DEAR SUN SPOTS: The George Bunten Post 10 American Legion will serve a free Christmas Day dinner at the hall on Reynolds Avenue in Livermore Falls from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is for anyone who is alone on Christmas, isn’t up to making a meal, or just wants to be with a wonderful group of people. Turkey, ham, and all the fixings including pie for dessert, will be served.

Please contact Rose Darling at 491-2831 or Debra Breton at 847-8490 if you plan to attend, or if you would like to volunteer by serving and/or providing food items. — Rose, Livermore Falls

ANSWER: How lovely! I’m sure you’ll have a great turnout.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been to Applebee’s on Center Street three times in the past week to purchase gift certificates and they are never open. I just looked it up online and under hours it just says, “closed.” Can you find out what’s going on? — No name, no town

ANSWER: You don’t say what time you’re going to Applebee’s but they are open every day at 11 a.m. Are you going over in the morning before they open, perhaps?

I spoke with one of the managers and she said the hours are correct on the website (https://restaurants.applebees.com/en-us/me/auburn/599-center-street).  They are listed as 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday and Sunday. On Friday and Saturday the restaurant is open until 1 a.m.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I got a new cellphone recently and don’t know what to do with my old one. Do I just throw it away or is there a place where they can be recycled? — Gene, no town

ANSWER: If you purchased your phone at a store such as Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T, etc., start by asking them. You can also check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s Electronics Donation and Recycling page https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling) to learn about recycling or donating your cellphone in your area.

Staples accepts used electronics for recycling. The Auburn store is at 89 Union St. Contact them first at 753-0779 to check if they are accepting electronics at this time.

Lowe’s, Home Depot, and the Lewiston Solid Waste Facility also accept cellphones.

Cell Phones for Soldiers (https://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/) and  the Coalition Against Domestic Violence (https://ncadv.org/donate-a-phone) accepts them too.

Before you turn in your phone, you’ll want to erase your information. For an iPhone, go to “Settings,” click “General,” scroll all the way down to the bottom and click “Reset,” click “Erase All Content and Settings” and click “Erase iPhone.”

For an Android phone, go into “Settings” and encrypt the data. Then do a factory reset by going to “Settings”, click “Backup and reset,” scroll all the way down and click “Factory data reset” and click “Reset device..

On some phones, press the Menu button and tap “Settings.” Scroll down and click  “Privacy,” click “Factory Data Reset.” Click “Erase Internal Storage” to erase all the data on the phone’s internal storage.

If you can’t turn the phone on, go to the website for your device, log in to the account with your password and do everything from there, or contact customer support.

I’ve mentioned this before, but some libraries have staff members who offer free tech support if you need assistance performing these actions.

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 also be emailed to [email protected].