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© St. Petersburg Times, published April 6, 2002
We have all been told that three things in life are inevitable: death, taxes and starting a project, then running out of materials before you're finished. What's that you say? You never heard that last part? Well, take it from the staff: We've seen this happen enough to assure you that this is a fact of life.
Take Florence Showers of South Pasadena, who starts making an afghan for her son-in-law's birthday. This kind of gift is a commitment of no ordinary kind; nothing to impede its noble progress should occur -- in the best of all possible worlds.
But Florence lives in this world, and she ran out of yarn when the project was about 80 percent complete. When she noticed that her supply of Red Heart No. 309 yarn, Carolina, was getting low, she felt little concern, thinking she need only stop by Wal-Mart for another skein. No such luck.
Florence visited Red Heart's Web site, only to learn that the color isn't there. She suspects that it has been discontinued. When her husband asked what she was going to do now, Florence answered unhesitatingly: Reader Exchange. If you can help, call her at (727) 384-2418.
St. Petersburg's Presbyterian Towers is looking for an institution that is building up its library. The Towers' large library regularly has an overflow of books and magazines to donate. For pickup, please call Charlotte Hartwell at (727) 825-0044.
Loretta Krueger of St. Petersburg is looking for a knitting pattern for a man's cardigan sweater, size 40 or larger. She would love to borrow some old knitting books that feature them. Please contact her at (727) 398-6628.
Interested in a large accumulation of canceled stamps? How about an assortment of menus from both local restaurants and those collected during trips? Fran Weigley of Palm Harbor has collections of both, available by calling (727) 786-6890 or e-mailing daws414@aol.com.
Sharon Memmer's daughter, a St. Petersburg student, needs material scraps (100 percent nonstretch cotton) to make into Sojourn bears for cancer patients. She is attempting to make 125 bears as a community service project for high school/college volunteer hours. If you have either material or fiberfill you wish to donate to this worthy cause, please give Sharon a call at (727) 344-6275.
For several years, Carol McKee has been collecting Reader's Digest condensed books. She is missing only seven, and she hopes our readers can help her locate them. Those needed to complete the collection are the first six volumes, from 1950 and 1951, and volume three from 1981. The 1981 volume contains Dorothy Clark Wilson's Lincoln's Mother: A Story of Nancy and Sally Lincoln. If you can help Carol in her search, please call (727) 522-4756 or e-mail carolmckee@aol.com.
Amid her spring cleaning, Dorothy Brown has located miscellaneous sewing accoutrements, such as binding, seam tape, patterns, hooks, snaps and other accessories she'd like to give away. Dorothy's number is (727) 367-1454; you may pick up or she will deliver.
M.E. Kaiser of Seminole wants advice on good places to purchase acid-free storage boxes, scrapbooks for memorabilia and garment bags. Please contact her at (727) 596-3467 if you have some favorite sources to share.
Gerald Chapin of St. Petersburg, who served in the Navy for 28 years, has plaques he has packed away from that time. He wants to know if anybody is interested in recycling them. Please call (727) 528-6881 if you are.
Jean Tavener of St. Petersburg never uses her grandmother's large tablecloth; it is far too large (691/2 by 120 inches long) and, because it is either cotton or linen, it must be ironed. So, it just sits on the shelf. Jean wonders if it could be divided for several granddaughters, and whom to contact to do this. Send suggestions Jean's way at (727) 343-7877.
The Freemans of New Port Richey have two requests. Roger requests newspaper plastic bags. They are handy for many things, but Roger finds them most useful when he is walking the family's two wirehaired fox terriers and tidying up behind them. If you live in the New Port Richey area and have a bag stash, call Roger at (727) 841-7631, and he will pick them up.
Meanwhile, Maryanne needs greeting cards that feature Florida scenes, flowers, angels, hearts and smiles. She is planning to turn them into greeting cards and bookmarks for the church. Maryanne and Roger share that phone number above.
- 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. This is an exchange column, so we will not run items that are for sale. Except in unusual circumstances, readers must agree to publication of phone numbers (please include the area code) to be considered for the column.