drive out there at $4 dollars a gallon. I am left with hard feelings about the concert series and am not sure if I will be going back again in the near future unless there is no rain in the forecast, which is rare for Pittsburgh.

Angela Kokanos
Lower Burrell

Man of letters

I enjoy reading Feedback most of the time so I'm not writing to complain about the individual who "reveled in every word from George Carlin" (Weekend Feedback: Misunderstanding Carlin, July 3). I do, however, feel a need to write when Carlin's admirer attacks someone I admire, like Oren Spiegler.

Actually, I have never seen or heard Mr. Spiegler, but I have read many of his extremely intelligent letters -- the kind that make you feel good that there is a man of character who would take the time to write to the PG. Thank you, Mr. Spiegler. To you I say, keep the letters coming.

To the writer who is bemoaning the fact that he will not hear George Carlin's exhilarating words again, go see an R-rated movie and maybe you'll get lucky.

Ruth Rupp
Lawrenceville