DEAR SUN SPOTS: We will have a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston at 10 a.m. Friday. The eight-piece All Volunteer Brass Band will play as well as a bagpiper. The keynote speaker is Capt. Jack Flowers of Auburn, who wrote about his experiences in Vietnam as a tunnel rat in the Army’s 1st Infantry Division. The mayors of Lewiston and Auburn, color guards from all area veterans’ posts and the Junior Air Force ROTC from Lewiston High School will be on hand.

The 34th memorial stone with the Space Force logo and veteran Burt Dutil’s bench will be unveiled. Please bring your own chair.

Museum L-A will be open and free to veterans and their families. — Jerry, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We need a marching bass drum with the carrier for American Legion Post No. 22 in Lewiston. Please call me at 576-0376 if you have one we can use. — Jerry, Lewiston

ANSWER: Perhaps you can borrow a drum from a local community or school band?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a 5-foot pop-up Christmas tree to donate to a nonprofit. Please call 344-5935 and leave a message. — Dee, Lewiston

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ANSWER: Excellent. It will be fun to hear where your Christmas tree lands.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m transporting my very large (21 pounds) cat a short distance to the vet, 20 minutes away. Money is tight and he has outgrown his old cat carrier. I don’t know where I could borrow one as I am new here. Can readers please offer ideas on how to get him safely from the house to the car then to the vet and back again? — No name, no town

ANSWER: You don’t want your kitty to be loose in the car. Even if he’s usually well-behaved, being in the vehicle could freak him out and cause him to seek comfort from you, distracting you while you’re driving. The worst-case scenario could be an accident. Or you could get a ticket if you’re stopped for distracted driving.

I don’t know if the vet would have a carrier to borrow or if you’ve contacted a rental center. Let’s assume you’ve tried both those things.

If you have a sturdy gym/duffel mesh bag, that could work to carry your kitty. Place a favorite toy or blanket in there with him and cozy him up. He might even like it. I would not advise this for long-distance travel, but for a quick trip to the vet, it could work. Figuring out a safe way to place a seat belt around your precious package would be best.

Another idea is to use a kitty harness that can be clipped to the door handle in the back seat. If your cat isn’t used to one of these contraptions, it could be problematic but if you have time for him to get used to it, it’s an option and isn’t as expensive as a pet carrier.

A very sturdy cardboard box could also work. My guess is that if your cat is fairly calm, he won’t try to chew or claw his way out of the box.

Most cats find it less stressful to be in some kind of cozy, confined space rather than loose in your car, and the vet’s staff may require that Kitty is contained. Readers, please chime in.

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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