A collector's passion never fades
By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
Published February 3, 2007
Some names crop up in REX columns more than once over the years. One of those belongs to Mayme Wood, or Ma, as her granddaughter Donna calls her. Actually, her name most recently surfaced Dec. 16, when Donna wrote us from Bowling Green, Ky., to tell us that although Ma has celebrated her 93rd birthday, her passion for collecting salt and pepper shakers remains unabated by time's passage.
Donna added that the number of sets Ma has amassed has reached 3,857, which is surely approaching a record, if it hasn't already surpassed one.
It's not easy to imagine the consequences of a collection this size at least the staff found it difficult. For example, how much room does it require? How does one efficiently dust such an assemblage?
Naturally, as collectors of every stripe who are reading this can attest, one never has too many baseball cards, matchbooks, china dolls, bobble heads - or salt and pepper shakers. Ma's address is 433 Crows Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42101, should you have any you'd like to contribute.
Tess Migliano of St. Pete Beach sounds as if she may be in the middle of a hobby change. If making marquetry is something you enjoy, she has some veneer and patterns you may be able to use. She also would like to know if any class or group in the St. Petersburg area is making art dolls. Tess may be reached at (727) 360-6789.
Pat has collections of several magazines that she would love to pass along to people who will enjoy them as much as she has. Here is the list of titles and holdings she offers: Taste of Home (first and collectors editions, all copies from June/July '93-Aug./Sept. '02); Counted Cross Stitch (all copies from Feb. '89-Sept. '94); Cross Stitch & Country Crafts (all copies from March/April '88-April/May '95); Cross Quick (first issue, all copies from Jan. '89-July '91); For the Love of Cross Stitch (all copies from June '89-Nov. '95); Simply Cross Stitch (Sept./Oct. '91-Sept./Oct. '94).
Please call Pat at (727) 544-6536 or e-mail patspenc1058@aol.com if these periodicals complement your hobbies.
Speaking of cross stitch, Marilyn is looking for a cross stitch pattern titled "The Song of the Bluebird," which was published by Leisure Arts (leaflet 2554). Sandy Orton is the artist who created the pattern. Please call (727) 712-8550 or e-mail myanni1@ tampabay.rr.com.
Martha is looking for a sport coat pattern, size 10 or 12, for a boy. She hasn't had much luck finding them in pattern books lately. Her grandson is getting tall and lanky, and is at that stage of shooting up where jackets off the rack just don't fit satisfactorily. The lad is lucky his grandmother is handy with the needle and can keep him sartorially impressive. Please call (727) 669-5517 if you can help; if you live in northern Pinellas County, Martha will pick up the pattern.
W.E. Johnson needs advice on where he might purchase a lamp shade for a table lamp with a glass chimney. Even a pattern for the shade would be appreciated, since he could then have someone make a shade for him. Please e-mail hf1092@usa.net with your suggestions.
Here's an item our readers frequently request: the Kodak Carousel slide projector. Fortunately, a lot of folks seem to be parting with theirs as they move treasured photos to electronic storage. In fact, it's a good bet that J.D. Harnishfeger of Sun City Center is planning to do that very thing. If you have a carousel that no longer has anything to do, please call (813) 633-3733.
Many years ago, Lynn Wells of Clearwater bought a Pfaff 1475 sewing machine but, unfortunately, never purchased the two video instruction tapes that demonstrated its - at that time - unique features. Lynn hopes that a reader who did buy them is either so proficient now that the tapes are unnecessary, or will be willing to lend the tapes to her. Lynn may be reached at (727) 797-4821.
Thank-you note
"Thanks!" writes Marie-Lou Paes about the response to her request for a Welbilt owner's manual. "The phone started ringing the morning my request was in the paper. By Wednesday, the manual was in the mail, thanks to Dorothy from Oldsmar. I even made copies for a lady, Elaine, from Tarpon Springs. Reader Exchange is a great way to get things done!"
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. Readers must agree to publication of phone numbers, including area code.