Dear Sun Spots: I currently live in the Lewiston-Auburn area and would like to know if there are any places to play pinball. The time in which I am able to play is usually late morning/early afternoon. Any information on where I could find a place to play pinball would be great. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots corresponded with John Reuter (AKA BallyMan) who notes he has some friends in the L-A area who are pinball collectors, but unfortunately says the area doesn’t have any good public places to play any more. Pinball is becoming a home collector’s hobby and Reuter writes that he has one of the best collections in New England, in collector’s condition, and the largest in Maine: 106 pinball machines, and around 55 of them set up in his house to play. He’d love you and other enthusiasts to come check out the events. You might also be interested in checking out his Web site at www.nepinball.com, or via phone at 892-2963 and e-mail at [email protected].

Reuter co-founded a collector’s group called the Boston Pinball Association along with a friend from Massachusetts, Bowen Kerins, who is a three-time world champion. There are about 140 members signed up all over New England and across the country. It’s free. No membership fees. Go to the Yahoo homepage and click on Yahoo Groups you will see Boston Pinball Association, which will lead you to the home page. To sign up, you will need a valid Yahoo identification.

Reuter notes that you and other pinball enthusiasts might be interested in the first New England Championship – Pin Maine-ia – taking place July 27-29 at 25 Hickory Lane in Gorham. There will be an entry fee of $40 for the entire weekend, and several world-class players are expected. The cost includes all events, with an opportunity for prizes, free play on non-tournament machines, a commemorative T-shirt (in addition to the three event cash prizes), plaques and more for all. There is a $10 per day spectator fee or $15 for the weekend and includes free play on all non-tournament machines. Events are open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sun.

There will be three events with cash prizes.

• The Main Event, a 15 Round Match Play Championship with a Final Round Shoot Out for the top two finishers to Crown The New England Champion. All day Saturday. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in the A and B groups.

• The B Division. After the first eight rounds of the Main Event, the bottom half of the bracket will be cut and the “B” division will be formed. All records will be wiped clean and a B Division Champ will be crowned from this group.

• The Team Open. Everyone will be invited to compete in a four-person team event using a “Golf” scoring format. Players will be seeded according to their skill level and prizes will be awarded to the top teams.

Reuter also hosts gatherings at his place about 10 times a year, including charity events and informal tournaments. Many are open to the public, and he’s always excited to meet new PinHeads. He buys, sells, trades and repairs pinball machines.

Dear Sun Spots: Thanks for all your help in the past.

None of the bookstores or supermarkets carries any magazines on airplanes any more. I have a young friend who has an interest in airplanes, flying and general aviation. The address of flying magazines or other current publications that cater to this. Might you know of any Internet or Web sites that cater to people interested in this subject? – No Name, Turner.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, using Google to to www.cat2.com_avsites.htm, which will give you a list of many, many aviation categories such as flying clubs, helicopter sites, flight schools, aviation museums, as well as airlines, airports and associations. They should keep your young friend very busy indeed. There appears to be a lot of fascinating information out there on aviation.

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 [email protected].