DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is a reminder that Boy Scout Troop 121 will pick up Christmas trees in Lewiston and Auburn on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10 and 11. 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. For safety reasons the trees should not be placed curbside until the morning of Jan. 10. 

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 Thursday, Jan. 8, 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, call 783-0790. — Don, no town

ANSWER: Please support these young men and this great tradition! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Please clean the snow and ice off your vehicles before taking them on the road. Passed in 2023, there is a state law that requires you to remove snow and ice from your vehicles so it doesn’t fly off and hit another vehicle which could result in an accident. 

Once again, I witnessed a hunk of ice flying off the top of a vehicle and hitting another one. Here is the law, but by this time, everyone should know this and comply when traveling Maine’s winter roads. 

Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC §2093. Snow and ice; duty of care — the operator of a vehicle with a registered weight under 10,000 pounds shall take reasonable measures to prevent snow or ice on the vehicle from falling off the vehicle while it is being operated on a public way. A violation of this section that causes damage or injury is a traffic infraction subject to a fine of not more than $50 for a first offense and for which a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $250 may be adjudged for each subsequent offense.

ANSWER: Please be considerate of others, clean off your vehicle, and slow down. Drivers, also give one another plenty of room! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In just a few days, I have received four emails from entities pretending to be Social Security. Is there anything that can be done to stop this? — No name, no town

ANSWER: I have received these emails recently as well. When you get an email with a link attached, don’t click on it unless you are positive that it’s safe. Instead go directly to the website through your browser to see if you have any messages waiting there. 

To report Social Security phishing emails, forward them (as an attachment if possible) to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at oig.ssa.gov/report, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) at [email protected], while never responding or clicking links in the email. Reporting helps authorities track and stop these scams. 

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 [email protected].