DEAR SUN SPOTS: Paris Elementary School has decided to challenge its students to increase the amount of Box Tops for Education that get collected.

Principal Jane Fahey made this challenge really exciting for students by promising to be in a dunk booth on field day this year if the amount of box tops reaches 10,000.

To up the ante even more, if the box top total reaches 20,000, she has promised to dye her hair cardinal red (the cardinal is our school’s mascot).

The students are very excited and doing a great job collecting the box tops, but they could use your help.

If anyone buys products that have Box Tops for Education on the label (such as General Mills cereals, Land o’ Lakes butter, Pillsbury, Ziploc and other brands), would you kindly clip them?

They can be mailed to Paris Elementary, Attn: Bobbi Hodgdon, 4 Hathaway Road, South Paris, ME 04281. Any and all support is greatly appreciated. — Bobbi Jo Hodgdon, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My husband and I attempted to order takeout from Little Dan’s BBQ in Lewiston on Jan. 1. Both times I called the recording said the number was disconnected. When we drove over we noticed a for sale sign. Could you tell us when this happened and when/if Little Dan’s will be opening elsewhere? We really enjoyed their pulled pork and are sad to see them closed. Thank you. — Linda and Tim Thompson, Lewiston, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know any details. Perhaps the owner will see this and enlighten us. The restaurant business has been hit hard by the recession.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the lady who is looking for dollhouse furniture, Chuck’s Corner, 699 Sabattus St., 784-8176, has a wide variety of this item, and the prices are very reasonable. — Janice McDonald, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a piano teacher in the Turner area who would be willing to come to my house, or I can go to their home for beginner piano lessons. — Melissa, 225-3237, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Now that I have all my shopping done, I have lots of plastics bags that I don’t need. They are all sizes and colors. Is there a place I can recycle them. Or does anyone use them for crafts or whatever and want them? — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots has several readers who use plastic bags for crafts, as well as groups like the Girl Scouts, who use the bags for cookie distribution. If they write in with their contact information (phone number, e-mail), Sun Spots will publish them here so you can call them.

Sun Spots understands this letter writer’s reluctance to have her phone number published, but readers must have some way to contact each other, as Sun Spots cannot fulfill that function. Fortunately, many readers now have e-mail and can share information online. For those who do not, a phone number is still the most convenient.

REMINDERS TO READERS: This week Sun Spots had to reluctantly set aside two letters unpublished — even though they would have been of interest to readers — because they were unsigned. While Sun Spots will withhold your name and address, she must know who you are. Anonymous letters cannot be used.

Also, many people try to call Sun Spots. You must write or e-mail. Sun Spots does not work from the newsroom and cannot return your calls without impacting her cell phone minutes. Mr. Sun Spots does not find this amusing.

If you don’t have e-mail, from your computer or your public library’s visit www.sunjournal.com/contact-sunspots. There is a form you can fill in to ask your question or respond to the column.

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].