Can you find out what’s the best place to put your trash for pickup when there are so many huge snowbanks lining your property. — No name, Lewiston.

ANSWER: Sun Spots talked to staff at the Solid Waste Facility which is at 424 River Road; their phone number is 207-782-4200; and also to Auburn Public Works at 207-333-6670. One suggestion is to create a niche in the snowbanks on each side of your driveway and place trash on one side and recyclables on the other side. This makes the trash accessible for easy pickup. Or, when you clear the snowbanks around your mailbox, can you extend that to include a niche for the trash containers?

What doesn’t work is trash placed in white trash bags, especially when it’s snowing. Those white trash bags become nearly invisible. The city ordinance requires that 32-gallon containers with lids be used for trash and recycling. Those containers provide the most visibility. Also, trash placed behind or on top of a snowbank makes it very difficult for the trash crew to access. Sun Spots was wondering if you could place the trash containers at the end of your driveway when you leave the house for the day. Hope you find a solution that works for you and the pickup crews.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does Sun Spots know of any companies that will remove snow at my home? What are normal rates? — L.B., Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I need snow removal from my driveway in order to get out. I am looking for someone in the Turner Street area of Auburn who snow blows and clears driveways and walkways at private homes. I may be reached at 207-782-5802. Please let the phone ring until answered. Thank you Sun Spots for your assistance. I certainly appreciate the assistance you have given me in the past. — Sincerely, No Name.

ANSWER: For snow plowing, snow removal and roof shoveling, Sun Spots found these businesses by looking through the pages of the Sun Journal’s print edition: Aube’s Home Improvement at 207-212-6309 does roof shoveling. They may do other snow removal as well. Benner & Son at 207-782-4920, talk to Tom Benner. Eddie’s Reconditioning at 207-212-0852, talk to Ed. Brown’s Construction does snow plowing, call Eric at 207-224-2226. Pinette & Son does snow plowing, ask for Bruce at 207-754-0405. The Sun Journal’s “Ask the Experts” column is a good source for finding businesses that do snow plowing and removal. The column publishes in the newspaper each Friday. Good luck with your snow plowing and removal.

DEAR SUN SPOTS:

Middle school students go through pens and pencils like I go through Dove dark chocolates! As your readers spring clean, I’d love their discarded pens and pencils — no pencil is too small. Pencils and pens can be dropped off at Auburn Middle School or mailed to Auburn Middle School, ATTN: Ronda Lecompte-Teacher, 38 Falcon Drive Auburn, ME 04210. Thank you! — Ronda.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the last few years the Sun Journal has had an ad for a gentleman who does hypnotism for smoking and/or weight loss. Have I missed it lately? Do you have any information on this? Thanks for your help. — No Name via email.

ANSWER: In addition to the information given in an answer to this question in our Thursday, Jan. 29 column, Sun Spots reader Dawn Jepson has written in to let us know that she and Dennis Jepson have a hypnosis office at Franklin County Hypnosis, 334 Main Street, Wilton, ME. Their phone number is 207-645-5000. She writes that they have been practicing in this area for 12 years. Their website is franklincountyhypnosis.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: When will the Sun Journal finally get a Cryptoquip puzzle for the Sunday paper? Not having one to figure out throws off my morning routine, and others have asked for it. — S.G., Lewiston.

ANSWER: Funny you would ask. The editor of the Sun Journal says they have been working on this and the first one will appear in our paper, Sunday, Feb. 8.

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 or tweeted @SJ_SunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots.

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