Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for posting our request for hand-crank forge blowers in the March 1 Sun Spots column. We have received several donations. We appreciate any and all donations, including your kind words and informing the public of our mission. We intend to demonstrate the art of blacksmithing at various affairs and gatherings throughout the area. To do this we are in the process of building a mobile blacksmith shop. The donated blowers will be added to that portable blacksmith shop. We currently have a shop in the basement of the Wilton Historical Society that we opened for Wilton’s Blueberry Festival in August, and a shop at the Farmington Fairgrounds. With the addition of the mobile shop, we will be better able to talk about and demonstrate the art of the blacksmith.

The Western Maine Blacksmith Association was founded in 2002 to support the recreational or hobbyist blacksmith and to preserve the knowledge and technique of the art of blacksmithing. – Steve Townley, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: A scholarship fundraiser will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 19 at the American Legion Post 86, Route 100, Gray, to benefit the third annual Daniel Cunningham Scholarship. Cunningham died in Iraq in April 2003. He was a member of the Oxford Hills High School Class of 1988 and a family person.

Flea market tables are available for rent at $15 each and may be reserved by calling family friends Rick Winchester at 689-5137, or P. Jaye Winchester at 797-7970. The day’s events also include 50/50 raffle, door prizes and a family-oriented barbecue offering hot dogs, burgers and more.

Scholarships of $500 each were presented to students in 2005 and 2006. The family friends are hoping to award two scholarships this year from the funds raised. Please contact Rick or P. Jaye for more information. – Richard Winchester, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: We enjoy reading Sun Spots. It’s very helpful.

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We have been trying lots of places to find a silhouette to put on the side of the house. Maybe like an old horse and buggy? If we can find a book with different silhouettes we can copy from that. – R.L.S., No Town.

Answer: Unfortunately, Sun Spots did not locate these items after several calls around. Petro’s Ace Hardware & Landscape Center, 965 Minot Ave., Auburn, ME 04210, 783-0447, currently has nothing in stock. However, it would be happy to special order one for you. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Dear Sun Spots: What are the dates for the fireworks at Old Orchard Beach? – R.B.J., Lewiston

Answer: According to www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com, fireworks shows will start June 28, every Thursday, through Labor Day at 9:45 p.m. on the beach next to The Pier. There will also be a July 4 show.

You and your family might also check out this Web site for a wonderful listing of events taking place in Old Orchard Beach and surrounding communities, including the famous Franco-American Festival, La Kermesse, which takes place June 21 to 24 at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford. Another option is the annual Greek Heritage Festival held July 13 to 15. A live Greek band will play on Friday and Saturday evenings at St. Demetrios Orthodox Church in Saco.

Dear Sun Spots: Our first grade classes at Vilonia Primary School in Conway, AR, will be studying Maine during the month of May. We would like to receive any postcards and information from your column readers about the state of Maine, its history, origins and anything else that readers might think our classes would be interested in. Thank you so much, and we’re all looking forward to hearing from readers. Please send your submissions to First Grade, Vilonia Primary School, 4 Bane Lane, Conway, AR 72032. – No Name, Conway, Arkansas.

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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