DEAR SUN SPOTS: I certainly can’t be the only senior citizen who refuses to use digital cameras! This morning I took my 400-speed 27 exposure CVS disposable camera back to CVS to have them develop it. I was told they no longer do that in the store but could send it out, which would take maybe a week to two weeks !

I asked if Rite Aid across the street still did it, and they said no! She did tell me if I wanted the same-day service I could go to Lisbon Falls, for they still did that type of service.

Is everyone out there against us? I really don’t think this is at all fair!

Is there any retailer in the Lewiston-Auburn area that does the one-hour developing of prints?

Thanks for any help you can give. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t think that everyone is against you, or even trying to annoy you. It’s just that times they be a-changing, and there are so few people using film that it is no longer profitable for retailers to offer that service.

If you want to be angry with anyone, it should be with your fellow citizens, who have abandoned film cameras for digital ones in droves, eliminating the need for rapid film development.

However, you do still have a local option. Photo Finish (550 Center St., Auburn, 783-3354) still develops film on-site on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

So you can drop your film off any time Friday through Monday or first thing Tuesday and get it back later Tuesday. Or drop it off Wednesday or first thing Thursday and get it back later Thursday.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What would we ever do without you! You have helped so many of us with so many questions. A friend thought she saw something in the newspaper some time ago about nuns or some organization that refurbished old dollhouses. She has an antique one she would like to donate to some worthwhile organization. Can you help? Thanks so much. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sister Rita Bourassa and some others at St. Mary’s Residences used to refurbish dollhouses and then sell them (proceeds went to their activity fund), but no longer do so. Perhaps readers will know of some other options.

You could also check with Orphan Annie’s, 96 Court St., Auburn, 782-0638, and see if owner Dan Poulin is interested in purchasing the dollhouse.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering if any readers out there knew of businesses that still offered layaway plans. I am aware of Kmart and Toys R Us and Walmart through the holidays on select items. Are there any others? — Chris, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots suspects that many stores would be willing to honor a layaway system, but she knows of no official listing of them.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I used to go to the Habitat store off Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston.

When I went there this week, it is no longer there. Did they close or relocate? They were a really great place to find bargains on building materials. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots found a posting at www.androhforh.org/index.html?ReStore that said the Strawberry Avenue location was closing and to check back at the website for the opening of a new store. 

The site listed two stores currently open:

* Bath Restore, 108 Center St., Bath, ME 04530, 207-386-5087

* Portland Restore, 83A Bell St., Portland, ME 04103, 207-221-0047

Another option you might find useful is the Buildings Material Exchange. You can find them at 102 Lisbon Road, Lisbon, ME 04250, 636-7670, www.mainebme.org.

The exchange accepts new and reusable materials and then resells them. Anyone is welcome to shop there, with low- and moderate-income individuals and families receiving a significant discount. There is a $10 yearly membership fee.

Those who want to apply for the discount need to bring in proof of income (a copy of your most recent tax return is best). To find out if you qualify, click on BME Income Guidelines at www.mainebme.org.

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 [email protected].