DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding keeping bananas (July 2), the man in the Hannaford vegetable area told my friend that if you keep your bananas in the thin plastic bags that you carry them home in, they will keep longer.

Keep tightly wrapped. I have kept them a week without turning black. You can also freeze them for cooking. Leave the peel on. I also use the bags for other fruit, and it keeps the fruit flies away, too. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots always freezers her over-ripe bananas for banana bread. The thawed bananas are a good consistency for baking.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the Country Store (not the Vermont Country Store) catalog, page 24, there is a bag that keeps bananas fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator.

The reusable nylon drawstring bag shuts out bacteria and wipes clean. It’s 11 by 14 inches and holds six to eight bananas and is $9.99 plus shipping. The mailing address is P.O.Box 3350, Chelmsford, MA 01824-0950, 1-800-558-1013, www.CountryStoreCatalog.com. — No Name via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the July 2 question about keeping bananas, I make a banana-keeper bag that I sell at craft fairs and festivals.

These bags will keep bananas in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The bananas might have a few dark spots on them, but the fruit is as firm as when you put them in the bag. Thank you. — Faith Godin, 539-1010, fegodin@yahoo.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the question about slowing the ripening of bananas, I’ve heard that if you cover the stem end with tinfoil it will do the trick. Love this column! — Nancy Legere, NLegere@aol.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Many of us former Graziano’s restaurant patrons are very curious as to when Luiggi’s (which purchased and tore down Graziano’s) will begin construction on the new Lisbon Luiggi’s. Hoping it is soon. Many of us are looking forward to a new eating place in Lisbon that is like Graziano’s. — Anxiously Waiting

ANSWER: Sun Spots called the Luiggi’s Pizzeria on Sabattus Street and spoke to a manger. She said that the owners are working on the new store but have no date to announce yet. If the owners let Sun Spots know when they have a date, she will publish it in the column.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have white resin tables and chairs that are looking a bit gray. I have tried Mr. Clean Eraser, Go-Jo, SOS pads, bleach and even facial scrub. These have not worked nor have any suggestions I have found online. Do you have any magic to clean these items? — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots had the exact same problem with her table and chairs. Mr. Sun Spots said that what happens is that the coating on the plastic deteriorates over the years and basically disappears. So it’s not a matter of cleaning but of a layer on the plastic that is no longer present.

Sun Spots still used her chairs for a while, but then the plastic began cracking and breaking. A couple of them she was forced to recycle (Mr. Sun Spots is very safety conscious), but two others she painted, quite successfully.

At her Ace Hardware store she bought a special spray paint that adheres to plastic and turned her grimy white chairs bright red.

As for the table, she keeps a plastic tablecloth on it all the time to cover the unattractive surface.

Perhaps readers will have additional tips.

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.