DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you so much for all the help and information you provide for our community.

The United New Auburn Association, the city of Auburn and several L-A residents have until Dec. 27 to raise $12,000 for the purchase of the four Paccard bells that have gloriously served our community from the bell tower of St. Louis Church. These bells have been removed from the tower and are envisioned to serve future generations as cultural monuments and heritage treasures for the people of L-A.

Thus far, the people of Lewiston and Auburn have donated approximately $8,100, so we are better than halfway to saving these amazing Maine heritage assets.

Roopers bottle redemption centers have agreed to help us with a bottle drive. Bring your bottles and cans to any of the five Roopers locations:

In Lewiston, 794 Sabattus St., 694 Main St. and 1420 Lisbon St.

In Auburn, 545 Minot Ave. and 301 Main St.

Tell the clerk you would like your bottle money to be donated for the St. Louis church bells. All donations will go into an account, which will help make our bells ring again.

Donations are tax deductible. Checks for larger donations can be made out to Museum LA, with the memo St. Louis church bells.

You can drop them off or mail them to me at 48 Third St., Auburn, ME 04210. The salon is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Thank you all so very much for your generosity. — Elaine Biron, 212-1920

ANSWER: Sun Spots can’t resist making an irrelevant comment on Elaine’s letter, which was one of the most beautifully handwritten missives she has received. Even the spelling was impeccable. She, and her schoolteachers, should be proud.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Some time ago I saw a commercial on TV about a product that could be sprayed on a satellite dish to repel snow and sleet. Would you have any information on this product? I sprayed it with Slide All but that did not work. Thank you. — No Name, Chesterville

ANSWER: Sun Spots found the following online at directv.com:

“DIRECTV Satellite Dishes are designed to prevent snow and ice accumulation on the surface of the dish. Therefore, external devices or sprays to protect the dish are not recommended.

“Extensive testing has shown that dish covers are ineffective and might cause problems with signal reception. DO NOT spray silicone, PAM or any slippery oily coating on your DIRECTV Dish. The chemicals in these substances can damage the surface, collect dust and attract birds, which can also obstruct the signal.

“In the case of extreme wintry conditions, a dish heater can be used to prevent snow and ice accumulation on the dish. A dish heater is a peel-and-stick adhesive that holds the heating element to the front of the dish. You can purchase it online from satellitemart.com or cyberstore.com for approximately $80-$180. Note that DIRECTV technicians do not install dish heaters at this time. Please hire a professional to install the heater; Do not attempt to install it yourself.”

Sun Spots would guess this advice applies to other companies’ satellite dishes as well. A post on an online forum said that if you have a problem you should call Dish (or your company) and ask them to relocate the dish to a spot where snow can easily be brushed off.

Perhaps readers will want to share their experiences.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Years ago there was a restaurant on Route 202 in Greene called the Higgins Diner. I would like some photographs of the place inside and out. I hope your readers can help. Thank you. — Ruth Travers, 199 Huntington Hill Road, Litchfield, ME 04350, traversq@aol.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.