Here are excerpts from the many notes we received from readers about Cook's Corner's 25th anniversary.

My mother, Kathryn Whalen, . . . looked forward to trying to answer Cook's Corner readers' ''in search of'' requests. You printed her recipes several times, and at one point a friend joked, ''Your mother is just getting too braggy about getting her recipes printed in Linda Cicero's column!'' It made for a nice laugh at her memorial service.

Ruth Whalen Krieger, via e-mail

For years, my family would have dinner on Thursday nights thanks to this column. . . . I feel as though Linda Cicero is a dear friend and I can't wait for Thursday's food section and for her ''good for the spirit'' food.

Herta Holly, Miami Shores

Long before [New York Times columnist] Mark Bittman, we turned to Cook's Corner as a reference and a benchmark, for our personal use and for the many chefs we have worked with.

Frank Flynn and Mayra Cardenas

Verite Communications

For years, Linda Cicero's column has been a wonderful resource for long-lost recipes and outstanding new ones. . . . She is a treasure!

Peggy Hooper, Miami

My daily routine begins with reading the Miami Herald front section. However, on Thursdays, I grab the food section first and go directly to your column. Keep up the great work!

Cynthia Veingrad, Hollywood

Through the years, I have often cut out Linda's recipes in her column. As soon as I get the Thursday Herald, she is the first one that I look at. I love her column!

Dot Gottuso, via e-mail

I met Linda years ago, and found her warm and gracious. On the rare times when I've written in, that has always been her attitude. Cook's Corner creates a back-fence recipe exchange that is helpful, interesting and powerful. It transcends big city life.

But of all the reasons I appreciate Cook's Corner, one stands out: Every other cooking column ignores the kosher cook, kosher recipes and kosher cuisine. Linda includes kosher cooking, respects it and has learned about it over time. From reporting that kosher-for-Passover ketchup has no corn syrup to noting that lactose-intolerant people need only look for the word ''pareve'' to know that a product contains no dairy, she has been inclusive and aware.

That is good reporting, and as a lifelong journalist, that is what I love most about Cook's Corner -- the quality of the reporting.

Erica Meyer Rauzin, via e-mail

Ms. Cicero adds a professional yet warm aspect to the Miami Herald that holds the readers close and keeps them returning. My files are full of the recipes she finds and with them is pure Americana. I have ethnic and regional food I would not have had access to otherwise, and the vignettes of family history just add to the experience. Ms. Cicero is a treasure, and we have been fortunate to have had her all this time.

P.A. Kilcoyne, via e-mail

I have enjoyed your column for as long as you have been writing it, and submitted a few recipes that you included a couple of times. With the times a changin', you have remained one of the few constants in life. And yes, that's a good thing, as there are so few.

I wish you another 25 years of continued success. With any luck, I will be around that many to check you out every Thursday morning with coffee.

Linda Brewer, via e-mail

Sometime in the late 1970s or early '80s, Linda Cicero interviewed my Coral Park High French students, who cooked a grand diner for themselves, teachers, parents, administrators and, on this very special day, The Miami Herald!

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