ANSWER: The annual Great Falls Balloon Festival takes place Aug. 19 through 21 this year, and as long as the person who you are trying to surprise is not afraid of heights, then an early morning or evening  balloon ride soaring above the Twin Cities could be a fantastic experience. Tickets are available for five launches during the festival, weather-permitting. They cost $200 per person and must be prepaid. You can download a ride application by visiting the festival’s website at http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org/guest-guide/balloon-ride/, or you can pick one up in person at Ness Oil at 249 Washington St. in Auburn, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional questions can be directed to Rides@GreatFallsBalloonFestival.org.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Hope you can help, as my Google search resulted in Southern Maine-based businesses only, nothing local to L/A. I am seeking someone to do bathtub refinishing and caulking. Perhaps you or your readers have recommendations of insured professionals who can do a good, quality job at a reasonable price. Thank you. — No Name, Auburn.

ANSWER: There are at least a couple of people who do that kind of bathroom repair work locally. Among them are:

Richard Hasson, owner of Rick’s Tub & Shower Repair, who you can reach by calling (207) 766-5900.

Steve Corro owns Corro’s Fiberglassing and also advertises that he performs repair work on tubs and showers. You can reach him by calling (207) 783-5944.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The VFW Post 9787 conducted “Buddy Poppy” drive Friday and Saturday, May 27 and 28, in the Oxford Hills area. On Saturday, a ring was found with change in one of the donation containers. It doesn’t look expensive, but may have sentimental value. If you donated to the VFW on Saturday, May 28 (possibly at Dunkin Donuts) and grabbed a bunch of change to donate (and the ring by accident), please call (207) 890-8176 and describe  the ring. Thank you for all who donated generously to the VFW’s Buddy Poppy Fund. — Richard, Hebron.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for all you do for us. We appreciate everything you do.  I have found a site that helps families find local events and activities. I use it all the time when I have grandchildren around. From little kids to teenagers it listed activities to do for families in the area. You can sign up to get weekly updates. I love it and, like I said, I use it a lot. It is a FREE site and the company does not sell or give away email addresses and I like that. The site is www.avr.macaronikid.com. — No Name, No Town.

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked out the site and thanks you for sharing this resource with her readers.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com, 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.

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