DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Farmington Historical Society will celebrate the blooming of the giant Tulip Poplar with an Afternoon Tea in front of the historic Octagon House, 126 High St. in Farmington, on Sunday, June 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.

This traditional tea will feature sweet and savory goodies, live music with the Maine Harp Circle, door prizes and a chance to see the unusual house and hear about recent and future improvements.

The cost is $20 per person at the door, or call 778-2932 to reserve tickets. — Marion, Farmington

ANSWER: Doesn’t this sound lovely? We need more events like this in our lives. Let’s dress up in our Sunday best or even slip on a vintage dress and hat and go to Farmington on the first!

The Octagon House, also known as the Hiram Ramsdell House, was built in 1858 and is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only 19 octagon houses in Maine.

The W.G. Mallett family occupied the house from 1912-2012 then it was purchased along with its contents by the historical society in 2013. Renovation is ongoing and community involvement and fundraising continues.

If you’re interested in renting the Octagon House for your event, go to https://farmingtonhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/rentals/.

The Farmington Historical Society, Octagon House and Titcomb House Museum are always seeking volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to aid in the ongoing preservation of local history and help provide educational programming to the public.

You don’t need to be a history expert or have any prior experience. Volunteer work can involve maintenance projects, assisting with research, or greeting museumgoers. The staff is also happy to work with you to fulfill your community service or internship requirements. Go to https://farmingtonhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com/volunteer/ for the volunteer form.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’d like to alert readers to yet another scam, experienced by someone I know.

While selling an item on Facebook Marketplace, an offer was made for the amount asked. The amount was to be paid by cashier’s check, plus extra for the seller to pay someone to pick up the product for the buyer, who was “out of town for a family emergency.” The check was sent priority mail, with a tracking number. Tracking began in North Carolina, but the return address on the envelope, when it arrived, was in California.

The “cashier’s check” was on lightweight paper; the word “replaces” was used instead of “replaced”; the “check” was not cut perfectly along the bottom edge; and the amount was $1,500 over the asking price, a common scam.

Calling the bank that allegedly issued the cashier’s check, using a phone number found online, determined that it was a phony check. Had it been cashed and the extra cash handed over to the person picking up the product, the scammer would have the cash and the product while the fake check would eventually have been charged back to the seller.

Even if it is a “cashier’s” or “bank” check, always call the issuing bank directly (do not use any phone number printed on the check). — No name, no town

ANSWER: Something similar happened to a friend of mine. Only he was able to deposit the “cashier’s” check (over $3,000) only to be called about a week later by his bank and told the check wasn’t real. Be so very careful, my friends.

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