DEAR SUN SPOTS: We place a large container (butter dish or large tin can) of ammonia in the clean-out part of our chimney (open door and just set it in). This keeps our chimney clean year-round. Just check it and refill when needed. — Don, Oxford

ANSWER: Sun Spots has never heard of this method. There are many references online for scrubbing with ammonia and water to clean, but not just setting the ammonia in the chimney. Ammonia does seem to be a useful tool for cleaning chimney bricks and glass doors.

Readers might be interested in the following hints on how to use ammonia to clean glass doors. Make sure your fireplace or wood stove is cool to the touch. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of ammonia and water. The water helps keep the ammonia from evaporating on the glass and makes it easier to use. Some also recommend using some vinegar in the mixture.

Spray and wipe the black or foggy glass clean using the spray and paper towels. It may take more than one session or some hard scrubbing if your glass is particularly fouled. You can also try letting the solution sit and react. Do not scratch the glass.

Some sites also recommend dunking your wet paper towel (or newspaper) in the ashes and then scrubbing. They claim that the ash will aid in the chemical cleaning of the glass, but Sun Spots has never tried it.

Most black or dark deposits on the glass are caused by insufficient combustion of the wood particles. A really hot fire will not only help clean the glass, but help keep your chimney clean. Sun Spots can vouch for this method. Our wood stove glass was quite foul when Mr. Sun Spots did some scrubbing and he made a start, but it was still nasty. Then came that recent cold snap and a couple of hot fires, and, voila, the glass was nearly clean. A bit more scrubbing and only a tiny bit of stain remains around the edges of the corner.

In addition to ammonia, there are many commercial cleaners out there. Sun Spots currently has Rutland’s fireplace glass cleaner at home. It says that it contains glycol ether and sodium metasilicate and seems to work quite well. Be sure to follow the product’s directions, and make sure it won’t void your stove’s warranty.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in conjunction with the Lewiston Maineiacs are planning a tribute to celebrate a belated 50-year anniversary of this historic building. On March 7, 2010, the Maineiacs will play host to the Montreal Junior Hockey Club. The ceremonies will include a display of jerseys, jackets and other artifacts of historical significance.

Anyone who has any hockey pictures, jerseys, cheerleading items or anything else that would enhance this collection, including from teams (Bates Mfg., Country Kitchen, L/A Twins, Wings, Lites, Rapids, St. Dom’s, Edward Little/Lewiston high schools, Derby, La Montagnard, Musical Literary, Lions tournament teams, travel teams, Nordiques, etc.) would be appreciated.

We hope to eventually create a local Hockey Hall of Fame. Donated jerseys and other artifacts will be preserved respectably. All pictures will be kept in a historic scrapbook, and hopefully on a DVD.

Please drop off items at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee at 190 Birch St., Lewiston, and ask for Shawna Romain or George B. O’Connell of the Lewiston Maineiacs. — Geoge O’Connell, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We’ve had a last-minute change in the date for our living nativity at the Congregational Church of East Sumner. It will be Thursday, Dec. 24, at 5:30 p.m. (not Dec. 19). This will be followed by cookies and cocoa in the vestry. The Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Rev. Nancy Miaoulis extends a warm welcome to all. For more information, call Bill at 388-2263. — Cyndy Norton, No Town

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 e-mailed to [email protected].