DEAR SUN SPOTS: I purchased a closed-caption phone for a friend who is very hearing impaired. Are there any volunteers for the elderly who can install a phone? I am willing to pay for a service if there is someone who would do this. His home phone is not working correctly right now and limits his connection to the outside world greatly. — Nancy via email

ANSWER: When Sun Spots asked Connie, the director at SeniorsPlus about this, she suggested that the landline company would be likely, so Sun Spots emailed Jeffrey Nevins, spokesman for FairPoint Communciations, who wrote:

“Without seeing or knowing more about what this person bought for a phone, this is a hard one to answer. If the person is a FairPoint customer, we could call them to see if we can help. Also, I am not sure if the closed caption phone needs an Internet connection or can work on a regular phone line. It could vary from phone to phone.

“Otherwise, they might want to contact an elderly social service agency or even the company whom they bought the phone from (Best Buy?) and they might send out their Geek Squad to do the work. I might also suggest contacting the manufacturer to see what they suggest for installation.

“Wish I could be more helpful, but it is difficult to answer this question without more information.”

So, Nancy, if you write back with more information, such as the brand and model of the phone, Sun Spots will try to see if she can get a better answer for you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Happy New Year! Years ago we had a phonebook with which you could look up by phone number instead of name. Is there still such a book? I don’t have a computer, so I cannot look it up that way. They also have a 95-cent charge for each lookup. Thanks for all your valuable information. — Clair Cyr, Lewiston

ANSWER: You can still buy them, but get out your gold card because they aren’t cheap. Info USA City (infousacity.com) publishes the Lewiston-Auburn version.

Sun Spots called (866-414-7848) and was told that since the 2015 version will be out next month at $244.40 they could sell the 2014 for half price.

If that’s too steep for you, visit the library. Sun Spots spoke to the reference librarian at the Lewiston Public Library, who said the books are available for patrons to look at in the library, but they cannot be checked out.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m writing in regard to the FairPoint phonebook. I’m wondering if they could leave a magnifying glass in their telephone books. — C.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: The first problem with that is that FairPoint doesn’t print the telephone books. An independent firm publishes the phonebooks for FairPoint (a typical arrangement for phone companies). 

The second is that many people don’t need a magnifying glass to read the phonebook, so all those unused glasses would end up in the landfill.

There is also the cost. The declining use of landlines is creating financial pressure for landline phone companies and related industries, and Sun Spots has noticed that her phonebooks are getting smaller every year.

Fortunately, magnifying glasses aren’t that expensive. Sun Spots hopes you can afford to buy your own.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: There is one New Year’s resolution your readers might be able to keep — volunteer!

As you make positive changes for the coming year, please consider donating your most precious resource, your time.

SeniorsPlus is just one agency that serves our community through volunteerism.

Our opportunities include serving at our Lisbon, Lewiston or Auburn dining sites and for early birds helping with packing bags for Meals on Wheels or there are dozens of opportunities online at getconnected.volunteermaine.org

Just a few hours a week can make such a difference to someone in need.

For more information, please contact me. — Heather Chandel, coordinator of volunteer services, hchandel@seniorsplus.org, 207-513-3710

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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