Dear Sunspots: Enjoy reading your column every day. I have asked this question before, but I missed your reply. Where can we bring our thermometers that contain mercury? What are we suppose to do with these older thermometers? Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: According to a spokesperson at the Lewiston Public Works Department, Lewiston residents may drop off their mercury thermometers at the solid waste facility at 424 River Road. Bring your unbroken thermometers in a plastic bag, being sure to use separate bags if you have more than one. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. They may be reached at 782-4200.

Also note that the city of Lewiston distributes a quarterly calendar in the Sun Journal which has information on spring 2008 cleanup, the Household Hazardous Waste Depot and holiday waste collections. The spring calendar was in the Saturday, March 22, edition.

Auburn residents may also bring items containing mercury such as thermometers, fluorescent bulbs and thermostats, to the Public Works Department at 296 Gracelawn Road. Since an employee who is trained to handle mercury must be available, please drop them off from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. To prevent breakage, you may also bring your items in separate plastic bags.

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for being such a wonderful asset to our community. I read Sun Spots everyday. Little did I know that one day I would need your help.

I am on a benefit committee for Matthew Foster of Minot. He is currently in Tennessee undergoing a transplant for leukemia. Matthew has been unable to work for four years and now his wife is out of work to take care of Matthew in Tennessee. The couple will need to stay in Tennessee until June if all goes well.

On Saturday, April 26, at 3 p.m. we are hosting a benefit auction at the VFW on Minot Avenue in Auburn. We are in need of items to auction. Larger items of greater value will be auctioned off and smaller items of lesser value will be sold at a White Elephant Table. Anything that can be sold to make a few dollars is accepted and needed.

To donate and arrange for pickup please call Amanda May at 376-7458, Sally Butcher at 751-9639, or Barbara Beaucage at (207)212-1579.

There will also be a benefit supper at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Eagles Club on Sabattus Street. in Lewiston. We will be serving a ham dinner and the cost is $15 per couple or $8 single.

Please also let me add a thank you to all who have already helped with our cause. There are still so many generous people in our community. – Amanda May, Mechanic Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: I’d be interested in knowing the variety of those brilliant red maples on Court Street in front of Denny’s restaurant. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Requests for this information were not answered to Sun Spots. May be our readers will have more information about these trees.

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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