DEAR SUN SPOTS: Anderson Staples Post No. 112 of Oxford will hold a flag retirement ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15. Used American flags can be dropped off that morning or left in the metal container outside the front door at 169 King St. Visitors are welcome. Contact Howie at 539-2372 with questions. — Howie, Oxford

ANSWER: U.S. flags are “retired” when they become worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, according to usscouts.org.

The traditional method of retirement is to incinerate the flag, but this does not mean that one should simply drop the entire flag (intact) into a fire. A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. In addition, it is easier to completely incinerate the flag if it is cut into smaller pieces. A flag should never be torn up like an old bedsheet. It should be cut up with scissors or shears in a methodical manner. The corners of the flag should be stretched out over a tabletop and someone should cut the flag in half, vertically (be careful not to cut up the blue star field. Then, place the two halves together and cut them in half, horizontally. You will end up with four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The United Methodist Church of Auburn is holding a Fall Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. The church is located at 439 Park Ave. in Auburn. Items include toys, books, white elephant items, crafts, takeout meals of macaroni and cheese, Chinese pie, sweet and sour chicken, homemade bread and homemade pies, among other things. For additional information, please contact the church at 782-3972. — George, Auburn

ANSWER: Looks like a good line-up! I hope you have a great turnout.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Sun Journal would like to know what Thanksgiving traditions you have, for an upcoming story. Turkey and mashed potatoes are a given for most people, but many people and families celebrate Thanksgiving with other traditions, too. Maybe it always includes a hike. Or helping out a neighbor, family or local group distributing meals. One family we know makes turkeys out of colored paper and writes something they’re thankful for on each. One couple Mrs. Sun Spots knows used to invite a bunch of people to their house for early morning coffee and pie every Thanksgiving — everyone brought a pie to share and participated in “Pie for Breakfast.” (It started because so often people were too full from their turkey dinner to eat dessert.) Please email Sun Journal freelance writer Karen Schneider at iwrite33@comcast.net with your tradition by Nov. 1. And happy Thanksgiving!

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 will not 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 also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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