Memories of the Ambassador

Re “Heartbreak hotel,” Opinion, Oct. 13

Diane Keaton’s article sparked a flood of wonderful memories of the Ambassador Hotel from my childhood in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. I was also fortunate to see some of the greatest entertainers on stage at the Cocoanut Grove, including Lena Horne, Judy Garland and Harry Belafonte, as well as the best of the big bands that played there.

The Ambassador was the essence of glamour, civility and talent. I remember the swimming pool, which had a white sand “beach” adjacent to it. I recall modeling preteen clothes at Market Week held at the Cocoanut Grove on weekdays. I applaud Keaton’s activism and thank her for having awakened memories of my youth.

Glenda Rosen

Dana Point

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Keaton recalls the names of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, but somehow there is only one name that really comes to mind -- Robert Kennedy. How easy it is to forget.

Martin L. Morris

San Diego