Dear Sun Spots: In late August a section of Route 119 in Minot washed out. Construction is still under way. Would you be able to find out when the reconstruction will be completed? Thank you. We enjoy Sun Spots every day – sometimes it seems like the only positive outlook in the paper. – Jane, Oxford.

Answer: By the time you read this response, the section of Route 119 that crosses the small brook should be repaired. According to Maine Department of Transportation public information officer Mark Latti, it should be reopened by the week ending Nov. 21. A recent Sun Journal article noted that the project is about a week behind when the state first estimated it would be completed. Much of that is attributable to a heavy demand for some building materials, especially concrete. A specially ordered box culvert/bridge needed to bridge the brook was installed, and grouting, sealing and earthwork needs to be completed before paving can be done.

If the state doesn’t get a long enough stretch of warm weather, temporary paving will be installed and a final paving job completed in 2009.

• For S.C. in Livermore Falls (Sun Spots, Nov. 20): A reader from Poland called to let us know Ruby Rose Frozen Custard on Rt. 26 in Poland will be open Nov. 22 and 23 for quarts, pints and frozen custard pies. Although we could not confirm the time, she believes they would be open from noon to 3 p.m. She noted that the pies were delicious and has ordered two for this year’s Thanksgiving dessert.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you please reprint the address for Ellen DeGeneres and Sylvia Browne? I was told you had before; however, I must have missed it, or tossed out my paper before rechecking your column. Thanks for always helping. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Write to Ellen at The Ellen DeGeneres Show, P.O. Box 7788, Burbank, CA 91523, Attn: Fan Mail. Contact Sylvia Browne at 1700 Winchester Blvd. Suite 100, Campbell, CA 95008 or call 408-379-7070.

Dear Sun Spots: Jim from Auburn was looking for reel-to-reel music tapes (Sun Spots, Tuesday, Nov. 11). If he wants to contact me, Lionel, at 933-9341 or cell number 754-4278, please leave a message and a contact number. Thanks. – Lionel, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I am wondering if the folks that put in pellet or wood stoves this year will get any tax breaks from the federal or state governments. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: According to press releases from the U.S. Congress, the Clean Stove Act of 2008, S. 2576, is designed to give families a one-time tax credit of $500 (during a three-year period) for replacing a residential wood stove with either a wood-burning stove that complies with current Environmental Protection Agency standards or a pellet or corn-burning stove. It is co-sponsored by both Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

It was introduced by Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, in January and has been referred to the Committee on Finance. It has not yet passed, and no recent actions have been reported.

Dear Sun Spots: For Natalie in Leeds (Sun Spots, Wednesday, Nov. 12), I have a store called the Sportsmans Wife Cafe and Made In Maine Crafts, it is located in Wilton. If you would like, you can contact me at thesportsmanswife@hotmail.com or call me at 207-645-9900. My store is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. I have space for crafters to put items in. Thank you. – Becky Tyler, Wilton.

• For Natalie in Leeds: Thanks to a tip from Sun Journal coworker Corey LaFlamme, another option for selling handcrafted items is etsy.com. That’s exactly what it’s for; it even provides the option of doing custom orders for people. LaFlamme hasn’t sold items on the site yet, but she plans to, and she’s bought plenty.

Dear Sun Spots: We would like to thank everyone who had a part in donating items for our auction. We have met our goal for raising the money needed for the helicopter pad. If everything goes as planned, we will have the pad finished by spring 2009 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate. We will put the date in the paper for those who may wish to attend. Once again, thank you all so much. – Members of the Sumner Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Dear Sun Spots: The Tri-County Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parent Association has produced a cookbook with 300 recipes. Sales from the cookbook will help fund activities and events for foster, adoptive and kinship families in the Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin county regions. Our activities include fun events for families and children, as well as support groups and educational events for parents. Cookbooks make wonderful gifts for just about anyone for the holidays. If you are interested in purchasing our cookbooks for $10 plus $.50 in sales tax, please contact Annette Wilson, president, at 353-7071 or via e-mail at annettemw@roadrunner.com. Thank you and happy holidays! – Annette Wilson, 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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