DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for your column! I am hoping you can help me locate a gentleman who uses old license plates to make birdhouses. I believe he is from the Rumford area.

Any way I can get in touch with him — email, phone, address — would be great. Thanks again.

Also, do you have any idea why so many pine trees are turning brown? In our travels we’ve noticed this, and it seems like more and more trees are dying. Thanks again. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: In 2012 reporter Daniel Hartill wrote a story about Brian Harvey and his unusual birdhouses (http://tinyurl.com/ocdt6n7). The name of his business is Bird Has Arrived, but the story did not provide contact information.

Sun Spots checked her handy-dandy phonebook and found a Brian Harvey at 207-369-0237. She called and spoke to his wife, who said that he was out of town but would be back today. She asks that you call in the evening in order to catch him at home.

As for the pine trees, there are a number of possibilities. Many trees are under threat from insect pests that have been moving north. Extremely wet or dry conditions can also stress trees and turn them brown.

Sun Spots has several spruce trees with brown patches that she failed to spray with Wilt-Pruf last fall, and the hard winter added to their woes.

The changing climate — many scientists expect Maine to be wetter as well as warmer — will undoubtedly affect many trees, although it is hard to say just how. Some species are more adaptable than others.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to your comment about using pineapple in Jell-O, strangely enough, while fresh pineapple will keep Jell-O from setting, it is perfectly OK to use canned pineapple! — Pat Malcolm, pmalcpoet@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Pat is quite right. Sun Spots checked her larder for a box of Jell-O and discovered that only fresh (or frozen) pineapple is a problem. This same caveat applies to kiwis, guavas and some other fruits.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: AMVETS Post 6 Auxiliary will be having its annual flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Aug. 2 (rain or shine), at the post home on Route 100, New Gloucester (across from Hodgman’s Frozen Custard). New and used items, unique crafts and collectibles will be available.

Table rentals are available for $15. Call me at 926-4693 or Sally at 926-3371 to reserve your table for this event.

Proceeds to benefit the auxiliary’s yearly projects, including support of the New Gloucester Veterans Monument. A bake table will benefit our scholarship fund. — Joyce Wotherspoon, secretary, momspoon00@hotmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The friends and members of the Second Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 205 Main St., Norway, are accepting donations for their spectacular 15th annual treasure-filled yard sale. The congregation and community volunteers are ready to start sorting, cleaning and pricing this year’s items.

Donations for the sale may be placed in the parsonage barn at 201 Main St., Norway. It you have any questions or need assistance with a donation, please call the church office at 743-2290. Pickup service is available for some large items.

We are once again looking for new and gently used furniture, small appliances, kitchen “stuff,” gift ware, pots and pans, dishes, lamps, toys, baby equipment, puzzles, games, books, Christmas items, sports equipment, boats, tractors, bicycles and even kitchen sinks.

We do not accept large appliances, clothes, computer monitors or televisions. The revenue from the yard sale will be used to support the many missions of the Second Congregational Church. We welcome donations of your “treasures” or time to your community church.

More than just a fundraiser, the yard sale is also an important part of the church’s mission activities to help members of the community furnish their homes at reasonable prices.

The actual sale will be held on the fourth Saturday of August, Aug. 23.

We welcome all to join us in worship, study and fellowship. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

For more information, please contact Kate Wood, 207-743-7124, P.O. Box 2015, Norway, ME 04268. Thank you. — Pat Jillson, church secretary, 207-743-2290, seconch@megalink.net

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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