I was delighted to see the article about Michael Phillips' corn maze ["The Yow Factor," Oct. 14].

The fact that he and the Ferrells have very successful corn mazes within a mile of each other, surrounded by modern homes growing up in the countryside, shows how much the public is drawn to family farms for fun, entertainment and education.

I encourage readers to visit these farms not only for the corn mazes, but also to pick a pumpkin, ride a cow train, learn how a cow is milked, and just involve the family in a whole lot of fun. Take a look at visitncfarms.com to find more farms to visit in every season.

Martha Glass Cary

The author is a manager in the agritourism office of the N.C. Department of Agriculture.

Council hurt home sales

We left Cary more than a year ago, yet our home still sits vacant, waiting for a buyer. The local real estate agents tell us the biggest problem in Cary is too much inventory, especially new homes, and not enough buyers.

Perhaps if the Town Council had been more diligent in their jobs -- and looked out for existing taxpayers, instead of developers -- things would be different. We are not alone. How many homes in your neighborhoods are for sale or vacant? I have no problem blaming the council for the deprecation of home values in Cary.

And yes, I do keep an eye on local events, since I still have to pay taxes on my vacant home.

Mike Dodson Semora

On incomes and healthcare

Regarding the Sept. 30 article "Cary household incomes are tops in N.C.": Good news to us Caryites. But what is the connection between this ranking and lack of health insurance?

Why was it necessary to slip in this reference? Aren't we getting enough of this propaganda elsewhere without it being segued into what should have been a glowing report about our fair city?

Kay Wilson Cary

Answer to cartoon

Regarding the cartoon ["Other Voices," Sept. 30] that asks: "Q: What are the people against admitting illegal immigrants into North Carolina's community colleges afraid of?"

My answer is: If you are in this country illegally, you are breaking the law.

We should not reward lawbreakers with tax-supported college education.

Sharon Mahovlic Fuquay-Varina