Dear Sun Spots: Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity is building two homes on Lufkin Street in Auburn for two hardworking families.

I would like to invite your readers to visit the site and think of ways you might be able to help. Several local churches and at least one grange have helped – with a talent show, break-time snacks and noontime meals for the crew, as well as a new 8-foot picnic table.

What gift can you share with these two Habitat families?

I would invite you to visit The Blooming Onion booth at Lewiston Railroad Park during the Great Falls Balloon Festival on Aug. 20 through Aug. 22. You can enjoy our great blooming onions and curly fries.

For more information, please visit the Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity at www.androhforh.org. – No Name, Livermore.

Dear Sun Spots: The sumac bushes are taking over a large part of our property. Can you please find out the best way to eradicate them or at least to control them? This information will be very much appreciated. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots checked with Sun Journal garden columnist Jody Goodwin, who says she’s plagued with them also. She and husband, Ike, keep the sumac at bay with a chain saw about three times per season (April to October). The sumac bushes have extensive root systems and – if obliterated when young – can be controlled. However, once they are established, the chain saw works well, along with pulling plants with roots that are crawling up into the landscaping. Goodwin believes any herbicides like Roundup would work but it will kill anything else in the area that it touches, so caution is very, very, very necessary.

Dear Sun Spots: Regarding the person who wanted a purse strap restitched:

We found a wonderful young cobbler on Lisbon Street, tucked into a little tiny shop in front of where Sears is. It’s kind of in back of a little parking lot adjacent to maybe a tire store. He is really a good guy who restitched some stuff for us very reasonably. Sorry, I don’t know his name. – Lee, Andover.

Dear Sun Spots: I have some free Ball canning jars with wires. They will need the rubber seal. I can be reached in Lewiston at (207) 783-0769 or (207) 783-0310. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I also had a problem with Signature Color’s films. I took them to Wal-Mart in Auburn. The result was wonderful. Thanks to Wal-Mart, I no longer have to deal with Signature Color. – G. Blais, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Some time ago I saw a butterfly quilt made with ladies’ hankies. The woman who made the quilt told me she asked Sun Spots readers for hankies. I would like to make this quilt, so I too am asking readers for their help. Anyone with clean ladies hankies, any size or color that they do not want, I would certainly appreciate them. I will reimburse for postage if needed. Please send to L. Small, 211 Orchard Drive, Wilton, ME 04294. Thank you, readers, and thank you, Sun Spots. – Lisa Small, Wilton.

Dear Sun Spots: Crescent Park School in Bethel greatly appreciates the Sun Spots readers’ assistance with our Campbell’s Labels for Education and General Mills Boxtops for Education programs.

This year, Crescent Park School received $1,046.40 from General Mills box tops for the student activity fund. The Campbell’s labels (10,418) are being saved to combine with points we earn next year.

Our thanks to Marie Witter, Clarice Gibson, Kelly Stone and Caroline Gould for their many hours of cutting and counting labels and box tops.

Thanks to all the students, parents and friends for the fine job they did this year. It is so important to continue saving labels and box tops during the summer to get a good start on next year’s box tops and labels programs. What a great way to help CPS, or any local school. Thank you again for supporting Crescent Park School. – Diana Witt, Caroline Gould, Bethel.

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 Advice section under Opinion on the left hand corner of your computer screen.