Contribute holiday cards for troops stationed overseas

Every year, merchandise becomes saleable, holiday items become available.

Perhaps last year you stocked up on holiday greetings and now find your supply exceeds your needings.

Those extra cards featuring snowmen, Santa and the reindeer, the manger scene or wise men en route to Bethlehem could add a special touch to the holidays for servicemen and women, with special thoughts from the Mailbag!

Happy holidays!

“I am the adviser for Great Bay Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges. This season, one of our service projects is to collect and send holiday cards to troops stationed overseas,” writes Erica B., formerly of Hollis, now of Dover (LTR 56). “Maybe some of your readers stocked up on cards last season at great after-holiday sales and would be willing to donate them to our project.

“Thanks in advance for your readers’ generosity!”

If you can help Erica and the young women of Phi Theta Kappa with this wonderful holiday outreach across the seas, mail your cards to Erica Brown, PTK Adviser, Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801.

And the treetops glisten

“I have a 7-foot artificial Christmas tree (green) for the asking,” says Maureen R., of Milford (LTR 2,551). “Branches must be inserted into the ‘trunk’; lights and tree stand included.”

Visible in stores and some out-of-doors, the holidays lights are already beginning to shine. If you would like to see Santa stack some presents beneath this tree at your house, agency or place of business, Maureen can be reached at 672-0483.

Computer giveaway

“I have a Compaq Presario computer, with Microsoft Windows 98, including speakers and a printer in good working condition,” says Maurice R., of Nashua (LTR 1,186). “Can be picked up in South Nashua.”

Interested parties can communicate with Maurice with a call to 888-0199.

Exercise, anyone?

“I have a NordicTrack CX938 for the taking,” writes Megan B., of Merrimack (LTR 2,225). “It is very heavy and would require two-three very strong people to remove it.

“Last time I used the Mailbag, I had the item given to a new home after just hours of people reading the Sunday paper.”

Back in 1975, NordicTrack inventor Ed Pauls, training for a cross-country ski race, found it extremely difficult to train in the exceptionally cold and windy weather. Using his background as a mechanical engineer, he built a machine to simulate the skiing motion, and thus the NordicTrack invention! To catch up with Megan, call 424-2956.

Looking to pass ‘Go’

“I am looking for the board game Monopoly, for the elderly,” says Richard M., of Nashua (LTR 2,552). “I hope someone has one that they no longer have any use for. I will pick up.”

According to the Web site, “Monopoly is the best-selling board game in the world, sold in 103 countries and produced in 37 languages, including Croatian.” If you have a copy available for Richard, he would appreciate your giving him a call at 880-7082.

Getting in tune

“My daughter, who lives in Westminster, Mass., has an upright piano (circa 1920s) in decent condition, but needs tuning,” writes Lucy S., of Brookline (LTR 2,359). “It would be a shame to let this opportunity pass by – I’m sure someone or some organization would have use for a piano. Must be picked up by Nov. 14.”

In the heyday of Digital Equipment Corp., the commute to Westminster was familiar to many a southern New Hampshire resident. For details about the instrument, e-mail lilac94@comcast.net.

Exercise equipment

“I am a single mother of four children and also a full-time college student, and I am writing because I would like to know if there is any possible way that I could find any exercise equipment for free,” asks Emma D., of Nashua (LTR 2,553). “I don’t have any money, and my doctor tells me that I am overweight and that I need to lose weight or I will lose the feeling of my feet soon.

“It’s hard to understand, but I would like some help. If there is anything out there, please call me. Thank you.”

“Obesity has risen to epidemic levels in the United States, with almost one-third of the adult population (32 percent) considered obese. Its impact on health cannot be underestimated,” according to healthcentral.com. If you can help Emma (and her family, which is affected by her health, as well) with some exercise equipment, call her at 321-5106.

Emma, please keep in touch and let me know how things are progressing.

Needs washing machine

“My husband, daughter and I are moving to a new home – selling our home and moving to a rental home in order to downsize and save money,” writes Amy B., of Wilton (LTR 565). “The new house has all the appliances we need except for a washing machine. Like I said, we need to save money, so if we could find someone selling their washing machine cheap – or, even better, offering it for free – I’d love to know about it.

“We live in Wilton and are moving just a mile or so down the road – still in Wilton. We would be able to pick it up and move it ourselves, as my dad has a trailer we can use. Any help you can offer us would be wonderful! Thank you so much!”

Part of the joy of writing the Mailbag is hearing about the successful results! I hope someone will get in touch with Amy at 759-4705.

Free grapes

“We have a big tree with Concord grapes,” write Damaso and Carol C., of Nashua (LTR 2,478). “They are available at our house in Nashua. Thanks for all the good the Chris’ Mailbag column is able to do for the greater good of people.”

Concord grape jelly is an all-time favorite – I have fond memories of my Aunt Anna’s jelly jars sealed with paraffin. Damaso and Carol can be reached at 883-2105 or damasocordero@yahoo.com.

Update

Lee R., of Nashua (LTR 2,160) and the Hunt Community Knitters, writes, “It’s only been a week, and our shelves are overflowing with yarn from so many generous and giving people. I salute them all and thank them for responding. We certainly can’t use any more right now. Thank you so much for your creative write-up. So many people have benefited by your column.”

Contact Chris’ Mailbag by sending mail to P.O. Box 1182, Nashua, NH 03061-1182, or e-mail cgraham1@gis.net. Include full name and complete address, along with telephone number or e-mail address for publication, if applicable. Items eligible for publication are for donation, trade or barter only; requests of items for sale or purchase will not be included. Items obtained through the Mailbag are donated by readers for the exclusive use of Telegraph readers or others who may accept the donation. Any resale is expressly prohibited and closely monitored. Violators will be prosecuted for fraud and theft by deception.