DEAR SUN SPOTS: For those who would like to increase their recycling options, I am currently collecting No. 1-7 plastics, small metals, clean tinfoil and old books, which will be brought to Portland for recycling. This is for the Lewiston-Auburn area. I can be reached at 783-1914 to arrange for dropoff or pickup as well as for any questions you may have. Anything you can do to increase our recycling rate in this community will be appreciated. — Elizabeth Dube, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For those Lewiston and Auburn readers who had old appliances (except those containing refrigerants) or metal items they had hoped to have picked up during spring cleaning, we would like to offer to pick them up and recycle them with any proceeds from the recycling going to benefit the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life and Habitat for Humanity. Should anyone have items to get rid of, please contact Rick, Lisa or Jenn at 783-3033 to find out more information and make arrangements. The recycling value is small, so why not do some good and clean up those old items at the same time? — Jennifer Buschmann, Sweet Dreams Relay Team

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Channel 8 New, what has happened to Tory Ryden? I haven’t seen her on there for quite a while. — No Name via e-mail

DEAR SUN SPOTS: WMTV Channel 8 ABC has been changing some of their personnel, I and would like to know where they are now? There was a man (forgot name) who left before Christmas, and Tory Ryden who left several weeks ago. We had no warning, and any attempt to get information has led nowhere. — Channel 8 viewer

ANSWER: It is not unusual for news shows to downplay their newscasters leaving, especially if the departure was involuntary. This was the case with Jon Camp, who Sun Spots guesses might be the mystery man you refer to. He left last year when his contract was not renewed. Tory Ryden is a different story. She chose to retire after the March 3 show to stay home and take care of her blended family of seven children. According to a posting online, she will not be returning even part time.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been looking for some time for green window shades. I prefer the darkening ones, but I would even settle for the plastic ones. I have an old farmhouse with all green shades. Many of them need to be replaced. I also have three new windows that need green shades. Beige shades or white shades just don’t look right in an old farmhouse. Please find out for me where I can buy green shades. Thank you so much. — No Name, Brunswick

ANSWER: Sun Spots is not familiar with the shades you seek, but she found several window treatment companies in southern Maine. They include:

• Accent on Windows, 500 Forest Ave., Portland, 772-1088, info@accentonwindows.net

• All Season Window Fashions, ?825 Forest Ave., Portland, 772-3025?

• The Curtain Shop of Maine, 175 Western Ave., South Portland, 773-9635, 800-888-0663

• Custom Window Decorators, 1478 Lisbon St., Lewiston, 784-4113, 800-273-1119, www.customwindowdecorators.com

• Decorators Network, Lewiston, 784-1424, www.decoratorsnetwork.net

• Drapery Trading Co., ?179 Cottage Road, South Portland, 799-4655?

• Emery Window Shade Co.?, 377 Saint John St., Portland, 772-4824?

• Gamache & Lessard, 995 Center St., Auburn, 782-0052, www.windowdecorators.com

Hopefully one of these stores will be able to help you, but if not, there are several online resources, such as www.blinds.com, www.theshadestore.com, www.shadesshuttersblinds.com, www.yourblinds.com and www.aceofshadeswc.com, along with many others.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As chairman of the Memorial Day Parade in Lewiston and Auburn and advisor for the L & A Veterans Council, I am asking any organization that would like to participate in the parade to please call me at 786-2305 or leave a message, so that our committee, which includes Ray Boulet, Maurice Fournier, Al Landry and Maurice Marquis, will be able to get their line-up prior to the parade, which will be held on Saturday, May 29, starting at 9:30 a.m. For more information, please call or e-mail me. — Bert Dutil, badutil1@yahoo.com

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.