Dear Sun Spots: There is indeed a Portland Flower Show this year. It is back at the Portland Company facility on Fore Street. Please inform your many readers. – Susan Butler, exhibitor.

Answer: Thanks to this reader and others who pointed out there is indeed a show this year. Sun Spots is grateful for the update.

Hopefully, you and other readers will enjoy this year’s show from March 10-13 at 58 Fore St., Portland, (207) 775-4403. Hours are Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $15 per person. For a more in-depth listing and description, check out show details online at www.portlandflowershow.org. Lectures include:

Thursday

Unlocking the Possibilities of Your Landscape, Paul Miskovsky, 10 a.m.

Why & How to Grow an Organic Lawn & Garden, Pat Beckett and Chip Osborne, 11:15 a.m.

Starting a Lawn from Scratch, Jesse O’Brien, 1:45 p.m.

Landscaping for the Birds, Bob Bittenbender, 3 p.m.

Growing Orchids at Home, Kevin Kearns, 4:15 p.m. Friday

The Best of People, Places & Plants, Rick Churchill, 10 a.m.

Gardening With Children, Dr. Gordon “Bud” Johnston, 11:15 a.m.

Tick Control, Tim Lindsay, 12:30 p.m.

Water Gardening, Chris Paquette, 1:45 p.m.

Outside Art, Steve Mohr, 3 p.m.

Maine, the Home Place, Murad Sayen, 4:15 p.m.

The Secrets of Compost, Pete Bottomley, 5:30 p.m.

Cary Award Winning Plants, Jeff O’Donal, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Making the Most of the New Annuals, Lois Stack, 10 a.m.

Designing With Color and Texture, Edith Ellis, 11:15 a.m.

The Creation of Sacred Space, Ted Carter, 12:30 p.m.

Hardy Roses, Bob Bangs, 1:45 p.m.

Great Perennials, Karen Olsen, 3 p.m.

Exciting New Plants, Mark Faunce, 4:15 p.m.

To Be Announced, Paul Tukey, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday

New Vegetables, Flowers & Herbs, Kelly Comer & Beth Jensen, 3 p.m.

The Kitchen Garden, Rae Avery, 3 p.m.

Native Trees & Shrubs, Dennis Anderson, 3 p.m.

Organic Solutions to Common Problems, Lisa Napolitano, 3 p.m.

To Be Announced, David Emery, 3 p.m.



Dear Sun Spots: Where would one be able to find old pictures of the people who used to work at the Bates mill? Also, does anyone in the Lewiston or Auburn area know where there used to be old bottle dumps? If so, where would they be? Thanks for the great help. – No Name, Litchfield.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, some photographs are displayed at Museum L-A, 35 Canal St., Box A7, Lewiston, ME 04240, and Executive Director Rachel Desgrosseilliers says you can look at them there. It is open Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, call her at 240-6429 days or 966-2522 evenings.

You may have been aware of the millworkers’ reunion held last summer. Desgrosseilliers says it was probably one of the most heartwarming events she has seen. A total of 457 former workers showed up two hours early. Desgrosseilliers says they were thrilled to see each other.

Dear Sun Spots: The Sexual Assault Crisis Center is seeking interested women and men who would like to make a difference in the lives of victims of sexual violence by volunteering.

Training will cover a wide range of topics relating to sexual harassment sexual assault, sexual abuse, listening and advocacy skills, as well as community resources to support survivors.

Hot-line volunteers can be on call from their homes and choose from a variety of scheduling options. Our advocates respond to hot-line calls, providing crisis intervention and support, as well as accompaniment to hospitals and/or police departments for those survivors choosing to use these resources.

Please contact Sarah at 784-5272 for more information. Volunteer Training is starting soon! – Sarah L. Wood, No Town.

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.