If you put a function in a class module you can run your query against it and update the fields (I think). As an example:
Public Sub StripChar(ByRef strParm As String) As String
If Right$(strParm, 4) = " 's" Then
strParm = Left$(strParm, Len(strParm) - 4)
Else
strParm = StrParm
End If
End Sub
If it didn't like the ByRef, convert it to a function and set your function name = strParm or Left$(strParm...,etc.
Good Luck!