Dear Sun Spots: What is the meaning of Grant, a boy’s name? Also, where is Jay, Maine? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In response to your first question, Sun Spots has learned of three meanings. One explanation is “great plains” in English, “great” in Scottish and Latin, and another appears to be “bestow or great; tall.” The American general and president Ulysses S. Grant is one such example.

Regarding your second question, Jay, Maine, is south of Wilton, Maine, and north of Lewiston-Auburn. Sun Spots corresponded with Dorothy White of the Jay Historical Society for a little history. White says the town of Jay, incorporated in 1795, is on Route 4, 25 miles north of Auburn. It was named for John Jay, eminent jurist and statesman, who rendered distinguished diplomatic service to the American colonies as an ambassador to Spain and France at the close of the Revolution. The town is best known for its paper mills, International Paper, Androscoggin Mill; and the Wausau-Mosinee Paper Mill; also, the one-time Maine and New Hampshire Granite Quarry, which produced beautiful white granite used in buildings all over the United States (Grant’s Tomb in New York City for one.) The population is approximately 5,000.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to hear from the students I taught at Montello School from 1984 to 1988. I can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. – Chloe Giampaolo, Bowie, Md. – Chloe Giampaolo, Bowie, Md.

Dear Sun Spots: You do such a great service for the community. Thank you. I’m wondering if any of your readers would have a slide projector that they no longer use. I have slides from my trip to China that I would like to show for an educational project. My projector died long ago and cannot be repaired. I’m willing to pay a reasonable price. You can call me at (207) 786-2632. – No Name, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: First of all I would like to say how much I enjoy Sun Spots and the informative service that you provide. Now the reason I’m writing to you is periodically you mention a person in the area that does various handyman services. A friend of mine has used this person in the past and was extremely pleased with his services. However, she cannot recall his name or phone number, other than his first name which was Dean. Is there anyway that Sun Spots would have this information? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. – Mary N., No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots would be delighted to help. The person your friend is thinking of is Dean Hinckley of Wales. You can reach him at (207) 375-6163 to see if he can assist you or your friend. Hinckley does odd jobs such as repairs, mowing, tree trimming, snow plowing and painting.

Dear Sun Spots: You are a great help to people and I hope you can help me.

I belong to a nonprofit organization that puts on public suppers. We are in need of 9-by-13 baking pans. You can call me and we can make arrangements to get them to me.

I am also interested in starting a chapter of the Red Hat Society in the Oxford area. If you are interested in joining please call me or e-mail me. I can be reached at Diane Page, 254 Main Street, Oxford, ME 04270, (207) 539-9067, e-mail [email protected]. – Diane Page, Oxford.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you please find out where I could buy music tapes that fit in a car cassette. Places I’ve tried no longer have them. – Mrs. B.L., No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers and for starters, check out Bull Moose Music, 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston who have some cassettes. You may also like to try Borders Books & Music out at the Maine Mall in South Portland also. They are next to the Maine Mall at 430 Gorham Rd, South Portland, 04106, (207) 775-6110.

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 [email protected].