DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone who has the ability to clean, polish and buff small, antique metal doorknobs for a glass cabinet I have had refinished. With your wealth of information, do you have anyone who fits the bill? Thanks for all your help. — Paul Dubay, [email protected]

ANSWER: This question was astonishingly difficult to answer. Apparently most people tend to their own work — or throw stuff away — because Sun Spots found only one service in Maine and when she talked to them, they said they were small and one of the last in the region.

(Sun Spots found one other company where the website indicated they might do this work, the Rusted Puffin, Portland, 347-6281, rustedpuffinmetalworks.com, but they never answered the phone or returned her call.)

The company she came up with is Silvex Surface Technology, 45 Thomas Drive, Westbrook, 761-0392, www.silvexinc.com. The nice woman who answered the phone said they could either replate your hardware or use a “bead blast” (small glass beads are used) to clean off the rust and paint.

Sun Spots also found two companies in Ohio who said they provide service via U.S. mail: Finishing Touch, 2423 Barger Road, Urbana, Ohio 43078, 1-888-234-6313, http://finishingtouch7.com/, and ProShine Metal Refinishers, 1313 Alum Creek Drive, Columbus, OH 43209, 1-800-722-8464, ext. 609, www.resilver.com. The latter website featured a reference from a Winthrop resident.

Perhaps readers will know of others, or there may be craftsmen who do this work in their homes.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: When should we expect Southwest Airlines to come into Portland?

Also, is there anyone who collects metal spice cans? I have some I can part with. You may edit as needed. — No Name via email, 782-6673

ANSWER: Sun Spots could not find any update online about the eventual arrival of Southwest at the Portland International Jetport. You can bet it will be well advertised when it is imminent.

Sun Spots does not know of any use for your spice cans, but readers who do crafts may want them.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the reader who wanted to know what happened to American Stabilis (Jan. 10). I worked for American Stabilis (Roger Michaud) for 13 years (1981-1994).

Without prior warning or notice American Stabilis was closed by F. W. Webb Co. (which had stepped to help the business but instead put many people out of a job). The company was then sold to a business in Bristol, Tenn., though I cannot recall the name of that business.

A few of the American Stabilis employees were offered a position with this company. I moved to Florida shortly after AS closed but have kept in touch with a few of the employees.

If the company had not gone out of business, I believe I would still be employed there with all those wonderful people. — Carol A. Kyllonen, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My husband and I live in a 110-year-old farmhouse. We are looking for a pair of old alpine skis to put up on our wall. If you have a pair, please call me at 212-8319. — Anne Edwards, Oxford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do your readers need to get out of the house? Are they looking for a change of scenery? Consider volunteering a couple hours a week at Museum L-A. We need people to greet guests, answer the phone — simple work that gets you out and offers the opportunity of meeting different people. If interested, call 333-3881 or email [email protected]. — Susan Beane, archivist/public relations coordinator, [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].