HI SUN SPOTS: At one time I had directions for two needle mittens but they got stolen along with all my needles over ten years ago. I haven’t been able to find directions for them. If someone has them and would share them I would be so glad. Thank you! — No name, no town.

ANSWER: Sun Spots is calling on an expert for this one. Several requests for knitting patterns have come in but due to space constraints in this column, they cannot always be shared. Several free patterns are available via the world wide web and several books of knitting patterns are available at libraries in the area, but if any skilled knitters have a pattern that they recommend, please write in to Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Geiger Elementary School will be holding an Amazing Autumn Adventure on Nov. 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. We are hoping to locate a beekeeper who would be willing to donate their time to share their knowledge about beekeeping. The Geiger School community is looking forward to learning more about this fascinating hobby. Please call Geiger School at 207-795-4169 if you are able to share your expertise. Thank you! — Jane, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: With the election so close many people are choosing to vote absentee. I’m wondering how safe that practice is. Where are the ballots kept? Are they all kept in one place? What are the chances of them getting lost or mishandled? This voter will be very relieved when this election is over. Thank you. — No name, Lewiston.

ANSWER: Absentee ballots are mailed and coordinated by the City Clerk’s Department, in fact, the department coordinates the administration of all elections for the city. Fill out your ballot as soon as you can and hand-deliver it to your city clerk’s office, this will help you avoid any question of it getting lost in the mail or otherwise mishandled. In Lewiston, the city clerk’s office is on the second floor of City Hall and the phone number is 207-513-3124. Ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2016.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Ladies of St. Anne Sodality of Holy Family still have more tables available for vendors to participate in the Noel Gala being held on Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please call Jaqueline at 207-782-8125. — No name, no town.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I do a lot of genealogy and would love any comment. Swan Pond is an area in South Hartford that once was a farming and industrial area with nice homes. There was a steam saw mill on the pond outlet and a bottling company that shipped bottled soda and water. The homes are all gone now, quite a few burned. There was a school, Line School, at the left as you turn onto the Swan Pond Road until a few years ago. The Swan Pond cemetery is further on and many early settlers are resting there. Some settlers were Irishes, Marbles, Hollands, Bicknells, Chesleys, Purkis, Dearborns, Shaws, Hutchinsons etc. The Newtons and others came from the Dixfield area after the cheese business slowed. How different the area is now, all grown over and one can’t find the settling areas. I would enjoy hearing from anyone interested, as I am. — Beverly Norton Newton, Burnham.

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.