Dear Sun Spots: I am inquiring to find out who I might contact about a question I have about the Veterans Cemetery on Riverside Street in Lewiston?

We had a bronze flag holder on our family member’s grave and it was removed some years ago. We replaced it with a plastic one six years ago. Now that too is also gone. The flag was left. We purchase the flag each year and it was taped into the holder. I have called different places that should have an answer to my question but have received no results. Thanks for any assistance. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots checked with Assistant City Clerk Jessica Hanscombe who says the city maintains this particular cemetery, the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery on Riverside Street who believes her office has spoken to you about this matter.

Hanscombe says that the city’s maintenance includes mowing the lawns, maintaining some stones and the placing of flags on all veterans graves annually. She says the city only provides flags and not the holders and neither city employees or any of the veterans’ groups assisting with the placing of the flags would have removed the holder. She wonders if either it was blown away during some strong winds or the other possibility is that perhaps it was stolen. Hanscombe notes that the city has been laying flags, by law, for many years now and has never encountered a theft of such plastic holders. In 2006, the city placed a total of 4,859 flags on gravesites. The city maintains a total of almost nine cemeteries. You might consider checking in with the Police Department if you believe this was stolen. Otherwise, perhaps the easiest solution would be to replace the plastic holder.

Dear Sun Spots: Several years ago, I heard of someone who makes teddy bears from flannel shirts that belonged to a deceased relative. I’m not sure if I read this in your column or heard it from a friend. Would you please ask your readers if they know of anybody who does this? I can be reached at 777-5155. – C.B., No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots located the following Web site that indicates they provide this service called Memory Bears. You can reach them at TBT Embroidery Concepts, P.O. Box 347, Wonder Lake, IL 60097-0347, via e-mail at [email protected], phone at 1-815-653-1045. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the meantime, you might also consider contacting any of the below to see if they might be able to assist you in your quest:

Teddy Bear World c/o Sylvia Small, P.O. Box 452, Vinalhaven, ME 04863, by phone 863-9928, or online at teddybearworld.com; Angie Rogers’ Handmade Bears, P.O. Box 185, Gray, ME 04039, 428-4415, www.angiebears.com; and Northeast Bears, P.O. Box 133, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, 276-3646, e-mail at [email protected].

Dear Sun Spots: How would one be able to contact the coach of the Portland Pirates to get a signed picture of the group, showing off their new uniforms when they were unveiled? Thanks. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Consider contacting the Portland Pirates’ coach, Kevin Dineen, via e-mail at [email protected] to see if he might be able to assist you. You can also contact them via their Web site at www.portlandpirates.com. Click on the Fan Zone link on the top right hand corner of your computer screen. To view and purchase photos, visit www.digiproofs.com and enter the password: pirates

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].