DEAR SUN SPOTS: I hope you can brighten our day with an update on the following: In October 2022, Auburn approved sending $300 to every taxpaying homeowner over the age of 65. Please follow up on this. — No name, Auburn

ANSWER: Last fall, the Auburn City Council voted to allocate $700,000 from its allotment of the American Rescue Plan Act to provide some relief to Auburn homeowners 65 and older whose taxes increased by $300 or more and who qualify for the homestead exemption.

Have you checked into your eligibility for the Senior Homeowner Relief Program? If so, have you filled out an application? You have until Feb. 1 to do so.

You can find the application for your $300 at https://www.auburnmaine.gov/pages/general/senior-homeowner-relief. If you need more information, call 333-6601.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We’d like to express our appreciation to the CMP crews who replaced two poles and reconnected the wires on our little dirt road. They worked late on Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day. — Cilla, no town

ANSWER: I’m sure there are thousands of CMP customers who are grateful their electricity is back on. I’ve heard many stories about our “Grinch Storm.” There are those of us who have an on-demand generator and some have portable generators to use so we made it through with little disruption to our holiday celebrations.

However, there are many households that don’t have this equipment. When we have power outages, if possible, check on your neighbors and loved ones. Share your resources and prepare yourself for the next weather event as much as you can.

Readers, if you have tips to share regarding getting through a winter storm safely and warmly, please share.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the reader who wants to make one cup of coffee at a time (Dec. 29 Sun Spots), I use a coffee funnel. It sits on my mug, I put a filter in it, add coffee, then pour boiling water through it. Mine is inexpensive plastic, but it’s sturdy.

I see online that ceramic and metal funnels are now available. I’ve been using mine for 15 or 20 years and it has not needed replacing. This method makes great coffee and eliminates waste. The used filters are great in the bottom of my counter compost bucket for keeping kitchen scraps from sticking to the bottom. — Harriet, Otisfield

ANSWER: Making pour-over coffee is a great minimalist approach to getting your daily caffeine. It’s inexpensive, a snap to clean up  and keeps kitchen counter and cupboard clutter to a minimum. All you need is a teapot or other vessel for boiling the water and a “funnel” or coffee dripper. There is a vast price range depending on what material they are made from. Plastic, mesh, glass, ceramic and stainless steel are some of the options.

You place a coffee filter into the dripper (unless it’s a paperless model), place the dripper on your mug or carafe, add coffee grounds, then slowly pour the hot water over the grounds, allowing the water to drip through. You can stir or swirl the wet grounds. I have a mesh dripper and this does make a lovely cup of coffee.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.