Anthony Owsian of Gresham, Oregon, writes, “In the June issue, page 25, you identify a shandy as lager mixed with lemonade. However, in the UK the word ‘lemonade’ refers to what we might call 7-Up or Sprite.”

Anthony is correct. We should have probably described it as “sparkly lemonade.”

Meanwhile, James Young from Carrollton, Texas has a generous offer: “I have in a frame: (1) An original Rabbit Head key, (2) My aluminum Playboy Club key, (3) My presidential key for the Playboy Club (‘Member since ‘66’), (4) My International Key for the Playboy Club (5) A London Playboy Club gaming token dated 1966 showing the Rabbit Head, and (6) A London Playboy Club gaming token dated 1966 showing the Playboy Key and the words ‘To Be Used Only for Gaming at the London Playboy Club.’ I don't know how much of the kind of stuff is still around. I would be proud to give it to the one and only Hef. The name on my card is Jim Young, and my number is 986 049 286. Yes, I still consider myself a member.”

Jim, while we appreciate this generous offer, we believe they should remain with you for now, since your (we hope fond) memories are what give them particular value.

Nicole Guenther of Wisconsin tells us: “I am the 26-year-old mother of a five-year-old boy and have been enjoying your magazine since I was 18. When I learned I was pregnant I decided I would like to share this joy with my son when he turns 18. When he was born in January 2003, I decided to collect every issue from that month until his 18th birthday in January 2021, when I will present him the entire collection as a gift. Thanks for being a part of the family!”

We are honored by this gesture, Nicole. And since we’re sure you’ll be reading each issue before filing it away, your son will be able to tell people,  “These were my mom’s Playboys.”

M.K. from Philly has an idea: “Although the photos in Playboy are pleasant enough, I subscribe for the journalism – really! But I find it difficult to carry the magazine around in public (e.g. on a bus/train) without feeling embarrassed. In fact, I usually end up ripping articles out to take with me. Has Playboy considered publishing a version without the photos (or with an option to receive a separate photo packet)? Sounds silly? This could open doors for Playboy to entirely new markets, such as: 1) men who might enjoy the articles but who don’t and/or won’t subscribe because of their wives/girlfriends; and 2) even more importantly: women! One of my female roommates was initially disgusted by Playboy – until she started reading the articles. Now we fight over who reads it first. Yet she would likely never subscribe on her own. So what do you think? Any chance of seeing something like PlayboyTEXT? I personally would pay a premium to have the text and photos mailed to me in separate packets. It seems a shame that so many people are deprived of Playboy's fine writing (esp. the civil rights issues detailed in Forum) simply because of the photos.”

This idea has been floated by readers over the years, especially since because of the nudity the magazine is officially banned among the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. But we think, as Hef did from the very beginning, that one-half plus one-half would equal less than one. We doubt anyone, male or female, who is unwilling to challenge his or her assumptions about Playboy (as your roommate did) will do so simply because we make it “safe.” As for reading Playboy in public, Sam Jemielity of Playboy.com carried the magazine around with him for a day in Chicago, reading it in coffee shops and on the subway, as an experiment years ago and, while he got some curious looks, no one slugged him. As we’ve detailed on the blog and in the Forum, you can even read it on a plane, although you shouldn’t resist if an attendant takes offense.