ANSWER: You are correct that the information regarding health inspections is available to the public. Once upon a time, a person had to physically go to the city hall to retrieve those records, but that all changed in 2014 when the city council decided to make those inspection records available online, which you can review at any time by visiting www.lewistonmaine.gov.

The Sun Journal has written about the rare instances when a restaurant has had to close due to failing health inspections, but as you will see from perusing the list provided at the link above, most local restaurants routinely pass their inspections. Perhaps if failing health inspections were a more common issue in the readership area, then the Sun Journal would reconsider publishing inspection reports on a regular basis. Right now, clean restaurants are good news.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Park Avenue Elementary PTO is looking for new or used sleepers (pajamas with feet), size newborn to 6 months, for our crafts at our Harvest Festival. Please drop off at Park Avenue Elementary School located at 161 Park Ave.in Auburn. Thank you. — Gina, Auburn.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Good day and happy spring. I’m hoping readers can help me and Sun Spots can bring a bit of spring magic. I am disabled. Among other issues, arthritis is a big problem in my hands and everywhere. It’s hard to exercise. That’s where Sun Spots and your followers come in.

I’m looking for an “old school” bike — like the kinds from the ’70s. It should have no gears and real brakes that use foot and leg power. I need butterfly handlebars so I can sit straight up and a banana seat as the seats today are not big enough for my butt. It doesn’t have to be pretty, just rideable. This will be the best exercise for me to “keep on bikin’.” Please call (207) 577-4428 if you are able to help. Thank you. — Leslie, Lisbon.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A few months ago, there was a lady looking for baby dolls for nursing home patients. Could you repeat that name and contact info? Thank you. — No Name, Greene.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, the last time Sun Spots ran a letter from a reader regarding baby dolls for nursing home patients was on Oct. 11, 2014, and the contact information provided at that time is no longer valid. Perhaps a reader will contact us with updated information, at which time Sun Spots will happily re-post.  

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.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: