DEAR SUN SPOTS: One of the many things the volunteers at Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends in Greene do to help the feral cats living in the wild is to build shelters to protect them from the elements and provide a place to eat free from the danger of predators.

As we all know, Maine winters can be long, which makes these shelters even more important. Tommy’s has found through past experience that fir and blue spruce boughs provide the best insulation for these shelters. We need an enormous supply of these as soon as possible to begin their winter preparations.

The autumn storm of 2017 and the brutal winter of 2018 destroyed the majority of the feral colonies. We have also experienced recent vandalism. We’re looking for anyone willing to help make houses and cafes for Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends. I wouldn’t ask for so much, but as the owner, I desperately need the help of the community. I take pride in caring for the kitties all by myself, but the destruction is overwhelming and there isn’t enough time to prepare. It’s been a sad year for us.

If you have any blue spruce and fir boughs you can bring to us or you would like to volunteer to help save the lives of feral cats, please contact Norm Blais at normblais39@yahoo.com. I will gladly supply the materials needed.

Sun Spots, thank you for always being there to help Tommy’s babies.

— Norm, Greene

ANSWER: Norm, thank YOU for all the important work you do. Sun Spots will help you get the word out always. We’re a team!

Readers, if you have a heart for kitties, have time to help build shelters, donate food or can drop off some cut boughs to Norm, please contact him.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again I need your help. My name is Bert Levesque and I am a member of the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach food pantry in Lisbon Falls. The season is upon us for the holiday fairs. We have rented several tables at local holiday fairs coming up in November. We are in need of items to sell at these fairs such as quilts, afghans, knitted slippers, hats, mittens, arts and crafts items, and new gift items. Any donation is greatly appreciated, including checks payable to LACO. For pickup of these items please call Bert at 207-216-3460. If I do not answer please leave your name and phone number and I will get in touch with you.

LACO is an all-volunteer organization feeding the hungry in Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Bowdoin and Durham. It’s very costly to operate as we have to buy food at regular store prices. We rely solely on donations and fundraisers. Once again, thank you for your support.

— Bert, No town

ANSWER: Sometimes we are so entrenched in our own troubles that we can’t see ourselves clear to reach out to others. If we all do one small thing to help someone else out, that action creates a circle of love and kindness that will come back to you. Whether you knit a hat, purchase an extra bag of kitty chow, write a check for $10 or volunteer a couple hours of your time on a Saturday, you can make a difference.

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). Please include your phone number. 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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: One of the many things that the volunteers at Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends do to help the feral cats living in the wild is to build shelters to protect them from the elements and provide a place to eat free from the danger of predators.

As we all know, Maine winters can be long, which makes these shelters even more important. Tommy’s has found through past experience that fir and blue spruce boughs provide the best insulation for these shelters. We need an enormous supply of these as soon as possible to begin their winter preparations.

The autumn storm of 2017 and the brutal winter of 2018 destroyed the majority of the feral colonies. We have also experienced recent vandalism. We’re looking for anyone willing to help make houses and cafes for Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends. I wouldn’t ask for so much, but as the owner, I desperately need the help of the community. I take pride in caring for the kitties all by myself, but the destruction is overwhelming and there isn’t enough time to prepare.  It’s been a sad year for us.

If you have any blue spruce and fir boughs you can bring to us or you would like to volunteer to help save the lives of feral cats, please contact Norm Blais at normblais39@yahoo.com. I will gladly supply the materials needed.

Sun Spots, thank you for always being there to help Tommy’s babies.—Norm, Greene

ANSWER: Norm, thank YOU for all the important work you do. Sun Spots will help you get the word out always. We’re a team!

Readers, if you have a heart for kitties, have time to help build shelters, donate food or can drop off some cut boughs to Norm, please contact him.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again I need your help. My name is Bert Levesque and I am a member of the Lisbon Area Christian Outreach food pantry in Lisbon Falls. The season is upon us for the holiday fairs. We have rented several tables at local holiday fairs coming up in November. We are in need of items to sell at these fairs such as quilts, afghans, knitted slippers, hats, mittens, arts and crafts items, and new gift items. Any donation is greatly appreciated including checks payable to LACO. For pick-up of these items please call Bert at 216-3460. If I do not answer please leave your name and phone number and I will get back in touch with you.

LACO is an all-volunteer organization feeding the hungry in Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, Bowdoin and Durham. It’s very costly to operate as we have to buy food at regular store prices. We rely solely on donations and fund-raisers. Once again, thank you for your support. —Bert

ANSWER: Sometimes we are so entrenched in our own troubles that we can’t see ourselves clear to reach out to others. If we all do one small thing to help someone else out, that action creates a circle of love and kindness that will come back to you. Whether you knit a hat, purchase an extra bag of kitty chow; write a check for $10 or volunteer a couple of hours of your time on a Saturday, you can make a difference.

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). Please include your phone number. 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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.