DEAR SUN SPOTS: First off, I’d like to thank you so much for this column. I read it nearly every day and really appreciate all the help you and the readers give.

I am looking into making a quilt for a teacher at our school who is adopting a 2-year-old girl from China. There is a Chinese tradition called the 100 Good Wishes quilt where family and friends give squares of fabric and a good wish to the new baby. The squares are made into a quilt and a small piece of the fabric and the good wish go into a scrapbook.

I don’t know the first thing about making a quilt and wouldn’t want to mess up by doing this as my first one. I was curious to know what a basic charge for quilt-making is? There’s no real pattern to it (everyone’s comes out differently). I’ve searched images on Google and came up with many examples.

I’m thinking I’m going to end up taking on most of the cost myself. Since I have a fixed income, I need to make sure that I get a great quilt at a great price. I don’t want to pay more than the regular charge.

If you could offer me any information, or if there is a quilter out there who might be willing to help me, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks so much! — Terri Hutchinson, Mama2Shawn@yahoo.com

ANSWER: What a lovely tradition! Sun Spots hopes some fine Maine quilter will help you for a reasonable price.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franco-American Heritage Center will be having a tourtiere contest during its Festival FrancoFun on June 3-4. Those interested in participating please call 783-1585 for an entry form. These will be judged on Friday afternoon during a French cooking demonstration, and prizes will be awarded.

Advance tickets are on sale at a reduced rate for the festival, as well as for the crepe/buffet breakfast and the bean supper to be held on Saturday, June 4. Two days of great entertainment and lots of good food. — Rita Dube, executive director, rdube@francocenter.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Re: the person from Lewiston looking for local honey (April 30), Lewiston is on the “Beekeeping Wall of Shame” because it is one of approximately 90 municipalities in the United States that does not permit beekeeping. If you want local honey, you will have to look outside of your town for a local beekeeper. Come up to the River Valley area. We have a lot of proud local beekeepers here! — Rumford beekeeper

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In reference to the lady hunting for doll glasses, has she tried Reny’s or the Dollar Store or Marden’s? They have all kinds of glasses, including half round. Some are travel glasses; they fold in half and come in small cases. She may want to try there? — No Name, No Town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The American Legion Post 153 is having a rummage and bake sale on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 71 South Main St., New Auburn. Please drop off donations, clothing and accessories only, at the Legion, Monday, May 16, through Thursday, May 19. — Cheryl, No Town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a skein of South Maid crochet cotton; it is a variegated green in color. I only need 1 to finish a project. If you can help me out, I would appreciate it. — Kit White, 864-5475, swhite@tdstelme.net, P.O. Box 53, Rangeley, ME 04970

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have two pieces of exercise equipment, free for the taking: a Nordic Track and a Cardio Glide. — Albert, aspauldn1@yahoo.com, 562-7873

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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