DEAR SUN SPOTS: I live at Montello Manor and we are very much in need of a piano. The one we have is so old that it can no longer be tuned and sounds quite bad!

My hope and wish is that someone in Sun Spots Land has a piano in good condition that they no longer use and would be willing to donate to us here.

Better yet, if someone has the means to donate a new piano to our home as a good deed, that would be so wonderful. (Why not “ask big”?) I thought of writing to Sun Spots because years ago, I got something by writing in and asking. I can be reached at 515-3290.

My son in North Carolina gets the Sun Journal for me, and I’ve been enjoying it very much. — Gloria, Lewiston

ANSWER: You never know, Gloria — there could very well be a piano angel out there. Years ago when a coworker of mine heard that my daughter was interested in taking lessons, she offered us their piano and even had it delivered. It was such a generous gift, and when we were done using it, we passed it on.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Excelsior Grange in Poland is sponsoring a Pumpkin Growing Contest in 2023. The rules are simple: Get your seeds by calling 998-2301 and plant and take care of the plants over the summer.

As soon as your pumpkins grow several inches across, scratch a design on them so the design will grow with the pumpkins. (Adults should supervise.) Watch them grow then bring one pumpkin to the Grange Hall at 446 Harris Hill Road in Poland on Oct. 14 by noon for judging.

There are two age groups, 5-8 and 9-12, and two categories, one for best art work and one for largest pumpkin. Each category has a $10 prize.

Be sure to plant your seeds by the end of June. If they don’t germinate, please call for more seeds while the supply lasts. — Steve, Poland

ANSWER: What fun! I hope you have lots of participants and let me know if you need anything else over the summer. As you know, I like helping out the Grange.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any companies in the Lewiston-Auburn area that repair window screens? — Philip, Lewiston

ANSWER: In the Rolodex, I have Drillen Hardware at 1086 Sabattus St. (783-4600); Galaxy Glass at 799 Main St. (786-0709 and 1-800-339-4721); and Portland Glass at 865 Lisbon St. (250-5965).

Don’t be surprised if they’re all very busy with this task, but hopefully you won’t have to wait long.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a new chimney sweep. The man who has come for years retired and I liked him so much. I’d like to have recommendations from other readers. — No name, no town

ANSWER: You can go to the Maine Chapter of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (https://web.csia.org/CSIA-Certified/Maine) and type in your zip code. There, you will see a list of chimney sweeps in your area along with their contact information. There is also an email form on the site so you can contact them.

Meanwhile, readers, please make recommendations.

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 also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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