DEAR SUN SPOTS: First let me tell you that I enjoy your column greatly. I look for it every day. Here is my question: I don’t believe I have ever seen this subject in your column. It relates to Lock for Love. I need information on how to go about donating to this program and also need to learn the criteria. Hope you can help. — Devoted Fan

ANSWER: According to its website, “Locks of Love is a public nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics.

“Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

“Our mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale, based on financial need.”

Some local salons are “members” of Locks of Love or have sponsored events to gather hair and donations for this charity, and the Sun Journal has published stories about those who have donated their own hair.

The criteria for donating your hair are available online at www.locksoflove.org/donate.html. You must have a minimum of 10 inches of unbleached hair. Generally braids or ponytails are submitted. They cannot use “scraps” of hair, such as pieces swept off the floor.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have two questions. About two months you printed a letter from someone saying there were small scholarship at different colleges, but people do not apply for them. Could your run it again, please?

Second, years ago my father made lye soap. Would you or any of your readers have the recipe? I would love to have it. Thank you for your help. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots did not recall a letter in her column about unclaimed scholarships, so she did some searching on the topic. Several reputable websites said that those stories about unclaimed scholarships are a myth perpetuated by companies that want prospective students to pay for scholarship search services. 

Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the websites FinAid and FastWeb, was quoted in the Chronicle of Higher Education: ““There are a handful of scholarships that go unclaimed, but that’s because they can’t be claimed.” He said sometimes no one meets the criteria.

Sun Spots did not find the story you remember. Perhaps another reader will recall the details.

As for lye soap, there’s a plethora of instructions online. However, Sun Spots is not sure she can republish them without infringing on the copyrights, plus the instructions are rather lengthy for the column.  (It looks like a lot of work!)

Here are a couple of websites that include photos and detailed instructions:

* Frugallysustainable.com (http://tinyurl.com/n6rva6y)

* Shepherdshillhomestead.com (http://tinyurl.com/kuhawqy)

* Frontierfreedom.com (http://tinyurl.com/mnwbbs9)

If you don’t have access to a computer, you can print out the instructions at the library for a small fee. Readers will also undoubtedly send in their own soap “recipes.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We will be having our annual Christmas craft sale at Holy Trinity Catholic Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23.

Tables may be rented as follows: $20 for a six-foot table and $25 for an eight-foot table. Lunch will also be available.

For table rentals and more information, call me at 353-5035 or the parish office at 353-2792. Thank you. — Pat Tardiff, Lisbon Falls

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.

Copy the Story Link