Dear Sun Spots: The Androscoggin Grange 8 is looking for a donation of a video camcorder, possibly with a tripod. We will put it to good use and take video of our annual Kids Talent & Variety shows. The show builds self-esteem and self-confidence in our youngsters. These special children take pride in seeing themselves on stage while performing their favorite talent. We are also accepting monetary donations to purchase a digital camera. Please contact Janice at 946-5006 or Carol at 946-7746 if you can help. – Carol Buzzell, Greene.

Dear Sun Spots: I am writing to answer D.M. of Lewiston, regarding personalizing small keepsake pillows (Sun Spots column Aug. 23): I have personalized wedding ring bearer pillows and believe I can help this individual. D.M. can please contact me at 782-2068. – Handicrafter in Auburn.


Dear Sun Spots: I would appreciate it very much if you could please give me information on how to get rid of moths. I have tried different things but have been unsuccessful. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer:
Sun Spots located the following tips at http://ths.gardenweb.com and hopefully they’ll help get you started.

Recommendations include: using cedar chips or a cedar block in your closets. Replace every six months for maximum effectiveness. Lightly sand your cedar block every so often to renew the scent.

Also, determine what type of moths you have. Meal moths will require a different deterrent than closet moths. Keep a stash of bay leaves to prevent meal moths, after you’ve cleaned down and dried the shelves and thrown out your contaminated goods.

Dear Sun Spots: Again, I turn to you knowing you are up on everything from soups to nuts.

I am contemplating on doing business with Swanson Health Products in North Dakota. With the rising costs of health remedies, I am wondering if this is a good deal, pharmaceutical-approved and more. Looking for your response and, as always, satisfaction and trust. – Mac in Lewiston.

Answer:
You put a heavy load on Sun Spots’ shoulders Mac! Sun Spots would feel a lot more comfortable if you discussed this with your primary care physician, who is much more familiar with your medical history and could offer you a trained, professional medical opinion. Sun Spots would also urge you to sit down and discuss this with your medical team to ensure medications you may already be taking do not interfere with any of these others you might be considering.

In the meantime, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was signed into law by President Clinton in October 1994. Before that, dietary supplements were subject to the same regulatory requirements as were other foods. The new law, which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, created a new regulatory framework for the safety and labeling of dietary supplements.

Under it, a firm is responsible for determining that the dietary supplements it manufactures or distributes are safe and any representations or claims made about them are substantiated by adequate evidence to show that they are not false or misleading. This means that dietary supplements do not need approval from FDA before they are marketed. Except in the case of a new dietary ingredient, where pre-market review for safety data and other information is required by law, a firm does not have to provide FDA with the evidence it relies on to substantiate safety or effectiveness before or after it markets its products.

Manufacturers do not need to register themselves or their dietary supplement products with FDA before producing or selling them.

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.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.