Dear Sun Spots: Please we need your help. We have a new driver in our family and want to give him the best gift for Christmas. Being alone in a car and getting stuck isn’t safe.

I remember a lady in Auburn who is selling traction aids – they’re for cars and trucks. Thank you. – Marie, Auburn.

Answer: Contact Connie Mercier, 25 Fourth St., Auburn, ME 04210, 784-1481 or via e-mail at cjmtraction@aol.com for more information about these. Traction aids is also available at NAPA Auto Parts at 325 Center St. You may call to see if they have any available at 786-2220.

Traction aids look like a piece of a fire grate, a heavy thick metal that is placed under the front tires for front-wheel drive vehicles or rear for rear-wheel-drive. The grips are wedged between the tire and the ground and give you the traction you need to get your vehicle back on the road.

Dear Sun Spots: While people are looking for alternative fuels to keep warm this winter I saw in the “Vermont Country Store” catalogue, they sell a small machine that turns newspapers into long burning logs. The machine costs $49.95. Phone number is 1-802-362-8442. Call 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. I hope this information helps people find a low cost method to heat their homes. Sun Journal this morning had an article that there was a whole warehouse full of newspaper they did not know what to do with it. Yours truly. – Gabrielle De Moras, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: This is in reply to your Nov. 13 column in relation to Rose of Lewiston’s query concerning the song “I’ll Sail my Ship Alone.” I suggest that she write or call one of the following music libraries: Bagaduce Music Lending Library, P.O. Box 829, Blue Hill, ME 04614, (207) 374-5454, www.bagaducemusic.org; Chatfield Brass Band and Music Lending Library, P.O. Box 578, Chatfield, MN 55923, (507) 867-3275, www.chatfieldband.lib.mn.us, e-mail chatband@selco.info; National Sheet Music Society, 1597 Fair Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90041-2255. I wish Rose good luck in her search. – Sheila Griffin, Wilton.

Dear Sun Spots: Are there any readers who have the old waterless pots and pans that were purchased by a salesman years ago or Byer’s Choice Christmas carolers? I will offer a reasonable price for the items. Thank you. Call 782-8027. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you can purchase the carolers at the following locations: Ivy Cottage in the Auburn Mall; Calico Patch, 174 Broadway, Farmington; Candlewick Cottage, 480 Western Ave., Augusta; Country Sleigh, 978 Roosevelt Trail, Naples; and Cricket’s Corner Shoppe, 1223 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond. You may also visit www.byerschoice.com or call Byers’ Choice Ltd. at 215-822-6700 for a catalog.

Dear Sun Spots: The Auburn Ski Association recently held its 45th annual Ski Swap. By all accounts it was a success! Thank you to our volunteers and all who attended the swap as we couldn’t have done it without you. We would also like to thank the Auburn Middle School for use of their facility. The vendors who participated say this is one of their favorite locations! A big factor in the success of this event is publicity, and for that we are very grateful to the Sun Journal for the support it has provided. Looking forward to next year! – Jane, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I want to thank all the people who have supported our nonprofit association over the last nine years. We have had many fundraising events to rebuild the Fairbanks School Building in Farmington. The building is done, but we still have one more phase: a shared-use kitchen, which will be in the basement near the care and share food closet. Help us achieve this! We need donations for our next event: antique and collectible sale on March 7 in our new reception room. Please call Patty at 778-4272 if you have any items to donate. Thanks again! – Patty Jacobs, Fundraising chairperson.

Dear Sun Spots: A pair of women’s prescription bifocal glasses were found at the Lisbon United Methodist Church on Saturday, Nov. 15, after our fair. They were in the area of the Christmas wreath sale table. We would very much like to return them to the owner. Please call the church office at 353-4892 and leave us a message. Thank you for your help. – Pat, Lisbon Falls.

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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