Dear Sun Spots: In response to No Name, Norway, looking for someone to service an Oreck upright vacuum cleaner, I am a dealer for Oreck, Eureka and Bernina vacuum cleaners, sales and service. I have parts for most makes, including Electrolux. I will pick up and deliver them back, if I can’t fix them on my house call. I am in the Mechanic Falls area. Call Bob at 345-5101. – Bob, Mechanic Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: I am making an afghan and am going to run out of yarn. My aunt suggested that I write to you for you can sometimes help. I am looking for Mainstays Off White Yarn. I tried online and found it has been discontinued. I need one skein but would buy more if available. I may be reached by phone at (207) 736-3412 days and (207) 746-3650 evenings. I may also be reached by e-mail at sandra@hchaynes.com. Thank you in advance for your assistance. – Sandra, Lincoln

Answer: Sun Spots was also unable to locate any Mainstays yarn in the color you need. We contacted Marden’s in Lewiston, which has a supply of Mainstays yarn, but only in yellow. We suggest checking your local Wal-Mart to see if they have replaced the brand with something comparable in weight. You may also have some luck on eBay. We found several other colors for sale, but urge you to keep checking as new items are always being added.

According to www.findhomeanswers.com, you may replace it with any yarn you’d like as long as you can meet the gauge required by the pattern. They also recommend making two swatches with the new yarn. One would be your “control” swatch, the other the one you “beat the dickens” out of by washing and drying it several times. Once you’re done beating up your swatch, compare it to the original. Take notes: Did the color hold, did it shrink, did it pill? This way you’ll know if you’ll be happy with your project in the long run.

Hopefully, one of our readers may be able to locate a skein of Mainstays Off White yarn for you.

Dear Sun Spots: Does anyone have coffee cans (big ones)? Need two. Where is a place to buy some chains for a wall clock? I have a shelf for books or tapes to give away. It’s black and homemade. I have VCR tapes (2 bags) in good shape to give away. Call 782-6953 before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or from 6 to 9 p.m. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, contact Pat at Rohman Clockworks at 350 Minot Ave. in Auburn, 784-1211. He would be able to assist you with ordering chains for your clock. He would need to see the original chain, which you can drop off to him. He also does house calls if needed. Rohman Clockworks repairs antique and modern clocks, including cuckoo clocks and grandfather clocks.

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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