Ashland Alternatives

Your article on Ashland, Ore., (“Room & Bard,” July 13) was excellent. My husband and I, with three other couples, returned from Ashland on July 6. Your reviews of the plays were right-on, and you certainly captured the flavor of this delightful town.

At the risk of overcrowding the Elderhostel program (telephone [617] 426-8056) offered at Southern Oregon University, I will recommend it.

While the food is excellent, the accommodations are not (dorm rooms with bathrooms down the hall). But we all felt (eight of us) it was a small sacrifice to pay since we had actors and other lecturers explaining backgrounds of the plays, the structure of the play and then wonderful analyses of the plays after we saw them.

All tickets for three plays, tours and lectures plus room and board were in one flat fee--and they purchase the tickets for you! Per couple, it came to $788 plus a deposit of $150--$938 for two people for one week.

MIRIAM GOLDBERG

Newport Beach

Your fact-filled article on Ashland outlined many of the side pleasures that make a trip there worthwhile.

But the reason to go there is their wonderful performances! For the past 10 years, we’ve been making our reservations through the Southern Oregon Reservations Center ([800] 547-8052; P.O. Box 477, Ashland, OR 97520). You tell them what plays you want, and for a $15 fee they’ll put it together with your choice of accommodations.

SARA AND ART CHESLUK

Santa Monica