A story about books and architecture

I am writing to compliment Marylynne Pitz on her Feb. 14 article “What I Did for the Love of Books and Benno,” describing how her love of books led her to help return to Pittsburgh 4,000 copies of a book I wrote in 1997, “The Architecture of Benno Janssen.”

As art and architecture critic of the Post-Gazette from 1956 to 1999, I was very grateful to three Pittsburgh foundations for funding my third book. It was sold for a year or more in the Art Shop at the Carnegie Museum, then dropped when a new store manager arrived.

The book originally was not accepted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation because, I was told, that its lead writer, now deceased, was furious that I had beaten him to the book’s subject, Pittsburgh’s outstanding architect, from 1914 to 1935.

It was Thomas C. Celli, a noted architect in his own right, including renovations to the Pennsylvania State Capitol and buildings at Penn State University, who came to my personal rescue at age 76 to recover the books that for all these years were stored in a plant in Charlottesville, Va., owned by Janssen’s son, A. Patton Janssen, now deceased.

Mr. Celli raised the funds to have the books returned and freely distributed to architectural students and other groups. His architect father once worked for Janssen’s firm. Ms. Pitz assisted in this cause, through her long friendship with me.

Another fact: Benno Janssen’s talent as a fine architect continues in the work of his grandson, Roger Janssen, of Palm Beach, Fla., who has designed many outstanding houses for such clients as Tiger Woods and other golfing champions. This Janssen also deserves a book about his accomplishments.

DONALD MILLER

Naples, Fla. The writer is a Pittsburgh native.

Help our heroes

I read the Feb. 27 article “UPMC Shakes Off Virus Chill to Finish 2020 with $1B,” saying that UPMC made a billion dollars — that’s with a “B” — in 2020. I also received a postcard in the mail, as a subscriber to UPMC for Life health care, asking for donations to help the UPMC health care heroes — the workers including nurses, doctors, administrators, etc. (I agree that the health care workers are definitely heroes).

What is wrong with this picture? If UPMC can make $1 billion in a year, why can’t it afford to give its heroes at least a bonus in these trying times?

Instead of mailing out postcards informing its subscribers of the upcoming fundraising plan (at what cost of the mailing), why doesn’t UPMC use that money for the training, recognition, etc., that it claims it needs the money for? The postcard also states that in the coming months we will be receiving more materials on the details of the fundraising plan.

Save the money of printing and mailing the materials and put it toward the COVID-19 vaccine for people who need it. SHARON TRAGESSER North Huntingdon

Vaccine efforts

Thank you for publishing the March 3 editorial “UPMC Pushing the Ethical Envelope.” I am in total agreement and relieved that the Post-Gazette editorial board is willing to call it like it really is.

I have received health care at UPMC for well over 30 years. UPMC has excellent physicians, caring staff and top-notch facilities. Unfortunately, the corporate leadership at UPMC shredded the ethical envelope years ago. Do I want to continue supporting a $1 billion “profit” business that has an advertising budget to rival retail companies and pays for headquarters in the penthouse office suites of the Steel Building?

I receive many glossy pamphlets and notices in the mail from UPMC, but where’s my COVID-19 vaccine? I recently received my first vaccination through the efforts of Allegheny Health Network.

DIANA BRYANT

McCandless

Stand together

Who would have thought one year ago in March that a year later, COVID-19 would still be around, changing our plans and our lives? I’m sure all of us have had to miss a few trips and vacations, cancel a party, or postpone a wedding or celebration. Yes, the pandemic has brought some good changes: It has brought us all together and made us more caring and compassionate. But we all wish we never have to experience this again.

Let us show the unity and kindness that COVID-19 has brought and make sure that the world never has to face a pandemic like this ever again. Lets urge our congressional leaders, specifically Rep. Conor Lamb, DMt. Lebanon, to support the Global Health Security Act, which will unite global efforts to learn how to prevent and manage future pandemics and epidemics. If we have to learn something from the pandemic, let it be to stand together in the face of adversity. LETICIA ALCARAZ McCandless