DEAR SUN SPOTS: An elderly friend of mine has been looking for some of the old-fashioned metal ice cube trays that have the metal dividers and an attached handle to pull in order to empty the ice cube tray.

Because of the condition of her water, the plastic ones and the silicone ones leave a residue and an odor. She would be willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for them. Please call me at 514-5159 or 241-2398.

Since Sunspots’ readers notoriously help many people locate items and/or solve some of life’s little problems, I thought perhaps someone would help her. What in the world would we do without Sun Spots and her readers? Thank you. — Fan via email

ANSWER: There are many of these trays available for sale online, including at Amazon.com, eBay and Williams-Sonoma. The least expensive ones Sun Spots found were from Miles Kimball (mileskimball.com/buy-aluminum-ice-cube-tray-311551) and Walter Drake (wdrake.com/buy-aluminum-ice-cube-tray-311551) both for $11.99.

But someone in the region can probably come up with them for less. Readers?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anyone in the area that does chair seat caning? This type is a cane mat that uses a spline. Thanks for any help you can give. — Larry, larrysbasscharters@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots has a couple of sources in her Rolodex, but it’s been a while since she’s published them. There might be others available now. If so, please email sunspots@sunjournal.com so she can add you to the list.

* Pam Lanyon, Turner, 225-3174, CaningbyPam@gmail.com

* Shadagee Snowshoe Relacing, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Georgia Tolman, New Sharon, 578-0348, ssrelacing@localnet.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a 47-piece set of Haviland china for sale. Pattern is LaFrance. Price is $400 or best offer. This set is in perfect condition. — Jeanette, Norway

ANSWER: Readers cannot use Sun Spots to sell things. You can buy a classified ad, some of which are free. Call 207-783-2281 or 800-482-0935 to place your ad.

Or you can try and sell it on eBay. If you are not a computer person, you can use a service to help you. Sun Spots knows of a few (email if you want your service added to her Rolodex).

* Nola, Goin’ Postal, 9 North River Road, Auburn, 784-9900

* Laurie Whitmore, Oxford Depot eBay store, Oxford, 539-4884, ebay@oxford-depot.com

* Dan Beaudoin, Humble-Bobbs Secondhand LLC, 2178 Lisbon St., Lewiston, dandee84@roadrunner.com, 577-6746

* Brad Johnson, 207-393-7645, partsguy89@yahoo.com

Sun Spots does not know how much luck you will have. The market for fine china is small and shrinking, as people seem to entertain much more casually these days than they did in the past. 

One option is if your china is rare or unusual: You may be able to sell pieces to Replacements Ltd., which helps people who have lost a piece or two of their china, crystal or silver. You can find them at replacements.com or call 800-737-5223.

You will have to pay shipping, so unless your pieces are valuable it might not be worth it. Sun Spots has her mother’s china sitting in boxes. No one wants it. Her sister-in-law had the same problem and pushed it on an antique dealer, who still has it sitting unsold in his shop.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: R.E. Garnett of Lisbon responded to your July inquiry for someone to make birdhouses out of old license plates. I subsequently contacted him, and he not only made a great birdhouse but he picked up the old plates and delivered the finished product to my home. What service — definitely keep him on your contact list. — Joan Pedersen, Turner

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for anyone who has Concord grapes they would be willing to sell or let me pick for a small fee. I would need enough to make a couple of recipes of jelly. This would be in the Lewiston-Auburn or Turner area. Thank you. — Diane Freve, our2hounds@megalink.net, 207-224-7348

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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