ANSWER: Snow globes are so lovely and often quite sentimental. It is a shame when they get damaged, especially because it is difficult to find a local repair person. You may, however, be able to fix the water in your snow globe yourself.

Older snow globes are filled with distilled water which can grow murky with algae if exposed to heat or too much sunlight. The way to remedy this dark water is to drain and change it. If your snow globe has a plug, you can carefully empty the water and refill with distilled water using a turkey baster. If your snow globe does not have a plug but is sealed, you will have to send it to a skilled restorer to take it apart for cleaning.

Newer snow globes are manufactured with a synthetic, glycol-based liquid. If you believe that you have a newer globe, use extra caution or leave the changing to a professional as this liquid is potentially toxic.

If any readers are aware of a skilled snow globe restorer or repair person, please write in to Sun Spots. Otherwise, you may have to ship your snow globe to a professional. Sun Spots was able to find these two out-of-state companies:

Gifts Online Inc. is located in Tennessee. Check their website, www.snowgloberepaircenter.com, for details, shipping directions and a very nice photo gallery of past snow globe repairs. They can be reached by calling 423-639-5850 or email [email protected].

Snow Globe Central, www.snowglobecentral.com, based in Colorado, also offers snow globe repair. They can be reached by calling 303-294-9469 or email [email protected].

If you know someone who has the skills but not the equipment, snow globe supplies are available from snowdomes.com or NationalArtCraft.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Fundraising for Maine’s first universally accessible playground, planned for Marcotte Park in Lewiston, is underway. The playground is designed to serve children and adults, regardless of physical or developmental challenges. The playground will be built in Marcotte Park next to the proposed new Lewiston High School athletic fields. The playground committee is working with the Lewiston School Department so both projects can co-exist. To watch a video about the project and to make a donation to the campaign, visit gofundme.com/lewiston-inclusive-playground.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Farmington’s Winter Farmers Market at the Farmington Grange Hall, 124 Bridge St. in West Farmington, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017. The Farmington Grange Hall is located just across the Rt 2 bridge and to the right at the stop light. The Farmers Market will be held every Saturday from November until the end of April. For questions, call Bonnie Clark at 207-778-6637. For general information about the Grange and the work that they do, to get involved or to become a member, call 207-778-3298.

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.