Dear Sun Spots: I read your section daily and enjoy it very much. I was hoping you could print this and also help with providing addresses. I need the addresses and contact people for the following fire departments: Turner, Leeds, Greene, Buckfield, Auburn AE5, Livermore and Wales. Because of all the men and women in these departments, I still have my house. I know that they don’t get paid much but they have my deepest gratitude. I also want to thank Ken Morris for carrying out my son, and a thank you to Pam Morris for alerting the town office. Also, if I could get their address, I would like to send thank-you’s to each department and the Morris family. – Briana Powell, Turner.

Answer: Sun Spots shares your feelings of appreciation to all of the brave men and women firefighters who risk their lives every day, and to all the organizers working behind the scenes.

You can send your thank-you’s to the following:

• Turner Town Office, James Catlin, Town Manager, P.O. Box 157, Turner, 04282, (207)225-3414.

• Turner Fire Department, Steven Fish, Fire Chief, Route 219, North Turner, 04282.

• Leeds Fire Station, Glen Holt, Fire Chief, c/o Leeds Town Office, P.O. Box 206, Leeds, 04263.

• Greene Fire Department, Joe Brown, Fire Chief, 69 North Mountain Road, Greene, 04236.

• Buckfield Fire Department, Steve Bly, Fire Chief, c/o Buckfield Town Office, P.O. Box 179, Buckfield, 04220.

• Auburn Fire Department, Wayne Werts, Fire Chief, 550 Minot Avenue, Auburn, 04210.

• Livermore Fire Department, Donald Castonguay, Fire Chief, 10 Crash Road, Livermore, 04253.

• Wales Fire Department, Al Siderio, Fire Chief, 302 Center Road, Wales, 04280.

In addition, Sun Spots spoke with Pam Morris who says this is very nice of you but you don’t have to do this. “Anyone would do it!” she says. The Morrises may be reached at 55 Bean Street, Turner, ME 04282.

Dear Sun Spots: This is a question for Sun Spots or column readers. A long time ago I had a recipe for ant poison made from sugar and boric acid. Does anyone have the amounts of sugar, water, boric acid? – No Name, Monmouth.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots located the following recipe that may assist you in your search:

Ingredients: ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup baking yeast, ½ cup molasses, 6 3-by-5 inch index cards. Method: Mix all ingredients together and then smear a thin layer on each of the index cards. Use a rubber spatula to spread the mixture on the cards. Put the index cards in places where you have seen ants.

In addition, www.thriftyfun.com recommends you mix equal parts Borax and powdered sugar. Set out in lids from baby food jars, or lids of similar height, just a teaspoon or so in each bait. It may take a few days, but it works. You may need to place new baits out after a few days in really humid weather. Be sure to place your bait in places inaccessible to pets and children.

Other tips include spraying white vinegar on surfaces to deter ants or placing hot red pepper in their path. Perhaps some readers also have some tips that they would be willing to share with you, especially before the ants start arriving this season!

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.