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An accordion is key to accompanying kids

By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
Published May 28, 2005

"It is probably presumptuous of me to think that someone may want to GIVE away a musical instrument, but my philosophy has always been: Ask; all they can say is "no'."

The opening sentence in a novel by Dickens or Jane Austen, perhaps? No, a statement in an e-mail from Jeanne Cohen that pretty much encapsulates the REX philosophy. And, actually, a regular orchestra of instruments has been relocated through this column: guitars, mandolins, beaucoup organs, violins and a dulcimer.

Jeanne, who is involved in music-related activities for the 4- and 5-year-olds in her church, used to play an accordion and believes she remembers enough to accompany the kids' singing - if she can find a squeezebox that's scrunched into a forgotten corner of someone's house, doing nothing. Please call Jeanne at 813 932-0372 or e-mail jarpc@juno.com And speaking of folks who need musical instruments, here's Rosemary Crawley from the New Port Richey area, who's looking for a footloose ukulele. Years ago, Rosemary played a uke, and she'd like to take it up again; since it has been a while since she strummed, Rosemary would find sheet music and chord instructions most useful. Please call (727) 847-0995. George Lippert owns a Sears full-sized VHS video camcorder, model 93453745950, manufactured by Hitachi in 1989, for which he is attempting to find a video picture tube, part number MOIJVV47WB. This part includes an entire eyepiece and microphone and just snaps out. Any similar full-sized camcorder would work should you have one that's no longer needed. If you can come to George's rescue, please call (727) 863-9435. A nonprofit organization is looking for a clothing rack. If it had wheels or could be broken down to fit into a car, that would be a bonus, but our friends will be content if the rack simply holds clothes. The group can pick up the rack if it's located in the Clearwater or Tarpon Springs areas. Please call (727) 442-9276 or e-mail moorhen@knology.net INSTRUCTIONS ALERT! Patricia Flitcraft of Largo recently purchased a 1998 Ford Taurus whose handbook is missing. You know the drill, folks: Call (727) 399-8398 if you can lend a hand.

World War II history is much in people's minds with the recent commemoration of VE Day's 60th anniversary, which makes the next request especially timely. Andrene Schneiter of Seminole writes that during the war the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps was created to encourage young women to enter the nursing profession. Hospitals, of course, were very understaffed because so many nurses were needed overseas.

The cadets were issued a summer and a winter uniform. Andrene would particularly like to locate one of the winter uniforms so that it can be displayed in the memorabilia museum of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. (A summer one would be nice, too.) In fact, any items pertaining to the years 1940 through 1948 - procedure books, nursing texts, etc. - would be bonuses for this museum.

Andrene will make a pick up: Call 727 398-1725 or e-mail andrene@gbronline.com Dorothy McConnie of St. Petersburg is a 90-year-old with great taste: for example, she loves lobster thermidor. The help she has around the house likes to get her out and about each week, something Dorothy really enjoys. But outings would take on extra flavor if Dorothy knew of a restaurant in the St. Petersburg area that serves her favorite meal. If you have a recommendation, please call (727) 527-9126 and share it with Dorothy.

This past Christmas, Jeannette Parish of Spring Hill visited a home whose Christmas tree was decorated with crocheted snowflakes. Jeannette loved it and resolved to have one herself. But although Jeannette can crochet, she has been unable to locate any crochet patterns for snowflakes. She has looked for instruction leaflets in craft stores and has searched the pattern files of crocheting friends without luck. Jeannette hopes she can hook some help through REXers. Her number is (352) 688-0948. Simone Rageot of St. Petersburg would like to locate an organization that tapes the songs of yesteryear from old records to entertain the elderly and disabled, particularly those in nursing homes. Simone has the records, which are free for the pickup. Please call (727) 823-4341. Margie Hooge of Dunedin no longer uses her large GE mixer and its two bowls; she thought they might be useful to a new owner. Margie's number is (727) 736-3771.

- 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.

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 09:00:08]