As there is no longer any public access for boating or swimming on the pond, Sun Spots should file a retraction removing No Name Pond from that list. — Claude, Lewiston.

ANSWER: Consider it done. It’s too bad that some people disrespected the property and generosity of the landowners, resulting in lost access for all to a local gem.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Kay House Museum/Oxford Historical Society is in great need of some mannequins or dress forms to display antique wedding dresses, formal wear and clothing. We are in hopes that someone might have some that they no longer need and are willing to donate, or we may be interested in purchasing if the price is reasonable. This would be greatly appreciated. — Trish Larrivee, Secretary, The Kay House Museum /Oxford Historical Society.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have a free Toshiba Plain Paper Copier 2060. Features include: copying speed of 20 copies per minute, zoom function 50-200 percent, duplex copy capable, image-shift enabled, front-loading cassettes hold 600 sheets of paper each, and many more. The machine needs an inner drum replaced, which will cost approximately $200. Must pick-up. Leave a message at Dixfield Congregational Church by calling (207) 562-4582 if interested or in need of more information. — No Name, Dixfield.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Readers have asked for ways to keep deer from eating their gardening efforts. I look forward to reading the methods others have found successful. I’m surely no expert, but have many years of gardening success and failure to suggest a few different things that might work in protecting hosta, which deer seem to think is a salad bar:

1. Deer seem to hate ferns, so planting among ferns seems to deter their grazing.
2. Thicker-leaved and/or blue leaved hostas seem less delectable.
3. Plantskid, a product available online is effective, though expensive. It is blood-based, so perhaps we gardeners can experiment with similar formulas.
4. I’m experimenting with cayenne pepper now, which seems to be working. I’ve just been dusting it on the leaves, though I know rain will wash it away. Next experiment is to mix with dish soap somehow to increase adherence. Inexpensive jars of Cayenne pepper can be had at a dollar store.
5. Deer dislike certain plants such as catmint. Many people grow Walker’s Catmint which will rebloom if you cut it back after flowering. I’ve put the cuttings of unliked plants on the hosta with relative success.

Good luck and again, thank you for anyone who can suggest other methods. — Lew, No Town.

ANSWER: Thank you for your suggestions.

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.