By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
Published October 25, 2003
We've said this before, and will doubtless say it again, but we learn a lot of, er, unusual things from the requests readers send. When we received a letter from Blanche Jewell of Seminole, we knew another moment of enlightenment had arrived!
Blanche needs a cassette tape recording of a Hartz Roller canary singing. Actually, any other good canary songster will do; it needn't be a feathered Luciano Pavarotti. Blanche has a Red Factor male canary that needs vocal tutoring.
Oooops, here's some technical talk: She would prefer the warbling of a single (as in one, not unmarried) tame, not wild, bird, and if he isn't himself a Roller, the voice of any beautiful singer in the canary clan will do. (Do you get the feeling that no avian rappers or barbershop quartets need apply?) Please call (727) 320-8445 if you can help.
We've had a touch of fall already, so just imagine how much chillier it's getting in Kentucky. Rose Kennedy, a reader who keeps us reminded of the needs of the children in Pippa Passes, Ky., a community short on material goods, has an eye on the fast-approaching winter weather. Coats, gloves, scarves and hats are needed to keep the kids snug on the way to and from school. Of course, the school continues to welcome donations of personal hygiene products such as shampoo and toothpaste, as well as nonperishable foods, to send home with the students.
Tax deductible donations may be sent to the attention of Jackie Hall, Caney Creek Elementary, 6740 Highway 899, Pippa Passes, KY 41844. If you'd like more information, call Rose at 727 456-2574 or (727) 512-1216.
Maxine Funk of St. Petersburg needs an 8mm movie projector. She has about 20 reels of her children's doings she enjoys seeing. Maxine may be reached at (727) 347-6603.
Where do you find eyeglasses cords with alligator clips? Barbara Ferree of Clearwater would love for you to share your secret. She finds plenty of those with plastic or rubber loops, but after they have hung around the neck awhile, these loops stretch and spectacles can fall. Barbara has a fondness for the cords that sport pearls, but she has reached the point at which any cord is dandy just as long as it comes with the alligator clips. Barbara may be reached by e-mail at barbgolf@aol.com or phone (727) 595-0120.
Need golf balls? One of our readers has several hundred used golf balls, most in decent condition, that he will happily donate to any junior golf, school or other program that can use them. E-mail GHausHouse@aol.com if you are interested.
The year of the organ continues. Carolyn would like to trade her 1947 Hammond organ, tone speaker, in very good condition, for two pianos. She has eight grandchildren in two families, and each family would like to have a piano so the children can start lessons. The number to call is (727) 398-4617. You might say that this also is the year of the wedding for this column. Kathy Burge of Port Richey is another bride-to-be in need of wedding accoutrements. She has her shoes, bridal bouquet and ring pillow, so plenty of gaps remain to be filled before she marches down the aisle. If you have recently had a wedding and there are leftover items you would like to share, please call Kathy at (727) 863-7075 after 3 p.m.
Florence Galgano of Seminole has all kinds of cookbooks and cooking magazines she'd like to pass along to folks who'd like to have them. If you are in that number, please call Florence at (727) 398-2295.
CLARIFICATION: The Christmas Toy Shop in St. Petersburg collects only new and used TOYS, not clothing or other items, as mentioned in the Oct. 18 column. The folks there refurbish the used toys and distribute all the toys to needy children. The one category of toy they don't need, because it is so frequently donated, is stuffed animals.
Thank you notes
The ladies of the Holiday Gospel Assembly send thanks to everyone who sent used greeting cards for their Christmas projects or brought cards to the church. They are greatly appreciated.
- Send requests to Reader Exchange, Newsfeatures, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg 33731 or e-mail cole@sptimes.com Requests will be accepted only by mail or e-mail. This is an exchange column, so we will not run items that are for sale. Readers must agree to publication of phone numbers, including area code.
