Dear Sun Spots: This is the first time I have written to you, but I hear from friends the success they have had through you. Keep up the good work. I’m looking for someone who could come to my place to repair my sewing machine. There’s something wrong with the tension and I cannot sew at all. I may be reached at 783-0884. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Contact Leo Landry from Leo’s Home Sewing Machine Repair at 754-7968. He will be happy to pick up the machine at your home, service it at his home and deliver it back to you.

Also contact Ron Blake at Cote Brothers, 730 Center St., Auburn. Cote Brothers will be closing its doors on Christmas Eve, but until then contact Ron at the store, 782-5922 or e-mail reb@megalink.net. Keep in mind that they are very busy at this time so feel free to leave a message or visit him directly at the store. There’s no need to rush in because he will continue to service sewing machines and perform warranty work after the business closes. You can find updated information by reading the “our blog” section of their Web site, www.cotebrothers.com.

Sun Spots read a recent post that noted they are backed up with sewing machine repairs and are currently working on about 10 business days. But, again, don’t feel rushed as they will continue to provide service after they close.

Dear Sun Spots: I purchased Christmas stockings made from a knitting machine years ago. I need to locate someone who can knit new stockings. Contact Sue at 783-2907. – Sue, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you name a few good places to eat that are wheelchair accessible? Why aren’t stores more handicapped equipped? I take a friend in a wheelchair shopping. I enjoy it. But some stores have two sets of double doors, heavy, too. Sometimes I think it’s not worth going in at all.

We’re looking for an easy, simple recipe for smothered beef. Gravy doesn’t come out right when I do it. Help! Thank you. – Dinah Hughes, Lewiston.

Answer: We’re hoping our faithful Sun Spots readers will assist you with your requests. In the meantime, we found a slow cooker recipe for smothered beef that sounds delicious and very easy to prepare.

Ingredients: ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 1 4-ounce can drained mushrooms, 1 large sliced onion, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoon soy sauce, 1½ pound chuck steak, 1 16-ounce can tomatoes.

Method: Place meat, salt and pepper in a slow cooker and stir well. Add onion, soy sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Enjoy!

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for putting in my request for Briggs family genealogy. Hi and thank you Ralph Campbell from cousin Beverly. Will the lady in Farmington please get in touch with me regarding John Briggs. Call 487-5429 or P.O. Box 62, Burnham, ME 04922. I certainly appreciate you. – Beverly Newton, Burnham.

• For No Name, No Town (Sun Spots Nov. 19): Sun Spots’ co-worker John Wood recommends Zeiss brand alcohol wipes for cleaning your plastic lenses. He purchases them at the Auburn Wal-Mart; they’re in a blue box at the front of the store. He also provided us with a sample; it worked great on our glasses and sunglasses.

• For No Name, No Town (Sun Spots, Nov. 25): Please contact Chris in Turner, 225-3861, regarding a pair of pinking shears and fabric you have for her.

Dear Sun Spots: At Merrill Hill Alternative School in Auburn, we are assembling boxes for the American soldiers overseas. We would be happy to receive any new items you would like to donate, such as foot powder, hand lotion, crossword books, AA batteries, hard candies, etc. Please call us at 783-8121 if you have items to donate. Our mailing date deadline is Dec. 20. Community service is a large part of our school program and we would appreciate any help you can give us. Thank you. – Merrill Hill students and staff, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I just watched the local evening news again tonight and watched another story of hardship in paying for heating fuel. I wanted to offer one suggestion that people may or may not have thought about. Most oil companies have a minimum purchase of 100 gallons. If you’re not able to afford paying for that much at one time you would have to go without until you have the money saved up to pay for the minimum delivery. While waiting to save up the money and keep warm, in the meantime you could go to the local hardware store and purchase a five-gallon container. Take that to a local store that sells K-1, fill it up with five gallons at a time and dump it into your oil tank. That would keep you warm until you could afford to pay for your next delivery. – David Wilbur, Oxford.

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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