DEAR SUN SPOTS: Why is it that the Lewiston’s arborist does such a nice job on most of the city’s plantings but has not touched the median strip on Russell Street nearest the bridge for the past several years? — Ronald Grant, rgrant29917@fairpoint.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots emailed Megan Bates, deputy director of Lewiston’s Department of Public Works, who responded:

“This area is a dangerous spot to place workers. The traffic island is narrow with two-lane traffic traveling at significant speeds. There is no place to put signage or traffic cones in order to protect workers. We also discovered the majority of the plants were not surviving. The plan when monies become available is to keep the trees and pave the island.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: According to your June 23 column, the unused newspapers are recycled. I was wondering if it were possible to buy bundles of these newspapers headed for recycling. Some of us have stoves and or animals that can use the paper for training. — Peter in Auburn

ANSWER: The Sun Journal cannot give away (or sell at reduced price) old newspapers to the public. It has to verify that it has destroyed all the extra fliers and other advertising material, which is accomplished by using a recycling program. They all get tossed in huge boxes for hauling. Separating advertising materials and coupons from the newspapers would be too time consuming and labor intensive to justify.

You might ask your neighbors if they would be willing to let you have their old papers. It would save them having to haul them to the transfer station.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to your July 2 column, I am the owner of Jack’s Garage in Auburn and under the same circumstances I would have charged for labor, too. Yes, the starter does have a three-year warranty from the supplier; however, they do not cover the cost of labor. I warranty my work for 30 days and after that it is up to the customer to pay the labor regardless if the part has a one-year or a three-year part warranty. — Ted via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would the person who found my earrings in the vicinity of the Hannaford lot and/or the library area in Auburn on June 25, please contact me? They are blue sea glass with a white bead that hang on sterling wires. They are of high sentimental value. Thank you. — Pat Billey, Auburn, pholtb@roadrunner.com, 782-0065

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the person who picked up a JVC 32-inch TV with a free sign on it in front of the Littlefield road in Sabattus (just behind the former Village store), we forgot to leave the remote control and the manual with it. You can email me, and I will see that you get those. — Margaret Bubier, margeb@roadrunner.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a collection of National Geographic magazines, from the 1970s to the present. I no longer have room for them at my new home. I also have Time/Life Books (series): personal recollections/biographies, dealing with the wild West and the Civil War. Another series covers different topics on health issues. Also available are odds and ends of reference books, primarily the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln.

I am willing to donate any or all items to any organization, or individual, that will put them to good use. Please call 782-5681 if interested, or if you know of anyone that may be. Thanks for your wonderful column. — Dee Dumais, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Amvets Ladies Auxiliary 6 in New Gloucester is having a flea market at the Amvet Hall on Route 100 on July 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables are $15. For table reservations, please call me at 926-4079 or Cheryl Greene at 998-2157. Thank you. — Joyce Hamilton, jhamilton04260@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.

Copy the Story Link