DEAR SUN SPOTS: The United New Auburn Association will hold its annual yard sale Saturday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lots of Rolly’s Diner and the New Auburn Social Club. Table rentals are available for $5 each, and can be reserved by calling Ken Blais at 753-0171.
If the idea of sorting and selling is too daunting, UNAA will accept donations of good, usable items that we will incorporate into our own tables. The proceeds will help with our ongoing fundraising for community events and the Marshall’s Popcorn Truck. During the yard sale, COLAC (Citizens Opposed to Lewiston-Auburn Consolidation) will hold a fundraising bottle drive. Returnables will be accepted on site the day of the yard sale or arrangements for pickup can be made by contacting Leroy Walker at 207-577-2694. Do a bit of summer cleaning and reserve your space today! Your New Auburn neighbors look forward to wheeling, dealing and bargaining! Thank you for all of the great community organizations and events you help promote.
— Kathy, No town
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Over the years you have been very helpful. Thank you. At present we are having a problem with ticks. I have spoken with five people on this problem and have gotten five different remarks. Can you help me to know what is the best way to handle this problem? Thank you.
— John, Rumford
ANSWER: I feel your pain. You aren’t the first person who has written to Sun Spots about these varmints that are messing with our summer. It makes everyone want to encase themselves in Plexiglas bubbles.
I’ve heard it helps to have a flock of chickens in the yard as they love eating ticks and you’ll have the benefit of fresh eggs! At a minimum, you should check yourself and your pets thoroughly after being outdoors. It’s best to shower as soon as possible after you’ve been walking in the woods or working in the yard. Speaking of yards, you’ll want to remove all debris such as leaves and brush piles from around your home. Mow the lawn frequently. Stack wood neatly in a dry area. Avoid walking through tall grass. Use a product containing 20 percent or more of DEET or picaridin on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours. These tips, among many others, can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. (www.cdc.gov). There’s a comprehensive Tick Management Handbook that can be printed.
Last month a reader recommended a product called Cedarcide. It’s available on Amazon.com, and at Walmart and Target. This natural product is safe for kids and pets and kills insects in all stages of the life cycle. You can’t sweat it off and it doesn’t stain your clothes. Cedarcide comes ready to use as a granular or in a spray bottle and is relatively inexpensive. A 4-ounce spray bottle costs about $7.50. Readers, share your tick tips!
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 pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
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