ANSWER: Because of some of the extra-technical expertise involved with player pianos, it was difficult to locate someone with that specialty. It is also difficult to know whether typical piano services would be appropriate without knowing the nature of the repair, so Sun Spots has compiled a list of local piano service companies for you to call and explain your needs. Also included is one out-of-state service provider who specifically repairs player pianos:

• Mel Fletcher is a registered piano technician in Auburn. He can be reached by calling 207-783-9210 or by emailing melvinfletcher1@gmail.com.

• Zane’s Piano Service is located in Lewiston. They can be reached by calling 207-200-8226 or by emailing zanepiano@gmail.com.

• Rice’s Piano Service is located in Phippsburg. They can be reached by calling 207-443-3372 or by emailing paul@ricespiano.com.

• Thomas E. Ahearn Player Piano Service is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This shop is exclusively devoted to player piano restoration. They can be reached by calling 978-372-1297 or by emailing thosahearn@aol.com.

As always, if any readers know of a local business or person who provides these services, please write in to Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The YWCA Central Maine Positive Ethnic and Cultural Exchange (PEACE) program will host a Women’s Clothing swap at the group’s first meeting in January. The Clothing Swap will feature clothes, shoes, and accessories of all sizes, styles, and gender. The YWCA is in search of clean, gently-worn items for the swap and will be accepting donations throughout the week and on the day of the event. Participants are invited to bring clothing but are not required to contribute in order to take items from the swap. The event will take place on Jan. 5 at the YWCA Central Maine, 130 East Ave., Lewiston, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. All women are welcome to attend.

For more information about PEACE please contact Taysir Jama at tjama@ywcamaine.org or call the YWCA at 207-795-4050.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On one night every January across the United States community members team with local agencies to complete a Point in Time count of homeless individuals. The information provides a better understanding of the factors contributing to homelessness in our communities and clarifies the number of people affected. The information collected helps the state as well as local agencies in their work to end homelessness. Housing and Urban Development has determined that the 2017 PIT count will be used as a benchmark to determine how many homeless and unstably housed youth there are in the United States, so this is a critical year to improve the accuracy of the count in Maine. To do this, we need volunteers from every town in the state. New volunteers will be connected with people who are experienced in this process. This year’s PIT count will be on the night of Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. For more information or to volunteer to help, please contact Jerry DeWitt: jdewitt@tcmhs.org or 207-783-4663, ext. 228.

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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