DEAR SUN SPOTS: At the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, Chris Bourassa has started a terrific fundraiser.

The Buttons for Babes project recycles buttons of all styles to make one-of-a-kind bracelets, which are sold for an affordable price. This is matched dollar for dollar by her employer, Barclays.

The proceeds are donated to United Way programs for children in crisis or with special needs. As more volunteers become involved in making these bracelets, more buttons are needed.

So this is a request for used or new buttons. Your buttons, which may be hiding in tins and boxes, could begin a whole new life if donated to this wonderful project.

Buttons may be dropped off at the United Way office in Farmington during office hours (usually 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Check first (778-5048) if you are traveling.

One other drop-off place is at the Otis Federal Credit Union building in Jay (across from the elementary school on Route 4). Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday except holidays. A box will be provided for the donations.

For those who would prefer to mail their buttons, the mailing address for the United Way is 232 Broadway, Farmington, ME 04938, or you can send the buttons to me.

Please provide your name and address or email (optional) with your donation, so we can thank you.

Thank you in advance. I know Sun Spots’ readers are very generous! — Martina Eastman, 71 Turmel Road, Jay, ME 04239, 897-3171, gnomegardens@myfairpoint.net

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a pet peeve with Time Warner. For the past few years, I more or less watch Fox News most of the day. I will be watching this channel and go to another room. When I come back the channel has been changed to another channel. Most of the time to old “Family Feud” shows or “Pyramid” TV with Dick Clark games of 40 years ago or some other channels that sells stuff.

Seems to me if I pay Time Warner every month for the use of their services, they should honor their commitment of providing me with the service that I am paying dearly for and not tell me which channel I should watch. I am sure I am not the only one that has this pet peeve with Time Warner. Never had that when I was with Direct TV. I would like to know the explanation TWC gives you. — Normand, Lewiston

ANSWER: The first thing that came to mind when Sun Spots saw your question was that you had a Democrat in your home playing a joke on you by turning off Fox News. But if that was the case, surely they would have turned it to MSNBC instead of ancient game shows?

For the real answer, Sun Spots turned to Andrew Russell, manager of communications for Time Warner in New England. He arranged to have a repairman go to Normand’s house and check it out. 

He reported back that “on rare occasions a digital channel may ‘time out’ after several hours and the set-top box may tune to a different channel. If this happens, just click the ‘last’ button on the remote to return to the channel.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For long distance calls you mentioned Penny Talk a while back. I dialed that number, 1-877-736-6925. They answer and ask for an account number. Do you have any idea what that is? Do you have an answer? Thank you so much. — No Name via email

ANSWER: The number you tried is the access number once you have an account. First you have to sign up. You, and others with computer access, can sign up at www.pennytalk.com. For phone signup, it says to call 1-800-842-3525. Sun Spots apologizes for the lack of thoroughness in her first response.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I asked my husband just the other day about the logs beside the road and why they aren’t used for something (Oct. 9 letter). He said that as a tree grows up so near the road it is peppered with sand from vehicles. The sand embedded in the wood will dull a saw faster than anything else. — barker@fairpoint.net

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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