DEAR SUN SPOTS: The 26th Compassionate Friends annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony will take place starting at 6:45 p.m. with the actual candle lighting at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec.11, at East Auburn Baptist Church on Park St. in Auburn.
This is a night to treasure the memories of our children, grandchildren and siblings who left us too soon and bring them into the holiday season.
For more information, please reach out to chapter leader of the Lewiston-Auburn Compassionate Friends, Lena Hann via Instant Messenger or by calling 713-7774. — Kelly, no town
ANSWER: This is a reminder that the event takes place this weekend. If you or someone you know has experienced the death of a child, the ceremony may offer you comfort. For more information and resources, go here: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/
DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the past many months, we haven’t been getting our mail regularly. In the past month or so, we’re lucky if we get our mail once every seven or eight days. We get the USPS Daily Digest showing what we’ll be getting, but nothing arrives most days. I have checked with the Ash Street post office and they say they’re shorthanded and have nine routes without carriers. I suggested that they alternate carriers’ routes so that everyone gets mail at least every other day, but they said they can’t do that.
I have contacted Sen. (Angus) King’s office and was advised that they are aware of the problem, but there is nothing they can do. I have a neighbor who was late paying her credit card bill because she didn’t get her mail and she isn’t online. This is so frustrating and I wondered if you had any suggestions. Thanks! — Pauline, Lewiston
ANSWER: I hear you and feel your pain. Millions of postal customers have been experiencing this inconvenience for a while. I see my mail lady about two-three times a week and am grateful she’s still on the job.
You can file a complaint by calling USPS at 1-800-275-8777 and leaving a message.
You can call Consumer Affairs, United States Postal Service, 151 Forest Ave. Ste. 7022, Portland, ME 04101-7022. The phone number is 1-800-ASK-USPS.
You could also contact U.S. Rep. Jared Golden’s office at 179 Lisbon St. in Lewiston (241-6767). It’s important to bring awareness of the situation forward. These steps may or may not help.
I know it may not be feasible, but if your mail is just waiting at the post office, are you able to go pick it up? Not an ideal solution, I know, but perhaps you and your neighbor could take turns going.
Regarding your neighbor’s bill-paying dilemma, she can use the toll-free customer service number on any past credit card bill to call, get her balance, and still make the payment by check. She should just be sure to write her account number on the check. If she wants to, she could also make a payment over the phone.
Keep in mind that we’ve all had to adjust to many changes in the past couple years and there is surely more to come. So many corporations, organizations and individuals are struggling with the “new normal.” Readers, as always, if you have any helpful information on this subject, please join the conversation.
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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