DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Mechanic Falls Library, 108 Lewiston St., is looking for books for its fall sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 in the gymnasium at the Mechanic Falls Town Office.

We are looking for paperbacks or hard covers; we cannot accept textbooks or encyclopedias.

Books can be dropped off at the Mechanic Falls Town Office during regular business hours and put in the gymnasium. Thank you to the loyal Sun Spots’ readers who made our spring book sale a great success.

For more details, please call the Mechanic Falls Library at 207-345-9450. Thank you. — Nancy Petersons, nepesons@myfairpoint.net

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column first, except when the Red Sox play.

I have an invasive rose bush, very thorny with small blossoms with very sweet smell. But they are climbing 15 feet up my black walnut trees. I know not where they come from. Perhaps someone out there will know.

I also have a painted picture of the Portland Headlight dated and signed by Ralph Blood. Does it have any worth? Perhaps someone could tell me more. Thanks much. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots isn’t quite sure what you want to know about the roses. Are they hurting the trees? Do you want to kill them? When Sun Spots had a similar inquiry about an invasive bush, gardening expert Jody Goodwin recommended cutting it off at the roots and then pouring a herbicide such as Round-Up directly into the raw stem wounds.

As for Ralph Blood, Sun Spots searching turned up a couple of photographs of the Portland Head Light by a Ralph A. Blood, but not paintings.

Sun Spots gets a lot of questions about the value of paintings or photographs and has few good answers. Art is very subjective; it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and the market is rather soft right now. 

Unfortunately, no one has ever written in with suggestions for selling them. The only thing Sun Spots can think of is to check eBay regularly, and possibly post your paintings there.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have leftover yard sale items that I’d like to donate to a charity or organization that will be having a yard sale. My intention was to donate to Tommy’s Feral Felines; however, I’m told that yard sale has been canceled.

If anyone out there would like my “leftovers,” I would love to make room in my garage for my car. Winter will be here before we know it. — Sue Miller, suemiller1216@yahoo.com, 576-7755

ANSWER: There were some glitches in the Tommy’s sale, but it is back on for Oct. 4 and 5 (rain dates Oct. 11 and12) next to Ferris Equipment on Route 202 in Greene. For more information call Norm at 650-8374.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to thank everyone who responded so generously to our request for materials for our weekly knitting group at Market Square Health Care Center. The response was so positive, and it gave us an opportunity to connect with community members who wanted to help.

The knitting group will be kept busy for a long time thanks to Sun Spots, who got the word out. — Marianne Harlow, director of Social Services, galloma@wmhcc.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the person asking about basement insulation and weather sealing (Sept. 19), the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) federal loan program provides support for homeowners seeking to improve energy efficiency in their homes.

The program is run in Lewiston-Auburn through Community Concepts, and they did a terrific job for us providing assessment and identifying contractors to do the work.

One of the projects included basement insulation and window replacement and sealing. They made the process easy and we are very happy with the results. — No Name, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was reading an article in the Sun Spot there were senior citizens looking for people to work on their homes before winter and looking for people to shovel (Sept. 19). I am interested in helping these people and would like to offer my services to them.

We specialize in helping seniors winterize their homes and any other maintenance needs including plowing in the winter. — Richard Letourneau, Richard’s Property Management, 754-1810, dletourn@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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