DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Congregational Church of East Sumner is looking for vendors and items for the annual Harvest Day celebration on Sept. 28.

The event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors should provide tables and a tent or tarp cover.

This year a barn sale will be included in the harvest/bake sale. Anyone who has items stored in their barns/garages/attics that they no longer want is encouraged to donate to the barn sale.

There will also be a special collection of new blankets and winter clothing for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. These items will be given to Wolf Gumm of South Paris, who will send them to the reservation, which is listed as the poorest region of the United States according to the U.S. Census.

There will be a dedication of the Sumner Food Bank at 10 a.m. with representatives from the Town Office, Hannaford and Community Concepts invited as guest speakers.

All who helped with the construction of the addition or contributed in any way are invited to attend. Thanks to everyone who helps with our outreach to the community and the world.

For more information phone Linda at 388-2263 or me at 388-2667 — Cyndi, norton@megalink.net

ANSWER: So many good works from one small church. It makes Sun Spots tired to think about how hard you all must work just with your volunteering.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Recently, I’ve been researching various cellphone plans. Although some friends have recommended AT&T, its website says that they don’t offer service in my town (Otisfield) even though their coverage map shows a strong signal in my area.

I’m wondering if you can find out whether this is due to some Maine Public Utilities Commission regulation or requirement, or whether AT&T has made a decision not to do business here for some reason based on economics.

AT&T determines customer eligibility based on billing address. Purchasing a plan for the neighboring town of Casco therefore wouldn’t be possible, since my address is in Otisfield.

Meanwhile, anyone else with an AT&T plan can make calls to and from Otisfield. This is the first time I’ve heard of a wireless company not eager to take my money! Thanks. — Lindsey Montana, Otisfield, lmontan@fairpoint.net

ANSWER: Actually, in this case and depending on your phone usage patterns, having you as a customer could very well not be profitable for AT&T.

The issue is who owns the towers that transmits the signals. If AT&T doesn’t own the towers in Otisfield, it doesn’t want to sign up customers and then have to pay another company for the minutes you use on those towers — which you would do on a regular basis if you signed you up for an AT&T plan.

As Mr. Sun Spots kindly reminded Sun Spots, they were once in a similar situation when they moved from Lewiston to Readfield. The problem was resolved when Verizon Wireless bought out Unitel’s wireless services and thus the towers near them. Shortly after that, service was available in Readfield.

Sun Spots called the AT&T store in Auburn to verify that Mr. Sun Spots was correct with his explanations, which of course he was. She also asked if AT&T has any plans to expand service, and the representative said not at this time as far as she knew.

There are ways to cheat and get around this limitation (using a relative or friend’s address, for example), but it might be easier and more honorable to just use another carrier, sign up for as short a plan as possible and hope that AT&T expands its coverage.

The rep said coverage is currently available from Brunswick and Auburn and heading south, also in Bangor. Basically, metropolitan areas.

Perhaps readers in your town will write with suggestions or recommendations.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Nearly 50 years had passed before we had our first reunion for the girls of the Marcotte Home Orphanage.

Due to overwhelming response from our May 2012 reunion, another reunion has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. The exact time and location will be decided based upon the number of responses.

Please contact me at the phone number or email below as soon as possible.

Thank you, Sun Spots, for posting this letter. Without you, our first reunion would have never taken place. — Julie Fortin, 207-946-5210, juliejoe7@roadrunner.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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