Dear Sun Spots: The recently published Balloon Festival supplement in the Sun Journal mentioned events that would take place at the “Simard and Payne Memorial Park,” formerly known as Railroad Park.

Who are, or were, Simard and Payne? And what did they do to deserve the honor of having the park named after them? – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: Railroad Park was officially renamed Simard/Payne Memorial Park this May 17, to honor two Lewiston police officers killed in the line of duty.

Officer Paul J. Simard was shot and killed on July 7, 1958, when he was sent to a report of a domestic disturbance where shots were being fired. When the officer arrived, he confronted a 14-year-old girl, who shot and killed him.

Officer David R. Payne was shot and killed on July 23, 1988, while checking on a car that had gone off the roadway. He was shot and killed by a man who had been recently freed from prison and who was carrying a .44 Magnum revolver.

The dedication to the officers was held at the park on Oxford Street. In a sprawling field between Lincoln Street and the Androscoggin River, police and city leaders unveiled a tall stone memorial that officially marked the inaugural of the newly named Simard-Payne Law Enforcement Memorial Park.

The park connects to Auburn’s Bonney Park by a walking bridge. Bonnie Park was named in honor of Auburn police Officer Rodney “Rocky” Bonny, who was also killed in the line of duty. National Police Week is observed in May.

Dear Sun Spots: Please rerun the addresses of where to donate shampoos and conditioners, school supplies, household small appliances, utensils, knickknacks, vases and wall pictures, stuffed toys, towels in good to fair condition and yarn of all colors and weights. Thank you. You have a wonderful service. I read your column daily and will be awaiting your reply via this column. No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, the following would be delighted with any such donations and you’ll have the pleasure of knowing your donations went to a very good cause:

Abused Women’s Advocacy Project (AWAP) will appreciate your donation and can be contacted at 1-800-559-2927 or 795-4020. For the full AWAP donation wish list, visit their Web site at www.awap.org, click on “You can help.”

Sister Fournier at the Loaves & Fishes program also says these items would be greatly appreciated. These can be delivered at the Dominican Sisters’ convent, 61 Lisbon Road, Sabattus, preferably on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. or by calling 375-8399 in advance.

Another possibility to consider is the Hope Haven Mission, a shelter for men and women with children. They are located at 209 Lincoln St., Lewiston,and you can reach them at 783-6086 to get an updated list of needs other than:

• toys and diapers (of all sizes) for infants and children;

• Ziploc bags of all sizes, and sandwich bags;

• Styrofoam plates and cups, paper towels, toilet paper;

• 30-gallon garbage bags;

• warm blankets, twin size sheets, towels, washcloths (secondhand is fine but, please, in good condition); and

• shampoos, soaps or body wash, cold medicines and toothpaste.

They are open five days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open for shelter from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you please add me to your list of people who retail and wholesale Fuller Brush Products in the area? I Sell Fuller, Stanley and Avon. My address is 138 Pleasant St., Auburn, and I can be reached via phone at 784-0081. I also recruit for those companies. Thank you, Sun Spots and column readers. – Alice Flanders, Auburn.

• Readers seeking to donate crafts to help Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends save the abused and neglected animals in their care can please call Norm Blais at 650-8374. The number provided in Friday’s column was incorrect.

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.