Reader Exchange

Snowbirds: Let us know when you're going home

March's arrival reminds us that it won't be too long before some of our readers who live here only during the winter will be heading north again. It's a good time to remind these folks that if they plan to write to us before they leave, they need to allow for about a three-week lag between the time we receive the request and its appearance in the paper.

Even if you think you've left enough turnaround time, please let us know in your letter just when you plan to pack up. Every year, we have a few readers trying to call numbers that have been disconnected because snow birds have flown home.

Let's start with a request from A. Rider of Largo, who would like to find a volunteer to edit the television commercials from a VCR tape. She is anticipating the exodus northward and hopes to take advantage of the larger readership we enjoy during the cooler months. If you can help, please call (727) 596-8206.

Leona Linabury solicits your suggestions for places in the St. Petersburg area with good customer walk-in, where she might display the handmade clothing and home items she creates. Consignment shops, which are interested mainly in ready-to-wear garments, take a big bite from proceeds, and eBay hasn't generated many sales. Should inspiration strike, please call (727) 321-3954 and share your thoughts with Leona.

Jeanne Levandowski of New Port Richey needs instructions for making hairpin lace. She has the hoop, but needs some help getting started with the stitch. Jeanne may be reached at (727) 372-6741.

Jackie McFadden is downsizing, which for her means condensing the contents of four bedrooms into two. Naturally, some cherished possessions must go, one of which is a seven-year collection of art material she gathered while a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.

In addition to handouts and her notes, some texts are included, among them Art by Frederick Hartt, the text used when she trained. They could be resources for art and humanities teachers, but anyone who loves art and wishes to learn more about it will find the materials instructive.

Also slated for a new home are numerous skeins of needlepoint tapestry wool in a soft rose. Three of the skeins hold 100 yards, 15 hold 40 yards.

To take advantage of Jackie's household reduction, either call (727) 867-0729 or e-mail jamac@aol.com.

Heidi in Dade City is trying to arrange a surprise for her mother and thinks we can help. Some 50 years ago, her mother received a wedding present of a set of Johnson Brothers china that she adored. By now, of course, many of the pieces have been broken or lost, and Heidi is busily trying to locate replacements. That isn't easy because the dishes haven't been available for sale for many years.

Each dish has a different American scene on it, and on its back the name of the scene. Also on the back of each piece an American eagle is pictured, with the words "Historic America Johnson Bros. England Patent No 111255 Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Made in England." If you know where Heidi might locate some of the pieces she needs, or you have a stray item that is at odds with your current crockery, please contact Heidi. Her phone number is (352) 521-7082; her e-mail address is heidishop@earthlink.net.

Carolyn Martin of New Port Richey needs stain-removal advice. She put a cranberry-colored candle in her window and, unfortunately, the sun melted it, leaving a nasty, nearly indestructible stain on the window sill tiles. She has tried all kinds of cleaning compounds, but the vicious stan defies her efforts. If you have a favorite method for removing tile stains, please call (727) 842-8784.

The bingo players of the Indian Rocks Travel Park in Largo need our help, Minnie Johnson informs us. They play bingo several nights a week, but they are missing some balls from their set. They are lacking B 3, 11, 13, blue and white balls; red and white I balls, 24; white balls 31 34 36 38 G; green and white 47 49 50 O balls; yellow white 61 66 67 72. The bingo chairwoman, Katy Remelts, may be reached at (727) 596-0072 if you can help.

Minnie would like to see a group of bingo players formed that could collect and trade the bingo balls. To get in touch with Minnie, please call (727) 596-9291.

Wladyslawa Grabowich of Pinellas Park has been scouring flea markets and garage sales without luck, searching for a heavy mold for an Easter lamb. She mentions in her letter that she had a cast aluminum lamb in Poland, which she regrets not bringing to the United States with her; that comment suggests we aren't talking cake molds here. If you think you have the mold Wladyslawa needs, call her at (727) 573-4017.

Lucie Somers, an Exchange regular, is hoping to get old calendars with pictures to make a coffee table book. If you can help Lucie with her book, mail the calendars to her at 47 Harbor Oaks Circle, Safety Harbor, 34695.

If you wish to part with a turntable that plays 331/3 rpm records, Agnes Liska of Largo will gladly take it off your hands. Please call (727) 581-5413.

Thank-you notes

Santa's workshop, southern division, is humming in the Spring Hill home of the Brennans, where dolls are recycled into next season's Christmas presents. Thanks to you readers, they have received 50 dolls, two cradles and several receiving blankets, all of which will be restored to brighten the holidays for hosts of little girls.

Marlene Brennan writes, "I couldn't believe how generous people can be. Many drove from St. Petersburg. . . . Others from distant places sent their donations in the mail." Thanks, folks.

Largo's Mildred Obolosky was bowled over by the 48 responses she received to her request for yarn for her knitting group. She finally had to call a halt to contributions. She wishes she had time to personally thank each person who called. That's fine, Mildred: We'll extend your thanks and let you and your friends keep your fingers busy with your good work.

Thanks to our readers, Pamela Harris of Tarpon Springs is merrily exchanging small talk with some fellow miniaturists. She couldn't believe the number of folks who called after her request appeared, and she has been invited to join groups of enthusiasts in Palm Harbor and Holiday.

Lucyann McDonald of Pinellas Park no doubt is busy practicing for her upcoming USO show since she received the music she requested for her number, Ten Cents a Dance. "It really is good to know that there are so many good-hearted people out there," she says in her thank-you note to our readers.

- Send requests to Reader Exchange, Newsfeatures, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg 33731 or e-mail cole@sptimes.com . Requests will be accepted only by mail or e-mail; no phoned requests. 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.

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