DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m a great fan of HGTV’s “House Hunters.” Are the people buying homes and the real estate agents the actual buyers and sellers or are they people hired to play the parts? Also, a few years ago, the Sun Journal had weekly columns about antiques and collectibles and their current appraisers. I miss it. Why did the Sun Journal stop the Saturday evening magazine section of the newspaper? The travel stories were great, also the toddler photos and recipes. Both the antique column and recipe section could eliminate questions so often asked of Sun Spots. Merci. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Those are real buyers and sellers you see on “House Hunters.” However, there is a lot of planning and staging that goes on behind the scenes before those real people appear on TV to buy and sell. On their Web site, HGTV advertises for specific buyers. For example, they might be looking for first-time buyers in Denver. Out of those who apply only a few actually make it onto TV.

One individual who claimed to have been on the show said that it took quite some time to get through the application process, and there was no financial benefit for the seller, while the buyer got $500. Another posting said buyers got $1,000.

A real estate agent from Georgia had a Web site about her experience. She said she was one of three agents chosen to be on the show out of 46,000 licensed agents.

For those interested in applying to be on the show, visit www.hgtv.com/on-tv/be-on-hgtv/index.html

For your other questions Sun Spots plumbed the memories of long-term employees. No one recalled exactly when or why the Saturday evening magazine was discontinued but speculated that it was probably prior to 1988, when the Journal was merged with the Sun to become the current Sun Journal. As for the antiques column, you are probably referring to the syndicated column by the Kovels that also ran in the 1980s. That may still be available; however, Sun Spots will resist any effort to reduce her column with other content!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are trying to locate members of the Monmouth Academy Class of 1960. The 50th reunion will be held in August 2010. If anyone can give us information on the following classmates, it would be appreciated. We are looking for Janet Janess, Florrie Burney, Gary Perry, Forrest Yates and Carol Wardwell. Please call Judy at 795-8980. Thanks for your help. — Judith Rose, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Turner Elementary School is now collecting Campbell Soup Labels to help raise money for our school. If you have any you would like to donate, please mail them to Laurie Labbe, 5 Brookfield Estates, Turner, ME 04282. — Laurie Labbe, Turner

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would anyone know how to remove Super Glue? I got some on my countertop. I tried so many things, but nothing worked. Maybe some reader will have an idea. Thank you. — Mrs. M. S., No Town

ANSWER: On the message board for www.bobvila.com, the suggestion is to use nail polish remover (lots of it!) and plenty of elbow grease. Perhaps readers will have another suggestion.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Farwell School PTA is holding its well-known Pumpkin Festival this year for the first time in four years. We are looking for crafters who would like to rent a table to show and sell their products to the hundreds of people who will attend this popular event. This is great exposure for your crafts and a perfect opportunity to sell for the upcoming holidays.

The festival is on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the tables will be in the gym at Farwell Elementary. Tables are $30 for the day and the proceeds go toward the school. Contact Heather Bucklin at bucklin@megalink.net — Heather, Farwell School Pumpkin Festival Committee

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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.