Also, I wear a size 3.5 to 4 shoe and most stores only carry size 6 and up. I end up shopping in the children’s department, and the shoes I do purchase are not wide enough until I can stretch them. So, I go through a few months of squished toes. Thank you. — Debra, Auburn.

ANSWER: Many of the larger department stores, i.e. J.C. Penney Co., Sears, Macy’s, etc., offer a selection of bathing suits that are two-piece and flattering for women who want to cover their midriff. Make sure you are shopping in the women’s section, not the juniors section, as junior-sized suits tend to be styled — well, let’s just say a tad less modest. Sports swim suits and long tankinis will offer you more coverage, while giving you the two-piece that you want. Check with sporting goods stores like LL Bean, Dick’s Sporting Goods or Cabella’s.

As far as shoes go, U.S. women’s shoe sizes begin at size 4, but many women’s shoes only go as low as size 5, hence the difficulty you are having finding the perfect fit for your petite feet. Converting to a youth shoe is two full sizes smaller, so you at a size 4 would need a child’s size 2. Unfortunately, you’ll likely always have difficulty finding shoes in average shoe stores.

You do have a couple of options. There are places like Rancourt & Co. Shoecrafters, located right on Bridge Street in Lewiston that take custom-size orders for their line of shoes. Less expensive is taking those child-sized shoes over to a cobbler, like Beyond Shoe Repair on Center Street in Auburn. A good cobbler can stretch your shoes for both width and length, depending on your exact need. The cost is typically less than $20, and if you have it done prior to wearing them, then you’ll save your toes from unnecessary squishing.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any seniors in the beautiful New Auburn area who have yet to sign up for the 2016 Maine Senior Farm Share program? Come on over to 4 Season Farm Market and sign up for one of the 10 remaining senior shares that Valley View Farm has for the year. First come, first served. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Questions?
You can call us at (207) 212-0802. Thank you. — Kathy, New Auburn.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What happened to Joe Cupo on WCSH 6? — Weather Watcher, No Town.

ANSWER: According to WCSH Channel 6 News, Joe Cupo retired back in April after 37 years reporting weather for the station — and that’s a long time for anyone in TV news to be with one station. He’ll surely be missed in living rooms all over the state. 

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