Dear Sun Spots: I’m looking for someone who repairs and restores leather webbing, if that’s the right word, for old snowshoes. Thank you for Sun Spots. – A.C., Dixfield.

Answer: Sun Spots has used Maine Guide Snowshoes, 823 Ridge Road, Pleasant Ridge Plantation, ME 04920, as a resource in the past and checked in with owner Andrea Howe whose husband and herself run the business in Somerset County. Howe says they still offer this service. You can reach them at 672-4011 or toll free outside Maine at 1-866-672-4011. You can also check them out online at www.mgsnowshoes.com. Along with snowshoe repair, they also sell white ash snowshoes, tied with either Neoprene or rawhide, whichever you prefer. The rawhide is from the very best cowhides, cured by a process that positively prevents sagging. The Neoprene is nylon reinforced causing it to be strong, waterproof, and will not stretch or sag. Very little if any maintenance is needed for Neoprene. The snowshoes are made in Maine and are used daily by the Maine Guides of Pine Grove Lodge, foresters in the North Maine Woods, and many others.

Another alternative is to contact Edmond and Brian Theriault of P.O. Box 242, Fort Kent Mills, ME 04744, 834-4510. You can also locate them online at www.ilovesnowshoes.com or via e-mail at briant@sjv.net.

The two Theriaults, father and son, have been making traditional snowshoes in the Upper St. John River Valley area of northernmost Maine for more than 30 years. They are helping preserve this dying art form, developed originally in the area between local First Nations people and French settlers. If you’re interested you might check in with them about purchasing a DVD and VHS presenting a step-by-step demonstration of how to make beautiful and functional ash and rawhide snowshoes.

Dear Sun Spots: I am writing to see if you or one one your readers might be able to help me out.

I’m looking to see if there are any Jeep clubs in the area that would be able to help me locate a place where I could get used Jeep parts. I am trying to locate a 4.2L 258 motor for a 1988 Jeep Wrangler and am having a hard time on my own. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at tinknocker60@yahoo.com or by phone at 890-1240. Thank you for any assistance. – Kevin Plummer, Oxford.

Answer: Many thanks to Corinna Beebe, who was able to offer several options for you. First, consider contacting her husband, Jeff, a member of the Western Maine Mountain Jeepers Inc., Bethel, 583-2724. The group meets the first Saturday of each month for a trail ride at the Bethel Fire Station. FMI please talk with Jeff.

Regarding your question on the motor, Corinna recommends you consider contacting Gaudreau’s Repair in Bethel, Geoff the owner should be able to assist you or at least direct you where you might be able to find help in locating this part (824-2807).

You might also check with the Maine 4×4 Club, www.maine4x4.org, which has a buy, sell or trade forum that might also interest you or assist you in your search. Click on ‘Garage’ then Buy Sell Trade for more information. Another option is Midcoast Jeep N ORV Club, www.midcoastjeep.com.

In the meantime, Sun Spots wonders if you’ve also considered checking with local junk yards to see if you might be able to purchase it there? You might consider touching base with a salvage yard: Lashin’s Auto Sales & Salvage Yard, www.lashinsautosalvage.com, 321 Mechanic Falls Road, Oxford, 539-2905 or Phil’s Garage & Salvage Yard, 360 South Monmouth Road, Monmouth, 933-4364. Other resources include Auto Parts Warehouse, www.autopartswarehouse.com, 1-800-913-6119 or even the Uncle Henry’s publication.

Dear Sun Spots: Where would I go about finding out where someone is buried in Maine? All I know is the person’s name and hometown. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: For birth, marriage and death records from 1923, write to the Maine Department of Human Services, Office of Vital Records, State House Station 11, Augusta, ME 04333-0011. For earlier records, write to the Maine State Archives, LMA Building, State House Station 84, Augusta, ME 04333.

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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