Hints from Heloise

Dear readers: If you have a fireplace, grab a stack of old newspapers and get rolling. Newspapers make excellent fireplace logs, and they are really easy to put together. Here’s how:

“You’ll need a bundle of old newspapers and a few empty vegetable cans.

“Remove both ends and the labels from the cans and discard any glossy inserts in the newspaper.

“Take a 1-inch stack of newspaper and, section by section, alternate the direction of the folds. Tightly roll up the stack, slip a can on one end and slide it to the middle of the rolled newspaper to hold it together.

“Completely soak the rolled newspaper in water, then (this is very important) let it dry completely to compress the papers and hold them together while they burn.

“Use the newspaper log, can and all, like a regular fireplace log. After it burns and the ashes have cooled, carefully remove the metal can with a pair of tongs. – Heloise