Dear Sun Spots: I would like to tap your endless font of information again please. Past requests have had phenomenal answers for me. Thank you.

I have three large covered baskets, each with a square base. The round body is about 3 feet in circumference and 1½ feet in height. I have been told they were made by early Maine Indian tribes who decorated the sides with small designs. That is all the information I have. So, thanks for any information which hopefully you can provide me. – No Name, No Town.

Answer:
In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots would encourage you to contact The Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance (MIBA). It’s a nonprofit, American Indian arts service organization dedicated to preserving the ancient traditions of ash and sweet grass basketry among the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes in Maine. According to their Web site, its goals are to preserve and document the tradition of basket making among the four tribes; expand markets for baskets in Maine and beyond; ensure a supply of high-quality brown ash and sweet grass for present and future generations and to provide outreach, education, and apprenticeships to younger members of the tribes to ensure continuation of the traditions. Contact them via post at MIBA, 5 Main Street, P.O. Box 3253, Old Town, ME 04468 or phone at 827-0391 or e-mail WabanakiArtsCtr@aol.com.

Dear Sun Spots: I am searching for information on the burial place of William Lang, who was living with his daughter Nancy Lang Ayer in Greene when he died on Feb. 8, 1879.

Does any person in the readership area have any information on the location of William Lang’s final resting place? My name is William Ayer, and I am a direct descendant of William Lang. I may be reached at 675 Golf Club Road, Frederickton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 7S5 or via e-mail at billayer@nbnet.nb.c or via phone at 506-454-6043. Thanks for any help. – William Ayer, New Bruswick, Canada.

Answer:
In addition to responses from readers, you might consider contacting Michael Lord at the Androscoggin Historical Society who has often been a blessing to many a Sun Spots question. He may be reached at Androscoggin Historical Society, 2 Turner Street, Unit 8, Auburn ME 04210-5978, 207-784-0586. The office is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. In addition, you might also contact Maine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0084, or via phone at 207-287-5788.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to thank all the kind people who have given me the Birds & Bloom, Reminisce and Country magazines. I have and still am giving them to my uncle, nursing homes, a man who is very sick and many others. Also, a big thank-you to Sun Spots who made this all possible. – L.W., No Town.

Answer:
L.W. it is you the readers who make a lot of this possible! Your responses, inquiries and willingness to help each other out is what works here. Way to go all of you, helping others seek answers to their questions.

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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