Dear Sun Spots: As the nights get colder and the trees become more colorful, we are reminded that winter is just around the corner. It’s a time for sewing, knitting and more. And here’s where all those knitters and sewers out there can help.

Cote’s Sewing and Fabric Center is sponsoring Mittens for Kids again this year. We invite all sewers and knitters out there to keep our needy children in your hearts by making mittens for kids. We have free easy-to-make patterns, and fleece that have been donated for those of you who would like to sew mittens. Yarn is also available for those who wish to knit. In addition, the kids also enjoyed hats and scarves knitted by many of you last year.

Cote’s encourages you to stop by our store in the Auburn Plaza (next to Big Lots) to pick up fleece and yarn. Even one pair of mittens will make a difference.

Donations will be delivered to the Salvation Army on Saturday, Dec. 1, in conjunction with WCSH’s Coats and Toys for Kids. Your contributions will be distributed to kids throughout Maine.

We thank all of you for your generosity, and we also appreciate the service that Sun Spots provides to our community. If you have any questions, phone us at 782-5922 or e-mail us at [email protected]. – Lisa Cote-Blake, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a three-year-old Hewlett-Packard printer/scanner/copier that recently just stopped functioning. I have done all the troubleshooting steps HP recommended, but nothing works. Is there any business or person in the Twin City area that repairs home inkjet printers? It still looks new and was somewhat expensive. I would hate to just junk it. – C. Churchill, Auburn.

Answer: Consider contacting Action Computer Services, 786-8740, 1071 Lisbon St., Lewiston. They have a $45 charge, but are willing to look at your item. They believe you may be looking at about $100 or $120 to fix it. They are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bob’s Affordable Computing, 14 North Main St., Mechanic Falls, 786-0281, 14 North Main St., Mechanic Falls. There is a $50 house call or your item may be brought in. There is no charge to look at it. They are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (usually there until 6 or 7 p.m.) Monday to Friday, sometimes on Saturday.

Dear Sun Spots: I am the box top coordinator for Lisbon Community School. We are collecting box tops from General Mills cereals, Ziploc bags, Betty Crocker and Toaster strudels along with a variety of other grocery items. Each box top is worth 10 cents, and our goal this year is to raise $2,000.

If anyone has any they would like to donate to our school, we have a collection box at Food City in Lisbon Falls, or they may be mailed to Lisbon Community School, Attn: Box Top coordinator, 33 Mill St., Lisbon, ME 04250. – No Name, Lisbon.

Dear Sun Spots: About a week ago there was an advertisement in the Sun Journal about a consignment store. Could you please print the address and telephone number? Thank you. You do such a great service for us. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots believes you were referring to Raggamuffins Consignment Shop, 1761 Lisbon Road, Lewiston, 786-2886. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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].