DEAR SUN SPOTS: SHAREcenter is sponsoring a craft fair at the Bates Mill Atrium at Canal and Chestnut streets Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’re still looking for vendors who would like to rent a table and space for $30, or bring your own table for $20. Please contact Lisa Rodrigues at 333-6671 for more information. SHAREcenter is a nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce, reuse and recycle items that businesses and people would otherwise throw away. We provide these materials to our members for use in their classrooms or their nonprofit organizations. You can find out more about us on our Facebook page at Auburn SHAREcenter.

— Pat, no town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just wanted to thank you for the mention of Parris House Wool Works in Sun Spots on Wednesday, Nov. 15. One of the rug hookers who comes to our weekly Tuesday group saw it and called it to my attention.

Usually, it’s one of the larger, older studios in southern Maine that gets first thought on a question like this, which I can understand. They are wonderful, too. However, here at our studio we really do provide a special sense of personal attention and community for rug hookers, as well as providing an excellent selection of instruction, materials, supplies, etc., just as the larger studios do. So, you can imagine my pleasant surprise to see my studio chosen for your response. I’m very grateful.

“Rug Hooking Magazine” was another good call. In fact, I have the centerfold pattern and article in that magazine’s current issue.

Thank you again so much, and let me know if I can ever provide more material or information on rug hooking to the Sun Journal. Have a great day!

— Beth, Parris House Wool Works, Paris Hill

ANSWER: Sun Spots is a champion of small, local businesses and we pride ourselves on connecting our readers to them whenever possible. Of course, advertising in the Sun Journal is a great way to get information about your business out into the world, too.

Rug hooking is very satisfying and these cold, dark months are the perfect time to learn it, or to finish a project you’ve already started. I’m happy to let our readers know where to get supplies and support!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’ve noticed that U.S. mail vehicles don’t have license plates or inspection stickers. Are they exempt from these laws?

— No Name, Lisbon Falls

ANSWER: According to the postmaster at the local post office, these government-owned vehicles are exempt because of a 1973 federal law. Instead of license plates, they have an identification number printed on their backs and they do get inspected at USPS facilities and at contracted garages as many as three times a year depending on their usage. If you want to peruse the whole document pertaining to this subject in its entirety, you can find it online at www.usps.com/manuals under 7-7.1 —“Federal Laws Applicable to the Postal Service.”

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Journal Facebook page at facebook.com/Sun Journal. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

instarug.com photo