Dear Sun Spots: I’m wondering about my long-distance telephone calls. About four years ago I bought a telephone card with a number of minutes on it. A year ago May, I added 1,000 minutes for $50. When those minutes were almost gone, I added another thousand minutes for $50. When I made my first call after that, the operator said something about the calls, but I didn’t understand what she said. I talked about 30 to 40 minutes. When I made the next call, the operator said I had 618 minutes left. When I buy 1,000 minutes, I expect to be able to talk 1,000 minutes.

Could you find out what’s going on? It seems like the telephone company is trying to get more money out of us. I like your column. You help so many people! – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots would need to know more about the card to provide you with specific information. We researched a few companies that sell prepaid calling cards, and each noted that rates may vary depending on where you call. So although you may pay for 1,000 minutes, you might not get 1,000 minutes if you are calling out of state or placing an international call. There should be a customer service number on the back of the card. We suggest calling that number to inquire about the rates.

Dear Sun Spots: Saturday, Dec. 13, at Lewiston Junior High School on Central Ave., beginning at 7 p.m. the Franco American Veterans are sponsoring the “Just Us Family Christmas Show.” Tickets are $8 and may be purchased from members or from Community Credit Union, Great Falls Credit Union, Hannaford and Victor News, all in Lewiston, or at the door. – Bert Dutil, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there anyone between the Lewiston and Rumford area who could give me lessons on wire wrapping stones for jewelry? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Contact PJ Mottram, Prime Independent Coordinator for Bead Retreat. She recently taught this class for Lewiston Adult Education and will be holding another class Feb. 25. If you prefer your own private lesson or a home class to include others, call PJ at 207-689-5368 or e-mail pjmottram@roadrunner.com. For information on courses offered through Lewiston Adult Education visit www.lewistonadulted.org or call 795-4141.

Dear Sun Spots: Years ago there was a reporter/writer of a weekly story on many varied subjects. This may have been in the Sunday edition of the Journal. Was he a writer for the local paper or forwarded from another paper? He wrote under the name of Brendan Moran or Morin.

Might the Journal know if there is a publication he writes for now? Maybe he was a local or still is and no longer writes. Thanks for checking. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Brendan Moran was happy to share the following information with you and noted that it is nice to be remembered! He was a Sun Journal intern in 2001, after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. You are correct; he worked with the Sunday staff writing features mostly for the front of the Living section. When the internship was complete, he worked for the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire, but returned to Maine, and the Sun Journal, a year later. He worked part-time as a weekend police reporter and freelancer; eventually leaving for a full-time position at a different publication.

He is now the executive editor at Current Publishing in Westbrook. They publish six weekly newspapers and a few monthlies. He still writes, but mostly editorials.

Dear Sun Spots: I am thinking of purchasing an Amish mantle with heater that is being advertised in the Sun Journal flyers. Before I invest in one I’d like to hear from others who have purchased one and how efficient they are. – No Name, Rumford.

Dear Sun Spots: Recently when departing from JC Penney’s at the Auburn Mall, we had the experience of knowing that there are truly good Samaritans left in this world. My wife and I struggle to be self-sufficient and are in declining years and poor health. It so happened that in our attempt to reach our car, I lost control of my wife and she fell to the cold wet sidewalk. As I was unable to lift her by myself I immediately headed toward the store to seek help, when low and behold a perfect stranger jumped from his car and came to see if he could assist us. Unfortunately, we did not get his name, but we are sure hoping that when the time comes he will be as fortunate to have someone lend him a hand in his time of need. God Bless him. – No Name, No Town.

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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