Dear Sun Spots: My daughter has an IPod that needs repair and her warranty has run out. Is there anyone in the Lewiston, Auburn area that repairs IPods? Please contact me at 754-4231. Thank you for any help. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, the Apple Web site offers a list of Apple Authorized Service Providers who may be able to help you find someone locally. On the list is Flexible Business Systems Inc., located at 60 Pineland Dr. in New Gloucester. Sun Spots has taken an iBook there for repair and can attest to the great service. We suggest you contact them to start your search for an iPod repair center.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there anyone in this area that does dyeing? I have a man’s jacket that I would like to have dyed. Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: We have not been able to find anyone who provides this service. Hopefully our readers will be able to offer some assistance.

Dear Sun Spots: I love feeding hummingbirds and read somewhere once of a recipe to make food for hummingbirds. It was made with sugar, water and red food color. What is the sugar/water ratio for this? Any help would be appreciated. – Ray, Livermore Falls.

Answer: According to www.birdwatching-bliss.com, the best ratio is 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water, since this closely approximates the concentrations found in the nectar of wildflowers they prefer.

No research has shown that higher concentrations are harmful to hummingbirds and note that weaker concentrations are less attractive to hummers and you’ll find they may just stop coming to your feeder to find a better, concentrated source.

Also remember that the sugar in flower nectar is mostly sucrose, like that of white sugar. So don’t use honey in your feeder, which is primarily composed of fructose & glucose. Hummingbirds can’t digest it as efficiently. And remember that artificial sweeteners provide no calories for hummingbirds, which in turn means no energy, so be sure to use white granulated sugar.

Follow these steps to make a recipe for a little over 1 cup of hummingbird food, which should be enough to fill a standard feeder. Be sure your feeder is cleaned thoroughly before adding new solution. Boil 1 cup of water; stir 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar into the water until sugar dissolves. Cool and fill your hummingbird feeder. Any leftover nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Red food coloring offer no nutrition; it is only used to attract birds to your feeder and is not necessary.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there a little Michelangelo out there? I really need help in the restoration of a saintly statue in Richmond, Maine. The staff and the right finger are missing. We could finally bring Saint Ambrose to it’s full glory. Please call me at 783-8047. Thanks. – Rich, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: You have done me a great service when I last asked for your assistance and I have one more to ask; I have approximately 200 song sheets that my wife and her two sisters were using to play guitar, accordion and banjo, most of them are of the 1940’s. I would like to know if there is someone interested in them. I can be contacted through my e-mail address, rnb80@xpressamerica.net which is easier; I live in Old Orchard Beach. – Roger, Old Orchard Beach.

Dear Sun Spots: Tennis anyone? Group of women looking for a regular and subs for non-league play. “B” players preferred. No make-ups for inclement weather.

Private court, Wednesday nights, 5:30 p.m. in Lewiston. For those who just want to have fun and exercise. Please call 485-1808 if interested. – No Name, No Town.

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.