DEAR SUN SPOTS: You’ve helped me really recently, but I forgot to ask if you know anything about an IHOP restaurant opening in Auburn? I believe I read something about one opening awhile back, but have not heard anything in quite a while. I thought that it was going to open in September sometime. Any information about where and when would be great. Thank you so much for all you do. — No Name in Bethel.

ANSWER: In mid-September, Sun Journal reporter Katherine Skelton noted that “an IHOP spokesman said this week that the new franchise in Auburn is estimated to open in mid-October.” It will open in the former T.G.I. Fridays space on Turner Street. According to Zach Bean, general manager of the new IHOP, the opening and ribbon cutting will take place Tuesday, Oct. 13. The office phone at IHOP is 207-330-7081.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Minot Historical Society is hosting a Chili & Chowder Cook-off from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the West Minot Grange Hall (Route 119 and Route 124 intersection, also know as the West Minot Road and Woodman Hill Roade intersection near Village Trading Post, 758 West Minot Road, Minot).

We are seeking people to enter their favorite homemade chili or chowder for free in this cook-off for the chance to win bragging rights for the year and a gift card to Hannaford.

Those wishing to enter the competition should bring their finished dish (and extension cord if you have one) to set up at 3:30 p.m. We will have electric power to keep your crock pots piping hot.

Admission to the chili cook-off will be $5 per person or $3 for children under 10 at the door.

All profits will benefit the rebuilding of the new Minot historical house. Any questions regarding the event or the society can be emailed to [email protected] or call 207-966-2622.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Winter will soon be upon us, and we all know how brutal a Maine winter can be. The volunteers at Tommy’s Feral Felines need to start preparing now to help ensure that their kitties can survive the winter. They need a lot of fir and blue spruce boughs.

Tommy’s is a volunteer, no-kill organization, that receives no official funding and relies totally on donations to do its wonderful work.

One of the many things they do is build and maintain shelters in various locations where the cats can find protection from the elements and feed safely. These are formerly domestic cats who, through no fault of their own, have been left to fend for themselves in the wild.

These shelters are vital to their survival, and the boughs are the perfect material to add an extra layer of warmth and insulation.

If you have any boughs or anticipate cutting some boughs in the near future or have any suggestions that would help Tommy’s volunteers locate boughs, please contact Norm Blais at 207-240-8767. The kitties will be warm and so will your heart.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to [email protected], tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.