DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any camera repair shops in the Lewiston-Auburn area? The one on Center Street is closed. We have a Fuji Fine Pix that needs minor repair. It’s a digital. Thanks. — No Name, Rumford

ANSWER: Sun Spots did not find a camera repair shop in L-A, although someone may be doing them from their home locally. She did talk to Andy, one of the owners of the Classic Camera and Repair Inc., 284-5500, in Biddeford, who estimated that only about one out of 10 of the new digital cameras are repairable for a reasonable cost.

He said that most digital cameras (there are exceptions, such as the high-end models professionals use) are not made for long-term use and have an average life span of three to five years. This compares to a 30-year lifespan for the old-fashioned metal-body camera, such as one you might have inherited from your dad or uncle.

This obsolescence is partly based on changing technology. Every year there are new features developed, and manufacturers want customers to buy a new camera, so they are not motivated to make them sturdy. Also, people tend to use and handled their cameras a great deal, which shortens the lifespan. Finally, if a repair is needed, Andy said the price of the electronic parts to repair means that the cost to fix a camera ends up being more than half of the price to buy a new one.

Andy said there are some he can fix, however, so perhaps your minor repair might be doable. But don’t delay. Andy said that their business has fallen off in new camera sales, so they will be moving out of their storefront, although he will continue to do repairs at a new location.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am interested in finding out about two small cabins that were built at the end of Lake Auburn facing Center Street, near a vegetable farm stand, built in the early 1900s. They have since been torn down, but there must be some history involved. They were right on that lake shore.

How were these people able to acquire this land on that part of the lake? I understand that one small cabin was built with discarded lumber from a fence that surrounded the Lewiston City Park. The farm vegetable stand on Center Street was there for several years, run by the Harris family. Would they have some input on these cabins?

I have no clue as to how to find out any information which involved this mysterious property, and I hope that you have a better source than I. Thank you. — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots hopes readers will be able to help.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The federal government is releasing new dollar coins. Refuse to accept them when they are handed to you. I received one from the Post Office as change, and I asked for a dollar bill instead. The lady just smiled and said “way to go,” so she had read the e-mail about them. Please help out. Our world is in enough trouble without this. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: There is actually a good reason for using dollar coins instead of bills. Because singles are so frequently handled, they wear out very quickly, which means they have to be printed frequently, while the coins hold up much longer, reducing the cost to the federal reserve to produce new dollars in the long run.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Christmas parade in Rumford was very well-received by all of the enthusiastic people along the new parade route. I would like to thank those who made it happen. The Firemen’s Relief Association, the Rumford Fire Department and the Fire Union all contributed to the success of the parade.

The children and their parents flocked to the fire station after the parade for hot chocolate and candy canes provided by the Firemen’s Relief Association. The River Valley Chamber of Commerce provided the coloring books for each child. Cheri Crockett and all of the firemen made the parade an exciting event with 13 floats, the Mountain Valley Majorettes, the Police Honor Guard and, of course, Santa Claus. Thank you also to all of the other volunteers who were a great help. — Linda French, chamber volunteer

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to [email protected].