Two states still ban self-pumping at gas stations

DEAR SUN SPOTS: FYI: It is illegal to pump your own gas in the state of Oregon. — Edie, Auburn.

ANSWER: That’s partially true, Edie. Only two states — Oregon and New Jersey — still have laws on the books restricting gas pumping to professional attendants, with both states citing safety as a reason. It’s been that way in this country for more than 30 years, with the bulk of states approving self-service pumps by the late 1970s. In 2015, the state of Oregon approved legislation that allows people in rural counties of the state to pump their own gas at designated self-pump locations between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. This recent change in the law reportedly was to resolve an issue of people in those remote areas having no way of buying gas after a certain hour because stations were unable to support staying open late. In New Jersey, the debate regarding banned self-service pumps resurfaces every couple of years, but no successful movement has been made to change the law.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Loaves and Fishes’ holiday craft fair will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cavalier Hall, 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston, behind Staples. Vendor tables can be reserved for $30. Vendors can set up that day as early as 7 a.m. Please reserve your table no later than Friday, Sept. 16. There will be only one specialty vendor per product. The tables are 8 feet and they are going to be provided with chairs. The vendors will have to bring their own table covers and anything they want for their displays. Call Marie today to reserve your spot, or if you have any questions, at (207) 740-0244. — No Name, Lewiston.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How, where and what can I volunteer for? I can’t find where to go to sign up. — BillyJean, No Town.

ANSWER: Well, there are numerous places where you can go to sign up for volunteer work. Sun Spots often has organizations place calls for volunteers in her column, perhaps as often as a couple of times each week. So stay tuned.

In the meantime, the state of Maine offers information on its website specifically designed to help line up volunteers with organizations that have a need. Visit maine.gov/portal/employment/volunteer.html for links to sites like VolunteerMaine.org. At VolunteerMaine.org, you can search for volunteer opportunities based on age, location and skills you have to offer, among other search criteria. There are too many to list, but perhaps readers with specific local opportunities will write in to make suggestions for you in the upcoming days. Good luck, and thank you for your interest in dedicating your time and energy to organizations that can really benefit from your generous nature. Sun Spots hopes that perhaps your question will prompt others to seek out their own rewarding volunteer opportunities as well.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots Facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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