Very little can be done in a nonprofit organization without volunteers. The Raleigh Renaissance Faire is filled with actors and salespeople; behind-the-scenes administrators and prop builders; script writers, costume designers and so much more. These are all busy and normal people who volunteer their time and energy to create and bring to the N.C. State Fairgrounds a little piece of Elizabethan England where audiences can mingle, enjoy and generally feel immersed in a past long gone but well remembered in art, literature and even movies.

These volunteers come from close locales in Wake County and as far away as Rocky Mount, Fayetteville and even Danville, Va. To recognize the outstanding support and aid these volunteers have offered, we at The North Carolina Historical Society wish to express our sincerest thanks to these residents of Cary: Jerry and Katie Bragg, Musicians Royale father and daughter; Julia Fisher, merchandising director and administrative coordinator; and Cat Talley, actor.

Matthew C. Holmes, N.C. State intern, The Historical Enrichment Society and The North Carolina Renaissance Faire

From a gelato fan

How pleased I am to see the story regarding Henry’s Gelato in the Cary News!

Yes, everything you printed is true, but I must say that you were a bit remiss in not mentioning my favorite treat. The Blood Orange is the juiciest and most satisfying of the bunch, providing a punch of flavor in a creamy, dreamy texture.

Am I a good customer? No, I live too far away for that. But I am a fan and plan to stop in on every visit.

Thank you for highlighting local talent. Henry is not only a talented gelato chef but a fine individual as well.

I can’t wait for my next taste!

Nancy L. Robinson, Los Angeles, Calif. Beer garden not a morality issue

As a Cary resident for 12 years and a beer drinker, I am not sure what the problem is with having a beer garden at Lazy Daze. I go to work every day, raise my children, am faithful to my wife, pay my taxes and obey the law. Sounds like I am pretty moral and family oriented, yet I drink beer.

I think a small beer garden that is controlled will not have a negative impact on Lazy Daze. As far as children seeing adults consuming alcohol, I would assume the previous writers on this subject regulate all TV, video games and books that their children watch. I also would assume these moral people teach their children to be tolerant of all people no matter their customs or beliefs and that violence and hatred are never the answer. If they have done such a great job with their kids, seeing me have a beer while I enjoy the day will bring no harm.

I suggest we keep our focus on real problems and not worry about a beer garden in a festival once a year. And just like guns, alcohol does not destroy lives, the person who is using it does. It would be unfair to lump all beer drinkers in one group. Sell your morality lessons somewhere else.

Edward Sprague, Cary

Beer and Lazy Daze

If you don’t want to enjoy a beer at Lazy Daze, don’t buy one. But don’t let the sale of beer keep you from experiencing the great opportunity and privilege of supporting our local and talented artists.

Anne Harer, Cary

Responsible adults can handle a little alcohol

I would like to respond to Mrs. [Joan] Jackson’s letter from last week [April 11]. I am a 35-year-old man who frequently enjoys the pleasure of an ice cold beer, sometimes daily. However, I do not come from nor do I have a broken home. I have never lost a job because of it, I have never had financial problems, an incurable disease nor have I had a DUI or an alcohol-related accident. Now I realize these things exist in our world because of people who are not responsible enough to handle it, but not everyone is that irresponsible. I am happy that you and many others choose not to drink, that is your choice, but if alcohol is truly that evil then why does the Catholic church serve it at mass? If Lazy Daze wants to serve beer then so be it. The organizers should just have a way to limit the amount each individual can have. Be sure that thorough ID checks are in place and have a time limit it can be served. I honestly don’t believe you’ll have a bunch of drunks running the streets terrorizing the good people of Cary. Come on people, stop whining about the insignificant things in the world and let a responsible adult enjoy a cold beer on a warm day. Charles Adams, Cary

Cary needs more competitive pools

As a parent of a club swimmer, I would like to appeal to the Cary Town Council. Please don’t throw away the opportunity we have to provide the community with a 50-meter pool. Cary needs more pools and it would provide space at a price all could afford. I only see it as an incredible asset to the community!

