DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is in response to a letter in the Oct. 10 Sun Spots. Some years ago, my husband was gifted with his grandmother’s piano.  As the years wore on, it could not be tuned, but was still a lovely piece of furniture.

Not wanting to discard it, but being unable to use it, I wondered about making it into a digital instrument. After some internet searches and YouTube video watching, I refurbished that lovely piano into one that no longer needs tuning, at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new piano or a digital keyboard with a stand.

This project may not be for everyone, but it can give new life to old pianos and perhaps make a nice piano affordable for a student, especially if the old piano is free.

Each piano needs to be measured to make sure the new keyboard will fit, but we found that the Alexis keyboard available on Amazon fit almost perfectly into our piano. —Wandah, Auburn

ANSWER: Thank you for sharing that terrific idea with our readers! I have a family member with an old piano that can no longer be tuned and she was excited when I shared the idea with her. I’m sure someone else in Sun Spots Land will appreciate this tip and that it will get their DIY wheels turning!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the reader asking about their frozen Christmas ham (Oct. 10 Sun Spots), I had the same situation. I also did the research online and decided to go for it. My ham was over a year old and had been frozen well before its expiration date as I had  bought it for future use and had placed it in the freezer immediately after purchasing.

The USDA guidelines relate that frozen meats kept at zero degrees keep “indefinitely “ as far as causing a food-borne illness, but quality may suffer. My experience was that the ham was perfectly fine, given that the freezing guidelines were followed. — Deb, Auburn

ANSWER: I’m glad that worked out for you. I had the opposite experience years ago. When I unwrapped a ham I had stored in my freezer for over a year and thawed it, the smell was off and the edges were gray—not a good condition for a ham at all. Sadly, I had to dispose of it and get a fresh one.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just finished reading the morning paper and saw that Target will be opening soon in Auburn. I want to share that the new store will not have service for customers who need help with their cellphones.

I was at Target in Topsham a couple of weeks ago to purchase a new cellphone and get information transferred from my old phone to my new one. I asked the associate who was helping me if they would have this service in the Auburn store. He said, “No, because they don’t have enough people trained for that.” Maybe it will change once the store is up and running. I wanted to share this information with readers so they will know ahead of time.” — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: I would recommend calling that department at the Auburn Target before you head in to buy a new phone.

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.