DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club will hold a “shredding fundraiser” Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the John F. Murphy Homes Office at 800 Center St. in Auburn. 

This will be a great opportunity for folks and businesses to safely dispose of financial papers or confidential documents that shouldn’t be discarded in the regular trash. All documents will be securely shredded immediately onsite. 

Anyone who has 10 boxes or more can request that Rotary volunteers pick them up that morning. The suggested donation is $10 per box or tote. All proceeds support Rotary community charities! Contact the Rotary at [email protected]. — Roger, no town

ANSWER: These shredding events are so needed and I only wish they happened more often. I’ll remind folks again when the event gets closer. Mark your calendars and start going through your old files. I’m sure there will be a big turnout! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for reliable, experienced recommendations in the Lewiston-Auburn area for removing my gas fireplace insert and capping the gas line. I’ve only used the fireplace once in 22 years, and I feel it would be safer to have the insert removed and have the gas line disconnected. As always, thank you for all your help. — No name, no town

ANSWER: A licensed professional  is required to safely cap the gas line to prevent leaks, and you may also need a permit from the city to decommission this appliance. Try Lewiston Fire & Chimney Services (https://www.chimneyfireplacelewiston.com/,718-1954) and Hearth Doctor (https://hearthdoctor.com/, 241-2435. They should be able to assist you with this project. 

Readers, if you have anyone to recommend, please do! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The folks at Applewald Farm at 525 Huntington Road in Litchfield are collecting formal wear, jewelry and new makeup for the Rainbow Ball weekend for LGBTQIA youth in Maine, organized by OutMaine every spring. 

This is a meaningful weekend event that includes amazing classes, important connections, and a big dance. If you have anything that you would like to donate, please send me a message for drop-off directions. I’ve had the privilege to organize this free boutique for many years, and it’s my favorite part of the year. We especially need larger size dresses and dress shoes. 

All extras will be offered locally after the event, but unfortunately, that won’t be until mid-May. If you know someone in need of formal wear before then, please message me and we will do our best to help. — Cindy, Litchfield

ANSWER: I really like to support this spring event and have been a loyal customer of Applewald Farm for as long as I can remember. If you can, show both Applewald Farm and the youth participating in the weekend event some love by donating items that they can wear to prom. Surely, you have a spare sparkly item or two in your jewelry box or closet! 

To contact Cindy, go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064403571012 and send her a private message. If you’re not on Facebook, send me an email and I’ll get the message to her. 

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].