Dear Sun Spots: When will the photos for the Great Falls Balloon Festival go on display or did it already happen? – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you tell me if you picked the winners for the Balloon Festival Photo Contest? I have not seen anything in the paper and was wondering if you have picked the winners yet. – L.S., Auburn.

Answer: The winning photos have been chosen. Those photos, and 10 additional photos, are on display through November on the first floor at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in the Beaker Gallery at the women’s pavilion. In January, you will be able to see the photos in the main lobby at Central Maine Medical Center. After Thanksgiving, the photos will also be available to view online at www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org.

Dear Sun Spots: Would it be possible for you to get the address of the Red Sox third baseman, Mike Lowell? Thank you for your help. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Write to Lowell in care of the Boston Red Sox, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215.

Dear Sun Spots: I, too, have wondered about the sudden and complete change in our bird population. I have a pole with eight feeders on it with various types of bird feed. Last fall, I filled them all in preparation for the cold days ahead. We had very few birds all winter. I never filled the feeders again until spring. It took a long time for the birds to return. Even then I do not feel I had as many birds as usual.

Very few people mentioned this to me and my curiosity was getting the best of me. I called the Audubon Society and was told that many of the feeds that various birds feed on were in short supply last winter, due to the kind of growing season we had. Therefore the birds had to fly farther south to find what they like to eat.

I feel the same thing seems to be happening this fall as well. We sure do miss the birds! – MargaretAnn, Paris.

Dear Sun Spots: Would you please let me know where I can find someone who can sew a zipper on my suede jacket? – Raoul, Jay.

Answer: Contact Tim Farley, owner of Midcoast Shoe Repair in Brunswick, at 725-8557. The business is at 14 Maine St., and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

You may also consider contacting Paula Pelletier at Stitched with Finesse in Greene, 946-7242 or Judy at Alterations by Judy, in Lewiston 783-6201 to see if they offer this particular service.

Dear Sun Spots: The Ladies Guild at Our Lady of Ransom/St. Mary’s Church in Mechanic Falls will be holding its annual Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once again, we are seeking crafters interested in renting a table(s) for our event. Tables are $15 each or two for $25. Please call Josie Hebert at 345-3274 or Julie Kasik at 345-3876 to reserve your spot. Come join us for this festive event. – Julie Kasik, Mechanic Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Minot Center Grange held a “Hunters and Friends Breakfast.” We greatly appreciate everyone who attended to make it a success. However, someone left a nice fleece pullover top and we would like to find the owner. Please contact me at 782-4319. – Helen Clifford, Minot.

Dear Sun Spots: I need some help from someone who subscribes to “Consumer Reports,” who may have in their possession a copy of an article that lists blood glucose reading machines for individuals who need to test their sugar levels. I think it was in either the May or June 2008 issues. Consumer Reports’ labs tested at least a half dozen different machines from different makers.

I believe Sun Spots does a great service to its subscribers by providing answers to questions. You are to be commended for doing such a worthwhile task. – Ron, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots located the ratings of blood pressure monitors and blood-glucose meters in the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports. The four blood-glucose meters that scored well in both accuracy and consistency are: OneTouch UltraMini ($20, $1.14 per strip); Ascensia Contour ($80, $1.10 per strip); ReliOn Ultima, a CR Best Buy ($9, $0.44 per strip) and Accu-Chek Compact Plus ($73, $1.10 per strip). Consumer Reports tested 13 models and noted that these four gave readings in about five seconds.

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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