DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is a feel-good story: Last Friday morning, I was at Hannaford in Auburn standing at a checkout line. A woman approached me and said, “If you come over to lane 5, I will take care of you.” She was wearing a coat so I knew she was not a cashier, but I went over to where she was.

She told me to go in front of her and put my groceries on the belt, saying she was going to pay for them. I asked her why and she answered, “Because I do this once in a while.”

She then smiled and asked: “Don’t you need cookies? Do you like chocolate Oreos or blond ones?”

She put a family-size package of them with my groceries.

I told her my name and she said her name was Nancy.

With so much bad news all around us, I wanted to share a story that shows us there are still kind people in the world.

I hope to be able to pay it forward. If Nancy, the person I met  that morning, should read this, I want her to know she will not be forgotten. — Linda, no town

ANSWER: I love these stories and, yes, I have heard of these grocery godmothers and godfathers who treat other customers to a nice surprise. I keep telling you all, angels are everywhere. Read on:

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to thank the lady in line ahead of me who paid for her groceries at Hannaford then handed me a Hannaford gift card which paid for my groceries! That was so kind of her. I hope someone will do the same for her. — Ethel, Norway

ANSWER: What a great way to do this — buy a gift card then hand it to the next customer in line. I am stealing this idea and my hope is that others in Sun Spots Land will do the same!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Mission Congregational Church of West Paris, UCC, very much appreciates the help of a student at Telstar Regional High School. Hunter Winslow has kept our walkway clear of snow and made safe with sand all winter. We are a small congregation and not as young as we used to be. This help has been invaluable to us. We also want to thank Hunter’s dad for providing transportation and “technical support.”

The school requires a minimum of 40 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. If students document over 40 hours, they earn more points toward bigger scholarships at graduation.

Hunter has recently started a group to encourage more students to participate in community service by volunteering at a nearby nursing home. He’s a great young man! We consider this program to be a big help to us, and we are especially  grateful to Hunter. — Rodney, Mission Congregational Church, West Paris

ANSWER: I am very proud of Hunter, although I only know him through this story, which really touched my heart. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to observe other teens involved in community service, and it can be a life-changing experience. I’m so pleased that area high schools have this requirement. Thank you, Rodney, for this public appreciation of your volunteer.

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