DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Androscoggin Retired Educators’ Association is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior, who lives in Androscoggin County, is going on to college, and planning to enter the field of education. 

The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit, citizenship and need. All candidates must complete and submit the following application materials: the AREA Scholarship application form; an essay on “Why I wish to be an educator and need financial assistance,”  a four-year high school transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor or school administrator. 

For more information, or to receive the application packet, contact your high school guidance office or email Jean Roy at [email protected]. The completed application packet is due by March 25. — Jean, Lewiston

ANSWER: What a fabulous opportunity for a graduating high school senior. We need more qualified, committed teachers in our schools. This is a very important job! Please let us know who receives the scholarship and we’ll publish that for you and thank you to all who take part in the Association. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Fill the Plate Breakfast to benefit the SeniorsPlus Meals on Wheels Nutrition Program will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn on Friday, May 15, from 7-9 a.m.

Details about our guest speaker, Ikaria Award honoree, and more will be released soon. Save the date to support Meals on Wheels in Androscoggin, Oxford, and Franklin counties.

For sponsorship information, please contact Kate Madore at [email protected] or 207-440-2358. — No name, Auburn

ANSWER: This event is a big one! I read on the website that last year, SeniorsPlus delivered more than 170,000 meals to 1,800 homebound older adults and adults with disabilities in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties through its Meals on Wheels program. Each meal provides one-third of the recommended daily allowance of nutrition, a safety check, and a visit to these vulnerable adults. This is such an important service and I want to thank all the organizers and volunteers who make it all happen week after week. 

If you are a senior who lives in the area, please check out all the ways SeniorsPlus can assist you, or how you can help them! Go to https://seniorsplus.org/ where you’ll find a list of services they provide, ways to volunteer and donate, and news and events. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to warn people that there are a lot of fake emails out there that say they are from Social Security, but they are not. I have received quite a few. Don’t click on any links! Go to the real Social Security website through your browser and look at your information there. — Brenda, no town

ANSWER: Thanks for this good advice! I have received these emails as well and agree that you should always just go to the official Social Security website at https://www.ssa.gov/ to check messages there. 

If you suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse against Social Security, you can submit a report online at oig.ssa.gov or contact SSA’s Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/ . This fraud hotline can also be called at 1-800-269-0271 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, (excluding federal holidays).

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].