Thank you for you consideration.

Donna Stewart, Durham

Bad decision by Cary Town Council

I was very disappointed by the four male Cary Town Council members as they reversed an earlier Town Council decision to build a venue aquatic facility that would have served Cary and the Triangle very well. They decided to build a community center with a 25-yard pool and they eliminated a more versatile 50-meter pool with seating adequate to host swim meets (for high schools, masters swimming, year-around teams, etc.) and other events (water polo, synchronized swimming). With this decision, the Town of Cary will also give up $10 million in funds previously approved by the Wake County Commissioners and the City of Raleigh. This hotel/restaurant tax money is collected in Wake County but has never been approved for use in Cary. It took several years of effort to win approval for these funds and that effort is now wasted. A larger facility would also have attracted funds for naming rights that would have offset initial and ongoing operating expenses.

So Cary will spend more money and end up with a smaller facility that does not serve the needs of its citizens. [One] of the reasons provided was a concern about competing with the Triangle Aquatic Center pool now being built by a private group. The town’s own independent consultant clearly concluded that the area could easily accommodate three or more similar-sized aquatic facilities given the current and projected needs. A community center competes with the YMCAs of the area, so the councils logic of not competing doesn’t seem to make any sense. I’m afraid that politics was at play here with pressure from TAC and the deep pockets of Mike Curran.

The TAC facility is almost guaranteed to lose money and fold within a few years; this is clear looking at similar facilities across the country. The rates TAC will charge to stay afloat simply cannot be borne by swim teams and other users. It is the recreational component of the originally proposed Cary facility that helps to cover the cost of the overall facility. The Cary citizens lost out on this one. My compliments to Marla Dorrel, Julie Robison and Jennifer Robinson for their dedication for trying to do the right thing for Cary. They clearly understood the requirements and how best to serve its citizens. They resisted or ignored the political pressures.

Mike Scott, Cary

Time to end pools debate and make a splash

At the April 10 Council Aquatic Workshop, Mayor Ernie McAlister and Council members Erv Portman, Jack Smith and Nels Roseland voted to meet the aquatic needs of all Cary citizens instead of the special interests of a sports-marketing lobby. The vote by these council members reversed the controversial Nov. 8 decision to build one large regional aquatic facility that would duplicate and compete directly with the nonprofit Triangle Aquatic Center.

The decision to build long-awaited recreation and fitness aquatic facilities is a triumph for Cary citizens who were intentionally left out of the seven-year aquatic facility development process. The community aquatic center concept includes a $13.5 million indoor recreation pool and indoor 25-yard fitness pool and a $4.3 million outdoor recreation pool. This model can be duplicated and coordinated with already planned community centers throughout Cary and built in parks surrounded by high-density neighborhoods to maximize the aquatic benefits for all Cary citizens instead of the special interests of a few.

This important decision also eliminates the friction and aligns TAC with the Town of Cary by building complementary, and not competing, aquatic facilities. TAC has raised 100 percent of the money without tax funding to build a $22 million public aquatic facility that will open in October. TAC’s 72,000-square-foot facility will include a 50-meter competition pool with seating for 1,000 spectators, a 10-lane, 25-yard program and fitness pool and a warm-water teaching and rehab pool. As a public facility, TAC will be open to all individuals, community organizations and aquatic groups without membership requirements.

Newly appointed council member Erv Portman insightfully summed up the decision by saying, “In the end, when you look at the total picture, [Cary’s] objectives will be met.” With the Town of Cary and TAC building complementary aquatic facilities, Cary citizens will benefit from all four types of health, fitness, safety and competition aquatic programming. This solution includes both private funding from TAC and public funding from Cary, and Cary citizens will have exceptional year-round public aquatic facilities at less cost to taxpayers.

With the decision made, it is time to end the debate and work together to provide our community with quality year-round aquatic programming. On behalf of the TAC board and all its constituents, I want to thank council members McAlister, Portman, Smith and Roseland for making the right decision for all Cary citizens. Now let’s begin to make a splash in the Cary community together!

Mike Curran, Cary