DEAR SUN SPOTS: What has happened to my favorite morning radio talk show on 95.5 FM with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot? — No Name via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Recently I haven’t been able to get the “Ray and Ted Show” on 95.5 FM. Where has Ray gone? It was such a good show. Thank you. — No Name, Lisbon Falls

ANSWER: Sun Spots is glad you wrote. She thinks she had this question previously, but couldn’t quite read the handwriting (and thus the spelling of names), and she felt badly about not answering.

As for what happened to Ray and Ted, details are sparse, as is typical in these situations. Details on the reasons for changes in personnel or contract issues often aren’t discussed publicly.

Al Diamon (www.downeast.com) mentioned in his Sept. 7 “Media Mutt” blog that “Atlantic Coast Radio has shuffled the line-ups on a couple of its stations, greatly reducing the reach and staffing at WLOB (1310 AM). The conservative talker lost half its morning team with the departure of co-host Ted Talbot. In addition, its programming will no longer be heard on the air outside Greater Portland, as its FM counterpart at 95.5 will now carry programming from WEEI in Boston (sports) that are already on Atlantic’s WPEI (95.9 FM) in Saco. The Radio-Info.com website speculates that the change was made to enhance the sports stations’ signals in the newly expanded Portland market, which now includes areas north of Portland where WPEI can’t be heard.”

Then on Sept. 28 Al blogged that the “Radio-Info.com northern New England board is reporting that longtime Greater Portland radio personality Dean Rogers has taken over the producer spot on the WLOB (1310 AM) morning show, replacing the departed Ted Talbot. Rogers lost his job at Citadel-owned WHOM (94.9 FM) last year due to budget cutting, seemingly ending a forty-year career in local broadcasting. He’s also the public address announcer at Portland Sea Dogs games.”

Sun Spots went to www.radio-info.com and searched for Ted Talbot, but nothing turned up to indicate whether he went elsewhere, retired, etc. In fact, a search didn’t even turn up the original reports to which Al referred.

Sun Spots did find out a little bit about Ray at http://rayrichardson.net:

“For six plus years, Ray co-hosted The Ray & Ted Show with Ted Talbot on radio and television. He now hosts The Ray Richardson Show on Newstalk WLOB radio and WPME TV. The show is aired live weekday mornings from 6a to 9a EST. The show is also streamed live at wlobradio.com

“For over a decade, Ray authored a weekly newspaper column for several weekly newspapers. He now writes a twice-a-week column for the Portland (Maine) Daily Sun.

“Additionally, Ray authors a quarterly, online newsletter called Consent of the Governed. This publication largely addresses political issues, from a local and national perspective.

“Ray’s first book, ‘It Might Just Be Me, But I Don’t Think So!’ comes out in September 2011.

“Ray is a former Chamber of Commerce president, chairman of the Westbrook Republican Party and helped establish the Mission Possible Teen Center which serves the needs of at-risk youth. Ray also produces several music festivals, created the annual Maine Barbecue Showdown as well as the annual Portland Lobster Festival.

“Ray lives in Westbrook with his wife, Dee Dee. They have been married almost 27 years and have four children.”

Readers can respond to Ray at his website, but Sun Spots didn’t find a mailing address.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the reader who had trouble getting change at banks (Sept. 23): I was once refused change for $10 at a Post Office. The clerk changed his mind after I asked to buy a one-cent stamp. Doing it this way may cost you a penny, but the laws and regulations concerning legal tender are in your favor. — No Name via email

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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