DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your response to how to pronounce Coos Canyon. Along that same line, what is the correct pronunciation of Range Pond? Growing up in the area, everyone pronounces it as if it were “Rang” pond. Any thoughts? — No name, no town.

ANSWER: Sun Spots reached out to the Poland Historical Society and there is no known history directly related to the naming. No founders with the surname “Range” can be found, so it was likely a surveyor or mapmaker who named it for the fact that it is a range of ponds: Upper, Middle and Lower Range Ponds. So why the unique pronunciation? It may have been misspelled or misread on a map and just stuck.

The discrepancy can be traced back as far as 1890 in the book, “History of Poland” by HA & GW Poole: “In the south part of the town lie three beautiful sheets of water known as the Range Ponds or, as they are commonly called, ‘Rang.’”

Unfortunately there is no explanation, just the statement that the ponds are commonly called “Rang.” We are left to speculate and will just have to be content with using our unique pronunciation, as we tricky Mainers are known to do, to tell the tourists from the locals. If anyone has information about the naming of Range Pond, please write in to Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I understand that when I cancel my direct-broadcast satellite service subscription I have to return the receivers. I was told that I have to send them to Texas, quite a cost for four of them. They were installed by a company in this area but the invoice does not contain their name or address. The agreement, which was signed by the company with my name, gives an ungodly fee for not returning them within 15 days. Has anyone had any experience with this process and is there a better way to get them off my hands? Thank you for all the help you have given me over the years. — No name, no town.

ANSWER: It would be best to call and talk to a customer representative at the direct-broadcast satellite service to which you subscribe. They are the company that would be charging you for not returning their equipment. They may have packaging and shipping labels to give you or at least an address and some direction for packaging them appropriately.

There seems to be a consensus among Sun Spots’ sources that the fee for failing to return the equipment can in fact be ungodly and that a shipping fee, even on four separate units, would be a savings in comparison. Call and discuss this with the company directly, you may have more options than you think.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The fourth grade at Aviston Elementary, located in southern Illinois, is learning about the United States and the different environments, climates, resources and highlights found in each region. The kids in class think it would be fun to receive postcards, souvenirs, resources or any information about our great country from each of the 50 states.

Our address is:

4th Grade at Aviston Elementary

350 South Hull St.

Aviston, IL 62216

A sincere thank you. — Mrs. Niemeyer’s class, Aviston, Illinois.

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