DEAR SUN SPOTS: Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends, in honor of the late Joyce Murphy, will be holding an Easter Egg hunt, bake sale and silent auction on her birthday, Saturday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at KMart in Auburn. Joyce was our beloved supporter and bookkeeper for many years and donated so much to our cause to feed, house and care for forgotten, abandoned, innocent animals in our community.

Tommy’s is a nonprofit, no-kill organization that cares for homeless and abused animals. In addition to housing and feeding, we offer and provide spaying and neutering as well as medical services.

Your thoughtful donations of caring provide the means that make all of this possible.

Please support these forgotten animals by donating baked goods or crafts so that we may do what we do best — save lives.

Please call Norm to offer donations of baked goods and crafts or request pick up at 650-8374. Thank you. — Stan Carmichael, executive secretary

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I work for the animals at the animal shelter in Lewiston. I am knitting blankets for the cats in the shelter. If you know someone who has yarn that they don’t use, please call me at 777-1593. I don’t have a car. If you could bring the yarn to me, I will pay for your gas. I am 86 years old. I really like my job. I enjoy knitting. It passes the day. — Germaine Nolan, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I really enjoy reading your column. My question is: I’ve been using Microsoft Money for a number of years, I can no longer use it with the new Windows, so I bought Quicken, but I have no idea how to use it, can you tell me who could help me with it? Thank you. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots uses Quicken and finds it fairly user friendly. There is a help menu with it, so you could set up a test file and practice before you enter your own data. But if you are really struggling, you might want to get a book. Unfortunately, most companies no longer provide manuals for their software, but third parties write books, and almost any software program has more than one. One of those Sun Spots found is “Quicken 2008: The Missing Manual” by Bonnie Biafore at Barnes & Noble online, used for $1.99. There is also an online site, http://financialsoft.about.com/od/quickenforbeginners/4_Quicken_Tutorials.htm, you may find useful.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Camire’s dance team is having their annual carnival fundraiser on March 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 277 Main St., Auburn (entrance across from Village Inn). We will have games, food, a bake sale, book sale and crafts. There is no admission charge.

This is a local dance team for girls ranging from age 10 to high school, who dance a couple of times a week in regular classes as well as team instruction. Camire’s dance, under the current teacher, is in its 10th year. These girls are trying to raise funds to pay for their trip to Disney in Florida to dance in 2011, and the profit from the carnival will go toward the team’s trip. We appreciate any help or suggestions. Thank you

The team appreciates your help. — No Name, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for your column, which helps so many of us. Can you come up with a source for cookie cutters in the shapes of the American Sign Language for the deaf, particularly the letters — or symbols — for love and peace? It would be most appreciated. — Patricia Northrop, Qquossoc

ANSWERS: The Web site, www.americantraditioncookiecutters.com, has one that shows the sign for love. You can write to them at American Tradition Cookie Cutters, P.O. Box 824, Horsham, PA 19044. They have a huge selection in all kinds of specialties. There is a peace cookie cutter at www.coppergifts.com, 620-421-0654, but Sun Spots is not sure if the “v” symbol we use for peace also means the same thing in sign language. There are many options for cookie cutters on eBay and other Web sites. You might also try craft stores.

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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