Dear Sun Spots: I have several older counted cross-stitch books to give
away, as well as some holiday counted cross-stitch kits. Please call
784-3286 and leave a message.
Also, I have just come across my baptismal outfit that is more than 50 years old. It is made of soft baby yarn and has a few age spots on
it. Is there a safe way of laundering it, or should I just leave it as
I found it? Any advice would be appreciated! — No Name, No Town.
Dear
Sun Spots: I recently came across some of my grandmother’s quilts that
she had carefully packed away many years ago, to find that they were
filled with mold and mildew.
Would anyone in the area know how to clean these quilts while still preserving them? — Pam Gardner, Auburn.
Answer: Sun Spots suggests speaking with a professional dry cleaner for solutions to laundering the baptismal outfit and the quilt. After speaking with a few sources for an answer, it seems that is the best route to go. While there are special products that can be purchased for vintage clothing and quilts, it’s still risky and we can’t guarantee that your material won’t fall apart. The dry cleaner may be able to inspect the fabric and offer other suggestions rather than using a washing machine.
Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for someone who can restore a small, old suitcase that was used for doll and clothing storage. I also have a Raggedy Ann doll that is missing one foot. Please help. Thank you. — Phyllis, Auburn.
Dear Sun Spots: I am in the process of downsizing. My biggest problem is disposing of a number of VHS tapes I have recorded from television over the last 30 plus years.
Some tapes have movies, some have old TV shows; just interesting stuff I wanted to keep for the time I might be in an assisted living facility and enjoy watching old TV stuff.
With the rapid replacement of VHS tapes with DVDs, I need to pass along these tapes. I was wondering if any nursing home or retirement facility would like to have some of the tapes? There is no X-rated material.
Please write to WYL, 107 Shawmut St., Lewiston, ME 04240-8162. — No Name, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: Thank you so much for finding the poem “The Prayer of a Sportsman.” It brought back many memories, and thank you for the effort you made. I use the computer but still prefer to read the paper for in-depth news. — Eleanor, Auburn.
Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for someone in the Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding areas who could repair a round hand-crocheted pineapple pattern tablecloth. I have found the spots that need repairing and have marked them with a large safety pin. There are about 10 of them. This tablecloth came from my mother who died 20 years ago. Help! Call 225-5975. — Marilyn, Turner.
Dear Sun Spots: Here is the answer one of your write-ins requested
about. It has to do with where they could get their records put on CD.
Be in contact with a Dave Hunt of Finestkind Electronics in Brunswick. Call him at
729-6513. His store is on Maine Street. Hope this helps. — Phil, Lewiston.
Dear Sun Spots: Someone wrote that they would like
a 78 rpm record transferred to CD. I can do that. They may contact me
at 225-5222. — Richard, No Town.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.