Reader Exchange: Silver lyre-tail mollies just waiting to swim your way

By LINDA D. COLE and INGRID L. KOHLER
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 24, 2002

If at you must start the day reading a fish story, at least it's one with a Reader Exchange angle.

Janine's beautiful, exceedingly prolific silver lyre-tail mollies have been having a productive summer. They've been lounging about in her outdoors pond, wantonly munching on the ubiquitous mosquito larvae -- and behaving in other wanton ways as well. The result: Janine needs to thin the ranks a bit.

Although her fish are living outdoors, Janine assures us they are excellent aquarium fish too. If you'd like to adopt some of Janine's mollies, please call (727) 531-8892 or e-mail janine0320@aol.com.

We now move from our ichthyology department to our automotive bureau. Jim Ingram has a question you may be able to answer. He is the original owner of a 1985 Buick LeSabre collector edition four-door sedan. Recently the "Service Engine Soon" light located in the dash panel flicked on. Jim had the situation checked out, and he was told everything is in good shape: The light just won't turn off.

It was suggested that the power to the light be cut, but Jim seems to recall that in earlier cars, a button somewhere had to be reset to turn off the light. Jim would prefer to check out that possibility before he cuts any power lines. If you auto aficionados have any words of wisdom on this topic, please e-mail Jim at JAINGRAM@aol.com.

Daphne-Ann Haynes of Parrish is looking for a sandwich grill with a flat surface. She also is looking for a new home for a 1966 20-volume set of encyclopedias that look like new. She may be reached at (941) 776-1085 or e-mail her at haynesfl@email.msn.com.

Mrs. Frank Simoniello of New Port Richey has four 12-inch records, circa 1915, you may want to add to your music collection. Three of them are cut on only one side. These three are Thais -- Meditation, Mischa Elman, violinist, Victor; Evening Song, Pablo Casals, cellist, Columbia; Handel's Largo, Pablo Casals, cellist, Columbia. The fourth record, cut on both sides, features performances by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

It strikes the staff that while age does not always imply value, these recordings are of a very early vintage and might possibly have more than intrinsic value. If you are an expert in such matters and know these are collector's items, a call to Mrs. Simoniello at (727) 847-1898 to let her know would be very kind. We can't speak for her, of course, but it might change her mind about giving them away.

Bob Cooper of Seminole has misplaced his copy of the music for the Missouri Waltz and would appreciate borrowing yours if you have a copy. He may be reached at (727) 397-4613 or e-mail him at Ma46bob@aol.com.

Flo Grisi of New Port Richey became a great-grandmother not too long ago. The young man who bestowed this title on her is now starting to eat solid food, which reminded Flo of the dishes her children used when they grew to that stage.

These baby dishes had separate compartments and a place where hot water could be added to keep the food warm. Suction cups under the dish held it in place on the tray of the high chair. This dish sounds so well-suited to all requirements of feeding a young child that it's a wonder Flo can no longer locate one; but she can't. If you know of a source, please call (727) 376-3787.

Margaret Donehoo can probably identify with Flo's search. When Margaret's children were young back in the '70s, she knitted them various hand puppets that did the job of mittens. Now she would like to knit some for her grandchildren, but she no longer has the instructions. If you can help, please call (727) 531-4829 or e-mail Margaret at mamahoo@juno.com.

Charles Irizarry of Largo has a word processor/monitor that is not perfect. The printer seems off kilter, but otherwise everything seems fine. Charles' son was using it, but now seems to have lost interest. If you want to pick it up, please call (727) 524-8166.

Helen Franksurt of Largo would like to purchase a yarn called Corda (pronounced cor-day). Helen used to crochet with it, making hats and handbags, but she can't find it around here. She has seen the completed bags for sale for $50 and up.

Do you know where this fiber can be purchased? Helen would love to hear from you. Please call (727) 538-1996.

So, how do you feel about white gravel? When Carol Corson bought her home in New Port Richey, the trees and shrubs in her yard were bordered with white gravel. Carol prefers wood chips. So she is giving away the gravel to make way for chips. She'll lend you her shovel, but please bring your own containers to cart off the gravel. Call (727) 372-1356 for the directions to her home.

-- Send requests to Reader Exchange, Newsfeatures, 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 or e-mail; no phoned requests, please. This is an exchange column, so we will not run items that are for sale. 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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