DEAR SUN SPOTS: You have been very helpful. Thank you for all you do.

I have a ceramic figurine of a white unicorn, about 12 inches tall. The tip of its horn broke off in the mid-1990s. I was wondering if there is a place in the Lewiston-Auburn area that could fix it for me. I still have the piece that broke off.

I tried St. Lessard’s Ceramics on Sabattus Street, but they don’t do those repairs. — C.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots called Carville Ceramics, which sells supplies, and was given one name, that of Patty Doucette. Sun Spots called Patty, who said that although she is not in the business of repairing ceramics (she teaches ceramics), she would take a look at your piece. 

However, she said that there are several issues to consider. One is that what sometimes is thought to be ceramics is plaster of Paris or some other material. Another issue is that sometimes with older pieces she cannot find the paint that was used or the glassy sheen coating the item is difficult to replicate.

The process can also be very expensive.

You can reach Patty at 783-6709 in the evenings. She said not to leave a message with her husband, because she probably wouldn’t get it. You can leave a message on their answering machine.

Online, Sun Spots found two repair places in Connecticut:

* Lakeside Pottery, 543 Newfield Ave., Stamford CT 06905, 203-323-2222, lakesidepottery.com

* Dean Schulefand and Associates, 324 Guinevere Ridge, Cheshire, CT 06410, 800-669-1327 or 203-271-3659, deanschulefand@gmail.com, www.chinaandcrystalrepair.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the July 2 query about picking up flags on veteran graves, why are the flags even picked up and not left to fly on the grave? — Linda via email

ANSWER: The flags take a lot of wear being outside in summer weather; winter would completely destroy them — especially the cotton ones. And wild animals would chew on them. They would also be covered by snow, which would seem disrespectful to many people.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As you usually do, you found the people “in the know” regarding the many reasons that fabric flags are not reused (July 2). One more reason: No matter how hard you try, they usually get moldy when stored. It’s nearly impossible, both with the reasons listed and the moisture that is in the wood and fabric, to prevent this.

The expense, and time, to find storage and prepare the flags for a year’s storage would be very difficult and ultimately far more expensive than replacing them each year. Thank you for all you do. — Deb Desjardins, Auburn

ANSWER: Not everyone agrees with this decision, including Concerned Citizen, the author of the original query about reusing the flags.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks for your adept detective work on my flag question! Lewiston City Clerk Kathy Montejo did provide a lot of good info (such as the true number of graves decorated by the city each year), although I suspect that her report of the flags being too dirty or worn to be reused was probably secondhand and not up-to-date.

Curious as to what the policy is in Auburn, I called the City Clerk’s Office there, who forwarded me to the Public Works Department, where the two people who could have answered the question were (just my luck) out on vacation.

So I called Gracelawn Cemetery, which is where my father, a World War II veteran, is buried, and I was told that the flags there (which are the same kind as those used in Lewiston) are collected and reused for multiple years, since the only “wear” which typically results after two to three seasons of use is a slight staining on the bottom of the wooden staffs, which isn’t apparent when the flags are stuck back into the ground the next year.

I was glad to hear that, since both my father and my mother who is buried next to him were not only staunch patriots but thrifty souls who would have, if not turned over, at least stirred in their graves to think that perfectly good American flags (such as the one I see placed by my dad’s name plaque each year) were being disposed of for no good reason.

Of course, Gracelawn is a private cemetery, not city-owned, so I guess they have more reason to be concerned about the “bottom line,” regardless of their conservation philosophies. — Concerned Citizen, Lewiston

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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