DEAR SUN SPOTS: How do I obtain an obituary from the 1940s or 1950s? — Charlene Kroitor, cnkl@aol.com

ANSWER: Google is helping out those who want to look through old newspapers by archiving many editions online. Here are the instructions provided by Sun Journal Web Editor Pattie Reaves:

Steps to find archive pages:

1. Visit the Google News Archive Search at http://news.google.com/archivesearch

2. Search for Lewiston Daily Sun (or Evening Journal or Sun Journal)

3. Click the link “browse newspaper editions from Lewiston Daily Sun”

4. This brings you to a view by decade. You can enter the date you want in the date field on the top, left-hand side.

Here’s the link for the Sun: http://tinyurl.com/334ehgd

Here’s the link for the Journal: http://tinyurl.com/2v2uu7x

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been looking up my family history and would be interested in getting a hold of my grandfather’s obituary. His name was Graydon D. Burns, born Aug. 23, 1896, in Bath and passed on May 23, 1984, in Auburn. My father was Graydon Owen Burns, born May 19, 1930 in Auburn and passed on Nov. 18, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla.

His mother was Elvira J. Owen Burns. She was born about 1901 in Bath, but she and granddad lived in the Lewiston-Auburn area. My brother said that he remembered her passing in Auburn after granddad, but we cannot find the date.

I remember before he passed, dad went up there to Auburn to settle the estate. What I am looking for is to try and find the obituaries for granddad and grandma, if possible. I would appreciate any help in this matter. Thank you. — Carol Burns Ficorilli, cficorilli@nycap.rr.com, 518-729-5457

ANSWER: Using the information from her previous answer, Sun Spots searched for Graydon D. Burns in the Lewiston Daily Sun and came up with an obituary dated May 24, 1984.

You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/2fh397w. The archive will not let you print. So if you want a hard copy, you will need to do that from the microfiche archive at the library. You can contact the Lewiston Public Library by visiting their website, www.lplonline.org, or by calling 207-513-3004.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Good morning, I’m writing to see if you or your readers can tell me where to take my old commercial quality Hobart/KitchenAid stand mixer to be repaired. It makes a strange noise when I turn it on, and I need someone who knows what they are doing and can put this beautiful old mixer back in working condition.

I have contacted the KitchenAid help site but all the numbers/names I was given are in the New York area or close to that! My number is 778-6968. Thanks. — Wes Marble, Marble Family Farms, Farmington

ANSWER: Sun Spots only has one small-appliance repairman in her Rolodex, and he (Cliff’s Appliance Repair, 376-5604) only goes to homes in Lewiston-Auburn. Perhaps he would let you bring the mixer to him?

There appears to be an increasing tendency for repairs for many things (appliances, electronics, etc.) to require shipping them to a central location, which can be annoying but may be your best option.

If you’re handy, you could try to fix it yourself. Sun Spots found instructions at ehow.com (http://tinyurl.com/2uysoze) that may be of help. Parts can usually be ordered online. Handy Mr. Sun Spots has fixed both the fridge and washing machine using this process.

Perhaps readers will have additional suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to thank Sun Spots’ readers for their help in the past in supporting Turner Elementary School. We are again collecting Box Tops 4 Education to raise money for our school. Our goal this year is $1,500.

If any readers have some they would like to donate, they can be mailed to me at 5 Brookfield Estates Turner, ME 04282. Thank you. — Laurie Labbe

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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