It’s No Yolk: Make That an Egg Holder

When we asked for an egg cooker for Eugenia Lynch recently, we really did lay an egg. Lynch is actually looking for an egg holder-- for the egg after it has been cooked. The egg holder features a cup, saucer and a blade that slices off the top of the egg before it is served. So please help before we get more egg on our face.

Lorraine McKeighan of Thousand Oaks, who will visit Europe in the spring, is trying to locate some inexpensive plastic raincoats that fold into an envelope-size package. Can you precipitate a solution before McKeighan is exposed to the rain in Spain, or will the drying up of all sources dash cold water on her journey?

TV Remote Control

Bill Stringer of Rancho Palos Verdes would like to get his hands on a TV remote control with large-size buttons , to make it easier for his almost paralyzed mother to make program and station selections. Can you focus on helping Stringer get the picture, or will there be no way that his mother can let her fingers do the dialing?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: Kathlyn at (818) 981-8170 is looking for some Chemex paper filters for her coffee maker; these are flat circles, about 12 inches in diameter, that you fold to fit. Please help, so that Kathlyn won’t feel like a drip. . . . Richard at (619) 728-3119 needs an R1 replacement filter to go on a Teledyne Water Pik ; the product has not been made in years. Please help before all of Richard’s hopes go down the drain. . . . Mary at (714) 893-7066 needs the perforated plastic liner that fits inside the centrifuge strainer of a Waring VJ-1 juice extractor that is at least 20 years old; please help so that the juices can flow again in Mary’s kitchen.

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.

Jerome K. Levin of Encino, who was looking for long-sleeve and short-sleeve men’s shirts in gingham-check patterns, now has a local chain to check out. M. Merrill of Ventura and Mrs. R. M. Givens of Oceanside told us that these shirts are available at Bullock’s--and possibly at other department stores. We also heard from a Pasadena reader who says she has four of the shirts and is waiting for someone to take them off her back. To make a long story short, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you are interested.

The other sources are mail-order companies. George Merriken of Moorpark writes that the spring catalogue just put out by Sheplers, 4950 S. Laura St., Wichita, Kan. 67277, lists the shirts at about $15 in red, navy or brown. K. Lyon of Cutler writes that L. L. Bean, Freeport, Maine 04033, has Pima check shirts in various colors for about $26. And Lands’ End, Lands’ End Lane, Dodgeville, Wis. 53595-0001, has gingham sport shirts in six colors for $19.50. This information came from M. Lakatos, Santa Monica; Nancy Buzzell, Taft; Jan St. Amant, West Hollywood; Natalie Kaufman, Redondo Beach; Mel Schaefer, Diamond Bar; Lynn Owens, Yucaipa, and Joyce Simmons, Whittier.

Special Store

Leah Tuchin of Hollywood and other readers who were looking for a place that carries Exquisite Products brassieres can go to the J & B Store, 1516 W. Pico Blvd. (near the Convention Center), Los Angeles; the telephone number is (213) 384-7355.

We now have a local source for Mary L. Petty, who was looking for extra-wide dress and work shoes for her children. Jackie Milman of Tarzana and Mrs. E. Sens of Newhall both suggested Chic Wide Shoes, 18768 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana (they have other Southern California locations). Sens also mentioned a mail-order firm: Hill Brothers, 99 9th St., Lynchburg, Va. 24504-1466.

For the many readers trying to complete discontinued China patterns, we have a nearby source. Dirck Meengs, P.O. Box 6066, Thousand Oaks, Calif. 91359, (805) 495-4378, says he specializes in Castleton, Flintridge, Franciscan, Minton, Royal Worcester and Spode replacements.

Herb Hain cannot answer mail personally but will, space permitting, respond in this column to readers who need--or have--helpful information. Write (do not telephone) to You Can Help!, You section, the Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.