Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for helping so many of us in the past. I am now requesting an address, so I may file a complaint against a volunteer program. If more people filed a complaint against people who treat them badly, then someone will have to do something eventually. It has worked for me in the past. – A Concerned Citizen, Augusta.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Maryalice Crofton, executive director of the Maine Commission for Community Service in Augusta who noted that there is no state regulating body for volunteer programs.

Crofton said the usual course is to address the issue first with the staff of the program. Next, you could contact the program director or coordinator who would be the supervisor of any volunteer staff.

If you don’t receive a response or you wish to explore the issue further, the next step is usually to contact the program sponsor (for example, the executive director of the agency that operates the program). Crofton also noted that it is very unusual for the board of directors to become involved, but that would be the ultimate step.

She recommended that you should also become familiar with the policies and procedures for the program operation, because they are going to shed light on what is or is not possible and what options are available to you.

Dear Sun Spots: The John F. Murphy Special Olympics team is holding a cell phone fundraiser. We are setting up different locations for people to drop off their old cell phones for recycling. This will benefit the JFM Special Olympic team.

You may bring them to 1512 Minot Ave. or call 782-9268 and I will pick them up within the L-A area. We will be collecting until July 1. Thanks. – Dan Field, recreation coordinator, John F. Murphy Homes, Inc.

Dear Sun Spots: I am a Roman Catholic who is very concerned about the steadily growing number of unhappy parishioners throughout the Lewiston cluster. It’s not so much about the closing of the two mentioned churches, which is very sad, but more about the way we are forced into the changes that are being mandated to us and concerns about the local administration.

I was wondering if Sun Spots could find the direct address to write to Bishop Richard Malone to express our opinion and if our letter would be seriously addressed by him. Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: You may write to Bishop Malone in care of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, 510 Ocean Ave., Portland, ME 04104.

Dear Sun Spots: Another very successful Daffodil Days campaign has ended and although the economy isn’t the best, the River Valley and Bethel areas kept the sun shining with our beautiful flowers of hope.

Thanks to all of you who purchased, helped sell and delivered our bouquets. Special thanks always to my faithful coordinators: Caroline Gould, Bethel; Ruby Kulpa, Andover; Judy Broomhall, Mexico; and Cecilia Arsenault and Lorraine Nadeau, Rumford; and their many volunteers.

Ray Broomhall did an awesome job delivering again and we had use of the room at the Mexico Fire Station for drop-off and wrapping. Thanks, guys!

We also appreciate Jane Bubar and the Rumford Hospital cafeteria staff for making our thank you tea possible.

The American Cancer Society and I are extremely grateful for everyone’s continued support. – Evelyn, Northern Oxford daffodil chairwoman.

Dear Sun Spots: I need help in caring for cast iron cookware. I followed the directions on the back of my Wagner’s 1891 Original cast iron frying pan to season it. I ended up with a sticky mess. Can you or any of your readers give me sure fire directions to season my cast iron pan? I would like to use it more regularly. (It worked great for that Apple Puff-up Pancake that was in the American Profile circular in last week’s paper. Yummy!) Thank you. – Valerie, No Town.

Answer: According to www.kitchenemporium.com, if your pan needs to be reseasoned, it should first be properly cleaned.

To clean, remove any food residue by cleaning the pan thoroughly with hot water and a scouring pad. Sometimes, heating the pan first to a temperature that is still safe to touch makes it easier to clean. Dry the pan immediately with a dish towel or paper towel.

To season, heat your oven between 250 to 300 degrees. Coat the pan with lard or bacon grease. They note that using a liquid vegetable oil because will leave a sticky surface. Put the pan in the oven and in 15 minutes, remove the pan and pour out any excess grease. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 2 hours. This can be repeated to create a strong seasoning bond.

They also recommend that after reseasoning, use the pan initially for foods high in fat, such as bacon or foods cooked with fat, because the grease from these foods will help strengthen the seasoning. When cleaning after use, don’t use scouring pads or detergent as they will break down the seasoning. Use the scouring pad only when cleaning before a reseason. Rinsing with hot water and scraping off food residue will suffice for cleaning.

Dear Sun Spots: I wrote for help before and the response was so exceptional that I thought of trying again. I need a TENS unit, a little electrical device with electrodes that go on your body and with wires connected to the electrical unit. The unit is compact and connects to a belt. It shoots electrical impulses across the muscles of the back to help control pain without medications. If anyone has one that they would be willing to give away because they no longer need it please contact me. Call 576-1661. – 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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