DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the 14th year, Boy Scout Troop 121 will 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 trees Saturday, Jan.10, and Sunday, Jan. 11. 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 request a pickup, 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: I’ve been waiting to get your announcement about this annual event. I’m so glad Troop 121 is still alive and well and providing this service for L-A. Stay safe and warm out there and thank you! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the Dec. 30 Sun Spots, please provide your readers with our recommendation for Brickies Masonry Company of Lewiston at 754-1341. They provide free estimates and have done some beautiful local stone and brickwork. Thank you for adding them to your Rolodex for your readers. — Rachel, Lewiston

ANSWER: Thank you for this recommendation. I’ve noticed that the requests for chimney repair have been more frequent lately. Readers, please continue to send in those recommendations. You are helping other Sun Spotters! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: At Gather to Grow, volunteers are critical to the work we do each day, from moving food into the hands of our community to getting our gardens ready for the season. 

Regular volunteers with Gather to Grow share that they experience fulfillment and a sense of belonging and purpose. Volunteers give to and receive from their community. If you think you’d like to volunteer with us, take a moment to discover our opportunities and fill out our volunteer application. (https://gathertogrowmaine.org/get-involved/volunteer/ .) Once we hear from you someone from our team will be in touch. If you are interested in bringing in a volunteer group, please contact us directly to coordinate. — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: If you’re interested in volunteering with Gather to Grow, the community garden team relies on volunteers to prepare and put to rest 12 garden beds and nearly 200 garden plots every spring and fall. 

The food pantry team distributes an average of 12,000 pounds of food each week to nearly 500 households. Volunteers unload, sort, and shelve food and support food distribution and restocking during open hours. 

Once a month neighbors are brought together to share a meal and get to know one another. Volunteers help with food prep, setup and breakdown.

There is always something to do around the facility from cleaning, to organizing, to fixing up and building.

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].