DEAR SUN SPOTS: If you love numbers and helping people and enjoy learning as well as challenges, please consider volunteering as a Medicare advocate.

Our trained volunteers provide invaluable information and guidance for enrollees and those needing assistance for enrolling in Medicare. Join our team of volunteers!

A training program is scheduled in July. Please email me at hchandel@seniorsplus.org or call 513-3710 for more information. Thank you. — Heather Chandel, coordinator of volunteer services

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering since (restaurant name illegible) has closed, as has Friendly’s, if we could have IHOP here or a pancake house. That way we don’t have to go all the way to South Portland or to Augusta for it.

Also, I thought they were going to stop motorcycle noise.

Thank you very much. You do a great job. — Gerry R., Auburn

ANSWER: How about Denny’s? Mr. Sun Spots had breakfast at a Denny’s near Portland recently and was pleased with the quality.

Readers will undoubtedly recommend their favorite breakfast spots as well.

As for motorcycle noise, this comes up every spring, when bikers come out after the long winter and windows are open.

There are rules governing excessive noise that state that any bike made from 1992 on has to have a state inspection sticker. One of the goals of the sticker is to verify that the owner has not altered the muffler system. 

Of course, some bikes are just naturally loud and this seems to be part of the charm for those riders. 

Sun Spots found the following in a May 2012 story”

“LD 477 was signed into law in May 2011 by Gov. Paul LePage in an effort to curb motorcycle noise. Maine’s muffler law states that if a motorcycle is loud, an officer can stop it and issue a citation to the driver for having loud exhaust.

“Any replacement muffler on a motorcycle can be no louder than the factory original. Under the law, visible inspection stickers are also required on motorcycles beginning in January. The sticker will have to be affixed to the license plate of the motorcycle.”

Sun Spots checked with Mark LaFlamme, the reporter who has written most of the stories on this topic and a rider himself. He said that the law is not always well-enforced, depending on your community.

If you have some particularly noisy motorcycles in mind, you might make note of their names and/or license plates and ask your local law enforcement officers to check and see if the bikes are in compliance. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You came through again. From the response you wrote to me (May 27) regarding a local Rawleigh dealer I received a reply via email from the son of a local man who is closing out his Rawleigh, Fuller Brush, Stanley and Avon business with the last day being May 31.

I was able to go to his sale and purchase the Rawleigh medicated ointment that I so desperately wanted. I also found many other items in his supply that interested me. Thank you again for the wonderful service you provide to your readers. — Esther Tucker, et238@roadrunner.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the reader who was looking for Rawleigh products, there is a dealer in Auburn who will be closing at the end of the month who has all kinds of Rawleigh’s medicated ointment. — Barbara, Bethel

ANSWER: Sun Spots got several letters from people referring her to this same man, Normand McGraw, and also noted his imminent retirement.

Sun Spots called Mr. McGraw, who said that he is phasing out of his business but will still sell things by appointment, as he is not in his store offices at 49 Third St. in Auburn much of the time.

You can call him at 783-8196.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Rawleigh products are also sold at Chuck’s Corner, 699 Sabattus St., Lewiston, 207-784-0085. — Charles McDonald, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Just a quick update on our refund for a TGI Fridays gift card: After speaking to the guest relations department on May 16, my mom received her refund check on May 27. Very easy and very fast service. Thanks so much again for providing us with the information we needed. — Connie L. Field, Connie.Field@deadriver.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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