DEAR SUN SPOTS: I hope you can help me. A neighbor of mine passed away about a year and half ago. She painted many paintings, and I bought the entire art collection from her heirs. It includes more than 100 paintings, frames, supplies, etc. I loved the way she painted, and I never even knew her.

Anyway, I have a friend who just went through breast cancer, and I wasn’t there for her a lot for one reason or another, but she is such a wonderful person and has a team to raise money for the Dempsey Challenge. She is working so hard to raise money also.

I would like to donate these paintings to help raise money for her team. I have no idea how to go about doing this, but I think it could be something big if done right. Could you get me in touch with people who could give me advice? Thank you. — Ellen Pratt, LN0420golf@aol.com, 345-3168

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked with Aimee Arsenault, event manager for the Dempsey Challenge, who said your best bet is to work with the team supporting your friend. Many teams have yard sales, auctions or raffles to raise funds for the Challenge, so they could include your paintings.

Aimee said the Challenge participants are independent teams fundraising for the Challenge. She said the staff does help through promotion on its website and social media once an independent fundraising event form is submitted but, due to staffing limitations, cannot organize or plan the independent fundraisers.

Another option would be to sell the paintings yourself on eBay, Craigslist or some other service, then donate the proceeds directly to the team or your friend.

Aimee said you might want to check out www.dempseychallenge.org/independent-fundraising-events for more information on independent fundraising events. For further questions, contact Fundraising Coordinator Tish Caldwell, atcaldwepa@cmhc.org or 330-7736.

Readers may offer additional suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In regard to the article on flea infestation for No Name, No Town (July 13). I had a bad flea problem a few years ago. You would walk in the living room in stocking feet; they would be covered in fleas.

I tried everything, spent hundreds of dollars on flea sprays, bombs, everything. The one thing that I found that worked was a $3 bottle of Ant and Roach Killer from Family Dollar. It’s a big yellow bottle; it is in powder form.

I locked my cats in the bathroom with their food, water and litter box for a few hours while I went to work. Before I left, I sprinkled the Ant and Roach Killer on the floors and furniture. When I came home, I vacuumed it all up. No fleas at all after that.

If the person has animals, Capstar, which you get at the vet’s, works well. As soon as the animal takes the pill, the fleas start dying within minutes. For animals age 8 weeks, Revolution, also available at the vet’s office, works well. At the vet I use, the Capstar pill is $7, and the Revolution is $17 for one treatment or a box of three treatments is $45.

Hope this helps and good luck with the flea problem. — Jen Smith, Mechanic Falls, Jsmth199722@aol.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In answer to the question about getting rid of fleas, I finally resorted to flea traps. They are good at getting rid of them.

The foggers were not doing the job. The fleas seemed to swarm me.

I had never seen a flea before last summer. My doctor was amazed at the countless bites — at least 50 of them.

Flea traps lure fleas from 30 feet away. They are also an early precaution to take, as they are no harm to pets.

I have a pet that will not be going outside this summer.

I finally found flea traps at Agway in Farmington. They were only $15, with three refills for $5.

My cat was also given the very expensive Frontline injection.

As for ticks, remove them very carefully with tweezers and be sure to remove the head completely. — B.H., Rangeley

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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