DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the individual trying to return cable boxes to their satellite company: when we switched to Time Warner Cable from DISH Network, they mailed three large prepaid packing boxes to us in order to return our three boxes. UPS picked them up right at our house. Maybe that would work for you […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: People should not waste pumpkins. They are a food source that can be made into soup, muffins, cup cakes, bread, cookies, pies or eaten as a vegetable. Roasted seeds of the pumpkin is a snack food. Waste not, want not. — Gabrielle, Lewiston. ANSWER: It’s true. If you chose not to carve […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have a very old mechanical mantle clock that needs cleaning and oiling. Does Sun Spots know anyone who works on these clocks between Jay and Auburn or elsewhere? — No name, Jay. ANSWER: For clock repairers in the area, Sun Spots has: • Leroy Blauvelt, Porter Road, Dixfield, 207-562-8955; • Rohman […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone to teach my son how to play the piano. Is there anyone local to the Lewiston/Auburn area?— Carrie Larochelle, no town. ANSWER: Here are a few options for piano lessons in the area: Martha Feeley offers private piano lessons for students as young as 3 years old. […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your response to how to pronounce Coos Canyon. Along that same line, what is the correct pronunciation of Range Pond? Growing up in the area, everyone pronounces it as if it were “Rang” pond. Any thoughts? — No name, no town. ANSWER: Sun Spots reached out to the Poland Historical […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are encouraged to eat healthy and buy locally. I saw in the flyer in the paper today that Honeycrisp apples are $2.69 a pound, that is on average two apples. Are the farmers really concerned with us or our money? — Paul, no town. ANSWER: Honeycrisp apples may be especially pricey […]

ANSWER: While somewhat annoying that a customer-service based business with advertised hours would be closed, it is ultimately at the discretion of the business owner. Certainly no one would purposely pass over profit, so there is likely another reason. Is this establishment a place that prepares its food and beverages from scratch on site, or […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Brrr, it sure is getting chilly out there. The blanket program at Central Maine Medical Center is low on inventory, so I am reaching out to our generous community for donations of blankets for patients who are in the hospital and away from loved ones. When patients appear to be in need of […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I like to take my groceries home in paper bags and so have quite a number of them to give to organizations who could use them. Please call 207-783-2324. List your name, phone number or email and I will get in touch with you. — Claire, Lewiston. ANSWER: The crafting possibilities are […]