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Sleeping bags destined to provide homeless’ warmth

By Chris Graham - Chris' Mailbag | Feb 11, 2018

Keeping warm is a crucial factor in getting a good night’s sleep, especially for the increasing number of homeless people forced to reside outdoors in tents, cars, forest thickets, makeshift shelters and other unsafe places, for whom a sleeping bag can be a godsend. Sleeping bags trap heat from a body’s metabolism and keeps it from circulating, forming a barrier between a body and colder ground. Potentially life-saving sleeping bags are offered in the Mailbag for those in need.

A ‘warm offer’ for those battling the elements

“We are downsizing, and I have four lightly-used and carefully stored sleeping bags that I would like to give to a local southern New Hampshire organization that collects these to distribute to the homeless,” writes Susan B. of Amherst (LTR 928). “I am hoping a representative from one of these organizations, agencies or groups will contact me. Thank you for your wonderful work through Chris’ Mailbag!” The history of the sleeping bag has many ‘open ends,’ while the bag, when zipped up, should have only one opening, for a face. History tells of an innovative rug, the ‘Euklisia rug,’ patented by Newtown, Wales, UK entrepreneur Pryce Jones in 1876, described as the world’s first sleeping bag. Jones became a business powerhouse after publishing the world’s first mail order catalogues. Documents show he sold 60,000 rugs to the Russian army, and the British army bought, as well. Records of civilian purchases include missionaries in Africa and pioneers in the Australian outback, perhaps some folks in quest of a permanent home. If you represent an organization, agency, or group providing sleeping bags to homeless individuals in the area, contact Susan via email at: Susan.burrow@yahoo.com. Do let me know how things work out.

Is this offer ‘music to your ears?’

“I have a lot of classical vinyl LPs for anyone who enjoys classical music,” says Al J. of Nashua (LTR 2,020. “Hope to give them to someone who appreciates good music.” Classical music is defined as music written in the European tradition during a period from approximately 1750 to 1830, when forms such as the symphony, concerto and sonata were standardized. Classical era composers include Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, to name a few. Interested parties can ask Al about specific works featured on the vinyl LPs when calling 888-0744.

That’s entertainment!… center, that is …

“The time has come for our TV cabinet/entertainment center to have a new home,” writes John M. of Nashua (LTR 3,354). “It is made of wood with a cherry finish. The dimensions are: 47-inches wide by 59-inches high by 25-inches deep. It has two storage drawers below, ample space for components and retractable doors. (One door will need a hinge replaced.) It will have to be picked up. It is heavy, so two people and a pickup truck will be required.” Perhaps the first example of a home entertainment center was created by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1917 at his Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, Calif. The music room held high technology by 1921-era audio equipment standards, and while Wright’s entertainment center was a ‘built in’ and built long before television sets ‘came into the picture,’ these units basically serve the came purpose … ‘housing technology to provide home entertainment.’ Anyone wanting to see this TV cabinet/entertainment center in his/her home should call John at 883-1621.

Contact Chris’ Mailbag by emailing christine.graham33@gmail.com or sending mail to Chris’ Mailbag c/o The Telegraph, 110 Main St., Suite 1, Nashua 03060. Include full name and complete address, along with telephone number or email 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.

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