Option Group Alternative

Using Access 2003

I've created a contact db. I want to be able to filter contacts in a list
by the first letter of their last name. I can do this by creating an option
group that has a toggle for each letter of the alphabet then setting up a VB
script where CASE A etc selects the appropriate recordsource.

This is all well and good, except that the graphic design of the toggle
buttons is a dated look that does not match the rest of the DB.

First, is there a way I can hide the toggle buttons like I do to command
buttons?

Second, if not, then I'm assuming the only way I can work around this is to
create 26 command buttons assigning them each a letter of the alphabet - then
give them an onClick to an unbound field which would keep their value - then
assign the AfterUpdate property of each field to my case/recordsource VB to a
listbox.

Any suggestions? I've been shoveling all morning, so forgive me if I'm not
as clear as I should be.

TIA

Aaron G
Philadelphia, PA