Dear Sun Spots: Thanks for all the help you’ve provided over and over again.

I am wondering what the town of Mechanic Falls will be offering its residents in the hazardous waste recycling. We used to be able to take care of such things one Saturday morning in the fall, with support from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. But for some reason, we can no longer do this. I have saved items for this specialized type of recycling for at least two years. I don’t mind taking it to a drop-off center that is out of town. What I want is the option to do so.

And while we’re on the subject, Mechanic Falls recycles No. 2 plastics – hooray! When will we be able to recycle other numbers? I love the transfer station in my town because I love to recycle. Thank you Sun Spots. – No Name, Mechanic Falls.

Answer: Town Manager Dana Lee says the town council is investigating easier options for residents. At the present time the only option appears to be possibly disposing of this waste in either Norway or Lewiston, a 10-mile or so trip that also requires obtaining of a voucher. Lee advises you and others interested in this ought to hang onto your hazardous waste until the town gets a good system in place.

Regarding your second question, each recycled product requires a roll-off container in which to collect them. These tend to cost $3,000 to $6,000 each. Transportation of a roll-off costs about $85 per trip. Lee says, there needs to be enough of a “market” for the recycled item that the cost of collection and transportation does not exceed the normal cost of disposal. The other plastics do not tend to have very high demand in the market. He adds that recycling can be complicated for some people and “dirty” loads of recycled products (mixed plastic) can easily get rejected, thus incurring a haul-back charge and ultimately more charges. Sun Spots would venture to say this does not appear to be cost effective for the town of Mechanic Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: This year the Leavitt Institute class of 1965 will celebrate its 40th anniversary. We have been unable to locate the following classmates:

Robert E. Bosquet, Bethany Hoffman Anderson, Bernice Merrick Maddox and Robert P. Morrell.

If anyone has a mailing address for any of these people, please contact any of the following: Connie (Brown) Mower, (207) 946-5500; Joel H. Ellis (207) 225-6154; Barry E. Mower, (207) 623-2758; Dianne (Richard) Stevens (207) 754-9737; Barbara Varney Beedy, (207) 897-4051 or James Talbot (207) 225-3349.

We will be glad to send them an invitation to the reunion that will take place on Sept. 20 at the home of James Talbot in Turner. – Connie (Brown) Mower, Greene.

Dear Sun Spots: I am responding to the item in the paper on Friday, Aug. 12, regarding the Red Hat luncheon in Lewiston: Our group is in Farmington and is called The Red Hattitudes. Our Queen mother is Arliss Gould. Her address is 147 Galilee Road, Farmington, ME 04938, (207) 778-3205. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Regarding the Foxy Red Hatters and The Red Robbins’ Lewiston Oct. 2 event, I am The Crimson Belles Chapter Queen, Farmington, and can be reached at A&[email protected] or 778-0169. We would appreciate more information. Many thanks. – Anne Craig, Farmington.

Dear Sun Spots: The person who wrote asking about the May 3 “Oprah” show wanted to know about alpha hydrox in Olay products. This person can call Olay at their toll-free number, 1 (800) 285-5170. The Olay folks, Proctor & Gamble, are most helpful. – No Name, No Town.

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