Searching for a New Cabinet Member
Last week, we raised up a storm over hurricane lamps. Today, let’s find out whether our storm is followed by clouds with silver linings. At least, we have two readers who seem to be having difficulty lining their kitchen shelves. Muriel Bizik of San Dimas is trying to purchase some velour crepe paper in red and yellow, but can’t find it anywhere. And Eleanor Hutchins of Monrovia is looking for shelf paper that is washable, non-contact and will last for years. Can you help before Bizik and Hutchins shelve their searches, or will they be convinced that this is another request that will merely be papered over?
Speaking of liners, Dottie Spencer of Hacienda Heights would like to locate a knitted baby product that was built like a diaper liner and was placed next to a baby’s skin. Moisture soaked through to the diaper, keeping the baby’s bottom dry. When she bought it years ago, the product was called Stay Dry or something similar. When she recently tried to find that item for her grandchildren, she had no luck. Can any modern mothers help Spencer get to the bottom of this problem, or will she think that she’s been all wet these many years?
Reader-to-Reader Help Line: Selmer at (818) 767-6110 wants to replace some Mitterteich Bavaria dinnerware; the design is Meissen Blue. Please help, so that Selmer will be able to serve blue-plate specials again. . . . Ann Marie at (619) 453-0060, Ext. 275, is looking for a stuffed toy chimpanzee called Zip, available about 25 years ago. Searches in toy stores and antique shops have been futile. Please help before Ann Marie goes ape over this monkey business.
Note: The Reader-to-Reader Help Line is only for one-time items and for products that are no longer available in stores. And you must give us written permission to publish your telephone number, so that other readers may contact you directly.
A year or so ago, we had many requests for old-fashioned pants stretchers, but none was available except from readers. Now we have a mail-order source (they also take orders for female pants): Vermont Country Store, P. O. Box 3000, Manchester Center, Vt. 05255; the one-size-fits-all pants stretcher costs $9.95 a pair, plus shipping charges.
Henry Waechter of Escondido, who was looking for old-fashioned garters, need no longer worry about his socks falling down on the job, but by no stretch of the imagination is there a source near him. A Santa Ana reader writes that men’s garters can be purchased at the May Co. store in the Westminster Mall, and that tuxedo rental places might also be a possibility. Scott Lambert states that Brooks Brothers at Fashion Island in Newport carries a great selection of single-grip garters at $12 a pair. Elizabeth Green of Fallbrook writes that Yankee Workbench, Harvard Road, Littleton, Mass. 01460, sells garters. And two readers say they have garters they would be willing to part with. If interested, please send stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Harold Blackmore of Rancho Mirage, who was looking for a miniature golf bag that is used as a pencil holder, may almost be out of the rough. A reader sent us a catalogue with all kinds of golf items (but not the miniature bag), published by Willoughby Taylor Ltd., 8908 Ambassador Row, Dallas, Tex. 75247. And two readers wrote that they have the item Blackmore is looking for. If he is still stymied, or if anyone else is interested, a stamped, self-addressed envelope will get the ball rolling.
Patricia Emerson of Whittier, who was looking for an ironing board that comes in a portable cabinet, will soon be able to starch while the iron is hot. (The following information may also be helpful to E. Miller of Tujunga, who was looking for a kit for installing an ironing board in a wall.) Malcom Rivers of El Toro writes that such an ironing board is available from Rubenstein Interior Furnishings, 22684 Islamare, El Toro, (714) 830-6484. Another source, according to Audrey Gore of Cerritos, is Linders Furniture, Torrance. We even heard from the distributor of that ironing board. Ed Hearst, 26186 Tierra Circle, Mission Viejo 92691, (714) 586-6073 (he can also be found at Space J-162, Orange County Swap Meet), writes that he has boards for $65, $85 and $125. Lastly, we heard from a reader who is willing to part with an ironing board that folds into a cabinet. For name and address, please send stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Herb Hain cannot answer mail personally but will, space permitting, respond in this column to readers who have--or need--helpful information. Write (do not telephone) to You Can Help!, You section, the Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.
