Lyrical response: 300 letters, 200 e-mails

By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 5, 2000

The headline on last week's column was "Do you know the words to Shanty Town?" We learned that more than 500 of you do.

Exchange Central received more than 200 e-mails and 300 pieces of mail. One reader was even kind enough to bring a cassette tape of the song to the office for us to forward to Loretta Branda. Many of the notes said the song brought back fond childhood memories. Thanks, Exchangers, for helping Loretta with this surprise gift for her son.

Mary Jane Smith of Largo is interested in joining a group called Knitting and Crocheting with Bea Smith. If you have information about this group, send it to us, and we'll forward it to Mary Jane.

Lois Smith of Bayonet Point has many 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles she would like to give to anyone who is willing to pick them up. If you need something to keep you busy, call Lois at (727) 863-7344.

Katherine Matuzalem of Largo is looking for homes for an 18-volume set of Time-Life Books' Enchanted World, a 31-volume Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia and a medical book. If you can use these and are able to pick them up, call Katherine at (727) 584-7439.

An e-mail reads that a friend is looking for a lingerie washer. If you know where she might find one, call Bernie at (727) 360-7311.

John Sterling has a DUO-FAST Pocket Stapler, which looks like an oversized fountain pen. It uses a very small (less than 1/4-inch-wide) wire staple that was packed in 1,000-unit boxes, but the staples are no longer made. John is hoping that Exchangers might have a box or two they would be willing to give him so he can continue using his stapler. If you can help, e-mail John at jascal2@aol.com or call him at (727) 367-1606.

Sherri McCarthy is looking for a set of books she read as a child. The titles are Mitzi, Florabelle, Jumping Julius, Creepy Caterpillar, Flagon, the Dragon and Leander Lion, written by Garry and Vesta Smith. Sherri says she would love to find these books for her little boys and pass on the joy they brought to her. Sherri can be reached through this column, or e-mail her at andycap1@aol.com.

Elizabeth Alston has two boxes of reel-to-reel tapes of operas and other classical music she would like to pass on. If you would enjoy these, call Elizabeth at (727) 323-8698.

Tina Fagiola is wondering if there is an organization that makes bears for children. She has lots of fur and hates to throw it out. If you can help, let us know, and we'll forward the information to Tina.

Jackie Heuser of Clearwater teaches art at Life Time Care Senior Center and is looking for a cabinet, metal or wood, with drawers like draftspersons use for blueprint storage. The drawers are shallow in depth to hold a variety of papers. She would like this cabinet to store large sheets of mat board, watercolor papers and poster board. Jackie can be reached at (727) 799-4263.

Gene Moore of Clearwater has 33 rpm records that he wants to pass on to someone else to enjoy. If you're interested, call Gene at (727) 799-1263.

Now for the weekly instruction book plea. Carole Mason of Spring Hill needs instructions for a Zenith Video Director (Beta VCR), model #VR9000W. If you can help her, call (352)

Thank-you notes

Linda Pinke, activity director at Clearwater's Chancellor Gardens, has received hundreds of old cards and can't thank Exchangers enough. She calls this column a lifesaver. The residents at the assisted living facility will put them to good use. One reader was even so generous as to send a sample and pattern for a great project made out of old cards. She ends by saying what we've known all along: Our readers are the best!

Filomena Glanister received more than 30 calls from people offering her a cookbook for her 54-year-old Presto cooker.

Gail McGlone also writes to say how helpful our readers are. The responses she received to her request for a decorative bird cage amazed her.

Send questions, answers and tips to Reader Exchange, Home & Garden, the Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg 33731 or e-mail cole@sptimes.com. Only questions of general interest will be answered. Requests will be accepted only by mail; no phoned requests, please. Except in unusual circumstances, readers must agree to publication of phone numbers (please include the area code) to be considered for the column.

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