Dear Sun Spots: Maine made $230 million in lottery sales last year. I would like to know where the money goes. Thank you. – Richard, Oxford.

Answer: According to the Maine State Lottery Web site, for fiscal year 2007 (July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007), the money was disbursed as follows: $145,479,232 of total sales were paid out as prizes. By law, a minimum of 45 percent of lottery sales must be dedicated to prizes. The sum of $16,733,090 was paid to lottery agents in commissions and bonuses. The sum of $11,730,306 was paid to lottery vendors, and $50,624,741 was transferred to the General Fund. There are more than 250 programs supported by the General Fund. Approximately $810,598 was transferred to the Outdoor Heritage Fund.

Dear Sun Spots: I read your column every day, and I was very excited when I read about the lady that was inquiring about the cross-stitch magazine she bought at a garage sale. I was given two counted cross-stitches to be done and I am not good at crafts and wonder if this lady would be interested to do them for me and I will pay her. My name is Juliette Bannister and my phone number is 783-8811. Thank you for your column, I love it and I love your recipes. Thank you. – Julie, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for a crochet pattern for an 8-inch kewpie doll. Hopefully someone out there has a pattern they can sell, or a copy of it. Thanks, my phone number is 514-7664. – A. Girardin, Poland.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m looking for an Amway distributor around the area. I’m in need for some of their products. Hope you can help me. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Contact Robert and Stephanie Michaud from Wales at 375-4458 or Adrianne Dunn at 247-3945. They are local Amway distributors and will all be able to help with an order.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like Charlotte Parker to please contact me. I have some yarn to give her. I am unable to knit due to arthritis. I also have some material of patterns of different designs I would like to give to someone who likes to sew. They may reach me at 777-4623. – Judy, Auburn.

Answer: If you’d like to send yarn to Mrs. Parker for her knitting projects, mail it to C. Parker, P.O. Box 363, South Paris, ME 04281.

Dear Sun Spots: Once again I seek your assistance which feels liks asking a question of a dear knowledgeable friend.

Every August there is a wonderful Maine Crafters Fair held at the Cumberland Fairgrounds. This proves a wonderful opportunity to start Christmas shopping for unique quality gifts.

Although I love attending this I’ve found to my dismay missing it for lack of knowledge of the date help and planning accordingly. I’m hoping Sun Spots will have the answer. Again, my sincere thanks. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: The 39th Annual Cumberland Arts & Crafts Show, sponsored by United Maine Craftsmen, will be held Thursday, August 7 through Sunday August 10 at the Cumberland Fairgrounds 169 Blanchard Road, Cumberland. It will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, closing at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission to the show is $4, Sunday admission is $2; tickets are purchased at the door.

The show will have something for everyone and all items are made by the artisans in the booth. There will also be daily demonstrations of glass and mixed media sculpting, metalsmithing and the art of bonsai. Several concession stands will be set up as well.

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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