DEAR SUN SPOTS: I thought a while ago I read that somewhere you could send expired coupons for those in military service. If this is correct, do you have an address for them?

Love your column and have found a lot of information on a lot of topics. Hope it continues for a long while to come. — Sun Spots Reader, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots had heard of a program to send coupons to military families, but she was surprised to learn that they will also accept expired coupons, which military families can use on bases overseas.

Sun Spots found several groups that perform this service, but the one with the clearest instructions and the best name — Troopon — is online at www.supportourtroops.org.

Coupons must be:

* From manufacturers for individual products. Examples include items like soup, pasta or toothpaste.

* Not for individual stores — coupons for individual stores cannot be used.

* Clipped out individually.

* Packaged in sandwich or quart-size plastic bags

* Not assistance vouchers, not food stamps or the like, not restaurant coupons.

* Separated into food, nonfood, baby and pet baggies. (The military advises they will recycle unsorted coupons due to lack of manpower.)

Mail them to Support Our Troops, P.O. Box 70, Daytona Beach, FL 32115-0070.

SupportOurTroops.Org administers the routing from there forward to base stores worldwide, and to bases across the U.S. following the constantly changing needs related to category and quantity per location.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you or your readers know where I can find a silver tinsel Christmas tree with a round light that has different colors and rotates under the tree? Please call me at 207-375-9901. Thank you. — joline503@juno.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots found the color wheel at the Vermont Country Store (www.vermontcountrystore.com, 800-547-7849) for $34.95. They also sell silver trees of varying sizes for $30 to $150.

There are also some listings on eBay, but they are pricier.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m sharing information that may be useful to some readers. Before Christmas I searched several department stores for replacement fuses for my strings of outside lights with C9 size bulbs. I found none, even though the stores carried the C9 light strings and bulbs.

Someone suggested I check an automotive parts store, because vehicle fuses might work. They were right. NAPA Auto Parts on Main Street in Oxford had a box of fuses that the clerk said they use in their testing equipment. I had the lights with me, so I tried one and they worked! I purchased two at a reasonable price. — M.D., Oxford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does anyone know where I can get Dip-It stainless steel cleaner for my coffee peculator? Shaw’s used to carry it, but I can’t find it anywhere now. Other cleaners just don’t do the job. Thank you. — Barbara, Auburn

ANSWER: As with almost anything — or so it often seems — Dip-It is available at Amazon.com (800-201-7575). Since Dip-It comes in both powders and liquids for different uses and Sun Spots isn’t sure which one you seek, she couldn’t offer prices. 

Walmart.com also lists Dip-It, but as with Amazon, it is not one of their products but shipped from a third party. However, if you ask at customer service, perhaps they will order it for you and ship it to the store.

There are other online sources as well, but Sun Spots is pretty sure you would prefer a local store. Readers, do you know of a source?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For Belinda looking for drapes to fit her hardware, she might try Gamache & Lessard Co., 995 Center St., No. 3, Auburn, 04210, 747-1940, www.windowdecorators.com. — Daily Reader, Jay

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