Dear Sun Spots: I love reading Sun Spots every day. It has been very helpful to me many times.

Now I turn to Sun Spots for some help. I enjoy bluegrass music and recently heard Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection perform and was absolutely impressed. How can I contact her and the band? Are they playing anywhere locally anytime soon? Thanks for your help. – Larry Paquette, Lewiston.

Answer: You and other fans will be happy to note that Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection will perform Nov. 12 at the newly renovated Franco-American Heritage Center, in the former St. Mary’s Church on Cedar Street in Lewiston. Call 784-7540 for tickets or visit www.ericabrownonline.com for more about the fiddler from Lewiston. You may also note that upcoming concerts include:

Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Saco River Grange in Bar Mills. For more information, call (207) 929-6472.

Saturday, Dec. 31, at First Night Worcester in Worcester, Mass. For more information, call (508) 799-4909.

Dear Sun Spots: You have been very helpful to me in the past, and I am calling on you again. I do a lot of knitting for charity and have had requests for “Snoopy mittens.” If anyone out there has a pattern that they would be willing to sell or send me, or copy it, I would be very grateful.

I can be reached at (207) 784-4224. I do have an answering machine as I am out off and on. Thank you, and God bless. – Barbara, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: We are a family of six with four young children; a 6-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son and 9-month-old baby girls. With the holidays coming up, we would like to know names, addresses and phone numbers of organizations that can help with Christmas. Any help at all will be appreciated. Please call 225-3324. – Stacy, Turner.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, contact The Salvation Army on Monday through Friday on Nov. 14-18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 67 Park St., Lewiston. You will need to bring proof of income and expenses, identification and Social Security numbers for each person in the household, and Medicaid cards. And for those with custody of children, you will need documentation showing proof of custody.

You may also want to contact the Marine Corps League’s Toys for Tots program. Contact them at Toys for Tots Foundation of Maine, 339 Republic Ave., Topsham, ME 04086-1198, (207) 721-9037.

Dear Sun Spots: In August, I sent a check to Island Elements and Maine Wood Artisans as down payment for a child’s bedroom set. Production was to begin immediately upon receipt of the check and the balance due to be sent upon completion and delivery of the furniture. I called and was told my check was received and production had begun. Unfortunately, this was not the case, as shortly thereafter the company went out of business. I have attempted to contact the company and its owner several times trying to get my deposit repaid but have been unsuccessful. – Karen Krigman, No Town.

Answer: Unfortunately, your letter was much too lengthy to include in its entirety here in the column.

A Sun Journal article dated Oct. 12 noted that the business had closed after 10 years because the owner “couldn’t afford to keep the place going anymore.” Owner Melissa Norton described the company as “completely annihilated by the economy.” Seven workers were laid off and restarting the business was not part of the owner’s plans.

Sun Spots spoke with former production manager Dean Stevens who says there was no fraud involved. He states at the time of your deposit the company was in operation. However, it dissolved shortly thereafter. According to Stevens, you have filed suit against the former owner, and one hopes you will find resolution within the court system.

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].