• For readers interested in Comfortzone Infrared Heaters (Sun Spots, Friday, October 10), please note an incorrect phone number was listed. Call Joyce at 207-897-2670 for more information.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know if you cut back your rose bushes in the fall or wait until spring. I have seen ads for a hearing aid company that makes hearing aids in Maine. I am not sure but it may be in Windham. I would appreciate having more information and location. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots contacted Sun Journal gardening columnist Jody Goodwin. For all roses, except for hybrid teas, her advice is to leave them. If they are climbers, just make sure the canes are secured from the wind. The advice about cutting them all back most usually applies to warmer climates than Maine. In all likelihood, winterkill may affect some canes but you will not know that until the spring. What you cut this fall could very well have lived through the winter.

Do your cutting back and pruning for shape in the spring along with any canes that winter did get. If you planted the roses this season or if they are not truly hardy to our zone make sure to mulch them once the ground freezes, around Thanksgiving usually. Any readers with particular questions about a certain rose bush can e-mail Jody at jodyike@megalink.net.

In response to your second question, the company you are referring to is Audio D, located at 885 Roosevelt Trail Windham. We spoke with Ted Gauthier, a member of the family-owned company, who said the family has been in business for over 20 years and started Audio D about 15 years ago. In 1999, they also acquired Finetone. They manufacture a wide range of hearing aids, from the very basic to the very advanced. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are available early mornings, evenings and weekends by appointment. Call 893-2920 or 893-2922 to schedule an appointment or walk-in and they’d be happy to help if no appointments have been scheduled.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a queen size electric blanket. I have lost my controls that go with it. The controls run on both sides of the blanket. I am hoping you can help me find where there is a place you can buy just the control cards. The blanket is good as new. The blanket is a Sunbeam, queen size. I read your letters in the paper every day, I will be waiting to hear from you. I sure hope there is a place close by. Sincerely yours – Hazel, Livermore Falls.

Answer: According to Sunbeam, electric blanket controls are engineered as part of a complete system of the warming product. They undergo extensive quality and safety testing. Because of this, please contact the company for information on purchasing replacement controls at 1-800-892-7684.

Dear Sun Spots: The Mt. Blue High School Jazz Band, conducted by Karen Beacham, is pleased to once again invite the public to its third annual Autumn Dance on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Mt. Blue High School gym. Members of the Mt. Blue High School Jazz Band will again be joined by the musicians of the Al Corey Jazz Band for an evening of multi-generational fun for new and experienced dancers of all ages. Free dance instruction with Gary Smith, a NYC dance instructor, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Live music will be featured from 7 to 10 p.m. 1930-40s attire adds to the fun, but is not required. Semiformal dress is also welcome.

Tickets may be purchased at Mickey’s Hallmark in Farmington, or at the door: $15 per adult, $10 for seniors and students. Included in the price of admission are dark and milk chocolate fountains, provided by Mountain View Chocolate Shoppe. Bottled water will be available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Mt. Blue Jazz Band. Mt. Blue High School Jazz Band members who will be performing at this event include: Marjorie Hardy, Ashlie Hardy, Nick Beach, Erin Gray, Jakob Wyder, Matt West, Aubrey Wiggins, Peter Roberts, Sam Correll, Adam Paul, Nick Nile, Miles Brooks, Jordan Williams, Kjell Nordstrom, Scott Storer, Josh Hiltz, Peter Coleman, Seth Wegner, Jake Correll, Jodi Harnden, Matt Crowley. For more information, contact Karen Beacham 778-3561 MBHS or kbeacham@msad9.org. – Karen, 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.

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