DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a former postal employee and wanted to know if the maintenance supervisor, Michelle Trask, had been sentenced yet for stealing pills from the veterans? — Deborah Rideout, drideout4@hotmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots found a posting at www.postal-reporter.com, which she did not know existed until today, despite being a former postal employee herself.

It said that “Michelle Trask, 46, pleaded guilty at her initial court appearance before Judge John Woodcock Jr. to theft of mail matter, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.”

Sun Spots did not find a story about sentencing, so perhaps it hasn’t happened yet.

If you go to www.postal-reporter.com/blog/tag/postal-theft/, you can check out numerous postal crimes, both those perpetuated by employees and by “regular” criminals.

DEAR SUN SPOTS, I own an older model motorcycle. It’s just a street bike and no big Harley to be certain. The question I have is concerning biker etiquette. As other bikers approach, I am sure you have seen the lowered hand greeting exchanged.

Am I obligated to return all greetings offered? If I do not, will I be seen as a snob among other bikers? And if I may ask, am I obligated to greet Vespas or dirt bikes the same way? Would a person on a scooter feel included or intimidated by such a greeting?

As bikers can be a touchy community, your help would be greatly appreciated. — Doug via email

ANSWER: Amazingly, Sun Spots actually found a website covering this topic: http://tinyurl.com/733kv7j. It covers the history of the wave, how to wave and this section on when you need to wave:

“1) interstate; unnecessary, 2) in a curve; unnecessary 3) in the rain or at night; unnecessary 4) on a mellow two lane; proper. 5) a highway with little traffic; proper 6) A rally, unnecessary and 7) in traffic, unnecessary.

“There are, however, times when not waving is just down right rude. So if you’re not a jackass, when you are presented with ‘The Wave’ you should, if at all possible, reciprocate.

“If it’s the proper place and time and you receive no reciprocal wave, don’t get your panties in a bunch and think you’ve just passed a jackass, because there are some acceptable reasons. These reasons are as follows: 1) you weren’t seen, 2) clutch manipulation or 3) a head nod was substituted.”

Sun Spots did not find anything about Vespas. In that case, she suspects many riders might not even know about the wave. You might wait to see if they wave first?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I clipped an item from my Sun/Journal some five or six years ago and kept it on my refrigerator door. In moving it got lost.

It concerned an old man in a nursing home who shaved and dressed up to greet his family when they came to see him today on his birthday. He waited in his rocking chair all day. He passed the cribbage and bingo games and sat on the porch so as not to miss his family when they came. He did not cut his cake so he could share it with his family.

He moved his chair down to the sidewalk so he could see them coming down the street. He lay down on his bed fully dressed with a note on his door to wake him when the family came. He fell asleep. His family never arrived. He was 79 years old. — A Sun Spots’ fan in Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots found that item online. It is called “It Was Grandfather’s Birthday” and was written by Rudy Joe Mano. However, Sun Spots does not have permission to reprint it here. 

Perhaps another reader will have a copy. Or you could go to the library and ask the librarian to print you a copy. It has appeared in many newspapers.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How I remember Dr. True’s Elixer (Sept. 11)! Every once in a while I was given a teaspoon dose of it. It tasted somewhat like Moxie, and I suspect it might have been herbs. I loved it.

My husband’s mother was friends with the visiting nurse when he was growing up, and the nurse unloaded her supply of cod liver oil on his family. I managed to escape that!

But the elixer was good stuff. I don’t know what good it did and I wasn’t sick when it was given but it was “good for what ails you.” — No Name via email

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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