HELPFUL HINTS

Friday, December 20, 2013

DEAR HELOISE: Information about retiring flags via cremation by funeral homes recently was published in one of your columns. I am writing to tell you about Stars for Our Troops.

Flags are sent to Stars for Our Troops from all over the country. The canton (blue) area is removed and washed, and then the stars are cut out and placed in a small pouch with a note to let our military know that they are not forgotten.

These stars are placed in care packages going to our military who are currently serving. Stars also are given with thank-you cards to our veterans in veterans hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

There are Star Parties going on throughout this great country. It is a great project for any age. Families find it a great “family time,” and they learn about our country, flag and military.

DEAR READERS: I called Susan to find out more about this wonderful organization. What a heartwarming effort she and volunteers all across the country do, repurposing a flag that otherwise would have no further use.To learn more and find out how you can help, visit starsforourtroops.org. To donate a flag, send it to: Susan/Stars for Our Troops, Gettysburg Flag Works, 715 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush, NY 12061.

DEAR HELOISE: Thanks for printing the advice from blind dog owners. Our dog is a large 13-year-old in good health for her age, but she was rapidly becoming deaf.

We learned to still talk but also use hand signals. Facial expressions and eye contact are important to dogs, especially those who really know and trust us. She caught on to the hand signals right away.

DEAR HELOISE: I try to find ways to cut down on dirt but not my time. After my third child, I started keeping pacifiers in small, plastic condiment cups. It keeps them free from lint and snack dust in the bottom of my purse and the diaper bag, along with making them easy to find in a pinch.

DEAR HELOISE: To dust my keyboard and the back of the computer, I use my old but cleaned makeup brush. The bristles can get into the tiny, hard-to-reach crevices.

MovieStyle, Pages 39 on 12/20/2013