Dear Sun Spots: A year ago my wife and I purchased an African sculpture. Bill Lowe of the Bates Museum of Art has said, sight unseen, that we should get in touch with Elizabeth Eames, associate professor of anthropology at Bates College. Attempts to reach her have proven unsuccessful. Upon taking the piece to a Somali elder, I was told the piece originates in Senegal or Mali, is quite old and possibly valuable. Does Sun Spots know of anyone that could help us in identifying this and perhaps value it? – Bruce Cobb, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots did check with Professor Eames who was out of the country at the time of your calls and on vacation. She recommends you contact Aimee Bessire, Art History Department chair and assistant professor of art history at the Maine College of Art, 97 Spring St., Portland, (800) 639-4808.

However, Bessire says she could help in identifying a piece, but could not give more than a guess at the monetary value. Bessire recommends you try contacting Oscar Mokeme at the Museum of African Tribal Art whom she says is a wonderful resource. Another is Lisa Walker at Ubuntu Home, 305 Commercial St., Portland., (207) 761-9200. They are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Bessire says Walker deals in African art, and Bessire believes she is perhaps more tapped into the value of African pieces than either Mokeme or herself. You can contact the Museum of African Tribal Art, 122 Spring St., No. 2, Portland, ME 04101, (207) 871-7188. You may also be interested in checking out this museum, which is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dear Sun Spots: We are doing our yearly haunted yard to celebrate Halloween, and are looking to do it on a grander scale this year. If anyone has any scary masks, costumes and any other type of Halloween decorations that they would like to donate, please give me a call. My daytime phone number is (207) 784-0733 and evening number is (207) 782-1707. Please ask for Dan. – DJD, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I love your column. It’s the first thing I read in the morning.

Tonight I watched an episode of “Sue Thomas, F.B. Eye” on PAX TV. How can I get in touch with Sue Thomas who appeared briefly in this show?

Also, I’ve heard she has written a couple of books but I don’t know the titles. Can you help? She is such an inspiration to those overcoming obstacles. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Try contacting her at (866) 333-8663 or via e-mail at info@nashspeakers.com, the Nashville Speakers Bureau, P.O. Box 110909, Nashville, TN, 37222-0909, (615) 263-4143.

Thomas, who worked for the F.B.I. for 3½ years wrote a successful memoir called “Silent Night.”

According to an article featured online at www.christianitytoday.com, written by Kris Rasmussen and published in Christian Reader’s March/April 2003 issue, Thomas is writing two sequels to this book. Rasmussen’s article states that Thomas has been deaf since she was 18-months-old. She was a figure skating champion at 7 years of age. She “later became an accomplished pianist even though she could only feel the vibrations of the music.” According to the article, her fearless work as an undercover surveillance expert, aided by her extraordinary ability to read lips inspired the “F.B. Eye” series. Sun Spots is not sure of any other publishing credits but perhaps the speaker’s bureau will be able to assist you.

Dear Sun Spots: The eighth grade at Minot Consolidated School will hold a Christmas craft fair Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For 6-foot table rentals, call Trena MacKenzie at (207) 346-3092 or Brea Brown at (207) 345-3440.

We are also looking for donations of canning jars for the eighth-graders to make jarred bake mixes, craft items for raffle and baked goods for the lunch counter. Please call Trena or Brea for pick up or drop off information. Thank you for your help. – Trena, Brea and the Minot eighth-graders.

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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.