DEAR SUN SPOTS: You’ve helped me and the Mrs. a lot in the past couple years. This question is all mine. Why do people say HDTV is the best? I have HD, but you don’t get a full-screen image. I have a 32-inch HD and when watching shows on it, the image is only 27 inches. I lose two-and-a-half inches on top and on bottom. Why is that better?

Also, on the History channel, I watch “The Ice Road Truckers.” I was wondering where one of the stars went. Can’t remember his name but he was known as “The Polar Bear.” He’s been on every year. Nobody has mentioned him, but they still show his picture as one of the drivers. Just wondering. — The Peru Logger.

ANSWER: Sun Spots checked with several cable service providers, and they all answered your first question similarly. From Cedar Falls Utilities: “Why isn’t the picture always full-screen on my HDTV? On most HD networks, not all of the programming is transmitted in HD format. When a network airs programs that are not in HD, your TV may display the program in the center of the screen with black space to the right and left of the picture. If you prefer, you can set your TV to stretch the picture to fill the screen when the signal is not in HD. Check your owner’s manual for picture options. Stretching the picture can distort the appearance, especially on a large screen.”

Sun Spots found a lot of the same information in various online venues about Hugh Rowland, the “Polar Bear” driver on Ice Road Truckers. In 2014, The Examiner reported: “In February, Hugh Rowland was seriously injured in a pickup truck accident. The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, alleges that IRT producer, Will Morrison, was driving recklessly. He apparently lost control, veered off the road, and crashed into trees and bushes. Passenger Hugh Rowland was along with him at the time. Hugh claims he can’t return to trucking because of the severe and permanent injuries he sustained from the accident.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know where I can buy a CD of Joe Perham. I have one, but want more. He’s from West Paris. He’s a very good story teller. — Pat D. via mail.

ANSWER: The website www.joeperham.com has 15 CDs listed for Maine humorist Joe Perham. They can be purchased online. From the website comes this information: “The late Joe Perham was a humorist — of Maine and Downeast cultures — a storyteller, public speaker, writer and actor. … Maine and Downeast humor may at first appear to be dumb but if you are smart enough you will see that not only are the stories funny but true as well. It really does happen the way that it is told by Joe! Joe passed away in August of 2013.” You can contact Tom Remington for more information via email at tremington@gmail.com. Books N Things in Norway has sold his CDs in the past. Call 207-739-6200 to find out if there are any CDs in the shop that they can hold for you or find out if they can order them for you. Joe’s CDs are also available at Amazon.com.

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