DEAR SUN SPOTS: I believe at one time you had mentioned some place that takes older computers and works on them. Could you list that contact again, please?

Also, I have a set of 16 Time/Life books on the art of photography that I no longer use and would like to give away. Some of the titles are “The Camera,” “Special Problems,” “Photographing Nature” and “Light & Film.” Do you know if there is a school that could use these?— Evelyn Lauze, evelpaul@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots thinks you must mean the program at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center at Lewiston High School to fix up old computers and donate them to needy families at Longley Elementary School. Teacher Crystal Morris said students can upgrade the computers if they run Windows 98 or a newer operating system. Morris said that anything older than a Windows 98 machine is really too old. To contact Morris, call 795-4144, ext. 2334, or email cmorris@lewistonpublicschools.org.

There are also some sites online where you can donate computers to charity, including www.computerswithcauses.org and www.recycles.org.

As for your books, Sun Spots has been told that several schools are still teaching photography using film cameras and may be interested in your books. If not, you could check with libraries or, as a final option, recycling.

Getting rid of old books and computers in an environmentally safe way can be a challenge.

One option for recycling some items — if you read your paper early enough this morning — is at ecomaine’s open house. From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday ecomaine will be giving tours of its recycling and waste-handling facilities, and there will be free breakfast sandwiches, free recycling bins, free recycling of old TVs, electronics and small motors, and a free raffle for a tent and two sleeping bags made from recycled material.

Women Out Working, a nonprofit business women’s group, will operate a free recycling drive-through and drop-off, which will take the following items for reuse or recycling:

* TVs, computers, camcorders, printers, air conditioners, microwaves and other electronics (recycle)

* blankets/towels/linens (reuse in animal rescue shelters)

* old sneakers (recycle into flooring)

* eyeglasses and hearing aids (reuse)

* Gently used clothing (reuse)

* Trophies (reuse)

They are also planning educational activities for children and will have art made from recycled material and representatives from organizations including Portland Trails, Goodwill and Ruth’s Reusable Resources in attendance.

ecomaine, a nonprofit, is at 64 Blueberry Road, Portland. It’s owned by Maine municipalities and serves about a quarter of Maine’s population.

If you miss this event, check with your transfer station and see what options they have to offer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A lady saw the Sept. 7 letter in your column regarding Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends yard sale and contacted us to donate cat and dog carriers plus other yard sale goods, but she gave an incorrect email address.

We desperately could use these items along with anything else she was willing to give. Tommy’s really needs the help. Her first name is Claire and she can call me at 650-8374. Thank you. — Norm, normblais39@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We would like to thank all of the wonderful friends of Sun Spots who responded to our request for tea sets. We had many calls and were given several lovely sets. Thank you all for caring. — Evelyn, Lewiston

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.

Copy the Story Link