DEAR SUN SPOTS: You haven’t failed me yet, so I hope you can help me out again. I’m looking for a color wheel for a silver Christmas tree. Does anyone out there have one that they no longer use or want? Or are there any stores around here that sell them? Please call me at 782-8314. Thank you. — P.T., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots talked to Michael at the Christmas Tree Shop in Augusta (626-5330, 42 Whitten Road, by I-95). He said that they had them last year, but hadn’t gotten any in yet. He suggested you check back in the next few weeks. When the holidays get a little closer you might check with some of the big box stores that sell artificial trees.

There are some online sources, including www.aluminumchristmastrees.net. They don’t offer a phone number on their Web site; they say because it’s a part-time business. They do offer an address: Retro Marketing, P.O. Box 308, Tooele, UT 84074. (One of their specialties appears to be pink Christmas trees. Sun Spots has never had the pleasure of seeing one of those.) Other online retailers advertising color wheels include www.amazon.com and www.christmasdepot.com, 1-877-elf-land.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a ceramic lighted Christmas tree. If anyone has one they would like to sell, I would be interested in it or in knowing where I can buy one. Thank you. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked with the Christmas Tree Shop in Augusta again, but Michael said they don’t sell them. Same with the Christmas Tree Store in Portland. There are some available online through eBay and other sources. Some are sold unfinished as craft projects, ready to paint yourself.

One source is www.craftsantiques.com/htm/sdxmastrees.htm, which sells both plain and already painted (green or white) trees, along with bulbs, star on top and lighting kit for $40 and $55, respectively. You can contact Shirley Danielson, P.O. Box 177, Belview, MN 56214, 507-938-3060.

Another option might be to check local antique or thrift stores.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Clover Heath Care will hold their holiday craft fair, Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 440 Minot Ave. in Auburn. For a craft table call 784-3573, Ext. 134; eight-foot tables are $20. — Jim, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again, Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends, a local nonprofit organization, is asking for your generous and caring support to make this year’s bake sale the best ever. The bake sale will be at the Auburn Kmart store on Center Street Dec 19-20 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.

We are in need of your homemade and commercial baked goods to benefit our cause/commitment and determination to offer shelter, food and medications to our starving, abandoned growing feral cat population. To put it simply, we care for the abandoned “forgotten ones” with your donations.

Please call Norm at 650-8374 to pledge your donations of baked goods to this year’s life-saving event. We once again thank you for your loving support for these poor animals. — Stan Carmichael, executive secretary

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please tell your readers: Don’t landfill those old skies. I will recycle them. Call Bob Poirier evenings at 345-3196 to arrange delivery or pickup. Thank you. — Bob Poirier, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The holiday craft fair at Wales Central School,175 Centre Road (off Route 132) in Wales will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. We’ll have holiday gifts, baked goods, lunch counter, door prizes, choose your raffle and 50/50. All proceeds directly benefit the school. Eight-foot table rentals are $35; contact Kim O’Connell at TryJuicePlus@aol.com or call 577-0733 for more information. — Kim, No Town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the reader looking for slide film, they have a wide selection of film and other supplies at Hunt’s Photo & Video, 220 Maine Mall Road, South Portland, 773-9555, www.huntsphotoandvideo.com. — Jose, Lewiston

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). Please include your phone number. 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.

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