Dear Sun Spots: While the sun is still high in the sky and the blistering cold of winter is still a distant memory, The Salvation Army needs your help.

The winter months bring many needs to our community and are also the time of our biggest and most visible fund-raiser, our annual Red Kettle Campaign at Christmas. The success of this campaign involves many volunteers giving their valuable time and energy to get the job done.

The Salvation Army needs:

• Volunteers to drive and pick up “Coats For Kids,” toys and other donated items.

• Civic clubs, church groups, schools and Scout troops to man the Red Kettle stands through the holiday season.

Nearly 500 community families receive food and toys through the holidays. The fund-raiser also provides income to support our disaster, emergency service and social development education and recreation classes through the year.

For information on how you can be a part of this community team, please contact Capt. John Bennett, Lewiston Salvation Army, 67 Park St., (207) 783-0801 or visit our Web site at www.use.salvationarmy.org/lewiston. – John Bennett, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there anyone out there who knows the exact year the Ridlonville Post Office closed?

This information is not available from the U.S. Postal Service, nor do we have it at the Mexico Historical Society. Please contact me at (207) 364-8558 or e-mail me at bmelanson@gwi.net if you know the answer to this query. Thank you. – B.Melanson, Mexico.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for some good photos of the Clay Aiken concert at the Cumberland Civic Center. I took my granddaughter who is a big fan and I am now in the process of making a memory book of her summer vacation. We could not get any good pictures. I would gladly pay for copies of the photos. Your help would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me by e-mail at Danitadee2@msn.com or telephone (207) 782-1394. Thank you so very much! – Anita DuPont, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope someone out there can help me again. I am looking for quilt patterns and instructions by Ann Orr. I would also like instructions with pictures on how to make band- or hatboxes. Or where might I be able to purchase a book? Many thanks to anyone who can help. – Lorraine Dunham, Rangeley.

Dear Sun Spots: T.M.G. of Oxford asked for a shop to repair a leather purse. A fellow by the last name of Edwards, I believe, owns Tom Finn Shoe Repair at Oxford Mini Mall, (207) 743-2678. He has done a good job on more than one pair of my shoes and is right in the town she lives in! – Beth H., No Town.

Answer: Unfortunately, the number is disconnected, Beth, and is no longer in service, which is why Sun Spots did not include it in the list. However T.M.G. may also want to contact:

Obie’s Shoe Repair at 289 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 784-8164. Owner Yves Arondel de Hayes says you can get to his shop by going through the alleyway and to the rear of 289. He is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m.

Tim Finn Shoe Repair (no relation to the above) at (207) 623-8491, Water Street, Augusta. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Along with shoe repair, they can mend your luggage, dye your leather shoes, fix leather jackets and more.

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.