DEAR SUN SPOTS: Boy Scout Troop 121 will again pick up Christmas trees in Lewiston and Auburn. While the cities provide locations for free tree disposal, they no longer collect the trees at curbside.

For a minimum donation of $5, the Scouts will pick up Christmas trees on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 6 and 7. For safety reasons the trees should not be placed curbside until the morning of Jan. 6.

Money raised by the program goes directly to troop scouting activities. Troop 121 was created to help give youth with special physical, mental and emotional challenges the opportunity for success in a safe scouting environment that builds character, encourages citizenship, teaches life skills and develops personal fitness.

To make a pickup request, send a donation by Jan. 4 to Troop 121, United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave., Auburn, ME 04210. The troop, in turn, will send a tag to place on the tree when it is put curbside. For more information, contact me at 783-0790. — Donald, no town

ANSWER: If you’d like to benefit the Scouts, send your check out right away so you’ll have your tag. It’s a win-win situation and I appreciate that the Scouts provide this service year after year.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We enjoy having our daughter home a few extra days around the holidays because she can work remotely. But when she flew in from New York City last Tuesday for her annual visit, our neighborhood had no power or internet.

In searching for a place with public Wi-Fi, we discovered that folks at the new cafe and general store in town, Poland Provisions, were welcoming people with their cellphones and laptops to use their internet connection.

The gorgeous second floor with its exposed post and beam construction accommodated lots of grateful people. And their coffee and lunch offerings made it an ideal place to settle in for a day’s work. Thank you, owners Charles and Sheila Foley, and your friendly staff. — Cilla, Poland

ANSWER: I’m so glad your daughter arrived safely and was able to enjoy her stay. The town of Poland is very fortunate to have this business in the community, for sure!

The café/markets (https://www.polandprovisions.com/) is in the town center at 1220 Maine St.

Places where people are invested in their community and desire to bring together local artisans, makers, bakers and customers is a place I want to support. And it sounds like Poland Provisions really came through for everyone in the area who needed a place to go, not for just technology connections, but for sustenance and human connection as well.

Sun Spotters, would you like to help compile a list of the cafes, markets, and cozy spots you turn to where the owners and staff make you feel welcome and you can count on them as a place to turn to doing these situations? I’ll add them to the Rolodex so next time we’re in the weather situation we were in — and we surely will be — I can quickly publish the list.

Let me know your favorites and we’ll make it happen.

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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