Dear Sun Spots: Maine Public Broadcasting Network’s Great TV Auction is just around the corner. We need lots more folks to help make our largest, single fundraiser a success. The funds ($500,000) from this event are used to provide quality programming to viewers in Maine, parts of New Hampshire and eastern Canada.

All the action takes place at the studio at 1450 Lisbon St., Lewiston, from April 21 to 30. We have a variety of jobs and hours for anyone who is interested in volunteering. Our greatest need is for help in the evenings: Sundays, April 23 and April 30, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight; Monday, April 24, Tuesday, April 25, and Wednesday, April 26, from 7:15 p.m. to midnight.

We are also seeking help for morning and afternoon shifts throughout the week. These would be in both customer service and confirmation, where we collect payments or call back the high bidders.

Folks of all ages are welcome but please note children must be 15 years old. For more information, please contact Pam Smart at (800)884-1717, ext. 3008, or via e-mail at psmart@mpbn.net. – Pam Smart, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: We haven’t seen anything about Lou McNally anywhere. Could you tell us what he is doing now? – Myrtie Austin, Buckfield.

Answer: That would be Doctor Altitude now!

Sun Spots had the pleasure of chatting with McNally, who says he recently completed his doctoral degree in Global Climate Change at The Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine in Orono. He’s seeking a teaching position to utilize his new credentials and hopefully will be able to remain in Maine. McNally continues to do live weather reports on Maine Public Radio at 6:19 a.m. and 7:19 a.m., something he’s been doing for 30 years. McNally is also running www.livingmaine.com, which sells Maine-made products, since 1999. He says he receives orders from around the world, including Taiwan and Singapore as well as from Florida, Minnesota and the Pacific Northwest from San Francisco north. He also continues hosting MPBN’s Made in Maine, which is now in its 18th season. That program airs Thursday nights and Saturday evenings. For more on McNally, check out his Web site or contact him through his site.

Dear Sun Spots: We are a nonprofit organization, and we have been collecting empty prescription medicine bottles. The program that we are collecting them for has ended. We would like to know if you know of an organization or group that can use them. You can contact me at 539-9067 or e-mail me at di49@localnet.com. Thanks. – Diane Page, Oxford.

Answer: Sun Spots has not located any among her usual sources, but hopefully there are some readers out there who may be able to assist you.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a problem. I own a mobile home, which is on a cement pad and skirted. When I opened a part of the skirting, I found it was loaded with ladybugs all year-round. It has been especially bad this winter. How get I get rid of them? – No Name, Turner.

Answer: Perhaps readers will have some tips they’re willing to share with you. In the meantime, previous recommendations have been to not use any pesticides to eradicate ladybugs from your home. Instead, it is suggested that you pick them up or sweep them up and place them outside.

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


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