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Letter to the editor

School supplies too big for a backpack

By Linda D. Cole and Ingrid L. Kohler, Times Staff Writers
Published June 30, 2007

It may seem early to be thinking about fall, but many folks who will be heading off to college then are planning now what they'll need to take with them.

Joyce Greenfield's son is heading back to school come first semester, and he needs two file cabinets, the kind with two drawers. He plans to place a solid-core door or planks of wood either of which he also needs across the cabinets to make a desk. A drop-leaf table is another option, should one be available in Exchange Land.

Since Joyce's son has no truck to transport large pieces of furniture to his campus, he is hoping that modular pieces like these can be more easily transported. Should you be looking to recycle any of the items this student needs, please call (727) 938-8198 or e-mail tinkerer@hotmail.com.

Having addressed her son's request, Joyce announces that she is overrun with fabric, quilt batting and (possibly) notions (Joyce hasn't penetrated to the back of the closet yet).

We just received an update on Ma, the REX-renowned salt and pepper shaker collector in Bowling Green, Ky. Ma celebrated her 94th birthday on June 20, at which time her collection had grown to more than 4, 100 sets. A belated birthday hug to Ma!

Barbara Ina and some of her friends want to learn to play mah-jongg. They have the game and the directions, but they are thinking that a bit of instruction would not be amiss. Would someone skilled in mah-jongg like to TRY (Barbara's caps) to teach the group? Mah-jongg players who love a challenge, please call (727) 420-2459.

Linda Susens has several years' worth of National Geographic magazines up for adoption, perhaps by some armchair travelers who would like to see the world this summer. Please call (727) 347-3214.

Or, if you love to read but geography isn't your thing, Phyllis Weiss is giving away books: fantasy, Dresden Files, CSI, Alfred Hitchcock. Phyllis may be reached at (813) 265-3459.

Elizabeth Alston contributes Horizon magazines and books to the mix on today's library table. Please call (727) 323-8698 if these interest you.

If you agree with Hamlet that "the play's the thing, " Robert Kaiser of Seminole has something you may enjoy: three red binders filled with Broadway playbills from the 1960s. Please call (727) 596-3467.

Every once in a while we get a request for a high school yearbook, but this time we have one that is actually looking for a new home. The book in question, owned by Micky Pettijohn of Lutz, is a 1935 St. Petersburg High School annual, well covered in signatures of students and faculty members. Some fellow student may enjoy it immensely. Please call (813) 949-6264.

A. La France is offering about 4 pounds of white fabric pieces in various materials, which would work well in quilt blocks. Please call (727) 842-2299.

Ken Poulsen of Tarpon Springs loves old, worthless stock certificates; they are fun to read, and he collects them in scrapbooks. If you have some you no longer wish to keep, they have an intrinsic worth to this hobbyist, who encourages you to call him at (727) 942-1112 and let him know about them.

Jean Powell would like to donate a small (two- to three-person) "portable" cedar hot tub, with cover and in good condition, to a volunteer organization. One possibility she suggests is a rehab group for animals with limb problems. The recipient would need to disconnect the hot tub from Jean's electricity, transport it, and provide Jean with a receipt. Please call (727) 742-2827.

Joan Scarberry of Pinellas Park grew up in Schoharie County in upstate New York. While she was in high school, she read The Brave Frontier by Helen Fuller, a historical novel about Schoharie County published in 1940. Joan really enjoyed the book and hopes to find one for her children and grandchildren to read too.

A member of the staff spotted some copies of the novel during a quick Internet search, but Joan hopes that someone from these parts would be willing to part with their copy. Contact Joan at (727) 527-0916.

J. Rowlette's microwave does not have a built-in turntable, so she's trying to track down a windup microwave turntable. If you can oblige, please e-mail sunshine362@juno.com.

Virginia Lea has a short laundry list of items she would like to find: a ladies' dressy cane; Family Barber Trimcomb, stock No. 300; small Canon typewriter, model 6 or 7; Phillips HP2904 Norelco lady shaver; lightweight sweeper with attachments. If you can help, please call (727) 797-8480.

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 June 28, 2007, 13:54:35]