Holiday letters sent to friends routinely recap the high points of a family's year, sometimes including squeamish details. Still, the letter from Mayor Mark Funkhouser and wife Gloria Squitiro has created a buzz in political circles.

    In an interview this morning, Squitiro confirmed she authored the letter but said she would not discuss a personal missive, which includes details of Funkhouser's recent prostate exam.

    "We are not commenting about our private Christmas letter," she said. "That is our Christmas letter."

    The letter, which included an invitation to the annual New Year's Day party at the Funkhouser-Squitiro home, was sent to about 100 people, including some journalists, down from about 300 in past years. Council members did not get the letter.