DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am sending three questions for you to answer when you are able.

1. CBS has decided to drop Tom Selleck’s “Jesse Stone” movies. Was there a new movie in the series released this year?

2. Who would I write to at L.L. Bean in Freeport concerning a product they no longer carry? I wrote in mid-November but have received no answer. My return address was on the envelope so someone got it.

3. Recently P.V.H. sold the G.H. Bass division. As a former employee of the Bass division I carried a discount card to shop at the Bass stores. With the sale I can no longer have this option. Would it be possible to find out who purchased the Bass division and if they intend to offer any type of discount to former employees?

Thank you, for your assistance. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots found the following information about the Jesse Stone movies on Wikipedia:

“Although ‘Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt’ attracted nearly 13 million viewers when CBS aired it on May 20, 2012, producer Michael Brandman told Variety a few days later that he and Tom Selleck had been notified that CBS wouldn’t be ordering any more episodes, because the films mainly attracted older viewers and because CBS is moving away from movies and specials in favor of shorter duration TV series.

“Tom Selleck added that the movies are expensive to produce, and he had his own money invested in the last few. Selleck did state, however, that he is not finished with the Stone character, and when interviewed by NBCs ‘Popcornbiz’ in August 2012, he added: ‘Well, right now CBS hasn’t ordered another one. That’s nothing new. They always seem to order them one at a time even though we kind of hit home runs, which is frustrating. So I’m not sure whether this is the last “Jesse” or not. I don’t think it will be, because there are so many other markets, cable and everything, that I think would want the series.'”

As for your letter to L.L. Bean, Sun Spots is not surprised that you got no answer. Letter writing used to always be the best way to get help with a customer service issue, but in Sun Spots’ experience that is no longer the case.

She thinks there are two reasons: One is because of dangerous items being sent through the mail (think anthrax).

The second is cost. Having employees write letters is much more time consuming than answering an email (although many readers who struggle with computers might dispute that!). Also, once a letter is written, there is postage to pay, which is saved with email.

So Sun Spots went with email, which was answered by Michael in L.L. Bean’s Internet research department. He wrote: “They can call us at 800-441-5713 and we will be happy to help them. They can also contact us by email or chat on llbean.com.”

Sun Spots wishes you had listed the item because it might be available somewhere else. If L.L. Bean can’t help you, you might try googling it.

Your last question was the most difficult to answer. Sun Spots discovered that G.H. Bass was sold to G-III Apparel Group Ltd. in New York City. At G-III’s website, she discovered they own a whole slew of apparel companies. Each has a person in charge.

For Bass, it is Laurie Heller. It took Laurie a few days to find an answer, which is that:

“We researched this and were found all retirees were issued new cards last year that were good for two years through December 2015. They received a letter that their Bass discount would only be good through Dec. 31, 2013, due to the sale of G.H. Bass & Co. to G-III.”

So Sun Spots is sorry to say that you are out of luck with that discount.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am teaching a course at Bates College on the history and literature of agriculture in the U.S. I would love to find some local residents who might share their experience and memories of farming in Central Maine with my students (we could come to you or perhaps you could come to my class at Bates).

You can contact me at 786-6289 or jcostlow@bates.edu, or by regular mail c/o Environmental Studies, Hedge Hall, Bates College, Lewiston, ME 04240. — Jane Costlow

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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