Dear Sun Spots Readers: My name is Whitney B., and I am a fifth-grader at West Ridge Elementary School in Harlan, Iowa. My class is studying geography and the history of our country. I would appreciate it if you would please send me postcards, souvenirs and other information about your state.

I wanted to let you know my favorite bird is the chickadee, and that is your state bird. My teacher would like a license plate for a school project, if possible. I appreciate your time. Please address your responses to: Whitney B., Mrs. Newlins Social Studies Class, West-Ridge Elementary School, 1401 19th Street, Harlan, IA 51537. – Whitney B., Iowa.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you or your teacher might like to contact the state of Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which will provide sample license plates to teachers and students for school projects, free of charge. You and other students may want to also check out some wonderful facts, trivia and more at the Maine’s secretary of state kids’ page at www.http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/

To check into which sample plates you can order, check out the following link at www.state.me.us/sos/kids/government/licenseplates.html

In the meantime, you may also want to write/contact:

Maine Office of Tourism, 59 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0059, or via their Web site at www.visitmaine.com, where you will find many links that may be of interest for your project.

MainelyKids.com online magazine via mail at Mainely Kids Inc., 449 Forest Ave., Second Floor, Portland, ME 04101 or via e-mail at general inquiries, info@mainelykids.com.

And for some fun facts on Maine, check out http://www.maine.gov/portal/facts_history/facts.html

Dear Sun Spots: When I resided in Florida from the 1980s through 1993, Slim Whitman lived in the small town of Middleburg just south of Jacksonville. As I remember, he was a very private person, rarely appearing in public except for special occasions. Even at that time there was very little information available on him. – No Name, Jay.

Dear Sun Spots: I love your column. A short time ago I remember reading a letter about the need for reading volunteers for either preschools or day cares in the area. I misplaced that day’s paper, but would like to find out who to contact. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated, as always. – Brenda, Minot.

Answer: Please call Kathleen Demers, BookReach coordinator, at 784-0135, ext. 213, to learn more. Demers says the organization is in desperate need of volunteers, so, readers, please consider this worthwhile volunteering opportunity.

Dear Sun Spots: My daughter attends school at Calvary Christian Academy in Turner, and each classroom is having a competition to see who can collect the most bottles and cans to benefit the senior class. If anyone has any they are willing to donate, please contact me at 225-3324 or call the school. Or you can drop them off at the school at 20 North Main St., Turner, 225-3665. Please tell them they are for the first- and second-grade classes. Thank you. – Stacy Fournier, Turner.

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

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