Dear Sun Spots: I am wondering if any of your readers could please help me.

This spring, I took a beginner class at Leavitt High School for tatting. I would like to hear from someone in the Lewiston/Auburn or surrounding area that is more advanced and would be willing to teach me more. I’d be willing to pay a reasonable price.

Also, I’d be interested in knowing whether there are any tatting clubs in the Lewiston/Auburn or surrounding areas? Please contact me at (207) 933-4275. – Yvonne Parker Dumond, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots contacted Elaine O’Donal of Gorham who teaches tatting and offered a recent class with the Turner adult education program. She is not currently offering classes, however it’s possible she may be asked to teach another in the spring. You may want to watch for the spring class schedule. In the meantime, O’Donal says she is aware of a group of lacemakers in Maine but they seldom get together. She notes there are few making lace and sad to say even fewer willing to teach. So, perhaps there are other tatters out there who may be willing to assist you.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope you will be helpful with this problem as you have been in the past.

I absolutely hate my year-old washer! I am told by the maker that it meets current codes, but it has no lint removal features. The manufacturer says that the lint is to come off in the dryer. My problem is that I line dry almost everything. I ordered some small balls that are sort of the texture of Velcro but not as abrasive. They didn’t work. I tried tennis balls which only worked a bit. Does anyone know of any product that will really grab the lint? I’d be so grateful to learn of something to solve this problem. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots checked the Maytag Web site, www.maytag.com, which notes that the new lint filtering system does not require a consumer to manually remove lint from the washer. The inner tub has been redesigned to effectively remove lint through the holes located in the inner tub. Lint passes through these holes and is removed through the drain when the product goes into a spin cycle.

Dear Sun Spots: I am trying to locate an address for Erica Brown and her band.

I made a video of them at the Balloon Festival and would like to give her a copy. Or, maybe she can get in touch with me. My number is (207) 783-7142. – Mickey Meservier, Lewiston.

Answer: According to her Web site, www.http://www.ericabrownonline.com/ you can contact Erica Brown and her band, The Bluegrass Connection, via e-mail at [email protected]. You can also write to her at: P.O. Box 2444, Lewiston, ME 04241-2444.

In addition, you might be interested in hearing both Brown and the band at today’s Cumberland Fair. Performances are at 3 and 6 p.m. Please phone (207) 846-6989 for more information.

Upcoming concerts include:

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28 – Hillcrest Bluegrass Festival Chichester, N.H. FMI phone (603) 798-5124.

Sunday, Oct. 19 – Lebanon Opera House Lebanon, N.H. FMI phone (603) 448-0400.

Saturday, Nov. 29 – Saco River Grange, Buxton. FMI phone (207) 967-3755.

Saturday, Dec. 27 – Festival Night at Sugarloaf USA – Carrabassett Valley, Maine. No contact information is posted on the Web site yet.

* Readers interested in Wednesday’s call for artisans for the second annual Apple Festival Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fairbanks School grounds, should please contact Patty Jacobs at (207) 778-4272. No phone number was provided in Wednesday’s column.

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].