DEAR SUN SPOTS: Near the end of August there was a feature story on Channel 8 News about a 14-year-old boy nicknamed “Lil Man” who wanted to help the Dempsey Center. His mom and grandmother started making bracelets using colorful beads, with each bead representing one of the 18 types of cancer.

They are very pretty, light and comfortable to wear. Each bracelet is attached to a card with a poem on one side; a list of what color bead represents which cancer is on the other.

All proceeds are donated to the Dempsey Center.

What a great gift to give to someone who has cancer to remind them that someone is praying for them or is thinking of them. Others wear a bracelet with their loved one in mind and heart.

They are selling for $10. If anyone is interested, I can be reached at 212-1920. With the Dempsey Challenge coming up, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had one? Thank you very much. — Elaine, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots followed up on this story with Mark Turcotte, communications specialist for the Dempsey Center. He said $6,700 has been raised so far.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anybody in the Lewiston-Auburn area who repairs treadmills? — Diane, ddubwah6@hotmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots has had this question before, and no one has written to say they perform this service. You could try contacting the store where you purchased it. Also, online, Sears seems to be big in this area and offers some servicing, although Sun Spots cannot be sure if they deal with all models.

Finally, www.treadmilldoctor.com is a useful site for assessing potential problems and offers troubleshooting tips.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The highlighted text in the attached clipping (2&frac12) makes no sense to me. Could you explain what it means? — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: This is a computer glitch that occurs when some special characters are used. Your example, 2&frac12, was supposed to be the numbers representing one-half. Ellipses, other fractions, symbols for trademarks and others also don’t convert correctly. Sun Journal reporters and editors try to catch them all, but every once in a while one slips by.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you or any of your readers know where to obtain the “in memory” decals seen in the windows of cars? Thank you. — J.W., Jay

ANSWER: There are several websites that sell them, including www.inmemoryofdecals.com. Sun Spots notes that your letter is handwritten, so instead of giving you all the websites, here are the address and phone number for In Memory Of Decals c/o Signscape, 1709 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809, 302-798-2926.

If you want to check out other websites, you can visit your local library. Or perhaps readers will recommend a local source.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone who speaks Swedish. My grandson, who speaks Swedish, is coming to Maine for the Christmas holiday. I would love to be able to learn some of the Swedish language. Please call me. — Kathi Murphy, Auburn, 376-4876

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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