Dear Sun Spots: If you and the 14 callers who tried to help the college student who was sleeping on the floor could have seen his eyes, how you would have been moved! A simple inquiry looking for a bed for this college student in the Sun Spots column and my phone kept ringing, and ringing. Fourteen calls in all, even one from Dixfield.

I have to be honest with you that I didn’t think my request to help them would work. I was wrong, and I wanted to thank everyone who gave and helped. You all know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The mother and son also wanted to thank you all. And Sun Spots, may God bless you all. It is greatly appreciated. Dear readers when this young man saw that bed, I had to step outside I was so moved. Thank you all for all you did to help make this young man and his mother be comfortable.

Now you have all been so generous, and I’m wondering if you can help this family complete their living room. It would sure be wonderful to get them a couch, two end tables and coffee table; three large lamps for her son’s room and two for the living room. All in good, clean condition. She has been using a cushion from a broken futon with wooden boxes for a couch and wooden boxes for end tables. They, your readers, have come through for me, and if they can help me out this last time, it would be so appreciated. This mother and son had nothing. I can be reached at 783-2824. – D. B., Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I thought you and other column readers might like to know of my experiences during the Flood of 1936.

I was in the eighth grade and lived below Hinkley Hill on Route 133, now Park Street. Our bus driver had to stay with his students until they were delivered to a parent. He had tried all roads to get us there and finally parked his bus on what we call Dunn’s Hill (now 166 Park St.) and walked with us until we met one of the parents with a car at the foot of Hinkley Hill. We walked down the railroad tracks that went behind my sister’s house – the vinegar works (now Gagnon’s boat shop). She wanted me to stay there, but the water was rising so I decided to get home. We had to walk on a trestle, over water. I looked down at the water and Cecil M., our bus driver, caught my jacket and kept me on the trestle. At the foot of Hinkley Hill we met a neighbor John, and we all got to our homes. During that flood my husband rode around in and out of barns in a boat. – M.C.S., Livermore Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: I’ve looked everywhere for an ink eraser. I don’t know if they make them any more. Might you or readers please be able to assist me in locating one.

Also, does anyone buy foreign stamps? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you might like to contact Staples the Office Superstore, 855 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 753-0779, carries an ink-based eraser, like gum, and you can use it to remove roller ball ink from paper. For a general ink eraser, Staples also carries a Mars plastic eraser that will remove wet ink.

Regarding your question on foreign stamps, try contacting Maurice A. Storck Co. at 651 Forest Ave., in Portland (800) 734-7271. The company is one of the few stamp appraisers left in Maine. Most, unfortunately, have gone out of business. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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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