RESPONSE: Thank you for sharing that you enjoyed the Sun Spots column that day. Sun Spots has emailed you the article you requested. Have a great day!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m hoping that the wonderful young woman who chased me down at the South Paris Farmers Union on Sunday, Dec. 29, sees this in Sun Spots. As I was leaving the store to pick up my order at the back door, she came rushing out and presented me with a “Christmas Tree in a Pot.” It was such a nice surprise.

We had been discussing the little trees and poinsettias on display, and I mentioned that the little trees in the pots were just my size. Her generosity made my day! Again, thank you — whoever you are. I intend to pass along to someone else who just might need an added smile. — No Name in Oxford.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Here is information about another knitting club to follow your recent column that mentioned a knitting guild. The Yarmouth History Center has reproduced patterns for two original winter accessories, an ear-warming headband and a Fair Isle watch cap, that were crafted for North Yarmouth Academy students by a local knitter during the 1950s and later.

Stop by the History Center at 118 East Elm St. in Yarmouth, or visit our website at www.yarmouthmaine.org for copies of these two free patterns. The History Center will also host knitting circles from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Feb. 13. These are free and open to all knitters. Work on one of our patterns or bring your own project and enjoy the company of fellow knitters.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The next open observatory night will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Twitchell Observatory on Hooper Ledge Road in Paris, if the skies are clear. Come and observe Orion Nebula, Pleiades, Beehive Cluster and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.twitchellobservatory.org.

GREETINGS SUN SPOTS: There is probably a more simple answer to the question raised in Sun Spots on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The utility allowance is deducted from the rent calculated as affordable to the tenant, so it is in effect, a credit. In other words, the rent is $80 less because the person has to pay the electric bill. That is a common practice, which is permissible.  If all utilities were included in the rent, this individual actually would be paying $80 more to the landlord. It doesn’t appear that any money is owed to this person. The individual should speak with the person who interviewed them  for their apartment and calculated their rent for a more individualized explanation. I suspect it is as I have outlined above. — Sincerely, Richard S. Whiting, Executive Director, Auburn Housing Authority.

RESPONSE: Thank you for your explanation. 

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