Dear Sun Spots: You’ve helped me in the past. Now, please settle this debate!

Your recent article on the Fortin Funeral Homes construction has sparked a debate among my golf league. Some have said it is owned by a funeral home chain from Texas and that the former owners are just employees of this large group.

Thank you. – Mrs. Golfer, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I am sure you can sort this out. Fortin Funeral Homes is remodeling and advertises local labor, local material and local everything else. But, I see it stops when it comes to local ownership. If I remember correctly it was purchased a few years ago by a funeral conglomerate from out West. Why try to make people believe it is local? Thank you. Just wondering. – Wondering in No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots had the pleasure of talking with Roger Theriault, an apprentice at the Fortin Funeral Homes who says the former owners, Peter Arsenault, Ray Perreault and Roger Bouffard, remain employees.

The company is run locally, however, you are correct in that it is owned by an out-of-state company.

It is owned by FCI Corp. In discussing the renovations at Fortin, Theriault notes that the $1 million renovation at 70 Horton St., again is all local. Atlantic Construction of Lewiston is the general contractor on this project and workers are hired locally.

The renovations should be complete this winter and the Horton Street facility will reopen in January. In the interim, some services will be offered by a small staff in Lewiston while its sister facility in Auburn picks up the slack.

Dear Sun Spots: For the woman looking for cardamom, Penzeys Spices, carries the spice.

It may be ordered by the pods, seeds or with no shell, in the 4 ounce bag, ½ cup glass jar or ¼ cup jar, the latter sells for about $3.79. The company may be reached at 193 West Janacek Court, P.O. Box 924, Brookfield, WI 53008-0924, www.penzeys.com, 800-741-7787. – No Name, Lewiston.

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