Every year as spring approaches we see an increased demand for our services. Right now we have many seniors on our waiting list who live in Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon Falls, Minot, Mechanic Falls, and Poland who are quite lonely and would love to receive friendly visits from a caring volunteer. Many of them live alone and have no transportation, so they need help with getting to their appointments or picking up their groceries.

We provide training and ongoing support for our volunteers. If you have three to four hours a week to give to a senior from your community, or would like more information about becoming a volunteer with us, call our office at 784-0157.

Thank you for your help in continuing to support and promote our important program in the community. — Sincerely, Wendy Russell, program director.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What can you tell me about Passenger’s Rail, the restaurant that opened last spring on Main Street in Norway, in the former Trolley Restaurant building? My son purchased a gift certificate for me there for Christmas, and we had planned to use it this weekend. I drove by tonight and noticed the building was dark. Their website does not appear to have been updated, and the restaurant’s Facebook page has disappeared. Are they closed permanently? And if so (I’m afraid I already know the answer to this), are we out the $50 he spent on the gift certificate? — No Name via email.

ANSWER: Sun Spots visited the restaurant’s website and called the number listed for the business. It is not in service. Sun Spots sent an email to the address listed and has not received a reply. Sun Spots then called the Oxford Hills Chamber and learned the restaurant was not a member. Attempts to reach the former owners were also unsuccessful. Let’s hope a reader can answer your concern.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Today in the mail I received a single-page letter from MetaBank, 5501 Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, SD 57108. It said that the state of Maine had turned over unclaimed prepaid cards for this bank to follow up on information to return money owed to the card holder. I was to fill out the sheet sent to me,which included all my personal information, as well as two government ID cards. I was to return the letter with the information to them by April 15.

I immediately called Consumer Fraud Division of the Attorney General’s office. The person there checked with unclaimed money in South Dakota as well as Maine. I was not on any list to receive money. She told me that this is mail fraud and to take the letter to the post office and report it. I thought people would like to know about this and am giving it to you to get out the message! You are such a help and I thank you! — No Name, No Town.

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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots.

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