DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you tell me how to contact the Internal Revenue Service about a tax return. It was taken for a government loan. I never got a receipt. So how do we check on this? Any help would be appreciated. — No Name, Poland

ANSWER: Sun Spots isn’t sure exactly what you mean about your tax return being taken for a loan, but she thinks maybe you mean your refund was garnished to pay a federal-backed student loan or something similar?

The good news is that the IRS is not hard to find. They have an excellent website (www.irs.gov) with links to get most information online. However, since your letter was handwritten, Sun Spots guesses you’d prefer off-line alternatives.

According to its website, the IRS recommends that you visit one of the local offices and ask your question directly.

In Lewiston, the office is at 217 Main St. and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can call them at 782-6795.

You can also call the national number, 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. your local time.

If Sun Spots’ guess is correct and you are trying to track down where and how your refund was applied, you can call “Where’s My Refund” at 1-800-829-4477. They ask that you wait at least four weeks after your return was filed.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been trying to send you an email and, for some reason, it hasn’t been going through. I’m finally catching up with the May 24 request from Leeny in Dixfield about spindles.

You can put my husband, William S. Miller, in your Rolodex, as he has done many a chair spindle for Morin’s and has just completed 18 balusters for a staircase railing in a historic building that is being restored in Lewiston. He can be reached at 784-0040. Thanks. — Frances Miller, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you so much for an interesting and informative column. I enjoy it very much.

While going through an old-fashioned Victrola at the cottage, I found lots of old piano sheet music. Some date back to the 1800s; some are in English, others in French.

I was wondering if someone might be interested in having them, for free. Please call. If no answer, leave a message and I will return your call. Thank you. —Marie Bernatchez, Auburn

ANSWER: The Franco-American Collection at USM-LAC might be interested in the French music. You can contact coordinator James Myall at 753-6545 or franco@usm.maine.edu.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for putting in another blurb about me buying records (July 18). I don’t recall if you know me as Bill Cartmel (my legal name) or by my television name Bill Maroldo. I used Maroldo (my mother’s maiden name) for many years when I was at Maine Public Television and in a recent film I completed called “Pal Hop Days,” which premiered at the Franco-American Heritage Center on April 2.

I am currently filming a music video that pays tribute to the cities of Lewiston-Auburn. It is a song called “L/A” written by producer/composer Harry King, who has won several gold and platinum records for his work with major stars. The song has been recorded by our own Rockin’ Recons.

On Sunday, Aug. 14, we are going to shoot an important segment for the video in Auburn. We need a classic Chevy convertible for the scene. The year is not critical, although it would be nice to have something in the 1950s to 1970s range. We would love to hear from anyone who has such a vehicle who would allow us to use it in the video. — Bill Cartmel-Maroldo, 795-1386, bill@billstuff.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.

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