DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am trying to do my part in buying only products made in the USA by reading all labels. While Walmart may offer cheaper prices, many of their canned foods are specifically labeled “Product of China” (or other foreign countries). In this case, I willingly pay a little more by choosing another brand that originates in the USA.

However, lately I have noticed that many of Walmart’s Good Value brand products do not declare their origins except for “distributed or marketed by Walmart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ak.” How can I make an educated guess of the origin of these products based on that? Thank you. — J.V. via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots has been trying to get an answer out of Walmart for almost two months, to no avail. The local store managers won’t talk to her, virtually hanging up on her after telling her to call the corporate offices.

The corporate offices have two means of contact for media requests: email and phone. They don’t answer the email or respond to the phone messages (they don’t have someone actually answering the phone, just a phone tree), despite repeated requests.

Sun Spots is very sorry she can’t get an answer about Walmart. Her suggestion on how to achieve your goal of buying American is to buy local as much as possible (for example, from farmers markets), or from stores based in Maine or New England that will be more likely to know where their products came from and more responsive to your inquiries.

There are also several websites devoted to buying American. You might check out www.howtobuyamerican.com and www.madeinusa.org. A third, www.buyamerican.com, says it will be up and running in September.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I recently saw an ad on TV stating that Wal-Mart will price match any competitor’s price. Not true. I received a flier from Big Lots advertising a “bungee” lounge chair for $32.88. Wal-Mart had the identical chair for $13 more. I called Wal-Mart, and their customer service claimed that they’ll match all but Big Lots! What’s the deal and why? — No Name via email

ANSWER: As with the question above, Sun Spots was unable to get a response from Walmart. Guess it’s time to head to Big Lots!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for printing my letter on Aug. 5 asking for knitters for the troops. The phone number was wrong. It probably was my mistake, and I hit a 0 instead of 9. The correct number should have been 539-1010. Thank you for your help. — Faith Godin, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Thursday, Aug. 11, the DCI Quarterfinal Championship of Drum & Bugle Corps will be held live at the movie theater in Brunswick by Cooks Corner, starting at 6:30 p.m. It normally last for four hours, for any other information, please call me.

Sun Spots, thanks for being such a great information center for many causes. You are part of the paper that I never miss in the morning. — Bert Dutil, 786-2305, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Sunday, Aug. 14, the Danville Junction Grange, with the help of the Danville Union Church, will hold a chicken barbecue at the Grange hall in Danville from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will include chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, dinner rolls and gingerbread for dessert. The cost will be $8, $4 for those under 8 years of age. Takeouts will be available.

The members of the Grange are doing this as a way of making money for their building-restoration project. They have begun replacing windows in the 100+-year-old building. After the windows are all replaced, they plan to insulate and install vinyl siding on the building.

Come join us for a delicious chicken meal.

Thanks so much for the wonderful service you provide to the community! — G. Ryder, Danville, [email protected]

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 [email protected].