DEAR SUN SPOTS: I received the enclosed picture of a Sudoku puzzle cube in the mail yesterday and thought you might be interested in seeing it, as I believe it answers the question I sent in recently.

If you look closely at the three sides showing in this photo, there has to be more than one answer to the puzzles that appear in the paper, as the numbers can appear in any way you chose, as long as you don’t repeat any of them in the square. — L.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: When L.G. wrote to Sun Spots about Sudoku puzzles, he wanted to know if there is more than one correct answer to the puzzles in the paper.

Sun Spots responded on March 4 that she didn’t have a good answer because he’d sent her the puzzle from Feb. 5, but the answer was from Feb. 4. She was hoping readers would respond, but she should have taken more time to try and figure it out.

This time L.G. sent her a Sudoku based on the Rubik’s cube. Sun Spots doesn’t think it’s relevant. You can’t compare the two, because when you change a number on the cube, it changes the numbers on all the sides, which is what makes it so difficult to complete.

As for the Sudoku puzzles that are in the paper, on her weekly foray to the Sun Journal, Sun Spots made her way to the archive newspapers upstairs, where she found the answer to the Feb. 5 puzzle, which L.G. had sent her originally.

L.G. wanted to know why there couldn’t be more than one answer to that puzzle, because, he said, you only have to not repeat the numbers in the square. That is not the case.

To explain for those who don’t know Sudoku, there are nine boxes in each square, with most of them empty but a number or two supplied. Nine of those squares are then grouped together.

To finish the puzzle, you supply whatever numbers are missing so that 1 through 9 are in each nine-box square. But you must also not repeat those numbers in the entire row or column of squares. So each row and column also has no repeated numbers, not just the individual square. Thus, there is only one answer for each puzzle.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’ve not collected my morning paper from the box yet, and already I’ve had upwards of 10 calls in response to my March 14 request for a TV digital-to-analog converter. I read the column regularly, but I had no idea of the extent to which your column appears to be productive.

I initially placed the request on social media, with zero response. I’m absolutely amazed. I’m a senior citizen, and I suspect Sun Spots is to my generation what Facebook is to younger folks. Thank you very much. You provide a very helpful and useful service. — G. Lachapelle

ANSWER: Sun Spots agrees with G.’s assessment that Sun Spots is to seniors what Facebook is to youth. She has noted that requests for older items or information from the past are answered promptly and in great volume, but questions about computers and other new technology go lagging.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to inform your readers that gift certificates purchased at Percy’s Burrow in Auburn will be accepted at our new store in Topsham. The Auburn store is closing at the end of this month. If they should have questions regarding gift certificates they can reach us at 721-3224. — Laurie StPierre, percysburrow@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My wife would like to know if anyone has old milk cans that they would like to sell. Please call 207-783-9519. — Weldon Svor, wally@svorfamily.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there someone in this area who makes Raggedy Ann dolls? I would be interested in two of them if they passed my inspection and the price is right. Thank you. — No Name, Lisbon Falls

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to see if any readers have a crown of thorns plant from which I could take a cutting? Any flower color (red, pink or cream) would be great.

You may call me at 998-2852 after 3:30 p.m. weekday afternoons. Thank you for your help. — David Tedford, Poland

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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