DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club, Gray-New Gloucester Optimist Club and Tri Town Optimist Club are asking people to volunteer for one hour on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, to pick up trash in their neighborhood.

Commit to a minimum of one hour to pick up trash and possibly win a coupon for a meal from a local participating restaurant. Get your family, friends, schoolmates and neighbors to help you and then contact any Optimist Club member, email gwmathews91@gmail.com, or call 783-5269 for more information and to register to win a restaurant gift certificate. The rain date is Sunday, April 23. — George, Auburn

ANSWER: This is such an easy thing to do no matter where you live. Once the snow has melted it’s amazing how much trash there is to pick up!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: If you think your spring wardrobe could use a few more items, think about coming to the Spring Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 22, at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris St. in Norway.

The sale has new-to-you clothes for women, men and children at reasonable prices. You may be able to find something you didn’t know you needed in one of the white elephant rooms.

The sale runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Arrive early for the best choices or take your chance at the dollar a bag sale beginning at 11 a.m. Please bring your own bags. Proceeds from the sale support the free community Thanksgiving dinner.

There is ample parking behind the church on Beal Street and the church is equipped with a lift for easy access to the lower level where the sale will be held. — Sandy, Norway

ANSWER: What a great reason to come to one of my favorite towns, Norway, Maine! Let’s gather up our thrifting friends and go support this fundraiser.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I saw that you were looking for ways to recycle foam items in yesterday’s column. I’m an artist so I use those meat trays as palettes for watercolor and acrylic paints after washing and drying them thoroughly.

Some local shipping companies will take your bagged up, clean “peanuts” to reuse in packing for their customer. I sometimes use them when I transfer houseplants into larger containers. They make for good drainage and I don’t have to use so much potting soil, saving money and making the pots lighter to move around. I would not use it in soil for anything edible though. — Angie, no town

ANSWER: These are both great ideas. I have a nephew who works for a theater company and they incorporate large pieces of foam into their stage sets. These larger pieces can also be used for sculptures and school projects, and the flat pieces make great insulation for outdoor pet shelters.

A friend uses thoroughly cleaned foam trays as canvasses for her children to draw and paint on. And I remember my dad often used foam cups for sorting nails and screws. When he had a bunch of similar types, he’d transfer them to his collection in recycled glass jars with lids.

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