Dear Sun Spots: I work for the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project. I am in charge of coordinating our Feed A Family program this year that provides Thanksgiving baskets to families who have survived the effects of domestic violence. Last year, I called on community members to donate food for families in need. I was amazed at how caring people are out there. Due to the kindness of the community, I was able to give out almost 100 Thanksgiving baskets to families who would otherwise have gone without.

November has come upon me rather quickly so I am sending out an urgent plea to the wonderful people out there who dare to make a difference. If you would like to help provide a family with a basket or donate food to the Feed A Family drive, please contact me at (207) 795-6744, ext: 14. Thank you in advance. – Rijah Newell, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I have an old oil painting in an original wood frame. It has great personal – but no monetary – value. Both the painting and the frame are in need of serious cleaning. Can Sun Spots suggest a method of cleaning? Or someone local who cleans/restores artwork? – Andrew Hall, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots would recommend you contact Shirley Dutton of Atlantic Star Art Consultants in Portland, (800) 443-5691, who appraises oil paintings and specializes in American art. She may also be able to assist you in finding a conservator to clean your painting and has some phone numbers she could provide you with if you are interested. In an earlier column, Dutton told Sun Spots of the importance of not touching the painting or attempting to clean it yourself because you or someone not experienced in this type of painting might do irreversible damage. Sun Spots would urge you to contact Dutton.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a collection of 12-step recovery tapes in their own storage cabinet. I would like someone to get the benefit and help they have given to me. Please call (207) 782-4082 if you are interested. – J.C., Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: My kids love to do “Hocus Focus” in the daily paper. Do they make a book for “Hocus Focus”? If so, where can I find it for my kids? Tom in Jay.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots has not located any collections of these comics in book form and perhaps other readers out there might be willing to assist you.

In the meantime, you might be interested in noting that the comic’s author, Henry Boltinoff, was also noted for “Stoker the Broker” and more, including dozens of filler characters for DC Comics. He never worked on “Batman,” “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman” or any of the other long-lasting and numerous superheroes that form the bulk of DC Comics’ output over the past two-thirds of a century. Yet his work has probably appeared in more individual DC issues than that of any other creator.

He was born in 1914 in New York City. He was a professional cartoonist before he was out of his teens, drawing pictures for the theater section of The New York American, where his brother Murray was an assistant editor. He also freelanced for magazines, selling hundreds of cartoons to Esquire, The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies’ Home Journal etc. Among the characters he created for DC are Casey the Cop, Super Turtle, Jerry the Jitterbug, Homer, Doctor Rocket, Moolah the Mystic, Cora the Carhop, Little Pete and Chief Hot Foot. The National Cartoonists’ Society recognized Boltinoff’s contributions with two of its category awards, one for syndicated humor and the other for his work in comic books. When he died April 26, 2001, he left behind more than a year’s worth of unpublished “Hocus Focus” cartoons.

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. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].