DEAR SUN SPOTS: We ordered takeout food from an establishment in our area, as we have before. We picked it up and drove a half-hour to our destination. Upon arriving, we found our food was not at all what we had ordered.

We called the establishment and they said we “had taken” the wrong order. Each order is marked with a slip and given to the customer at the register. They had given us the wrong order. We said this was not what we had ordered and we shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s order.

They said for us to bring it back to them and they would correct it. We would have had to drive a half- hour down and then a half-hour back, an hour total. We had left for the long weekend, and it was a late Friday night. Who was going to pay for the gas and trouble of their error? It was late and we couldn’t do that, so we had to fix a different supper.

The management refused to do anything as well. We lost $40 on food we had not ordered. If this establishment is going to do this, shouldn’t they have to open the orders and show you before you leave? Shouldn’t they have made good on their mistake. We appreciate your help on this. Thank you! — Becky, iluvhuck@gmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots is sorry, but she thinks the restaurant’s offer to replace the wrong food with the right food if you returned was fair. After all, anyone could call and say they had been given the wrong food and ask for a refund. 

If you had returned and explained the distance you had to travel, the restaurant might very well have tossed in some extras or given you a discount coupon for future use to ease the pain.

Sun Spots is curious about a few things. If you get this food regularly, didn’t it smell differently? And why didn’t you eat the “mistake” order? 

And finally, how did you ever manage to drive for a half-hour without taking a peek (and a bite or two!) from your order?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing a biography on a handful of infamous criminals in Maine. Can you find out who was the chief of police for Auburn in 1985?

Also, what is the name of South Portland junkyard that was one-eighth of a mile off Route 1 in the mid-1980s.

I thank you in advance for your time answering my requests. — Kevin, Warren

ANSWER: Liz at the Auburn Police Department was kind enough to provide that information and the website where it can be found: auburnmaine.gov/Pages/Government/Police-History.

Chief Peter Mador served from 1973 until 1989.

Sun Spots does not know the name of the junkyard. Perhaps a reader who used to live out that way might. The best option might be to check old business or phone directories at the library.

Since you are unable to visit the library yourself, Sun Spots is providing contact information for the library. Perhaps a kind librarian will look it up for you if you send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your query.

South Portland Public Library, 155 Wescott Road, South Portland, ME 04106, 207-775-1835, southportlandlibrary.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Jan. 16, No Name in South Paris commented on advertisements for the Market Basket with no address and noted the store’s location in Harrison. I believe those ads actually refer to the Market Basket located in Biddeford at the site of the former Lowe’s store.

Market Basket is a large supermarket chain seen predominantly in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. There is a Market Basket in Harrison, but I doubt very much that they are placing large, colorful ads. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Looks like you are right. See the next letter.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In your Jan. 16 column a reader commented about the Market Basket and its fancy and colorful ads not having a physical address on them.

Although there is a Market Basket in Harrison, it is not the one connected with those ads. That Market Basket is at 220 Mariner Way, Biddeford, 207-282-9005. Thank you. — Donna DiConzo, diconzo@msn.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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