Special Shoes Would Keep Him in Step

Because of foot surgery, Sidney Roberts of Pacific Palisades desperately needs a pair of Mobes, or similar open-back sandals in Size 9 or 9 1/2 medium. Each sandal has an insole that distributes weight evenly across the ball of the foot, and the spongy-rubber outer sole reduces the stress of walking. Can you help put the spring back into Roberts’ step, or will he be unable to put his foot down because this is a brand-new ballgame?

Edna O’Connell of Los Angeles would like to buy some dried bergamot for use in blending teas. Can you help spice up O’Connell’s life, or will she never again be in the cups with tea for two?

For the wedding toast at her daughter’s upcoming marriage, Barbara Kerney of Huntington Beach would like to find a double-handled cup or glass , because this would be a symbol of unity. Can you help the young couple get a good grip on their life together, or will neither of them ever be able to completely let go?

Reader-to-Reader Help Line: Susie at (213) 871-1918 is counting the days until she gets hold of some old calendars, especially from the years 1925, 1931, 1942 and 1959. Please help with this outdated problem, if only to make sure that Susie doesn’t complain too much about being ripped off. . . . Rose at (213) 653-5688 would like some Frost Free or Hedy Frost Free cans of aerosol spray that she used to defrost the ice in her refrigerator and freezer; evidently the item is no longer being stocked. Please help Rose break the ice; no point in telling her just to cool it.

Note: The Reader-to-Reader Help Line is only for one-time items and for products no longer available in stores. And you must give us written permission to publish your telephone number, so that others may contact you directly.

For Mary L. Petty of Los Angeles, who needed extra-wide dress- and work shoes for her children, we have only one source. Henry Neis of Highland writes that Lane Bryant carries wide shoes; request a catalogue from Lane Bryant, 2300 Southeastern Ave., P.O. Box 7201, Indianapolis, Ind. 46207-7201.

Lucile Flo of Mission Viejo and the many other readers who have been looking for sock stretchers have not stretched their luck too far after all. Patrick J. Fetta of Pasadena sent us an announcement from Collectors News stating that Milltown Exchange, 1020 N. Water St., Bay City, Mich. 48708, telephone (517) 893-0251, had just bought out a sock factory and acquired a bunch of adults’ and children’s sock stretchers with the original varnish finish. The price per pair is $9 for adults, $12 for children’s sock stretchers. We also heard from a Long Beach reader who was willing to part with two pairs of sock stretchers; we have forwarded that information to Flo.

Marie of Marina del Rey, who was looking for a portable indoor chair that looks like a walking cane and opens up, will soon be a chair-woman. Jane Foote says she saw such a chair at Abbey Medical Supplies in Canoga Park; other Abbey outlets might also carry it. Then we have several mail-order sources. Mrs. H. W. Schreiner of Honolulu mentioned Dr. Leonard’s Health Care Catalogue, 74 20th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232 ($14.99 plus $2.75 postage). Mrs. E. F. Nickerson of Santa Barbara says that an XL 130-5 Seat Cane can be had for $13.98 from Miles Kimball, 41 West 8th Ave., Oshkosh, Wis. 54906. And reader Marie says that Mature Wisdom, Unique Merchandise Mart, Building 28, Hanover, Pa. 17933, recently had such a chair (G576421) on sale for $9.88.

Herb Hain cannot answer mail personally but will, space permitting, respond in this column to readers who need--or have--helpful information. Write (do not telephone) to You Can Help!, You section, the Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.