Dear Sun Spots: You have helped us in the past and we are asking for your help again. We have to start our summer fund-raising events and need the help of your readers. We would like to do our blanket drive again because it was so successful before. We are looking for anyone who can knit or crochet afghans of all sizes and donate them to our homeless shelter to sell to raise funds for the summer season. Funding is always down this time of year, and this year we would also like to help another organization as well. We can also use any yarn donated to help the residents and staff make some as well. Anyone wishing to help us is asked to contact Maria at 744-0936 or Galilee House, 25 Deering St., Norway, ME 04268. All proceeds will benefit our homeless shelter for women and children. We thank everyone for the help given in the past! – Maria Whitney, Galilee House director.

Dear Sun Spots: I was wondering if you could please tell me how much Elvis Presley stamps are worth, unused. I have six of them, but two are ripped in half and the other four are very good. How can I find out how much they are worth? – Priscilla Savage, Jay.

Answer: Sun Spots would encourage you to contact Robert or Jim Simmons of Maurice A. Storck Co. at 651 Forest Ave., in Portland (800) 734-7271. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead to ensure they are available to help you find an answer to your question.

Dear Sun Spots: Maybe some of your readers can please help me.

Is there a 2000 quarter for New Jersey? Also, I need one for Oregon and Alabama. Is there any certain time that they come out? Thanks. – P.L.B., No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, according to the United States Mint, the state of Oregon is honored with the third quarter to be released in 2005, and the 33rd in the Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program. On Feb. 14, 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state to be admitted into the Union. Its coin design features a portion of Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, viewed from the south-southwest rim. The design incorporates Wizard Island, as well as Watchman and Hillman Peaks on the lake’s rim and conifers. The coin bears the inscription “Crater Lake.” A specific release date is not noted on the Web site, and it does not appear to have been released as of yet. The New Jersey quarter was released in 1999 and the Alabama quarter was released March 17, 2003.

For more information or to keep track of the release dates, check out the Web site at www.usmint.gov. Also earmarked for release in 2005, are: Kansas and West Virginia; in 2006 Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota and South Dakota; in 2007, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah; and in 2008, the final year of the program Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.

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].