DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Gray-New Gloucester High School Class of 1971 is planning a 50th reunion in New Gloucester on Saturday, Sept. 11. We’re looking for contact information for several classmates. If you have not received information on the reunion, please contact Mike or Lucinda Brakey at 998-2911 or cbrakey@hotmail.com. — Lucinda, New Gloucester

ANSWER: I’m happy to see that people are feeling optimistic about planning a gathering. I hope it works out so that high school classmates everywhere can keep the tradition of reuniting later this year.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just finished reading Monday’s Sun Journal and was happy to see that the new comic strip Curtis had replaced Mark Trail. Ever since the new Mark Trail appeared, I skipped it because I didn’t care for the new look and preferred the original. Thanks to all who had a hand in replacing that travesty with Curtis. — No name, Jay

ANSWER: Ms. Sun Spots got a lot of mail from readers voicing their disgruntlement about the new Mark Trail, so you’re not alone in your opinion.

By the way, thank-you letters and notes of appreciation are always welcome here in Sun Spots Land. Please send them directly to the email address or email address below (not to “Letters to the Editor”). We cannot take phone calls for Sun Spots.

However, there are a few parameters and suggestions when writing a thank-you to be published. For example, notes have been received recently praising the good job staff members are doing at area vaccination clinics and sites. It’s wonderful to know that vaccinations and those administering them, as well as everyone behind the scenes, are providing relief and promise of better days ahead. We’re finally experiencing hope and seeing light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.

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To the thousands of health care providers all over the state of Maine who are working to make this happen, we salute you.

Moving forward, the Sun Journal continues to want to hear about good people doing good things. Sun Spots is the place to have your thank-you notes for unexpected good deeds and acts of kindness published, especially if you didn’t have the opportunity to thank your Good Samaritan in person. Examples are: your restaurant check is paid anonymously; a kind person stops to offer assistance in changing your vehicle’s flat tire; or you wake up on a snowy morning to find that your driveway has been “magically” cleared.

If you wish to acknowledge employees and volunteers of organizations and businesses (such as the vaccination clinics) who you feel are going above and beyond, Ms. Sun Spots suggests that the very best thing you can do is write directly to the organization to let them know how pleased you are.

This positive action takes only a few minutes of your time and could make a difference in a hardworking individual’s work life. A note of praise for a job especially well done is always appreciated. These letters are often seen by the boss, saved in an employee’s file, and can lead to special recognition, an award, or even a raise or promotion.

I hope this helps clarify what thank-yous are appropriate to send to Sun Spots!

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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