DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you in advance for helping me, if you can.

I am in my late 80s and unable to shovel my yard in the winter. I have been unable to contact the person who did this for me last year.

It requires cleaning off my car, snowblowing or shoveling the driveway, and clearing a path to my shed for the oil man.

Perhaps either you or a reader will know of someone to do this for me. — Barbara, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots knows of one possibility:  Todd, TW Lawncare/Snowplowing, 364-4206, but he is a bit out of your area.

It seems to Sun Spots that a handyman might undertake this task, or perhaps a teenager in your neighborhood? 

If someone is able to provide this service, please write to the column. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have searching the newspaper ads for any local organization or private individual who insulates or prepares unfinished basements, including cellars, sealing around basement windows, etc., to prepare for the upcoming cold Maine winter.

Thank you, Sun Spots, for the assistance you have given in the past and for the convenience of your column, which is always greatly appreciated. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots has one lead for you: Dixfield Foam Insulation, call Grady at 418-9394. Hopefully readers will provide more.

Hardware stores are a good source of do-it-yourself materials and will often offer advice on how to proceed if you want to do some of the work yourself.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you very much for printing my letter about the handyman’s work that didn’t work out (Aug. 26). 

Thanks for the address of the consumer protection office in Augusta. I know I could depend on you. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: The handyman wasn’t very happy with me. Even though you didn’t identify him in your letter, he wrote and said I shouldn’t have published your letter without knowing all the facts and that there were two sides to the story.

Unfortunately, he did not offer his side of what happened with the work. Nor did he sign his letter.

He did take me to task for my advice, saying that if you pester him to do the work that it could be construed as harassment, which is a valid criticism. There is a fine line between persistence and hounding. For example, calling once a week vs. calling every day. Sun Spots recommends persistence but not pestering.

Meanwhile, for other readers who might need the help of the Consumer Protection Service of the Maine Attorney General’s Office, you can reach them at 1-800-436-2131 (9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday), consumer.mediation@maine.gov, Attorney General’s Consumer Division, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The website is at http://tinyurl.com/25kgmbx and is very helpful.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A little information that may help in researching some things Dutch (Sept. 3). It sometimes is a mispronunciation of the German word Deutsch which means German. — Chris via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots is aware of that confusion. Like many her age, she grew up watching “Hogan’s Heroes: and thus became familiar with “sprechen sie Deutsch?” (do you speak German?).

For those older or younger who may have missed it, the tip is appreciated.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a picture postcard featuring the St. Cecilia’s boys band, no date. I’m sure the band director is Leo Grenier. He was my music teacher for five years. If any family members would like to have this picture, please call me. — Ralph, 784-6025

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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