Dear Sun Spots: I am doing some research on Joshua and Fanny Chamberlain. I was hoping Sun Spots or column readers might be able to help me.

My research is mostly centered around Fanny. I know she was an artist, and I was wondering if anyone out there knows if any of her artwork is still in existence, and if so, might it be on display anywhere? Also, do any of their descendants still live in Maine? I have contacted the historical society in Brunswick, but they were not able to assist me. Where else would be good places to get information on this family? If any readers have information, they may e-mail me at raven-storm@usa.net. Thank you for your help! – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: According to a posting located online by Mike Nugent, one of the guides at the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum in Brunswick, there are no descendents remaining. Nugent writes that he can’t tell the number of people who show up claiming to be great or great-great grandchildren. Bottom line is that Chamberlain’s son never married or had children. His daughter had three daughters, but none of them had children so the direct lineage died out with the passing of his last granddaughter several years ago.

Sun Spots also checked this out with Brian Collins, executive director of the Pejepscot Museum. He runs this museum along with others. Collins notes there are no direct descendants for Chamberlain. However, he says from the research they’ve completed, there are descendants of cousins and brothers spread across the country.

For more on the Chamberlains, there appear to be several locations where you can locate paperwork and information. Check out the Bowdoin College Library, 3000 College Station, Brunswick, ME 04011-8421, 725-3288, where Joshua Chamberlain once taught.

You can also check out the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, at 226 Maine St., Brunswick, ME 04011, 725-6958.

Dear Sun Spots: To my surprise on my last trip to Georgia, I stopped in North Carolina and noticed that the grocery stores were selling red hot dogs. I thought Maine was the only state with red hot dogs. My question is, how many states carry red hot dogs? Thank you. – C.F., Lewiston.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, previous columns have noted that both Jordans Meat in Portland and BAW Beans in Bangor produce red hot dogs. Typically, as you note, a New England or Maine tradition, red hot dogs are also available in the Virginia area. Jordans produces an average of 65,000-70,000 pounds a day of either hot dogs or sausage-type products like Kielbasa or Polish sausage.

And a few fun facts from www.whatscookingamerica.net, for those readers preparing their grills for a Memorial Day cookout:

• Sausage is one of the oldest forms of processed food, having been mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey (an ancient Greek tale of adventure and heroism).

• Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar’s (54-68) cook, Gaius, is often credited with discovering the first sausage.

• It is said that the frankfurter was developed in Frankfurt, Germany (five years before Christopher Columbus set sail for the new world). In 1987, the city of Frankfurt celebrated the 500th birthday of the hot dog.

• In 1867, Charles Feltman, a German butcher, opened up the first Coney Island hot dog stand in Brooklyn, New York.

• The annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island has been held at the original Coney Island hot dog stand every Independence Day since 1916.

• The term “hog dog” was coined in 1902 during a Giants baseball game at the New York Polo grounds. On a cold April day, concessionaire Harry Mozley Stevens was losing money trying to sell ice cream and ice-cold sodas. He sent his salesmen out to buy up all the dachshund sausages they could find, and an equal number of rolls. In less than an hour, his vendors were hawking hot dogs from portable hot water tanks while yelling, “They’re red hot! Get your dachshund sausages while they’re red hot!”

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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