Dear Sun Spots: Baby-sitting is being offered by the Minot Consolidated School eighth-grade class as a fund-raiser for their Boston class trip. Let us take care of your children while you Christmas shop. There will be adult volunteers as well as students to tend to the children. Baby-sitting will be at the Minot Consolidated School, Shaw Hill Road in Minot, on Dec. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $10 per child per day. Centers will be set up for the children, meals and snacks are available, and there will be a good ratio of adults and students per child. Please let us know in advance by calling Minot School at 346-6471 or e-mailing sandyferland@aol.com. – Sandra Ferland, Hebron.

Dear Sun Spots: I am a residential counselor at Dirigo Place, a nonprofit organization in Lewiston for adolescent boys and girls diagnosed with mental health issues. During their stay, residents volunteer at Good Shepherd Food-Bank, the animal shelter and Lost Valley. Recently, the residents have done a food drive for AWAP, Toys for Tots and Coats for Kids. With the coming holiday we are trying to give residents a memorial holiday.

We would like to make holiday cards, purchase a holiday meal and get other essentials. I am asking your readers for help in providing art and crafts supplies, warm clothing and any other donation that would enhance this holiday season. Please send or drop off donations to Dirigo Place, 98 Russell St., Lewiston, ME 04240. For more information, please contact Heather at (207) 784-7144. Thank you for your help. – Wanda in Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I see this often. Dogs run loose from driver to passenger windows and sit on the driver’s lap. How can the driver have 100 percent focus on the road and the dog at the same time?

I would very much appreciate this. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots checked with Peter Brazier, deputy secretary of state, who says: It’s a crime in Maine to drive a vehicle in a manner that endangers property or another person. Maine law also prohibits driving a vehicle if something is obstructing or interfering with the driver’s view. The only motor vehicle law that specifically mentions dogs is a law that prohibits dogs from riding in the open part of a vehicle, such as a the bed of a pickup truck, unless the animal is protected so that it can’t jump, fall or be thrown from the vehicle.

Dear Sun Spots: Anyone who has angel patterns for a quilt they would be willing to share with me can send their patterns to Theresa Mills, 3 Franklin St., Livermore, ME 04253. – T.M., Livermore.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for Earl Grey decaffeinated tea. I have not been able to find it where I shop. Thank you for your helpful column. I really enjoy reading it every day. – Linda in Mechanic Falls.

Answer: You may want to check out the coffee aisle at your local Hannaford. Sun Spots’ local Hannaford carries Twinings Earl Grey decaffeinated teabags (20) for $2.59 and Bigelow (16 tea bags) for $2.69.

In addition, Sun Spots would recommend you check out Simplicitea, 442 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, (207) 778-6222. They sell this tea by the ounce and would be happy to assist you. They also have a tearoom and 40-plus varieties of premium teas. They are open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. for lunch, and until 4 p.m. for all other business.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for a knit pattern for a child’s helmet hat that has a front and back tab to protect their neck area. I bought two of them at the Oxford Hills High School craft fair and wonder if the lady selling them would please let me buy the directions. I can be reached at (207) 345-9867. Please ask for Cindy. – Cindy Greenlaw, Mechanic Falls.

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.

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