DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have two questions regarding veterans’ benefits.

Is the new veteran’s clinic strictly for just veterans or can veterans’ widows get treatment there, too?

The housing for veterans is for men only. Does that mean their families cannot live with them? If that is the case, why the three-bedroom apartments? — No Name via email

ANSWER: For answers to your questions, Sun Spots spoke to Jim Doherty, spokesman for Togus, which is the headquarters for veterans’ medical services in Maine. The Lewiston facility is one of eight community-based outpatient clinics in the state designed to make accessing services easier for veterans.

Jim said the answer to your question about widows receiving medical care is no. He said that while there are some very rare exceptions where widows are eligible for services, they are not applicable at this facility.

As for the apartments, they are not for families, but rather residences for homeless veterans. With the three-bedroom units, instead of each veterans having his own apartment, three unrelated veterans share, which is more cost effective.

Also, while researching this question, Sun Spots came across the Lewiston Vet Center, which, she learned, provides counseling services for veterans, not medical care. Counselors address issues such as readjustment, post-traumatic stress disorder, family counseling, military sexual trauma and bereavement.

The Lewiston Vet Center for counseling services is at the Parkway Complex, 29 Westminster St., Lewiston, 783-0068.

The L-A medical clinic for veterans is at 15 Challenger Drive, Lewiston, 753-4601 or 1-877-421-8263, ext. 4601.

Sun Spots hopes that your questions are more curious than needful. If you are in need of assistance, please call 211, a statewide directory of resources. According to the website, www.211maine.org, it “connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community.” 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Every once in a while I enjoy going to the Oxford or Bangor casinos for a night out. Along with my favorite slot machines I have a lot of fun meeting and talking with the employees and other players.

One of my new-found friends that I was playing beside, and talking with, hit a nice jackpot of $1,600. When the gentleman brought her the money, she tipped him $40. I was a little surprised that she was so generous with her money and told her so (she is not a well-off person).

She told me that the slot machine worker’s pay is based on their earning tips just like the waitresses. I was never told this before, so I asked my waitress if this was true and she confirmed it. I have yet to win a jackpot, but if I do now I know. — Casino Player via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know about the pay rate of local casino players, but when she was a pari-mutuel teller at race tracks in Maryland and Colorado, tips were common. Windows were assigned based on seniority, with the top tellers working in the clubhouse, where the big spenders wagered and tipped well.

Readers who are unaware of these customs should not feel too bad. There are many industries where tipping is routine, but customers may not know. Sun Spots recently failed to tip some movers. It never occurred to her to tip, and she should certainly know better, considering her background in service jobs.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the Sept. 12 letter asking for a couple who wash windows, my boyfriend and I have a window-cleaning business in Lewiston. J&G Window Cleaning & Pressure Washing is a family-owned business established in 2006 and can be reached at 786-8573. — Lisa Zanotti, lisazanotti@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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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