Getting children to read more

Dear Heloise: I read with interest the letter from Robert D., who commented on schoolteacher Margaret's letter about children reading books. He is a member of Kiwanis and spoke about how their club puts books in places like doctors' offices for parents to take home to their children.I am also a member of a Kiwanis club, and we have two projects that we are involved in regarding children having access to books. One is that we donate money to our local school backpack program for food. We get books that are donated from our local thrift store. Some of our members help pack food in bags each week for children to take home for the weekend, and we include a book. We put a label in the book stating that the book is from the Kiwanis club.Our other project is our book giveaway every May to our first and second graders. We purchase the books and include the same label. The school sets the date. The children are brought to the assembly room. We have books of all different titles and subjects, and the children pick the book that is of interest to them. They enjoy our annual giveaway. Elizabeth Yura Newton Falls, Ohio Dear Heloise: I agree with the bride's grandmother regarding a fee to attend a wedding. I find it crass to charge a fee. I have seen couples request money as a gift, explaining that it will be used for their honeymoon trip.You simply do not charge guests to attend your wedding or flat out ask for a monetary gift. It is rude. You invite people to come because you truly want them to be a part of your day, not to help pay for the event. DeNae Kautzmann via email Dear Heloise: I have a hint that I recently discovered when I moved into my new home. In trying to keep the pantry super clean, I put anything that I opened into a plastic kitchen bag. And as a result, I found that this keeps my brown sugar soft always. So, I thought I would share it with you for your column. Rose Madura via email Dear Heloise: Having lived in Arizona all my life, I have had a few encounters with skunks. I got a remedy that is very simple from an elderly wise woman. Mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. You can bathe the animal that gets skunked with this or use a rag, and the bleach immediately cuts the oily mist and skunk odor.If the skunk sprays its scent in your garage, you can use the mixture in a spray bottle, and it will eliminate the odor. I have used it several times now, and it works every time. Miriam Anderson St. David, Arizona Dear Heloise: I live alone, and it's difficult to open pickle, olive and jam jars. But my late husband taught me how to do it — you gently tap the outside edge of the jar (the top part) on a countertop. Sometimes you can feel it "give." It's such an easy way to open them!Another thing: I keep a pair of scissors in many rooms for opening all those hard-to-open and tightly wrapped packages and bottles. Mara Trotter Alexandria, Louisiana Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.