The Right Door Mat Is a Welcome Sign

Edna Ascani of Palos Verdes Estates needs some sturdy, custom-made door mats 51x57 inches in size. Can you help, or will Ascani have to keep asking us to step on it?

Mrs. L. Rosen of Hollywood has been looking in vain for companies that make slipcovers that fit over upholstered furniture ; she is particularly interested in a cover for a barrel chair. Can you help Rosen recover from her disappointment, or will she have to get her back up before she realizes that somebody has her over a barrel?

A few weeks ago, we made a mistake while printing a request by Bertha Thompson of Lawndale for what we thought was Vermont maple syrup. What Thompson was--and still is--looking for was Vermont Maid syrup. Can you help before we begin to look like drips, or will we never forget that Thompson’s question “Maid” us feel like climbing a tree?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: We have another request for Poppytrail Metlox dishes, this time for the Medallion Red pattern . Florence at (714) 526-3595 is trying to complete a service for eight and needs various pieces, mainly plates. Also, Thea at (213) 398-4823 would like to purchase an entire set (or various pieces) of the Mikasa stone-glazed Copenhagen pattern, Style F 6501, in royal blue ; the set was bought in 1971. Please perform a service before our two readers crack up and go completely to pieces. . . . Helen at (818) 914-1346, who since throat surgery is without vocal chords, is desperately looking for someone to repair an A5 electric larynx, made by Western Electric; since the break-up of AT&T;, no one seems to want to do the work. Please help and give Helen a chance to voice her opinions once again.

Note: The Reader-to-Reader Help Line is only for one-time items and for products no longer available in stores. And you must give us written permission to publish your telephone number, so that others may contact you directly.

Vicente Flores, who, because of a hearing impairment, needs a phone that lights up to indicate a ring, no longer should be at a loss for words. Ralph Conn of Westchester, J. P. Reilly of Brentwood and Paul Rayton of Los Angeles told us that Radio Shack has a Phone Flasher for $17.95 that lights up when the phone rings (it was on sale last month for $12.95). A Mrs. Corrigan of Alhambra said Bibi Products Co. of Culver City has a very small light for a phone. And Bill Lutzias told us that the phone company’s Special Needs Center at (800) 233-1222 should be able to help. (This might also be a good number for Helen to call.)

Marvin Linn of Calabasas, who was looking for instructional videocassettes for beginning golf and ballroom dancing, can obtain them at Waldenbooks, according to Mary Cot of Walnut.

Molly Himmel of Los Angeles, who was looking for Top Job cleaner, need no longer burn herself out. Elaine Galinn of Los Angeles and Mary Kot of Walnut said they found the product at a K mart store. And a Yorba Linda reader said Dip-It, which can be found at Sav-on stores, is just as good in removing burnt-on food items.

For the reader who was looking for a place that repairs cigarette lighters, we have a ray of light. Paul Rayton of Los Angeles writes that Zippo lighters, which carry a lifetime guarantee, should be sent to the Zippo Lighter Co., Bradford, Pa., for free repairs.

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.