Dear Sun Spots: I read you every morning.

In July, I stopped and read the names on the plaques in the Veterans Memorial Park and was wondering who to contact about having my three brothers’ names on any future ones, if they should have any? All three served in WWII. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer:
The next stone is expected to be unveiled on Memorial Day of 2007. Anyone who would like an application to have a name inscribed on the stones should contact L&A Veterans’ Council Chairman Bert Dutil, 454 Meadowview Park, Lewiston, ME 04240 or by phone at 786-2305. He will be happy to send you an application for including your siblings’ names. Alternatively, you may contact council Treasurer Jerry King, 53 Oxbow Drive, Lewiston, ME 04240 or by phone at 782-6621.

Dutil says it takes 216 names before a stone can be installed. Dutil says either himself or King will be happy to mail you an application. You will need a copy of either the discharge or what’s called a DD214. In your case, since your brothers were in WWII, you’ll need a copy of the discharge. If you don’t have one on hand, you need to contact the Lewiston Veterans Center at 29 Westminster St., off Lisbon Street, the big building next to the former Korn Haus Keller restaurant. They can be reached via phone at 783-0068. Dutil says tell them what it’s for and that Bert Dutile sent you.

Dear Sun Spots: I am seeking used darkroom equipment for my soon to be black-and-white development darkroom. I can be reached at 49 Androscoggin Bluff, Livermore Falls, ME 04254 or via phone at 897-5818. – Cindy Langewisch, Livermore Falls.

Answer:
You might check out the classifieds in your local papers as well as doing an online search. Another option is to contact a second hand store in your area which might carry some of the items you’re seeking.

Dear Sun Spots: I am being besieged lately by organizations claiming to offer sweepstakes of a million dollars. These offers come from all over the United States. The latest is from Miami. They all require cash, some $12, some $20 for release of information. Are these legitimate or are they the scams one is always hearing about? – No Name, Rumford.

Answer:
Dear No Name, tread very carefully. That old saying about if it sounds too good to be true, it is, might be worth remembering here. First of all you should consider having your name, address and phone number removed from any of these lists.

One option is the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service, which lets you opt out of receiving direct mail marketing from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service, your name will be put on a “delete” file and made available to direct-mail marketers. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that are not registered with the DMA’s Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA, send your letter to: Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. Or, register online at www.the-dma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html.

The National Do Not Call Registry may be reached by visiting www.donotcall.gov or calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. You will receive fewer telemarketing calls within three months of registering your phone number. It will stay in the registry for five years or until it is disconnected, or until you take it off the registry. After five years, you will be able to renew your registration.

In addition Sun Spots would also encourage you to consider purchasing AARP’s book “Weapon of Fraud,” which lets consumers listen in and read along as con artists try to hook their victims. It could help arm you and others vulnerable to scams and perhaps learn to recognize some of tricks these crooks use.

Readers responding to the Ramada Inn’s item on box springs and mattresses for free (Sun Spots column Thursday): should contact Richard Nelson at 784-2331. Sun Spots reported an incorrect number in Thursday’s column and thanks the reader who called in questioning the number published. Hopefully, you’ll soon be sleeping well!!

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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