Dear Sun Spots: Recently I saw an ad in the Sun Journal for a bus tour on Feb. 14 to Hartford to see “The Jersey Boys.” I neglected to write down the name of the tour company and was hoping you or a reader would have the name and phone number of the company. You help so many people. – Mary, No Town.

Answer: TOUR BUSters in Falmouth is offering a bus trip to Hartford to see “The Jersey Boys” matinee on Saturday, Feb. 14. Cost is $150 a person for transportation and a ticket to the show. Call 781-8896 for more information.

Alpine Adventure Tours in Auburn is also offering trips later in the year for the show at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Trips are available on three Saturdays, Aug. 1, 8 and 15. Please call for prices and more information, 786-7600 or 800-797-9850. Cost includes trip by motorcoach, orchestra seating at the show and a tour guide.

Dear Sun Spots: Many years ago I took violin lessons from Joseph Brown in Westbrook and would like to know if anyone has a violin made by Mr. Brown? I have one and would be interested to talk with someone else who might have one. Mine was made in 1958. It is a beautiful piece of work with a one-piece back on it. I saw it become a beautiful violin from a large stump in his backyard. Thank you. – Lorraine Jarden, Jordan, Montana.

Answer:
Anyone with information may contact the column.

Dear Sun Spots: I was recently given two containers of marbles. One I suspect may be old as it is in a cloth domino cane sugar bag. Also, when was the last time you saw a child playing with marbles? Is there anyone near the Rumford area who could give me some idea of value? Thanks. Contact 364-4561. – Andy, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots suggests contacting Dan Poulin of Orphan Annie’s, 96 Court St., Auburn, or call him at 782-0638.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there any information on dates for the 2009 cat shows in Augusta and Lewiston? Thank you. – LB, No Town.

Answer:
Unfortunately, Sun Spots was unable to confirm 2009 show dates. Perhaps a reader with information will write to the column with the dates.

Dear Sun Spots: About three years ago you published a pattern for a knit hat that fit newborns. I made several of these and want to make some more but can’t find my pattern.

If anyone has it or Sun Spots could locate and repost it I would be appreciated. E-mail me at bev_i@hotmail.com if anyone has it. It listed three sizes starting with preemie. – BIB, Welchville.

Answer: The following knitting instructions appeared in a 2005 Sun Spots column, from www.touchinglittlelives.org/knithatpat.html:

Knitted Baby Hats. Newborn, medium preemie (5-7 pounds) and small preemie (1-4 pounds). All sizes follow the same instructions. Newborn uses size 8 needles and a 4-ply soft yarn, such as Caron Simply Soft. Medium size uses size 6 needles and uses a baby sport weight 3-ply yarn, such as Red Heart baby sport. Small size uses a size 4 needle and baby yarn (not fingering).

General Directions: Cast on 54 stitches. Work in K1-P1 ribbing for 16 rows (approximately 2 inches). Change to stockinette stitch. K1 row P1 row and knit for 24 rows. Decrease rows. Row 1: knit 3 knit 2 together across. Row 2: purl 2 purl 2 together across. Row 3: knit 1 knit 2 together across. Row 4: knit 2 together across. Cut a long length of yarn for sewing. Gather remaining stitches and sew securely. Continue to sew back seam. Add pompom or bow if desired.

Dear Sun Spots: The Hannibal Hamlin Bicentennial Committee is looking for anyone who may have attended or remembers anything about the 1959 sesquicentennial honoring Hannibal Hamlin on Aug. 22, 1959 in Paris Hill.

Perhaps you played in the Little League game on the Common that afternoon or met the speakers or toured an old home? Perhaps you have some old pictures you would share. Please contact Cynthia Burmeister at 743-8323 or Wini Mott at 743-6216, e-mail mottsorchard@yahoo.com. Thanks; and please plan to join us this Aug. 22 for our big bicentennial celebration. – No Name, Paris.

Dear Sun Spots: The Walton Elementary School at 92 Mary Carroll St. in Auburn is in need of clothes in good repair (cleaned and stain-free) for our new clothing bank. The items include, but are not limited to shirts, T-shirts, jeans, pants, coats, sweaters, hats, mittens, boots and shoes. The Walton school children are from 5 through 12 years of age and the sizes we are looking for range from 5 through 16, including plus and husky sizes, too. Shoes and boots from 3 through 9 for both boys and girls are needed also. We are accepting adult clothes as well.

If you have a closet full of children’s clothes and would like to help a worthy cause, here is your chance to help your community. No cash will be exchanged, just a chance for kids and their families to pick up clothing they may need. We greatly appreciate your help in this new endeavor. You may call Sharon Fuller, our school secretary at Walton Elementary School and leave a message with her. The phone number is 784-1528. Thank you very much. – Diane Lebrun, vice president, Walton Elementary School PTO.

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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