DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for all you do for Sun Journal readers. I’m looking at the large pile of Christmas cards I have been collecting for more than three years. Do you know an organization that can use them? I hate to just throw them away.

—No name, no town

ANSWER: A local nonprofit that accepts greeting cards is the ShareCenter. They provide a vast amount of items for educators to use in their classroom for art and STEM projects. They do ask that you just bring in the fronts of the greeting cards.

When I spoke with manager Lisa Rodrigues, she also let me know that teachers are looking for the pop-up caps on dish detergent bottles (not the flip type), as well as new and gently-used tissue paper. She said, “Think ‘sensory.’”

The ShareCenter is at 33 Industry Road in Auburn, and open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 6 p.m. and the first and second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. There is also a Topsham location. Call 207-333-6671 for information.

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children also accepts all greeting cards except ones made by Hallmark, American Greetings and Disney. They can be mailed to 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005.

The charity cares for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Their Recycled Card Program, run by entrepreneurial teens, teaches critical employment skills so they are prepared to be productive, wage-earning citizens in the community. The fronts of your used cards are incorporated into new cards which the kids sell.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Every year the Woman’s Literary Union of Auburn awards a scholarship to a deserving senior student who is planning a career in fine arts. This year the amount of the scholarship is $500. Letters and applications have been mailed to guidance counselors in all high schools within Androscoggin County. Applications must be received by April 16 at the address provided in the letter along with an essay on “Why I wish to have a career in Fine Arts and need financial assistance” (500 words or less), a high school transcript and letters of recommendation. The scholarship amount will be sent to the college bursar after the winner has successfully earned a 2.0 or better grade-point average in his or her first semester.

WLU encourages parents of senior high school students who are interested in a career in fine arts to check this out.

—Dot, Auburn

ANSWER: For information, go to www.womansliteraryunion.org or call 207-783-5630. The organization’s email address: womansliteraryunion@gmail.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You had a letter a couple of days ago about antique clock appraisal. I would like to give you the name of a clock repair person: Ken Rice of Tic-n-Time on Route 302 in North Windham. He fixed our cuckoo clock and did a great job. Thank you for a fantastic column.

—Wendy, no town

ANSWER: Thanks for following up on that Jan. 25 Sun Spots, Wendy. Ken can help the reader looking for an antique clock appraisal. Tic-n-Time is at 734 Roosevelt Trail, next to Dunkin’ Donuts and open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ken said antique clock values are not what they used to be, but he is certainly willing to take a look. Call him at 207-892-1263.

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 will not 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 also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link