By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
Published February 21, 2004
It isn't possible to make many generalizations about the very diverse people who populate Exchange Land, but the staff is quite certain of one thing: Most of them love to read. So the letter from Alice Rissman of Brooksville that offers more than 30 Reader's Digest condensed books should bring smiles to quite a few faces.
Alice is quite sure a newly formed church, senior center or other community gathering place that is starting a library would be a fine home for them. Here's an excellent chance to enjoy a condensed version of a good book you may have missed years ago. Alice may be reached at (352) 596-3627.
Our readers seem to love pets almost as much as they enjoy reading. The next request offers a chance to help Feline Heaven, a no-kill cat adoption agency in Pasco County that educates the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets to reduce animal overpopulation and helps find permanent homes for cats and kittens.
Feline Heaven, writes its president, Gina Vignets of St. Petersburg, needs a microscope to check stool samples for parasites. If you can help, please call Gina at (727) 364-6836 to arrange for the microscope to be picked up.
The next two requests involve readers whose lives have become tougher because of illness and injury. Darlene Bennett's hard-working son recently had a stroke and a fall that paralyzed his right side and fractured a vertebra in his neck. Keeping the household going has added a lot of financial stress to the other challenges he and his wife are dealing with.
Darlene would love to locate a recliner that swivels to help keep her son comfortable. If you have one you'd like to donate, please call Darlene, who lives in Pinellas Park, at (727) 549-0970; she will come by for the recliner with her van and deliver it to her son, who lives in Floral City.
Patricia, a Tampa resident, was in an accident that caused her to lose all sight in one eye and partial sight in the other. Her monthly Social Security disability check doesn't go very far, so she needs readers' help with two items that will make her life easier.
First, Patricia needs a good, reliable vehicle to get her to appointments across the bay. Neighbors drive her, so she wants to be sure that the car is safe. She would also like to find an Internet-ready computer so she can take college courses online to prepare her for the future. Please call Patricia at (813) 237-3363 or (813) 839-1172 if you can help.
Jerry Vormwald of Seminole has a Breadmaster Plus breadmaker that no longer works. He has been told it cannot be repaired, but the machine has been used very little and still looks great. If you would like to try to fix it, or if you can use the parts, which, in addition to the machine, include a heavy bread pan, paddle, cookbook and - voila! - instructions to boot, you are welcome to call (727) 391-0341.
About a decade ago, this newspaper offered a pattern for sale, says Georgirene Drew of Hudson. It was a counted cross stitch pattern that pictured four teapots and under them the words "A true friend is a treasure forever." Another pattern with four cups and saucers also ran. Georgirene would like both patterns, should you still have them. Please call (727) 869-6701.
E.A. Jones has several men's silk ties and handkerchiefs that strike her as possibly being useful in crafts projects. If you agree, please call (813) 972-7442 and leave a message and your phone number.
Thank you notes
German translators aplenty responded to Martha Viele's need for linguistic help. She received more than a dozen responses and discovered assistance virtually in her own back yard: A neighbor from Germany popped over to Martha's house and solved her problem. Martha writes of her experience, "This proves, again, what kind and helpful people there are out there. Too bad we don't hear about them more often."
Bette Kosatko thanks all the ladies who sent her knitting patterns. She recived the one she wanted, plus some other good ones.
Mildred Obolsky of Largo received 32 calls and lots of beautiful yarn in answer to her request. She and her co-workers will be as busy as elves, she predicts, making useful, warm items for people who need them.
- 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.
