DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Sunday, March 13, I attended Holy Family’s 2 p.m. service. My hearing aid battery started beeping. Not to disturb anyone, I put it in my pocket. When I got home, I checked my pocket to take it out, but it was not in there. If anyone, by chance, finds it, could you please bring it to the Prince of Peace Parish (Holy Cross Church on St. Croix Street in Lewiston). Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am aware that there is a leash law regarding dogs in this area. Is there any type of law regarding cats? There are several cats in my neighborhood. They poop in my yard and sit on my car. They go into my garden and have pulled plants out. I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas I can use to keep them out of my yard.

I am also wondering how to contact somebody that belongs in the group of ladies known as the Red Hatters? Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston.

ANSWER: A stray cat is defined by Maine statute as “a cat on the premises of a person other than the owner of the cat, without the consent of the owner or occupant of the premises, on a public street or on other public property, except under the physical control of the owner.” So while there may not be a leash law pertaining to cats in Lewiston, you should feel free to report stray cats to the animal control officer. The phone number to the animal control office in Lewiston is (207) 513-3111. Visit lewistonmaine.gov to read more about the City of Lewiston’s ordinances regarding animals.

A tip for at least keeping wandering cats from trespassing in your garden or on your lawn is to install a motion detector water sprinkler. Water won’t harm the animal and your garden might like the extra soaking whenever the cat (or other animal) comes near, but the surprise of the sprinkler activating might be enough to scare most cats away.

To reach the Rambunctious Red Hatters chapter of the Red Hat Society in Lewiston, contact Regina Bernard at (207) 345-9047. You can also visit the Red Hat Society website at redhatsociety.com for information on various chapters around the country.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again, I would like to thank you for helping me out. You are such a great resource for so many things. I inquired whether or not you knew of anyone in the Rumford area who repaired hearing aids and you were kind enough to provide me with some numbers. Central Maine Audiology of Lewiston has someone who comes to the Rumford Hospital twice a month. I was fortunate to get in touch with this person and she repaired my hearing aid and also cleaned both aids, which hasn’t been done for five years. The only change I would offer is the telephone number, which is (207)782-1160. Thank you so much for the help that you provide for so many people. — No Name, Rumford.

ANSWER: Thank you for providing that phone number in case other readers are looking for a similar service, and thank you for your kind words. Sun Spots is happy to be of service.

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 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. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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