Democrats can renovate the White House the right way when they’re in power

In 2018, my husband and I were fortunate to take a Regent cruise that included visiting St. Petersburg. We hired a Rick Steves guide who, along with his driver, showed us around St. Petersburg for three days. One evening, Regent offered a tour of Catherine the Great’s Summer Palace, which was near St. Petersburg. I went on the tour with other travelers interested enough in seeing the palace that we paid the extra charge. The guided tour included a concert held in the grand ballroom. It was magnificent!

I hope the Democrats win control of Congress in 2026 and the presidency in 2028.  Then, with the help of historical restorationists, the East Room can be renovated (“bringing something back to life”), in line with the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I can’t think of a worse idea than to make our White House feature a Russian, Catherine-the-Great ballroom.

— Cheryl Martin Ede, Pacific Beach