Reader Exchange: Grandson's special occasion calls for kilt

Grandchildren get us off to a quick start today. Largo's Santa Rampulla's grandson is half Scottish and has asked his grandmother to make him a kilt for a special occasion coming up in mid-April.

Now, Santa is no mean stitcher, but she's feeling a bit tentative about making her first kilt. So she's asking for a pattern or helpful tips on putting one together. Please give her a call at (727) 535-8021. (For the curious, her letter made no mention of tailoring undergarments, so that topic remains shrouded in conjecture as far as this column is concerned.)

Jo Ann Stone's granddaughter is a freshman in college this year and has decorated her dorm room in a ladybug motif. Grandma is hoping you have a knitted afghan pattern with a ladybug design to share with her. Please call (727) 772-0481 if you do.

We misread Robert Johnson's phone number when we ran a recent item about the Port Richey resident's search for a pen with a watch built into its barrel. Robert's at (727) 849-7635.

Margie Hooge of Dunedin is being inundated by a most successful grapefruit season. Her two trees are loaded with hundreds of delicious fruits that she would like to give to individuals or organizations willing to pick them. Please call (727) 736-3771 to take advantage of this juicy bonanza.

Colette Chamberlain of Hudson recalls that many years ago she and her husband enjoyed playing a game called either Bunko or Bunco, with dice. (Oh, good -- that Bunko, the one that isn't discouraged by a special squad of police officers.) The instructions have become hazy in the Chamberlains' memories, so they hope other aficionados will share the rules with them.

Colette also is collecting used and old stamps from anywhere in the world for a pen pal who is a teacher and uses them in class projects. If you have some stamps you'd like to recycle or the instructions for Bunko, please e-mail raven355@msn.com.

Eileen Vanderburgh has a number of issues of In Britain magazine, free for the picking up. Give Eileen a call at (727) 391-1391.

If you enjoy making lap robes, Hazel Baker of Clearwater is giving away yarn and craft books, plus crochet and knitting books that you may find useful. Please call (727) 581-6233.

Sharon Plew of Indian Rocks beach is looking for two items. One is a Little Miss No Name Doll, who is clothed in a burlap dress. Her round, sad eyes are topped by straight blond hair, and one hand is extended. The second item is origami books or information on how to fold dollar bills to look like various objects. Please call (727) 517-7170.

Mrs. J.H. Davies of Pinellas Park has an old stereo system with a record player (SR AM/FM) for 45 and 331/3 rpm records. However, the needles are in very rough shape, badly in need of replacement. If you have a package of needles you no longer use, Mrs. Davies would like to have them, since they are difficult to find in a CD player world. She loves playing her old records. Please give her a call at (727) 547-0145.

Lucie Somers of Safety Harbor is collecting books on Jesus for an African missionary school. Small paperbacks and Golden books are ideal. If you will send the books to Lucie's home, 47 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor 34695-2831, she will reimburse you for the postage.

Yolanda Conrow of New Port Richey is looking for the quilting booklet "Lover's Knot Place Mats," by Carolyn Martin. If you no longer need yours or know where it may be purchased, please call (727) 849-1703 and be sure to let the phone ring a while.

Carol Kennedy of Dunedin is looking for a bench she can move to the table for use when the grandchildren come on vacation. She would also like to find a hall tree. Carol's number is (727) 734-3781.

Gwen Holz is collecting Bibles, of any size in any condition, to ship overseas. If you have some to donate, please contact Gwen at (727) 391-6972.

- Send requests to Reader Exchange, Newsfeatures, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg 33731 or e-mail cole@sptimes.com. Only questions of general interest will be answered. Requests will be accepted only by mail or e-mail; no phoned requests, please. Except in unusual circumstances, readers must agree to publication of phone numbers (please include the area code) to be considered for the column.

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