Dear Sun Spots: The Dixfield Congregational Church has five different sets of old hymnals, of varying ages. We’d like to offer them to a church that might be able to use them. Call 562 4582 and leave a message. – Leslie, Dixfield.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you refer me to someone who can help protect and patent an invention? How does a person go about this in a safe manner? Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recommends that “all prospective applicants retain the services of a registered patent attorney or patent agent to prepare and prosecute their applications.”

Patent agents are not required to be an attorney at law, but do have to meet certain requirements in order to become registered by the USPTO. They must pass a required exam and show that they have the necessary legal, and scientific and technical qualifications to work as a patent agent.

While we are unable refer you to a specific patent agent, we found an extensive list on the USPTO Web site, www.uspto.gov. Thomas L. Bohan, an attorney at Bohan Mathers, 75 Market St. in Portland is a registered attorney and may be reached at (207) 773-3132.

You can also contact a USPTO customer service representative at 1-800-786-9199. They offer a wide variety of general information and documents pertaining to patents and trademarks. They are available Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dear Sun Spots: Oxford Hills graduates of the class of 1983 are having a 25th year class reunion this summer on Saturday, July 12. The location will be the Silver Spur (formerly the Nickelodeon) on Route 121 in Mechanic Falls, and the time is 4 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25 per person who plan to have the 6 p.m. dinner option. Classmates can attend “after dinner hours” for a small donation at the door. This is a BYOB event, with disc jockey entertainment. The reunion committee needs your help in locating the addresses of the following classmates: Paula Brackett, Debbie Gagne, Gary Gilbert, John Myshrall, Sterling Proctor, Melissa Salls, Silver Sawyer, Barbara Smith, Shannon Stearns, Kevin Tuttle, James Bishop, Terri Drew, Mike Santos, Ann Smith, Cynthia Robbins, Carlene Rowe, Dale Stearns, Mark Thayer, Robyn Thayer, Suzanne Thompson, Debbie Strother, Carlos Turcios, Tom Moyse, Blaine Ray, David Yates, David Croteau, Irene Irvine, Elise Alling, Angela Martin, Janet Martin, Steve Snow, Bob Fleck, Carla Valecko, Jason Capano, Ann Micklon, Karen Loman, Peter Howell, Sue Dodge, Lewis Cross, Steve LaRock, Brenda Long, Don Delehanty, Alan Jackson, Mary Wilson, David Wood, Jody Langly, Pat Libby, Eddie Cyr, Steve Hayden, Gordon Austin, John King, Marcia Ward, Noelle Wentworth, Mary Sims, Romona Pomerleau, Jennifer King, Elizabeth Harvey, Tim Hebert, Sharon Hunton, Donna Lumb, Lisa Johnson, Bob Kimball, Lance Dustin, Jimmy Walton, Patty Brett, Randy Brown, Eric Cone, Angela Eastman, Tammy Grenier, Nathan Callina, Debbie Housely, Mary Jane McLaughlin, Andrea Frost, Terri Fleck, Mary Rolfe, Sheila Thurston, Angela Webb, Sue Brackett, Steven Toothaker, Mark Hill, Penny Ames, Penny Hill, Lisa Parker, Beth Kilgore, John Pietila, Daphne Foster, Laurie Andrews, and Adrien Morin. Anyone who would like more details or would like to submit or update mailing addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses, may do so by contacting Lance Belanger at 743-8539 or at lance_belanger@sad17.k12.me.us. Classmates are also encouraged to register for free at www.classmates.com and at ohhsvikings.ning.com (by invitation for this site) as another way to easily contact classmates. Please get in your addresses and RSVP’s as soon as possible.

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.