DEAR SUN SPOTS: I recently removed a cracked concrete walkway from my yard. Now I am having trouble disposing of it.

I called the Auburn Highway Department, and they suggested MMWAC and a local construction company. MMWAC charges by the ton. I would rather not pay a ton to dispose of it, and the other does not take it.

I was hoping maybe you or your readers might know where someone might be wanting free fill in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Thanks for your help! — Patrice Currie, [email protected], 754-3237

ANSWER: That is a tough one. Sun Spots does not have any brilliant suggestions. Unless someone takes you up on your free fill, you may have to pay for disposal.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are in the process of downsizing our home. I have seen the list of names you have of men who will come to your home and buy furnishings. Could you please print that list again? Thanks for your good work. — Faithful Reader, Livermore Falls

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know if they will buy your stuff outright, but there are services that will auction it off for you:

* Auctions of Maine, Turner, 514-5755

* Dan Boyd Auction, Poland, 998-4083

* Charles M. Talbot Associates, Turner, 225-3797

* Keenan Auction, South Portland, 885-5100

* McMorrow Auction Co., Poland, 777-7030, 800-924-9477

* Tranzon Auction, Portland, 775-4300

* Everlasting Estate Sales Services, Lewiston, 207-577-3333.

Caring Transitions,Brunswick, www.caringtransitions.net, 207-319-3472, helps seniors downsize their homes and may have useful suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anyone out there who freely picks up leftover items from lawn sales or cleans out basements from private homes, getting the articles picked up for payment?

I would appreciate an answer in your column. Thank you. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots has had the question about leftover yard sale items many times, and no one has ever responded. The only option she knows of is to take them to a charity, such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or Loaves and Fishes.

As for cleaning out basements, unless you have gold bars down there, you will have to pay someone to do it.

She does have a list of companies that clean out homes and haul away the stuff left after someone has moved. This is often needed when someone is downsizing to a smaller residence.

* Mike Farrell, Farrell Enterprises, also does cleaning and maintenance, 576-2501, farrellmik@roadrunner

* Pamela Griffin, 357-0904 or 264-3395

* Nicholas Hewison, Chore Brothers Maintenance, Poland,[email protected], 333-8167

* Jack Harlow, J & J Cleanouts,[email protected], 320-0151

* [email protected], Greene, 212-6645

* Chris Rousseau, Christopher’s Maintenance, also does emergency calls for landlords,[email protected], 417-0686

* Nel Roy, North East Land Services, 212-3059,[email protected]

* Wayne, [email protected], 778-2477 or 491-9394

* Ben Watson, 754-5355,[email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does anyone know of a shredding company that will come to a church and do shredding? We had one come last year, but it is out of business. Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots wishes you’d mentioned who is now out of business, because she had trouble reaching anyone at the first two companies and cannot be sure of their status. 

According to its website, Iron Mountain (Scarborough, 800-899-4766, www.ironmountain.com) does both on- and off-site shredding. 

For mobile, there is also Without A Trace mobile shredding services, Tom Kane, [email protected], 207-883-4700. 

It will probably be more expensive to have shredding done on-site than to take it somewhere.

Security Shredding (Route 202, Greene, 207-946-2319) does not shred on-site, but they will pick up.

Finally, you can take your shredding to Staples. They don’t do it there, but send it out.

If readers have updates on any of these companies, please let Sun Spots know. 

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 [email protected].