DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anywhere in the Lewiston-Auburn area that books that are no longer needed/wanted can be donated? Perhaps for sending to what used to be called Third World countries?

I have a complete, like-new set of World Book encyclopedias, as well as books on a variety of subjects, some older, hard-covered fiction as well as reference-type books. It seems a shame to send them to the landfill. This column is a wonderful resource. — Trudy, trudysown@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots is sorry to say that there is no market for encyclopedias. There was one Christian group taking them to teach English in Africa, but they have been inundated and no longer need them.

You can take other types of books to the library. Both the Lewiston and Auburn libraries have regular sales of books to raise money. Smaller libraries often have annual book sales.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been trying to give away 25 Britannica book of the year; the editions are all from different years. But nobody seems to want them. There must be somebody out there that could use them. I don’t want to put them in the landfill.

Thanks. I hope you can help. — Doug, lnbndn@msn.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots is sad to report that traditional encyclopedias have gone the way of buggy whips, although they are still published online. In fact, Britannica just announced they will no longer print theirs.

On the bright side, at least books are somewhat biodegradable. And some transfer stations may even recycle books. If you are really feeling green, you can cut out all the pages and put them in paper recycling, then toss the covers in the trash.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Verizon is discontinuing prepaid phone cards for landlines as of April 17. Cards are no longer available in local stores. Can you find out if AT&T or some other company will step in to fill the gap? Thanks for your helpful column. — Gary, Auburn

ANSWER: While prepaid phone cards may no longer be as popular as they used to be, they appear to be available from companies other than Verizon, both online and in discount stores, drugstores, gas stations, etc.

As for AT&T, not only do they sell phone cards (www.consumer.att.com/prepaidcard/), but Sun Spots has a Visa card from them that also serves as a phone card. You can apply for one at www.universalcard.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for people willing to help legalize beekeeping in the city of Lewiston. Lewiston is one of around 90 municipalities in the United States with a ban on beekeeping, and that needs to change. Even in Manhattan in New York City beekeeping is legal.

Our food supply depends on bees, and their numbers are declining. Honeybees are not to be confused with wasps and yellowjackets. They do not bother people, and are nonaggressive. They have a 3-mile range from their hive, so neighbors of beekeepers are rarely even aware of the bees.

Please contact me through my e-mail or through the message board portion of www.androscogginbeekeepers.org. Thank you. — Matthew Drottar, drotski@gmail.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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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