Dear Editor: The very first line of the back-page article (“Lidia Opens Up Her Menus for the Popes,” Nov. 7) reads as such: “Lydia Bastianich, even at 68, is working like crazy.”

What horrendous ageism this is! It is an insult. The very day I read this, I watched the PBS special with Chita Rivera, who is 82. Age is only a number!!

Chita danced and sang for over an hour. Most people these days are in their prime as they grow older, at least the ones I know. We all work, go to the gym and lead highly meaningful, productive lives.

DIANE MANN

Sunnyside