Summer is just the time to finish the spring–cleaning you haven’t completed, but you likely don’t know what to do with the clutter you’ve cleared out.

For starters, don’t throw away those old magazines and books. Parnell Library would love to have them. They can use or sell the books and they have a rack offering free magazines to their patrons. They also can use, in their craft program, the empty paper towel and tissue rolls and those 2–liter pop bottles you were about to consign to the garbage.

The local Civitan Club will be happy to have your aluminum cans. They sell the cans to support research for mental and developmental disabilities and worthy local projects. You call Roscoe Hicks at 665-2635 to find out how to get the cans to them.

Now, take furniture and house wares that are still good to Twice as Nice on Main Street. They can use your sack of plastic bags, too. Remember their hours are Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Electronic devices are not accepted unless they are in good working order.

The Box Tops for Education you’ve been saving can go to Montevallo Elementary School. They collect those and also want used printer ink cartridges. Principal McClain explained that their old piano is beyond repair, so if yours is really not played anymore, there’s a new home for it.

The young people at the First Methodist Church can use the old cell phones. They collect them to raise money for mission programs. Call the church at 665-7535.

The paper, No. 1 and No. 2 plastic, metal cans and glass can all go to the recycling containers at the back of the UM student activity center. The glass goes into their concrete mix at LaFarge.

Also, if you’ve had time to raise a garden, and have excess produce, take your extra veggies to Shelby Emergency Assistance. Their need is greater than ever this year and it would be a shame to let those wonderful vegetables waste.

When it’s all done, the house will feel cleaner and cooler, you’ll have done your job for the community and you’ll feel just great.

Catherine Legg can be reached by email at clegg2@bellsouth.net