DEAR SUN SPOTS: A member of our HealthSteps program told me that in the Feb. 2 Sun Spots, it was stated that there is no access or availability to any community members to utilize Bates College’s indoor track unless you have a Bates ID. Actually, community members can use the track if they’re part of the St. Mary’s Health System’s Prevention & Wellness HealthSteps program.

— Ashley, St. Mary’s Health System, Lewiston

ANSWER: When I spoke with the athletic department at Bates last week, a front desk staffer said she had received several calls about using the track for indoor exercise since a photo showing people walking on the track was published in the Sun Journal on Jan. 25.

It’s great to know people can use Bates’ athletic facilities through the HealthSteps program. With its variety of ways to keep fit, it looks just fantastic. Not only is there access to indoor walking at specific times, but there’s scheduled swimming, aquatics, yoga, Zumba, spinning, Qigong and specialized senior fitness. All HealthSteps members also have access to Bates’ B-Well classes.

There is a fee for this program. The current session runs through May. For more information, call 777-8898.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In an article I saw in the Sun Journal this past summer, I saw that there was a selectmen’s meeting for the town of Paris where they discussed joining a cable TV consortium. What exactly is that?

— No name, Rumford

ANSWER: The short answer to your question is that a consortium is an association of several different organizations or businesses.

The Paris Board of Selectmen voted to join a group consisting of other neighboring towns, including Norway, to develop a new cable TV agreement, replacing the one that has been in effect since 1994, according to Paris Town Manager Vic Hodgkins. The group hired James W. Sewall Co. to represent them and negotiate the new agreement with Spectrum, the cable TV company.

The consortium is in process and by the end of the year, it is expected that each town involved will have its own updated franchise agreement.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you find out if there is a bus line that provides free or reduced rates to students who travel to and from college (from Lewiston to Bangor)? I thought I read something about free ridership for Maine students.

Thanks for all the help you provide for so many of us.

— No name, no town

ANSWER: You may be thinking of the Community Connector in which students with a valid ID can ride the local bus for free in and around Bangor.

The student dean or someone in residential life at your college should be able to help you figure out transportation. The Residential Life office at Eastern Maine Community College recommended Greyhound Bus Lines as a way to get from Lewiston to Bangor. There is a Student Advantage Card that can be purchased for $20. It offers a 10 percent discount on bus tickets and a savings of up to 40 percent at participating stores and businesses, including Target and Footlocker. There is more information on the website at www.greyhound.com.

Have you considered putting out the word about carpooling?

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