DEAR SUN SPOTS: Good job you’re doing.

We went to Wendy’s in Auburn recently and all the parking was taken except two handicapped spots way over behind a shed. We have a handicap plate because we need it.

Mother has a hard time walking with a cane. She had to walk the whole length of the walkway to get inside. Why can’t there be two handicapped spots nearer the entrance? — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots anticipated difficulty in obtaining this answer but was pleasantly surprised to get a prompt response from Jeff Marshall, director of operations for Restwend LLC, which operates 14 Wendy’s in Maine. He responded to your question with this email:

“Here is the reasoning for the placement. The question mentioned the parking spot being tucked behind a shed. The handicapped parking is located to the rear of the store near the ramp; this allows the guest access to the walkway without crossing the pickup window lane and is closer to the door than the bulk of the parking that is on the outside perimeter of the lot.

“There are about 10 parking spots closer to the store, but if we used those for handicapped spots, they would be farther away from the ramp. If we made the ramp closer to the door, it would go out at least 6 feet from the walkway, as the rise is 6 inches to store level. That again would put the guest close to moving traffic. I hope this answers your question.”

From this explanation, Sun Spots gathers that the problem with moving the parking spots closer is the difficulty with maintaining adequate space for wheelchair access, which of course is absolutely necessary for any handicapped slot.

Walking distance is an issue for many people, like your mother, but it is more easily dealt with than a wheelchair. Perhaps the next time you take her out, you could stop in front of the door and help her out of the car, then go and park?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A while back someone was looking for a phone for the hearing impaired. I recommend Caption Call. It is free for the hearing impaired. All you need to get started is a high-speed Internet connection and a standard phone connection. Mine was recommended by my audiologist, and I enjoy the phone.

You can check this out on the Internet or by phone. www.CaptionCall.com or call 1-877-557-2227. Everything is free if you have your audiologist sign for it, or you can purchase for a subsidized price of $75. Mine was free, as I am hearing impaired. — Lucretia, crete41@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, there is a cost for a high-speed Internet connection, which many seniors who need hearing assistance may not have.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: If Jim Hing will supply an address or phone number, I would be glad to speak with him about his father. I worked at Joy Inn in the late 1930s. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: You can call Jim at 518-733-5226.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is for Karl from Greene who was looking for places to fly a kite. I used to fly my kites in the field next to Leeds Central School (the parking lot side, not the playground side). Permission may be needed.

In Portland, the Eastern Prom is good, as is the Back Cove area. Fort Williams Park, near Portland Head Lighthouse, is excellent, and so is Pine Point Beach in Scarborough.

Hope this helps, and I hope you hear from lots of other people who like to fly a kite. — Kite Flyer, Monmouth

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A million thanks for helping us recover our kayak that floated away on the Nezinscot (Sept. 9 letter). We were contacted that it has been found, and we are truly grateful for your help! — Scott, Buckfield

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My hair stylist, Jennie Bennett, left the JCP in Auburn for another salon; it may be a new business. I need an address and phone number. Her voicemail to me was deleted before I got a chance to write down her new location and number. She lives in the Buckfield area. I would appreciate if any of her customers or acquaintances could help me. Many thanks. — Chris, 786-2297

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 tosunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link