Dear Sun Spots: I wonder if you or your readers know of anyone in the area who repairs rope hammocks. A couple of strands of mine were chewed through by mice over the winter.

Otherwise, the hammock is in excellent condition and I would like to have the damage repaired. Any help in locating someone who does this sort of thing will be much appreciated. – June, No Town.

Answer: You might consider checking out The Hammock Co., www.hammock-company.com for a repair kit. It offers one for both cotton and polyester rope hammocks for $12.05.

You can call The Hammock Co. toll free at 800-398-6004 or via post at P.O. Box 178, Winterville, NC 28590.

Dear Sun Spots: The Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association will host its annual Apple Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6, rain or shine.

It will be held in The Fairbanks Area at the school meeting house on Route 4, which is 2¼ miles north of downtown Farmington.

We are still looking for artisans such as lace makers, leather crafters, glass etchers, tinsmiths, candle makers, corn husk flower makers, apple carvers, apple drying and leaded/stained glass artisans.

Please call Patty at 778-4272 or Cindy at 778-3808. We always try to keep to the theme of anything related to crafts/artisan products of yesterday – late 1800s, early 1900s. Anything such as basket making, braided and hooked rugs, spinning and knitting, wooden products and of course, apples are welcome.

We will also hold our annual apple pie contest and pies must be brought to us before 10 a.m.

Pie pans must be nonreturnable. First, second and third prizes will be awarded after the judging. Pies will be auctioned off at 11 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the rebuilding efforts for the school that stood 100 years before the fire of 1998. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: My husband has shingles. He went to the doctor, who told him they were not contagious. When I go somewhere and people ask me how my husband is I tell them.

They back away from me and treat me as if I have the plague! I would really appreciate it if you would say something. Thanks. – Name Withheld.

Answer: Sun Spots is so sorry you’ve encountered this. Sometimes people just don’t know what to say when it comes to illnesses and their reaction becomes more awkward when they’re struggling with how to react and support friends and family.

Sun Spots touched base with pharmacist Chuck Primozich of Primozich Pharmacy in Mechanic Falls, who has provided a wealth of information on this subject in the past. Primozich himself has had shingles.

He says this is not contagious and not knowing where you husband is on the shingles timeline, he’d be happy to chat with you and offer you some options. You can reach him at 345-9188.

Dear Sun Spots: What can you find out about China 1, the restaurant in Dixfield? They told someone they would be reopening, and they sold gift certificates the week they left. We have some of their gift certificates still. Any information would be helpful.

Also, for the lady looking for larger bra sizes; Fashion Bug has them, and Avon also carries some. Thank you. – No Name, Rumford.

Answer: Sun Spots checked with reporter Terry Karkos, who says the restaurant just up and closed one day.

Perhaps other readers familiar with this restaurant would be willing to share some information.

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