DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a gift certificate for the Covered Wagon on Main Street in Mexico, but the person who owned it passed away. Is there a way I can still redeem my certificate? If anyone knows what I can do, please call me at 207-364-8339. —No name, Rumford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have a gift certificate for Kathy’s Diner in Mechanic Falls, but it seems to have closed. Do you have any idea how we can redeem it? —No name, no town

ANSWER: Whenever a business closes and you are left with a gift certificate in hand, or you have another issue, you can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Mediation Service. This is a free service to Maine consumers. Martha Currier, the complaint examiner oversees the Consumer Mediation Program. She can help you file a consumer complaint and answer questions. You can write to her and her staff at: Attorney General’s Consumer Information and Mediation Service, 6 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.

You can also email consumer.mediation@maine.gov. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. You can call the Consumer Information and Mediation Service from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, at 207- 626-8849 or toll-free at 1-800-436-2131. More information can be found at http://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/index.shtml.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does anyone know if the Needlecraft Shop is still in business? —No name, no town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking to start a small, basic goldfish/guppy aquarium. I see that Walmart has all the equipment I need, but does not sell the actual fish. Is there anywhere in the Farmington area that sells pet fish? I do not drive, and don’t get to Augusta/Lewiston/Waterville very often. —No name, Farmington

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do any readers know what has happened to Kelly Danico, the psychic in Norway? I have tried several times to call her and only get a recording. I would appreciate any information you can give me. —No name, no town

ANSWER: For the above questions, I’m asking for assistance from Sun Spots readers. If you can help, please write in!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you publish the reasons for the different-colored twist ties on loaves of bread? Thank you. —Rudy, no town

ANSWER: Sun Spots gets asked a lot of interesting questions and this is one of them. As I do the research to provide all our readers with answers, I am always learning something!

The reason behind color-coded twist ties is to make it easier for grocery store employees to remove stale loaves from the shelves and replace them with fresh ones. If you need an easy way to remember the schedule, the colors go in alphabetical order, making it one less thing to not have to think about when you’re choosing your bread. Monday is blue, Tuesday is green, Thursday is red, Friday is white and Saturday is yellow. At most bread companies, Wednesday and Sunday are the bakers’ days off. Not all bread companies do this; some use twist ties that are all one color regardless of date of baking. Don’t worry though, just look for the sell-by date on the wrapper.

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 also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

 

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