DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Auburn Lions Club will be hosting a pike ice fishing derby on Taylor Pond on Feb. 5. There will be a special area designated for kids. Our goal is to attract families who are new to ice fishing.

We are looking for gently used ice fishing traps that can be used for kids who don’t have equipment yet but would like to try this wonderful sport. Traps and equipment will be given to kids who participate in hopes of sparking a life time of enjoyment. All proceeds will benefit Maine children.

If you have ice fishing traps or equipment you would like to donate, please call Cindy with Healthy Smiles for ME at 754-1176. — Cindy Leavitt, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to increased needs, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice is offering classes this winter for compassionate people to be trained as hospice volunteers and bereavement volunteers.

Hospice volunteers help support terminally ill patients and their families at home, in long-term care facilities and at the AHCH Hospice House in Auburn. A 27-hour hospice course will be held in Lewiston beginning Jan. 27.

Volunteers are valued members of the hospice and bereavement teams and are matched with patients or clients in or near their communities. We ask for a time commitment of two to four hours each week. Classes will be held in Lewiston at our Strawberry Avenue location.

For more information and to preregister, please contact Volunteer Services at 777-7740 or 1-800-482-7412. Thank you for all your help. — Polly Robinson, recruiter, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Registration is open for the next Families in Action workshop being held at Lewiston Middle School on Wednesday.

Families in Action is a free parent-teen workshop where parents and teens learn valuable communication skills and strategies and how to better get along.

These skills and strategies are valuable to both parent and teen alike as they navigate the teen years. Topics covered include: courage and self-esteem, responsibility and discipline, cooperation and communication, teen behavior, problem solving and prevention strategies.

Families in Action is a six-session workshop held every Wednesday. Sessions begin at 6 p.m. Free food and refreshments will be provided starting at 5:30 p.m. To register, call 795-2120. You can visit www.healthyandroscoggin.org for more information. Families in Action is a program of the Lewiston-Auburn Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative. — Scott M. Gagnon, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please disregard the notice asking for old jewelry. The demand has been met. Hope you get this before you print my request. — Orella Poirier, Mexico

ANSWER: Your letter came too late to stop that column, but hopefully this column will stop the jewelry coming. E-mailing [email protected] is faster if you have a computer or can get to the library. Or have a grandchild to help!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the Dec. 21 inquiry from M.L., I am a Mary Kay consultant in Lewiston. However, I do service customers in the Bath-Brunswick area. Thank you! — Pauline Fortier, [email protected], www.marykay.com/pfortier, 795-6791

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Mark from Sabattus can get the magnets he is looking for at Craft-Mania on Center Street in Auburn. We have the super strong neodymium magnets that he wants.

And Peg in Dixfield can get dollhouse furniture from us as well. We carry a selection of dollhouse furniture and miniatures. We don’t have people but could special order some for her. Thank you. — Lee Duguay, [email protected]

 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 [email protected].