DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the May 13 Sun Journal, Jody Goodwin recommended using GrubEx for hostas. I purchased a bag, but it is hard to determine the usage as they have ratios for lawn use.

I have two areas, approximately 6-by-6 foot area and also a 2-by-2 foot area to treat. I wonder if Jody would be so kind as to help me with a ratio? Thanks so much to Jody and Sun Spots for your awesome columns — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots isn’t sure where you read the suggestion to use GrubEx, because Jody’s column recommends Sluggo. Here is her response:

“GrubEx and Sluggo are very different things. Sluggo is to sprinkle around your hostas, seedlings and any other plants that slugs like. It kills them with no threat to insects, butterflies or pets. GrubEx is designed to work underground to kill grubs, which then hatch into various kinds of beetles including June bugs and Japanese beetles.”

If you get Sluggo, Jody says you can just sprinkle it around but that there are directions on the container. She says it is not harmful except to slugs and breaks down into a soil conditioner.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In September 1939, my father Robert “Bob” Keefe attended Hebron Academy as a post grad. My aunt, his sister, told me that he had a job drawing cartoons for a newspaper in Lewiston.

I was wondering if you could direct me as to where I could find out about any cartoons or caricatures he may have done. This is a strange request and I appreciate you taking your time in reading this plea. Any information that you could supply would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. — Larry Keefe, larrykeefe@verizon.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know how she can help you. She did an online search, but the name is so common and it was so long ago that it proved fruitless.

She asked some of her older colleagues, and they noted that in the 1930s there were several newspapers in town, including French language papers. Most of those papers are gone now, of course, and they all were published before computers kept track of everything and everybody.

The only suggestion Sun Spots has is to check with Hebron Academy. They may have some kind of alumni archive with records of student activities.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The seamstress in the Norway-South Paris area appears to have retired. I hope there is someone ready to volunteer to take her place? Please call 743-1959. — H.D., South Paris

ANSWER: Sun Spots list of seamstresses does not include anyone from your region, and in fact is now one name shorter since she received the next letter.

* Chez Dorea, 277 Lisbon St., Lewiston

* Cecile Giguere, 1048 Sabattus St., Lot 28, 784-3028

* Carolee Nash, Mechanic Falls, caroleenash38@msn.com, 712-6471 (no wool)

* Nita Brissette, Nita’s Alterations in Turner, 212-3766

* Alterations by Judy, 906 Sabattus St., Lewiston, 783-6201

* Alice Hilton, Gardiner area, 582-3759

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to thank you for running my name in the list of local seamstresses. I’ve had many people call me, but now I cannot do it any more. My age and health are stopping me from doing so. Thank you for helping when I needed it, but now please remove my name. Thank you for all the people that you help. — Anita, Lewiston

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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