Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for a copy of the movie shown on Public Broadcasting Stations about Emmeline and filmed in Fayette in the 1990s. I’m not sure of the exact year. However, Velma Brown, a former resident of Fayette, was interviewed. If anyone, or PBS, still has a copy, I would like to purchase it for a reasonable price. Thank you. I can be reached at Valerie Grover, 4 Stone St., Jay, ME 04239. – Valerie Grover, Jay.
Answer: In addition to responses from readers, according to www.current.org, “Emmeline” was aired by many PBS stations on April 2, 1997. Some of the information included below was originally published in Current, July 22, 1996. The opera is a local tale from Fayette, that came to public television in an American Experience documentary.
A recognized symphonic composer, Tobias Picker had been looking for the story for an opera for eight years when he came across a rerun of the American Experience documentary “Sins of Our Mothers” in August 1990. He fell in love and had to write “Emmeline.”
The opera is the story of Emmeline Mosher, a poor farm girl, who comes to the weaving mills in Lowell, Mass., before the Civil War. She is seduced, becomes pregnant, and flees in shame.
Back in Fayette, she gives up the child for adoption and lives alone for years.
In what became Picker’s Act II, Emmeline’s life, already sad, assumes elements of classic tragedy from the myth of Oedipus: A younger man named Matthew Gurney comes to town, they fall in love and marry – only to find out afterward that he is her son. He quits the scene, and Emmeline lives on in profound disgrace, shunned and alone.
The Santa Fe Opera signed Picker to compose “Emmeline.” J.D. McClatchey, a prize-winning poet and the editor of The Yale Review, agreed to write the libretto.
Dear Sun Spots: The AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 6 will hold its annual flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 22, Route 100, New Gloucester. Tables are available to rent for $10 each. To reserve a table, call Joyce Wotherspoon at 926-4693 or Joyce Hamilton at 926-4079. The cutoff date for reservations is July 18. – Pat Kiley, New Gloucester.
Dear Sun Spots: Could you please possibly inquire to see if Gerry Trottier of Blackie’s Plumbing & Heating is still in business? I and a number of his clients are trying to contact him. – No Name, No Town.
Answer: Several possible leads fell through, and Sun Spots is unable to locate Gerry. We would urge Gerry or readers familiar with him to please write into the column with any contact information you might have.
Dear Sun Spots: I would like to purchase a Cidco Mivo 200 Mailstation. Earthlink has purchased the company and no longer makes Mailstations. Local stores do not seem to have one. It must be a Mivo 200 by Cidco. Can your readers help me? Thank you. – No Name, No Town.
Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots located a link on www.amazon.com. While this item is not available on Amazon, they do provide a link where you can request this item from another seller. Sun Spots would recommend you check this out online.
Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for an Edward Little High School 1971 yearbook. If anyone wants to sell or part with theirs, please contact me at 784-3286. Thank you. – An Auburn reader.
Dear Sun Spots: I’m trying to put together a directory for the town library and need the help of readers, graduates of Dixfield High School from local, surrounding areas as well as out of state and the country. The Dixfield Dirigo Alumni Association needs updated alumni addresses of former graduates. If you can assist, please send them to Cynthia Lane at 96 Pine Street, Dixfield, ME 04224. Thanks for all your help. – Cynthia Lane, Dixfield.
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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