DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks for all of your research and fact finding. So many of us treasure your column. I was wondering, why is it that restaurants, bars, etc., can only offer either Pepsi products or Coca Cola products? They certainly do not offer only one type of beer or wine, so why soda? I am sure that each eating establishment offering alcohol must have multiple contracts with the different beer companies. With all the varieties of beer, including the local breweries, it just doesn’t seem fair for the people who do not want an alcoholic drink to have to settle for either Coke or Pepsi. I cannot be the only one that is curious. — No name, no town.

ANSWER: Restaurants and bars get their beverages through distributors and bottling companies, often with a contract associated. Beer, liquor and other non-alcoholic beverages are offered through a distributor while Pepsi and Coca Cola products are offered through their own local bottling companies. If you notice that a certain restaurant only offers Pepsi or Coca Cola then that local bottling plant is probably the one furnishing all of the equipment associated, like the soda fountain itself. Obviously they would not want a competitor’s product being served in their dispenser and probably have contract terms that make this clear. Some larger restaurants that own and maintain their own soda fountains are free to buy and serve whichever beverages they want, but may be offered certain incentives to only serve one or the other.

As far as a restaurant having multiple contracts with beer companies, it is actually most often the distributor with the contacts and dealings with breweries and other beverage companies. The distributor has a selection of beverages from multiple brands that they carry and the restaurant owner decides what to purchase and offer in their establishment.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Several weeks ago a lady wrote to you asking if anyone had used unwanted greeting cards and that she would like to have them for her project. I neglected to keep the information and would appreciate if you could share an address or telephone number. Thank you for your help. — Bob, Auburn.

ANSWER: This answer was published in Sun Spots in July 2016: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children does still accept used greeting cards for its Recycled Card Program. You can mail your used cards to 100 St. Jude’s Street, Boulder City, NV 89005. They accept all kinds of occasion cards, but are unable to take Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards at this time.

As for a more local organization that might accept such a donation, maybe a reader will let us know if one exists. You might consider checking with your local day cares, schools, recreation departments, summer camps and churches to see if any of them would use such a donation for craft projects. Another possibility is a scrapbooking club or organization.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I love your column, read it every day. I have a question that I hope you can get some information on for me. I had used the New to You Consignments store in Auburn. Over the last couple of years I had brought a lot of stuff there to sell. I stopped by a couple weeks ago and it was emptied out and locked up tight. Do you know if maybe Bonnie, the owner moved or did she close up shop? — No name, no town.

ANSWER: According to their Facebook page and other posts from community members, the New to You Consignments store is closed permanently. If anyone has any information that they would like to share about this store, please write in to Sun Spots.

A similar consignment store that offers a lot of children’s items is The Once More Store in Lewiston. They can be reached by calling (207) 333-9878 or stop in, it is at 1480 Lisbon St. in Lewiston.