It was with great interest that I read the article by Connie Pilston Shoemaker headlined " 'Oliver!' calls BC3 home" in the Showcase section of the July 22 Butler Eagle. I have long been an advocate of providing theatrical opportunities to the young artists of our community. It was with a great deal of satisfaction that I saw the tradition continuing with the current generation of performers.

I was somewhat surprised to read, at the end of the article, that the "Butler Summer Dramatics began nine years ago with a $5,000 grant from the city to supplement the project." I believe the report is in error. The Summer Dramatics Project was begun in the late 1960s by William Lehnerd, Daniel Betres and the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

Lehnerd directed the first three musicals, "Plain and Fancy," "Wonderful Town" and "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman."

The late Tom Fraizer directed the next two, "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Peter Pan."

Katie Dillon and Dennis Kerr, who, sadly, are no longer with us, directed productions of "Guys and Dolls" and "The Fantastics," respectively. The project fell silent for awhile but was resurrected by Bob Snodgrass and Cecilia Olexa, who used a $300 grant from the city Parks and Recreation Department (thanks to Glenn Crytzer) to take musical variety shows to the city's parks, playgrounds and municipal parking lots.

The project fell silent again. Nine years ago, Bob and Cec resurrected the project, again thanks to Glenn Crytzer, and produced "Li'l Abner" and "The Wiz" at the Intermediate High School. It was during the latter that Gordon Cavalero became involved and has headed the project since.

I felt that it was important that the contributions of so many other people who were not mentioned in the article be given their proper due, especially when so many of them are no longer here to speak for themselves.

I wish continued success to the Summer Dramatics Project and all who are involved with it. It is a worthwhile endeavor and should be given the community's full support.