By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
Published June 5, 2004
Oh, dear! Apparently a number of cat lovers in Exchange Land aren't living up to their responsibilities as pet owners, and the result is a slew of neighbors who feel pestered by felines that don't belong to them.
Several weeks ago, St. Petersburg's Reid Thomson sought recipes for relief from marauding neighborhood cats that were adding unappreciated aromas to his back yard. When we ran his note thanking folks for the advice that ended his woes, several other readers wanted to be let in on the secret. So, we phoned Reid, and he divulged all: Mothballs are the secret weapon. He suggests that if you use them in the yard, as he did, you cover them with leaves. They'll last longer.
A staff member recalls using mothballs to dissuade a cat from turning a treasured indoor fig tree into a pussycat Port-O-Let, without the success Reid has enjoyed. However, that mothball-loving cat, known in some circles as the Cat from Hell, may not have been typical of the species.
Here's the kind of request that is always fun because it involves a joyous occasion. Marjorie is hoping to locate music for her fiance's parents' 50th wedding anniversary party, which will take place in California in early August. They remember an activity at Italian weddings that was called the "Grand March." Marjorie doesn't know if this was the title of the music or not, but she is told that during the Grand March the bride and groom raise their joined hands, and everyone in the reception goes through the line under their upstretched arms.
If readers of Italian heritage remember this custom and the music that accompanies it, Marjorie would appreciate your help, especially a copy of the music. While she would prefer a cassette that she can copy, Marjorie will work with any form of the music you can provide. Please contact Marjorie at (727) 736-5085 to help make this a special anniversary.
Laura Dodt of Dunedin needs to find a remote control for an Emerson television, model No. TS1995 S/N 013-2100-1597, which has been out of production for some time. Channel choice has become difficult in the Dodt household, because channel numbers aren't marked on their television and the remote control doesn't work. Please call 727 736-3539. Barbara Rebston is trying to locate a book of poetry published by World of Poetry between 1975 and 1981. This book contains a Barbara Rebston poem titled My Other Mother. If you have a copy you could part with or know of a source through which it could be purchased, please call Barbara at (727) 856-4003 or e-mail barb_34@ij.net
A well-meaning neighbor gave Janet Zimmer of Hudson a Conair Body Soother massage mat with heat (model BMS3S). Too bad it's missing the power cord, which connects to mat and electrical outlet, because not much soothing is currently being provided by the product. Janet's fingers are crossed that one of REX's readers may have a power cord they will send her way. Janet may be reached at (727) 863-7083.
During the mid 1960s, a Johnny Mathis album that included The Skye Boat Song was sold. Carol Edwards of St. Peterburg owned it then, but when she moved, the album did not move with her. Can you supply the title of this recording? Carol has been trying to track one down without success. She hopes to find one again and make a CD. Please call (727) 526-2326 if you know the answer.
Back in the early '70s, Rosemary Goldbach knitted ponchos for her daughters and now wants to do the same for her granddaughters, but she needs a pattern. Please call 727 546-5009 or e-mail Rgoldbach@msn.com
Thank-you notes
Anne Zolt of St. Petersburg thanks all 30 people who graciously called to tell her where to purchase typewriter ribbons. Anne's phone started ringing at 8 a.m. and didn't stop until 9 p.m. We'll add a tip for those who may also still cherish their manual typewriter and be running low on ribbons: The Hammacher Schlemmer catalog carries them.
"When I asked if anyone had the "Mile a Minute' afghan pattern, I had no idea that there were so many. I do believe I now have them all," writes Jeanne Turner of New Port Richey. She thanks the "many wonderful readers" who responded to her request.
Send requests to Reader Exchange, Floridian, 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.
