Dear Sun Spots: I recently moved to Auburn and was surprised to find that my mail is delivered so late. About three days out of the week it arrives around 5 p.m., but some days, maybe two days a week, it isn’t delivered until 6 p.m. and occasionally not until 7 p.m. or later. Although I wouldn’t mind having my mail delivered earlier, my main concern is the safety of the mail carrier. Walking door to door delivering the mail in the dark seems bad enough now that sunset is so early but with snow and ice soon to be underfoot it seems extremely risky. Can you find if this delivery schedule is the norm? – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: According to Auburn Postmaster Mike Foster, it isn’t the usual schedule for mail to be delivered at these hours in the early evening but it does happen occasionally due to the quantity of mail to be delivered or personnel issues, such as a mail carrier being out sick.

He did mention some simple things that homeowners can do to help make delivering mail safer for the carriers:

1. Provide proper lighting to the entryway and mailbox area.

2. Move mailbox to the curbside, if possible, to help speed up the delivery process.

3. Keep pathways clear of snow, sleet and ice, providing salt or sand on icy areas.

4. Keep pathways clear of toys and debris.

5. Secure animals.

6. Provide solid railings, repairing any that are loose.

By following this advice, you will assist in avoiding unnecessary injuries for the carriers or other visitors and help make delivering mail to your mailbox safer and faster.

Dear Sun Spots: I have two Bates College captain’s chairs that need refurbishing paint-wise. I would appreciate it if you could give me a name(s) of local people and businesses that would do this type of work. Thanking you in advance for any help you may find for me. – David Neal, Lewiston.

Answer: There are a couple of furniture refinishing businesses in the area: Bix Furniture Strippers, 357 Main St., Auburn, 783-3459, and Morin the Painter, 195 Turner St., Auburn, 782-7511. Sun Spots would welcome any information from our readers about other local people or businesses that do this type of work as well.

If you would be interested in refurbishing these chairs yourself, visit any of the following sites for detailed, step-by-step instructions: www.refinishfurniture.com, www.doityourself.com/woodfinish or www.furniture-central.com/stripping.html.

Dear Sun Spots: I’d like to thank whoever asked who Mark Hyman is (Sun Spots column, Sept. 27). It’s a question I’ve often asked, and I don’t mute him! I think “The Point” is very informing and figured he or “his people” were quite intelligent.

I believe he gives us something to think about, and he’d actually like to hear our opinion. And if he ran for office, he might get my vote.

Now if someone would just tickle him to see if he laughs.

I do hope WGME keeps him on. Thank you. – Nancy L. LeBlanc, Norway.

Dear Sun Spots: I love your column. Thanks for the help in the past.

The Mexico High School Class of 1955 has lost four of our graduates. Anyone knowing the whereabouts or current address for: Tom Libby, Richard Gallop, Joan (Brown) Curtiss and Avelyn Delano is asked to please contact Doris at (207) 562-8392 or via e-mail at [email protected]. – Doris Fuller, 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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].