More Mike Roy

What a thrill it was to read the piece about Mike Roy and Denny Bracken (“Mike Roy, My Pop,” Sept. 1). You have no idea what impact both of them had on my radio listening and my love for cooking. Although my father taught me the basics when I was a very young man, (Mike Roy) helped to hone my experimentation qualities in the kitchen. I remember so vividly your “papa” encouraging me (he had to know I was listening) to experiment in the kitchen and that you could still “eat your failure.”

--THOMAS H. BRODEK

Century City

What a delight to read the wonderful tribute to Mike Roy. Reading the article carried me back to the early ‘50s. My mom was honored by your dear pop to be a guest several times on his great cooking show. My mom passed away in January after celebrating her 102nd birthday. While going through her memorabilia, I found some fan letters from Mike Roy’s Kitchen, sent by the grateful audience.

--GEORGE W. TRIPPON

Redondo Beach

I lived in Santa Monica and when I retired, I used to sit in my bedroom, knit, and listen to Mike and Denny (my sister in Houston got an afghan, the first item knitted). Mike taught me to make wine and I shall ever be grateful, as my brother drank what I made (instead of sleeping pills). He truly loved good food (or food well-prepared) and I used Mike’s recipes as much as possible, mostly desserts. I continued making wine when we moved to Victorville in 1975. My brother died in 1990.

--MARY W. HIRDLER

Victorville

Really enjoyed your article “Mike Roy, My Pop.” There was something special in his personality, and when I think of early TV, he always comes to mind. I remember sitting around the TV with my parents and enjoying his patter so much more than the recipes. He was quite a guy. I even remember the show’s theme song, David Rose’s “Our Love.”

--STEVE LEVI

Santa Monica

Thanks a million, or as we say in Hawaiian, “mahalo mu loa,” for the article about Jackie Olden and Melinda Lee. Even more important to me was Robin Roy Gress’ tribute to her dad and my very favorite cook, Mike Roy. I really enjoyed remembering those days. Mike taught me loads of goodies I still use.

--RENA D. SMITH

Laguna Hills