DEAR SUN SPOTS: This year the Medicare open enrollment period will run from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. This is an opportunity for consumers currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) to review their plan to ensure it will meet their needs in 2015.

Each year, plans can change premiums, deductibles, co-pays and drug formularies. The open enrollment period is the only time most consumers can switch plans if in their best interest. SeniorsPlus, your local Area Agency on Aging, has experienced Medicare counselors who can help with these important decisions.

This year, in addition to having appointments at the SeniorsPlus Falcon Road facility in Lewiston, we will also have appointments at the Farmington Town Office on Oct. 15, Rumford Library on Oct. 21, Wilton Town Office on Oct. 28 and Fryeburg Library on Oct. 29.

All appointments can be made by calling SeniorsPlus at 207-795-4010 or 800-427-1241. — Roland Bussiere, Medicare/SHIP specialist

ANSWER: Roland and his colleagues are a terrific resource. If Medicare.gov is confusing you, call them!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there going to be an increase in Social Security for 2015? — Pat, Bethel

ANSWER: The announcement about any cost-of-living adjustment probably won’t be made until the end of October, but when it comes, you can be sure the story will appear in the pages of the Sun Journal.

Financial experts are predicting that there will be a small increase. The Motley Fool had a post on Sept. 13 suggesting the increase will be small but slightly larger than the last couple of years:

“Based solely on July’s figures for the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, on which Social Security bases cost-of-living adjustments, inflation has risen at roughly a 1.8 percent clip during the past year. That’s quite a bit less than the larger adjustments that retirees have typically received since COLAs began in 1975.”

For an example, if the increase turns out to be 1.8 percent and your monthly check is $1,000, you would get $18 more each month.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: It’s hard to believe this is the third reunion for the “girls” of St. Joseph Orphanage, better known as the Marcotte Home.

When the orphanage closed in 1964, the remaining girls were sent home, to foster care or relatives not knowing whether they would be returning. Many of us lived at the orphanage throughout our childhood from as young as 3 years old.

For some this was the only way of life we knew. Yes, it was a culture shock to say the least. Fifty years passed and most of us never saw each other again. Because we were raised together, we were like sisters.

The reunions and monthly luncheons have been wonderful. Full of laughs, story sharing, validations and what I wished for most of us — lots of healing.

None of this would have been possible without the Sun Spots. I had no way of connecting with anyone. We knew each other as children and many of us were called by our assigned number, not our names.

After 50 years Sun Spots made a reunion possible. We all want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Our next reunion will be at noon Nov. 8 at the Chick-A-Dee Restaurant in Lewiston. If you have not received a letter as of Oct. 1, please contact Florence at 207-828-0560. We need a head count for the luncheon reservation.

Please spread the word to others who may want to attend. — Julie Fortin Jipson, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots is very glad to have played a small part in these heartwarming reunions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I love your column and read it every day. It is informative and at times entertaining, too!

Buckfield American Legion Post 58 will be hosting an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17. We would like to invite all veterans in the area to come share some experiences, maybe some picture or other memorabilia and meet new friends.

The post is located on Morrill Street near the high school. Contact me for more information. Thank you. — Gloria Hall, adjutant, 207-336-2385, [email protected]

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].