DEAR SUN SPOTS: You are super with your ideas. Where or which stores can I find para mothballs, not the regular mothballs, that smell fresher? — L.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots researched this question thoroughly just about this time last year, and discovered that, as with so many things, names can be deceiving. When it comes to para mothballs, they are not necessarily called “para” on the label.

From what Sun Spots can tell, para mothballs is the official name of mothballs put out by Willert Home Products, under the brand name Enoz Para Mothballs. The websites for Aubuchon and Ace hardware advertise them for sale, so you should be able to get them in the stores as well.

The difference between regular mothballs and para mothballs is the active ingredient. Old-fashioned mothballs are made of naphthalene, while the para versions use paradichlorobenzene. According to Wikipedia.com, both are potentially hazardous to human health. (Sun Spots found one post from someone who is addicted to sniffing mothballs and was trying to quit!)

The advantage to the para version appears to be that the smell is less overwhelming and fades more quickly, but it is still a chemical and potential carcinogen, so it should be handled with care.

As for finding them in stores, in addition to the hardware stores mentioned previously, at Walmart and Hannaford Sun Spots found a brand of lavender-scented mothballs made with paradichlorobenzene. They were in a box with — not surprisingly considering the lavender scent — purple writing. They were hanging on hooks in the section where mops and brooms and such are sold.

In response to this question last year, several readers wrote in with alternative suggestions, including dryer sheets, cedar chest or chips, or natural herbs.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’ve been trying to respond to M. Jalbert’s Sept. 12 question about furs. I work with furs and would be interested in fur coats. I recycle fur coats into fur boot cuffs that are snapped together and placed on boots as an accessory. I have emailed M. Jalbert but have received no response. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. — Laurie, laurie@furgetmenotsmaine.com, 330-1565

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know why she didn’t respond, but wrong email addresses are not unheard of. Since M. Jalbert’s letter, another reader, Kathleen, wrote in with the same question (Oct. 6). Sun Spots doesn’t think Kathleen had email, so she included Laurie’s phone number so interested parties can call her.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Recently 1975 Lewiston High School classmates Marc Moreau, Linda Federico, Kevin Kivus and I met at Tabor’s in Auburn to discuss plans for organizing a 40-year reunion planning committee.

The group next plans to get together for dinner at DaVinci’s Restaurant in Lewiston at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. Anyone interested in being part of the planning committee or simply want to get together and share ideas can attend.

The class needs to update its database on current telephone numbers and addresses as well as email listings.

Please contact Linda at 777-6369, duzitall@myfairpoint.net, or me. We are looking forward to hearing from anyone interested in being part of this special occasion. — Dodie McDonald-Vasiliauskas, 946-2002, dodiev2002@yahoo.com

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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