Dear Sun Spots: April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

To recognize and celebrate the work done on this behalf, Advocates for Children will host a Community Baby Shower for pregnant and newly parenting adolescents in our community. We are requesting your support for donations of items for mothers, infants and toddlers. For more information or to donate, please contact Rebecca or Angie at Advocates for Children, 783-3990 – Rebecca A. Keene, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Farwell School has relocated to the old Holy Family School, which has hardwood floors. To help preserve the floors and keep the noise level down, we would appreciate the donation of tennis balls, which will be used to cover the legs of the desks and chairs. The balls can be dropped off (not literally) at the school on Sabattus Street. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: This year marks the 20th anniversary of Mt. Abram Regional High School’s Class of 1986. As part of organizing a reunion, we’re hoping to locate our classmates. Did you graduate with us? Do you know someone who is part of our class? Please e-mail us at classof1986@gmail.com. We’re planning our 20th reunion and need your help! If you went to Mt. Abram, please visit the alumni Web site at www.mtaroadrunners.org – Micah MacDonald, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Love your column!

In the Feb. 27 column, there was an inquiry about women’s pocketbooks and a catalog.

I’m wondering if she meant Faye Spoffard purses. There used to be home parties, like Tupperware, and they had catalogs covering pocketbooks, handbags, evening bags, change purses, wallets and more. – A. D., No Town.

Answer: Many thanks to A.D. for the information. Sadly, Sun Spots was not able to locate this company. Perhaps there are readers out there who know if it is still in business and where it might be located and would be willing to provide the column with your information. Many thanks.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope you can help me. I ruined a special fleece with sap while cutting Christmas tree branches this winter. Any help would be very appreciated. Thank you. – Pat Gregoire, No Town.

Answer: This is likely not an official solution, but according to co-worker Anna Rodrigue, peanut butter seems to dissolve sap and chewing gum. She’s had success removing both. The gum was mashed into her daughter’s hair and the peanut butter gently dissolved it. The sap was pasted to her hands, and again the peanut butter dissolved it.

Rodrigue recommends gently pulling the sap away from the fabric as much as possible, putting a touch of peanut butter on your forefinger, and then rubbing the sap between thumb and forefinger. Wipe away with paper towel or tissue so the peanut butter doesn’t get on the fabric.

In addition, you might also like to try the following tip posted online at http://barefoot_lass.tripod.com/index-2.html:

Rub the sap with an ice cube, then gently scrape off any excess sap. Sponge the stain with cleaning fluid and let air dry. Rub with detergent and launder as usual. If stains persist, apply a few drops of household ammonia and air dry. Launder in the hottest water that is safe for that fabric. If you don’t have any cleaning fluid around the house, saturate the spot with a pretreatment stain remover. (Shout It Out is a good one). Wait a few minutes and then rub the stain with a heavy duty laundry detergent. Launder as usual.

Another option is to rub Purell or another antibacterial hand gel on the stain. It should break up the sap and remove the stain.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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