Dear Sun Spots: Where would one find knitted leg warmers? Also, I am looking for a large calendar with all the months on one sheet. My son gave me one last year for 2004, which he got from someone else. This would make keeping track of doctors’ appointments much easier. I can be reached at (207) 782-6953. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots welcomes responses from readers who may know where to find knitted leg warmers or, better yet, may knit them. Also, you can find yearly wall calendars at Staples in Lewiston, Office Max in Auburn or any office supply store or department store’s home office department. They are indeed a convenient way to see the entire year’s schedule of appointments, holidays and special events. They range in price from $8.49 for the contemporary 24-by-36-inch At-A-Glance wall calendar to $18.99 for the (dry) erasable At-A-Glance 24-by-36-inch wall calendar. You may even find one less expensive at a discount department store.

Dear Sun Spots: When I was a child in the mid-’50s, my family bought U.S. savings bonds at the one-room schoolhouse I attended in Hanover. I believe the government always said the savings bonds were secure from damage or loss. I was very young, so I probably just picked up the adult conversation. I think they are the same U.S. savings bonds that are still out there today. I remember we had little books, and we would purchase stamps to put in them until they were full. I think you could get 5- or 10-cent stamps. I have a feeling that a lot of schools probably had the program back in the ’50s. Well, when our house burned down we lost everything and I don’t think my parents ever looked into the bonds or stamps. How can I get the information needed to see if we still have any or if they are recoverable? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: You may want to contact the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Public Debt at: Federal Reserve Bank, Pittsburgh Branch, P.O. Box 867, Pittsburgh, PA 15230, (800) 245-2804. According to their Web site, bonds that are lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed can be replaced free of charge as long as the Bureau of the Public Debt can establish that the bonds haven’t been cashed. To assure that the bonds can be traced, owners should keep records of bond serial numbers, issue dates, registration and Social Security or taxpayer identification numbers in a safe place separate from the bonds. That Web site has a “savings bond wizard” that you can download to help you do this by visiting www1.publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/savwizar.htm.

To get your bond replaced, you’ll need to complete Form PD F 1048. On this form, provide the approximate issue date along with the complete names, addresses, Social Security number that appeared on the bond and the bond serial number. If you don’t know the serial number or denomination, just write “unknown” in the space provided. If the bond owner is a minor, the form should be signed by both parents and the minor’s age and Social Security number should be included. Form PD F 1048 can be downloaded or ordered from the Bureau of Public Debt’s Web site at www.publicdebt.treas.gov/bpd/bpdforms.htm. Click on “savings bond forms ordering” and then scroll down to “Form PD F 1048” “claim for lost, stolen or destroyed United States savings bonds.”

Dear Sun Spots: I am so thankful that the Sun Journal offers Sun Spots as an avenue to help others and share ideas. I have a friend who lives in an apartment house for the elderly. The tenants like to get together daily to play games, socialize and have fun. They are in need of some board games and were wondering if anyone might have some they would like to donate. I can be reached at (207) 783-5077 and will make arrangements to pick up and drop off. – Thelma Urschick, Lewiston.

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