DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for someone or a company that can remove furniture items from my mother’s basement in the Auburn area. The Salvation Army will not accept certain items. And Goodwill no longer picks up. Thank you for your help. — Bonnie, Auburn.
ANSWER: Various local cleaners, including ServiceMaster which has offices in Auburn and Falmouth, that was recently featured on A&E’s “Hoarders” as the show brought in professionals to help clean out a home in Lisbon, who might be able to assist you with your project. You can reach them by calling (207) 613-8054. Alternatively, maybe there’s a reader out there who can make a referral.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Sun Spots to the rescue once more. Aug. 23 was an awesome day. My collection for Haiti was picked up by Theresa and Jim Locke, and what made it very special was the Mexico Explorers who I called to ask for their help to pack Jim’s car with 45 or more boxes. Roy Hodgson (chief of police), Caroline Casey (police officer), Sean Gould, Sam Paradis, Mitch Dunbar and Tim Fitzgerald all showed up on time, neatly groomed and wearing their nice, dark-blue explorer shirts.
Roy took charge and got things organized. Jim’s car was well-packed in less than 10 minutes. How great is that? Sure wish I could have called them years ago when Jim and I were struggling to pack his vehicle with close to 100 boxes, but those days are gone. Mr. and Mrs. Seabeck are no longer able to do this kind of work. Now I can only send them monetary donations, which I can send them almost every month. But tht’s OK, because it still helps Haiti. I guess tht’s my mission in life, and I enjoy it very much.
Looking forward to next year’s drive. Thank you, everyone, for all of your help, and a special thank you to Roy, Caroline and the Explorers. God Bless. — Orella, Mexico.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Plans are being made for the 25th Anniversary Celebration of St. Martin de Porres Residence, a temporary shelter for homeless men and women. Its existence in the community has helped hundreds of people in the area get their lives back in order, with the help of dedicated volunteers and knowledgeable counselors through these many years.
Opening date for the celebrations will be Sunday, Sept. 18, with Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Robert Deeley, bishop of the Portland Diocese, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston.
At 2 p.m., the afternoon of Sept. 18, a benefit concert will be held at the Franco Center in Lewiston. The very gifted and well-known Mitch Thomas and the Just Us Entertainers will generously share their musical talents to benefit the St. Martin de Porres Residence. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at St. Martin de Porres Residence (786-4690), the Prince of Peace parish office, (777-1200), or at the Franco Center. — Sister Mary Belanger, Lewiston.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have tons of vinyl records and VHS tapes. Is there anyone in the Lewiston-Auburn area who might like them? Call (207) 344-3061. — Linda, No Town.
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
