ANSWER: From a press release: “Created by artist and naturalist Ed Dodd, Mark Trail was an environmentalist before it was fashionable to be one. His mission has always been that of preserving the American wilderness, water and wildlife for future generations. The strip was drawn by Jack Elrod from 1978 until his retirement in March 2014. He is succeeded by his assistant, James Allen. Mark Trail appears in 175 newspapers, reaching nearly 23 million readers worldwide.”

From the United States Dept. of Agriculture comes this information: “The Mark Trail strip … [recently] finished a six-week long storyline about the invasive EAB. The EAB, a small metallic green wood-boring beetle, destroys ash trees and is now found in 25 U.S. States. The Mark Trail strip features ‘Agent Abbey Powell from the USDA’ and shares information about the EAB.” After all these years in existence, the Mark Trail theme is the same, but the characters are being modernized.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: About two months ago I had the worst pain in my ear. I went to the ear, nose and throat doctors on Bates Street in Lewiston. They are gone now. Can you tell me where they went? Thank you. — J.M.Q.

ANSWER: On Thursday, Dec. 3, the Sun Journal published, “Rehab, pain practice set to close in Lewiston, Brunswick.” Reporter Lindsay Tice wrote, “The closure means hundreds of patients will have to find new help with acute or chronic pain. … The Lewiston office at 77 Bates St. will close Dec. 18.” Patients are being encouraged “to return to the primary care doctors who referred them to the rehab and pain management practice.” The article can be read online at http://tinyurl.com/q2ecwuh/.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am interested in Dixfield legal notices for when a home or land will be auctioned off due to tax liens. Does the Sun Journal report that? If so, where on the Sunjournal.com will I find it? — Chris via online submission form.

ANSWER: Legal notices are paid advertisements. They run seven days a week based on what is submitted. The Sun Journal would run notices from Dixfield if they are sent to us. Rumford Falls Times also runs Dixfield notices. There is a public notices link on sunjournal.com on the right side of the page that can be searched by date and newspaper.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does anyone know where I can get clear bulbs for my ceramic Christmas trees? Thank you. — Evelyn at 207-782-6673.

ANSWER: Walmart has them in their crafts department. Call Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts at 207-783-1066 to see if they are in stock on the day you plan to visit the store.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I received a $25 gift card for Tim Hortons a week before the area shops closed. How can I get the money for it since there are no shops nearby? — No Name.

ANSWER: Customers stuck with Tim Hortons gift cards and no stores nearby to use them can contact the corporate office through an online form at http://tinyurl.com/nzkyyyu or at 1-888-601-1616. Sun Spots sent an email through that online form to corporate headquarters last Thursday and is still awaiting an answer. Tim Hortons is still open in Bangor.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 [email protected], 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. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.