DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Nov. 20 someone asked about sleigh rides. We didn’t know at that time if we were going to have one this year. But we’ve been working on it, and now with a big snowfall we will have one, and it may be the biggest yet, with about 15 teams participating.

The 20th annual fundraiser for the Pine Tree Society will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at 401 Main St. (Route 125) in Lisbon Falls.

The donations are $4 for adults, $3 for children. All proceeds go to the society, which helps handicapped children. There will be a snack shack onsite. Hot homemade doughnuts go fast!

For more information, contact me. Thank you. — Gordon Curtis, 353-2200, Gordonc36@aol.com

ANSWER: Let’s hope the snow stops melting so there will still be enough for the sleighs on Sunday. There’s a chance for a little more snow this weekend. A nice, fluffy top layer of snow would certainly add to the festive feeling of the event.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What do you think about “charities” that send their letters (copies most likely) from a different address than that provided on the envelope, which has no address, phone, website or the logo of the organization. The only thing on the envelope is a P.O. Box address. I see that as a scam. — Gabrielle, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots is pretty sure that the reason charities send out requests in plain envelopes is to get you to open the missive.

If you get a letter from a charity and it comes in an identifiable envelope, you may just throw it out (or, hopefully, recycle it) without reading it. But if you don’t know who the letter is from, you are likely to open it, giving the sender a chance to tug at your heartstrings with a photo or touching story.

This is undoubtedly an effective technique for those of us who “oooh” and “awww” over animals and children.

Sun Spots avoids being sucked in by picking her charities of choice for the year, setting up online donations and resolutely tossing all other requests.

As for the letters being copies, they are what is called a merge mailing. This is when a computer inserts the individual’s name and address into a form letter. This personalizes the letter for thousands of recipients. Some mailings will even include details such as the amount of your last donation to the charity.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My camera stopped working. I don’t know what happened to it. It’s a nice 35 mm Japanese model, Petri FTX with 205 MM Telsar auto-zoom lens. I hate to throw it away. I will give it away. — No Name, Livermore Falls

ANSWER: Sun Spots has one source for repairing 35-mm film cameras. Shep’s Camera, Dave Kloberdans, 16 Hall Road, Woolwich, ME 04579, 207-522-4446, david@kloberdans.com.

David will also accept donations of broken cameras, which he generously repairs and then donates to school programs.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please have Sarah Stocker of Lewiston Public Schools call me. I have a camera bag with 35-mm cameras and various lenses for them. — No Name, Rumford

ANSWER: Sun Spots contacted Sarah, who does not take phone calls, only emails. Sarah thanked everyone who was kind enough to donate but said she has enough cameras for now.

Other schools may want your cameras. If you write Sun Spots and include your phone number and permission to include it, they can call you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I saw recently there was answer in Sun Spots that indicated where we might get a refund for an Outback Steakhouse gift card. Would you please be kind enough to send me that information so that I may get a refund for a gift card that was given to me for Christmas? Thanks for your help. — Sandy, san@myottmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not respond privately to questions, but she is glad to reprint information. Here is what she was told re Outback refund for Maine, which no longer has a restaurant in the state:

Send your gift card, along with a note, your name, address, daytime phone to Blooming Brands, Attn: Kati Scircle, 2202 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607. They recommended sending it certified mail. Expect four to six weeks for a refund. For more information, call 877-670-4329.

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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