DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive at the parish hall of Holy Trinity Church on Frost Hill Avenue in Lisbon Falls on Monday, Aug. 17, from 1-6 p.m. 

Blood is in a critical shortage right now and many donors are needed. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-733-2767 or go to www.redcross.org. — Raymond, no town

ANSWER: Please sign up if possible. It’s one of the best things you can do to help others and you may very well be saving someone’s life, or perhaps even more than one person’s.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Lewiston Farmers’ Market is still accepting signups for the Maine Senior FarmShare program. Seniors 60 and older who meet the income eligibility guidelines can sign up at markets and receive $50 in coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, and other foods right then and there! 

Signing up only takes a few minutes and market staff are on site to help. Once enrolled, customers can spend their vouchers with a range of vendors including Jillson’s and Verrill’s farms. 

The Lewiston Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 75 Lincoln St. in Lewiston. For more information on Senior FarmShare eligibility, community members can stop by the Lewiston Farmers’ Market, visit www.lewistonfarmersmarket.com/maine-senior-farmshare, or call Gather to Grow at 513-3848.— Sherie, no town

ANSWER: I urge you to participate in this program if you’re eligible. The folks at the farmers’ markets often have a designated booth/table where you can find them and signing up only takes a few minutes . Then you can get yourself some good healthy food right on the spot. 

DEAR SUN SPOTTERS: As you can see, I’m back in the saddle again after spending time with family. Since one of my readers asked me what I’ve been up to, I was in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and near Lake Ontario. Despite the bad air quality from the Canadian fires, the heat, and dealing with a family member’s serious health issues, the two of us went to a few air-conditioned museums. One was the George Eastman Museum (www.eastman.org) in Rochester,  the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives.  

We also spent an afternoon in Seneca Falls at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park (www.nps.gov/wori/index.htm) and the “It’s a Wonderful Life” Museum (www.wonderfullifemuseum.com). Both have been on my bucket list for years. 

One evening I slipped away to Cortland with a cousin to see the musical, “Daddy Long Legs” at the Repertory Theater on Little York Lake (cortlandrep.org) where we enjoyed an incredible two-person production. 

On the one cool, smoke-free day we had, I took my dear one on a drive to Canandaigua Lake where we had a lovely picnic on the shore, then followed Route 21 around Naples, stopping to pick up the local delicacy, concord grape pie. It was more delicious than I ever could have imagined! 

I know it’s difficult to imagine leaving Maine in the summer but I feel better after bolstering my loved one’s spirits. Now it’s back to my daily routine, so keep your letters coming — I’ve missed you! 

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].