Dear Sun Spots: I wrote to Sun Spots many years ago concerning a Maine flower, called the Lady Slipper. I was informed that it was not recommended to pick them. To do so would destroy the bed, because each plant only produces one seed a year. Also, they were close to being on the endangered species list.

I have a bed of them for six years. I have the common pink and a few of the white ones. I am looking for the rare yellow ones to add to my garden. All I want is two or three plants. If anyone has them on their property and would be willing to sell them at a reasonable price, I would be very interested.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, you might consider contacting the New England Wild Flower Society, Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, Mass. 01701-2699. They also have an online plant nursery, www.newfs.org, where Sun Spots located two quart containers of cypripedium pubescens or large yellow Lady-slipper, as well as cypripedium reginae or showy Lady-slipper for $40 each. It might be worth checking into these if you do not have success with any readers.

Among their summer events is a June 9 plant sale, their 33rd. Sale items include kids’ plants, expert tips and thousands of plants for sale. They refer to it as the largest native plant sale in the Northeast, and it will also include a used book sale.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there anyone in the area who buys leftover lawn sale items? All of it or parts of the leftovers? I am having a three-family lawn sale in late May. Thank you. – No Name, Dixfield.

Answer: Consider contacting:

• St. Martin’s Bargain Basket thrift shop at Bartlett and College streets in Lewiston. The proceeds are used for the benefit of the St. Martin de Porres Residence. Anyone wishing to donate items can do so during business hours: Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. They are happy to accept the following items: jewelry; linens such as towels, blankets etc.; small pieces of furniture such as coffee tables, rocking chairs, lamps; household items such as pots and pans, toasters, coffee pots; children’s toys and games; baby furniture such as high chairs and strollers; and religious articles. For more details, please contact them at 786-4690.

• Don Castonguay, Lewiston, at 784-8401.

Dear Sun Spots: Museum L-A is looking for people who would like to get involved in projects related to the brick making industry of Lewiston-Auburn. Preparations for a brick makers reunion will be under way soon and we hope to include former brick makers in the planning process. We are also eager to get started on recording the stories of what it was like to work in local brickyards and have started gathering names of people to talk with for this project. The stories will become part of the museum’s Brickmakers Oral History and Photo Documentary Project, modeled after our very successful project featuring mill workers. If you are a brick maker, or know of someone we should contact, please call or e-mail Jessica Dumas at Museum L-A at 333-3881 or jdumas@museumla.org. – Susan Beane, Lewiston.



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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