Dear Sun Spots: I am in search of recreational runners in the area. I’ve searched the Internet, but have only been able to find groups that are too far away from the Lewiston-Auburn area. If there are enough of us locally, perhaps we could start a club. Otherwise, I would like to contact people with which to run. My email is rvgallantjr1@yahoo.com – Rich Gallant, Minot

Answer: Bob Brainerd of Central Maine Conditioning Clinic Inc. has hosted a series of run clinics at Edward Little High School in Auburn, including work-outs specifically designed in preparation of amateur race events. For instance, in September last year, the Maine Track Club worked out with Brainerd at the high school, starting with a two-mile warm-up for distance and a one-mile 5K, followed by form run and stretch, and 12x400s at a 5K pace, minus 5 seconds for three miles, then 12x800s at a 10K pace for six miles, ending with a recovery and cool-down jog.

The clinics are open to beginning and serious runners and are tiered to help runners develop skills at their own pace. Cost is $25 for the season, which pays for membership to the Maine Track Club, with workouts held at EL from 5:30 to 7:30 each Tuesday starting April 29 and going until Sept. 30.

For more information, contact Brainerd at his clinic, 30 Belgrade Ave., Auburn, ME 04241, 783-0018.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for someone who can transfer, with music, from 8mm film to a VHS tape and to a DVD. Please write to 14 Cyr Street, Auburn, ME 04210. Thank you. – No name, Auburn

Dear Sun Spots: For the reader in Rumford who recently lamented the fact that Hannaford’s no longer stocks Dreamfields Pasta, which is an absolutely wonderful product for both diabetic and low carb diets, please let him or her know that Shaw’s does stock it and has recently lowered the prices. The pasta can also be ordered online from the Dreamfields Web site: www.dreamfieldsfoods.com. A $1 coupon can also be printed for use at the store. – No name, Lisbon Falls

Dear Sun Spots: At present, Paris is the Oxford County seat but I recently heard that Rumford was, at one time, the county seat. Do you know this to be true? If so, why was it changed? – John Kezal, Rumford

Answer: According to Oxford County Clerk Carole Mahoney, the county seat has always been in Paris, although Fryeburg had been considered as the seat at one time. “But, from the minutes and everything I’ve seen, it’s always been in Paris,” Mahoney said.

Superior Court used to meet in Rumford years back, but all Superior Court cases are now heard in Paris. There are district court cases still heard in Rumford, as well as Paris.

Dear Sun Spots: My sister and I have been doing some research on family history. While we were doing that we found some names of places in Maine that we can’t locate on any map or by checking with the county office. One was written under a picture of a house. It said “Our house in Cabbage Holler.” It probably was in the Sumner, Hartford or Carthage area. The others were places our ancestors had lived. One was Pine, Maine and the other was New Meadows, Maine.

If anyone knows where these places were or are, we would appreciate the information. Thank you for any help you can give us. Please call me at 743-7261. – Betty I. Jones, Norway

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.

Copy the Story Link