DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Sumner Scholarship Committee is holding a bottle drive Saturday and is seeking people to contribute bottles. We also need assistance in picking up bottles and cans from residents’ homes.

The Scholarship Committee is also hosting a silent auction in November and welcomes contributions. For more information, contact Lee Berry at 388-2181. — Beth, no town

ANSWER: It would be great to have more information on that silent auction when the date draws closer. Let us know what types of items and services you’re looking for and I’ll get the word out through Sun Spots and pass it along to Community News too.

Moving forward, here’s another friendly reminder that if your letters to Sun Spots are date-sensitive, please send them at least two weeks ahead so readers have plenty of time to respond and can mark their calendars!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read somewhere that we can get a special phone with a screen so we can read the words that the caller is speaking but I can’t remember where I saw the information or what it’s called. Can you or another reader help me find out? — No name, no town

ANSWER: If you go to Telecommunications Relay Service Council (https://www.maine.gov/trs/relay-services), you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. TRS and captioned telephone service (CapTel or CTS) are telecommunications services allowing hearing people and people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled to communicate. The Maine Legislature established TRS as the entity responsible for ensuring that these services are provided throughout the state on a continuous, reliable basis for free or reasonable cost and in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I need someone who can repair holes in wool sweaters. Please call 212-6311. — No name, no town

ANSWER: I have had this question before and will answer it as I always have. The best thing you can do is search for someone who has darning and/or knitting skills, depending on how large those holes in your sweaters are. Contacting a local yarn shop, knitting group, or JOANN Fabrics and Crafts at the Auburn Plaza on Center Street (783-1066) may give you some positive results.

The folks at Fiber & Vine (https://www.fiberandvine.com/) at 402 Main St. in Norway (739-2664) may be able to direct you to someone. Mother of Purl Yarn Shop in Freeport (https://www.motherofpurlyarn.com/pages/about-us,  869-5280 is also a good bet.

Perhaps a generous knitter in Sun Spots Land will call you or write in to offer assistance. Let us know what happens!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We’re looking for a free elliptical exercise machine for family fitness. Please contact  514-4726. — Joe, Lewiston

ANSWER: I suggest you offer money or something of value to barter for the elliptical. However, someone in Sun Spots Land may have the need to say goodbye to their machine if they aren’t using it or if they’re moving.

These do take up a good amount of space and best intentions are sometimes abandoned for many reasons. So . . . if anyone in Sun Spots Land is using their elliptical as an expensive clothes hanger and is ready to be rid of it (it happens), give Joe a call. Perhaps the two of you can strike up a deal.

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 [email protected].