DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone in Maine, New Hampshire or Massachusetts who can repair 35 mm cameras. I have two nice cameras but had to stop using them due to a light leak in one and a frozen rewind lever. I love the picture capability of a 35 mm and I would like to be able to use them again. To date, I have been unsuccessful in finding anyone that still repairs them. I am told that they are outdated. Can you help? — Kellie Jordan, [email protected]

ANSWER: Camera repair of all types is getting more difficult to find. Many of the new digital cameras are cheaper to replace than repair, and fewer and fewer people are using film cameras. Sun Spots still has one and has resorted to buying film and having photos developed through a mail-order service other readers may find useful:

York Photo Labs, P.O. Box 3640, Hampton Park, MD 20791, www.yorkphoto.com. If you contact them, they will send you postage-paid envelopes for sending in your film. Currently, it costs $3.75 plus shipping to develop a roll of 35 mm with 27 or less photos and get 4- by 6-inch prints.

As for repairs, Shep’s Camera, 16 Hall Road, Woolwich, ME 04579-4900, does repairs and cleaning. Owner David Kloberdans requests people call 207-522-9676 for an appointment. People may also mail their camera to him and include their contact information and a description of the problem, and he will assess the need and provide an estimate.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please don’t feel that your valuable column space has to be taken up with my question. I know you’ve already answered it a couple of times. But one of my children was saying that in the near future we won’t be able to use our VCR equipment any more and I’ve got quite a few of them — movies, operas, family stuff, etc. Could you respond to this note with those addresses of people who can change one to the other? I would really appreciate it. Thanks. — Rosemary, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not respond to queries privately (no one will pay her for that!), but she doesn’t mind repeating information. There is always someone who missed it the first time. In this case, she also has new information.

In her Rolodex she has Francis Gagnon, owner and operator of Via-Vision, 18 College St., Lewiston, 783-2550, www.viavisionproductions.com; transfers old videos, 8-mm to DVDs.

The last time Sun Spots published this information, the reader who made the query, Susan, wrote to say she had several responses from others who provide this service at very reasonable rates. She ended up usingAsher Wilson, J&A Entertainment, 565 Vernon St., Bethel, ME 04217.

Susan said: “He did an excellent job, even came to my house to pick up and deliver! He did charge me mileage, but the whole bill for converting 13 tapes was $85, which I thought was a bargain. Very nice young man as well. He does have a website you can check out.”

 Sun Spots looked up that website. It is www.jamusical.webs.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could Sunspots please find out if there are any Curves exercise establishments in the area surrounding Lisbon? Thanks so much. — No Name, Lisbon

ANSWER: According to the www.curves.com locator, the closest one is at 675 Main St., Lewiston, 777-3660.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have a large Christmas cactus that has outgrown our home and we would like to give it to someone who will appreciate and enjoy it. It’s currently in an 11-inch pot. We would like someone to pick it up before frost comes. Call me at 998-2547. Thanks for your time; you do a great job. — Rose Dubay, [email protected]

ANSWER: Unfortunately, it’s a bit late for the first frost, or even the first snow. Hope the cactus has survived.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Russell Park Rehabilitation and Living Center has craft tables available for their annual Christmas craft fair on Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the proceeds from renting tables benefit the residents’ activity fund.

If you would like to reserve a table for our craft fair or need more information, please call me at 786-0691. — Fern St. Claire, activity director

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].