Dear Sun Spots: Would you be able to tell me what year the Auburn Mall opened and provide a list of all the original stores at that time? – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: The Auburn Mall officially opened on Aug. 7, 1979. The original 50 stores were: Department stores: J.C. Penney and Porteous. Women’s apparel: Brooks Fashions, Deb Shops, DSB, Fields Hosiery, Foxmoor, Marianne, Ormond Shops, Touraine Stores and Weathervane. Men’s apparel: Chess King and Proving Ground. Shoes: Jack and Jill, Kinney Shoes, Lamey-Wellehan, Thom McAn and Upstage. Gifts and greeting cards: The Carriage House, Gifts From the Heart and Spencer Gifts. Books: Bookland and Walden Books. Banks: Northeast Bank and Sun Savings and Loan. Restaurants and food products: Deering Ice Cream, Fanny Farmer, The Golden Fry, The Great Hot Dog Experience, Hickory Farms, JoAnn’s Nut House, Papa Gino’s, Swiss Pretzel, Thatcher’s and Tiffany Bakery. Other: Athletic Attic, CVS, The Dog House, Dream Machine, The Gap, General Nutrition, Kaybee Toy and Hobby Shop, Lowrey Piano and Organ Center, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Mothercare, Musicland, Pearle Vision Center, Radio Shack, Regis Hairstylist and So Fro Fabrics.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to find an address for the families of the two Maine soldiers, Sgt. Lynn R. Poulin and Spc. Thomas J. Dostie of the Maine National Guard’s 133rd, who were killed in the mess hall bombing on Dec. 23 in Mosul, Iraq. I would like to send sympathy cards to their families. I’d appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks for your column. I always read it first. – Carol Hunnewell, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots called Maine Veterans’ Services which asked that sympathy cards be sent to the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management at: D.V.E.M., Family Program, State House Station #33, Camp Keyes, ME 04333-0033. Be sure to mark the lower left-hand corner of the envelope with: ATTN: Sgt. Lynn R. Poulin Family or Spc. Thomas J. Dostie Family.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a couple of requests for you. First, would Sun Spots know if there is a ballroom dancing class in the Lewiston-Auburn area? I’m interested in a class aimed specifically for seniors and ideally very low in cost. Next, I would like a copy of a prayer that begins with “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,” and includes the lines such as “Where there is hatred let me sow love, where there is despair, hope …” – S.C., Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots found that Auburn Adult Education, located at Edward Little High School, 77 Harris St., Auburn, will offer ballroom dancing classes beginning in March. Their beginner and intermediate classes begin March 7 and their Latin dancing classes begin March 8. The one-hour classes run for eight weeks; each class is $40 per person. You can register by calling them at (207) 784-9220. Early registration is recommended.

Also, Lewiston Adult Education, 156 East Ave., offers ballroom dancing but their classes are currently filled and have already started. They suggested calling their registration desk so they could put your name on a list for cancellation fill-ins or possibly to fill another class. You can call them at (207) 795-4141.

Sun Spots hopes you enjoy the words to The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:

“O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace!

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is discord, harmony.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sorrow, joy.

Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.”

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.