DEAR SUN SPOTS: Since your “in box” is getting low, here are a few questions:

What happened to Kathleen Shannon on Channel 6’s “207”?

Is there any way to find out who won Christmas trees at the Kora Temple FEZtival?

Is Cribbage a regional game? People outside of Maine don’t seem to be familiar with it. Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: According to LinkedIn, Kathleen Shannon is now the director of organizational communications at Martin’s Point Health Care. There is a video from her last day (July 11) at “207” at www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/207/2014/07/12/goodbye-kathleen/12568597/. 

As for the trees, you can find out about the sponsors and winners at www.korashriners.org/tree-sponsors/tree-sponsors.

Cribbage, according to Wikipedia, is “one of the most popular games in the English-speaking world. … Cribbage holds a special place among American submariners, serving as an ‘official’ pastime. The wardroom of the oldest active submarine in the United States Pacific Fleet carries the personal cribbage board of World War II submarine commander and Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Dick O’Kane on board, and upon the boat’s decommissioning the board is transferred to the next oldest boat.”

Sun Spots wonders if maybe people don’t play as many board or card games as they used to before the days of television, streaming movies at home, smartphones, computer games, etc.

She has no proof for that, but a book called “Bowling Alone” (by Robert D. Putnam, 2000) documented the decline of community/service groups and activities, blaming much of it on television. Of course, media has exploded even more since then, exacerbating the problem.

This may be less of an issue in rural areas, such as much of Maine, where media is not as pervasive and the winters are long and dark, leading you to your conclusion about cribbage’s popularity?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been watching News 8 for nine years and noticed they have a new weatherperson. What happened to Paul Janus? Did he go to another station? — C.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Paul is still listed as part of the news team at WMTW.com, and his Twitter feed shows a Thanksgiving post. Since his last WMTW online forecast is for the Friday after Thanksgiving, maybe he’s on vacation?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Where may I find beeswax candles without shopping online? Thank you for this wonderful column. — No Name, Poland

ANSWER: Sun Spots knows of one source: Axis Natural Foods, 120 Center St. No. 300, Auburn, 207-782-3348. Readers may know of others.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a ceramic Christmas tree that my mother made for my grandmother in 1968. The tree and light base still work after all this time; however, I am in need of a replacement star.

It is/was a yellow/orange star that goes on the top of the tree. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have one they are willing to sell or where I might find another one. Thank you in advance. — Kathy, blossomk8@hotmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots also has one of these trees with a missing star (as well as some bulbs), which she won at an office Christmas party back in the 1970s. She was going to put hers on eBay as is, but if readers can help, she too will be glad to hear the answer.

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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