HINTS FROM HELOISE Potluck parity?

DEAR HELOISE >> I’ve been meaning to write about the subject of POTLUCK DINNERS. I myself don’t like them.

I thought for a potluck dinner you were to bring something that you’d make and serve to your family, and to make enough for three to six people.

People bring a platter of deviled eggs or a potato dish of some kind. Is that what you would put on your table for dinner? What about the meat, chicken or fish?

It doesn’t seem right that only a few bring a meat dish and some only bring a side dish. How right is it to fill up on all the meat, chicken or fish, and you only brought an egg platter or potatoes? Am I wrong? Maybe that’s the reason I don’t go to any. — Felicia, via email

DEAR FELICIA >> Felicia, I understand your frustration; meat is more expensive! Readers, go the extra mile with your potluck dishes. Make something you’d be proud to feed your family, and even include a stack of recipe cards with the dish.

Fall is the time for tailgating and cooler patio meals. Enjoy this time with your family and friends.

DEAR HELOISE >> I have cashmere sweaters, many of which now have holes in them. The sweaters are stored in a plastic hanging bag with cedar sachets.

Any suggestions on how to keep these expensive sweaters from being destroyed? — Wanda, via email

DEAR WANDA >> Wanda, first things first: The holes are likely caused from moth larvae. Dry cleaning and repairing the holes in cashmere sweaters is an expensive proposition, but likely worth it.

Remove the sweaters from the plastic bags, and store them in a dry, airtight container. A plastic box with a tightfitting lid should be fine.

The cedar sachet is OK, but probably not pungent enough to be toxic to moths.

DEAR HELOISE >> I read your column in the Orange County (Calif.) Register. My hint is a way to stretch your coffee dollar when using singleserve coffee pods.

After the first run, shake the pod and reinsert, using the same hole in the bottom of the pod. Run it through again. The quality is nearly the same! I mix the two and get twice as much coffee for half the price! — Marilyn M., Mission Viejo, Calif.

DEAR MARILYN M. >> Marvelous — I love it! SCREEN DOOR STUCK?

DEAR HELOISE >> Got a screen door that sticks and needs to be yanked open? Take a bar of soap (dry) and run it along the edge of the door where it sticks, and you solve that problem. — Inez C., Brownsville, Texas

DEAR READERS >> While out shopping, buy extra bundles of underwear, socks and T-shirts, and donate them to a shelter or to someone in need.