DEAR SUN SPOTS: It has come to my attention that the phone company is giving away TracFones and some free time to seniors so they will be safer, but you cannot get one if you already have a discount on your regular phone. Please let us know if this is so, and how to go about getting one. Can you have both the lower price on your regular phone and a free TracFone? Sometimes what you hear is not exactly right. Thank you. — L.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots guesses that you saw an April story in the Sun Journal (www.sunjournal.com/node/832698) about the imminent arrival of a program where TracFone will give away cell phones to low-income Mainers, as a new benefit of the federal Universal Service Fund Lifeline program. She turned to Wayne Jortner, senior counsel for Maine’s Public Advocate Office, who kindly offered up the following:

“TracFone participates in the Lifeline program with its SafeLink offering, which is limited to one phone per household. A person automatically qualifies for a free phone and 68 minutes every month if he or she receives any low-income benefit such as food stamps, SSI, MaineCare or emergency heating assistance (LIHEAP).

“TracFone is reimbursed for the phone and service by the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. To learn more about SafeLink wireless service, including eligibility requirements and additional features and benefits, readers may call 1-800-SAFELINK (1-800-723-3546), or www.safelink.com.

“Telephone customers may not receive the SafeLink service and the Lifeline discount on their land line phone at the same time — the customer must choose which benefit is preferred and will probably be asked to certify that only one Lifeline benefit is being received. In Maine, Lifeline discounts are available from the local phone company, from TracFone or from US Cellular.

“Customers faced with the choice between a land line and a cell phone should know that, although the TracFone service is entirely free and it offers mobility, the allotted 68 minutes is far more limited than the unlimited local service available from the traditional phone company for a fair price. If a customer needs well over 68 minutes per month, it can be quite expensive to buy additional TracFone minutes.

Advertisement

“In addition, those thinking about dropping their land line should understand that TracFone service is not as reliable in an emergency, the battery needs to be kept charged, and there will not be extension phones throughout the house.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anyone in the area who sharpens the old-style reel (push) lawn mowers? Thank you. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWERS: Sun Spots made several calls, but the one place in L-A that used to perform this service appears to no longer do so. Let’s hope readers can help.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How can I get a schedule of summer plays at the Arundel Playhouse, including dates, prices or any information you can give me? We are four people interested in attending a few of the plays. Thank you. — Maggy via e-mail

ANSWER: You can visit the Arundel Barn Playhouse’s website at http://arundelbarnplayhouse.com/ or call them at 985-5552. The playhouse is at 53 Old Post Road, Arundel, ME 04046-7714. Some of the shows they have lined up for 2010 include “Nunset Boulevard,” “The Producers,” “Annie,” “Shout — The Mod Musical” and Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Edward Little High School Class of 1961 is getting ready for the 50th reunion in 2011. We would like to ask the class members to contact Bill DuBois by e-mail ASAP so that the committee can get the information out to them.

Many addresses in my file are no longer valid. Please help me get to the whole class by sending me your address. If you have addresses of classmates. I will not share the information if you desire to keep it private. — Bill DuBois, Poland, bdubois2@roadrunner.com, 998-2544

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.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.