Family reunion ideas

Dear Heloise: A good hint for people who are responsible for organizing family reunions: Have a table where people come in, and provide a book for them to sign — name, address, telephone number and from whom they are descended. Also have a stack of postcards, and have everyone address one to him or herself and put it in a basket on the table. Next year, the person organizing the reunion only has to fill out the information (place, date and time) and mail the cards a month or two before the reunion date.

—Hilda Bettis, via e-mail

Family reunions are also a good place to keep genealogy forms up to date, so keep extras on hand. Don't forget to say thanks to the people doing all of the organizing. —Heloise

Here are a few ways to put an extra wicker basket to use:

• Use as a toy chest for small dogs.

• Put on a desk to hold papers that need to be filed.

• Place in a bathroom for washcloths and hand towels.

• Place on a pantry shelf to hold seasoning packets.

Dear Heloise: After cleaning my paintbrushes, I put them in a solution of hair conditioner and water to soak for a few minutes before rinsing again. It really does wonders for the brushes, keeping them more like new than anything else I've ever tried. Happy painting! —Quin Williams, Brady, Texas

Dear Heloise: I keep my old cell-phone statements. I noticed today that there were three pages that were almost entirely blank. I'm an avid recycler and list-maker, so I tore them off, blacked out any personal info, stapled them together and had a nice, handy tablet.

I remember an old hint of yours — using the bathroom door as a large fan (by opening and closing the door to move air — Heloise) following a shower. I still use it, even in these days of central air. —P.B., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: For years, I have had the problem of plastic food wrap clinging to itself as soon as I tore it off the roll. Two years ago, I moved where my son has lived for years. I mentioned this to him, and he replied, "You do keep it in the refrigerator, don't you?" Well, what a difference —noticeably fewer problems with the wrap clinging to itself.

I guess I need to consult him more often. —Bruce Hagen, Imperial Beach, Calif.

Dear Heloise: In one of your mother's hints, she said that to clean a vase of stains, use a denture tablet in the bottom with some water, then add raw regular rice and swish it around a few times. This worked for me many times. —E.H., Canton, Ohio

This old-time hint still works many times, but some of those old stains might never budge. —Heloise

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Heloise

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