Dear Sun Spots: A few friends and I have taken to Electric R/C airplanes. Unfortunately, living in the city does not present too many locations to fly. The local schools and athletic fields, although plenty large enough, will soon be filled with teams of people playing various sports. We are looking for other places to fly around Lewiston and Auburn. Ideally, what we need is a landowner in the surrounding area with a large field willing to let us fly on their land. I’m hoping one will read this and grant permission. Perhaps even a fellow R/C enthusiast.

We are a small group of five adults and one teen who is always accompanied. We fly electric only. No gas. No loud noisy engines. Our planes are quiet. I am aware of a few modeling clubs, but all are too far away to be practical for us. We fly a few times a week in the afternoon and evening. And most weekends when we can. Our most local hobby shop has access to a field but told us we could not fly there unless we bought the plane we wanted to fly from him. So unfortunately, that option is out. Any other suggestions such as locations nearby would be appreciated. Please contact me by e-mail at [email protected] or through Sun Spots if you can assist us. We are willing to discuss various forms of compensation for use of land, if need be. – No Name, No Town.

* Sun Spots provided an incorrect phone number for Janet Krapovicky featured in Wednesday’s column. She can be reached at (207) 784-2164.

Dear Sun Spots: I am writing to you in the hopes that a reader might have a viola that they would part with.

When I was in college, I took violin lessons and really enjoyed myself. I now have multiple sclerosis and need an instrument that is larger, due to lack of muscle control. I have a violin I would be happy to trade. Or if someone has a viola they would like to give away, I would be grateful. The instrument needs to be in good playing order.

My other question was: Do you know of a good business that specializes in string instruments and their repair?

I haven’t found one locally and I thought maybe there might be something in the Portland area. I can be reached at (207) 782-8083. Thanks for the help. – G.W., Auburn.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, try contacting the following:

Somerset Violins , 10 Railroad Square, Waterville, ME 04901, (207) 877-0746.

Joel Eckhaus, Earnest Instruments, 12 Fairlawn Ave., South Portland, ME 04106, (207) 799-9788.

Eckhaus has been playing, teaching, designing, building and repairing stringed instruments since opening his own shop, Earnest Uncommon Musical Instruments, in 1976. He began building instruments in 1973 while studying woodworking at the Shelburne Craft School and at Rochester Institute of Technology with noted cabinetmaker James Krenov. Further information about Joel Eckhaus can be found on his Web site, Earnest.html.

Nathan Slobodkin, violins and cellos, (207) 941-6448, 31 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401.

Slobodkin is a highly respected violin maker. Originally from Ann Arbor, Mich., he has more than 25 years experience in the musical instrument field, including an internship at the Smithsonian Institution. He spent five years building violas and cellos in the W.H. Lee Workshop in Chicago and two years as a restorer at Jacques Francais Rare Violins in New York. He divides his time between making new instruments and servicing and repairing instruments in the local musical community. He also holds workshops on the care and maintenance of violins through the Maine Fiddle Camp program in Montville.

Jonathan Cooper, violins, violas and cellos, 61 Middle Jam Road, Gorham, ME 04038, 1-800-488-9851, (207) 893-1866, e-mail him at [email protected].

Cooper grew up in New York. He taught himself to play the fiddle when he was 20, but became more interested in violin restoration. He studied the art form at the University of New Hampshire, apprenticed in Italy and worked in Germany before moving to Maine in the early 1980s. He makes and repairs violins, violas and cellos at his Gorham shop.

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.