DEAR SUN SPOTS: I attended Mid-State College on East Hardscrabble Road in Auburn from 1998 to 2001, and I would like to get my transcripts from there. However, I am unable to find anyone I can contact to get that information. Does anyone know who I can contact to get this information. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. — Elizabeth Lambert, lizirish52@aol.com

ANSWER: For readers who might not know, Mid-State College was a private, for-profit college, which is now closed. However, the transcripts Elizabeth seeks are available.

Sun Spots called the Department of Education and spoke to Harry, who said that state law requires schools to retain these records. They are kept in the state archives. Call 624-6607 and ask for Donna Rancourt. Harry said she can find your records for you.

Sun Spots is continually amazed at how efficient and helpful state employees are. Every time she has called, her question has either been answered immediately and with little fuss, or someone has called (or emailed) her back with an answer within 24 hours.

Readers might also be interested to know that their state was a leader in providing online information. Sun Spots has a cousin who works for another state, and he told her that when that state was developing its website a few years ago, it looked to Maine as a model.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Every other year our family has a reunion for four days. We are looking ahead to 2013 and need a place in Maine that can accommodate approximately 75 people. Cabins with a central meeting place for the group to eat and meet would be ideal, or a lodge with a large capacity. A large kitchen in the meeting place would help, but individual kitchens in the cabins can be used.

We also need an area for horseshoes, volleyball, etc., and a playground for the younger children. Also access to the beach or a pool. Due to the number of people, a place by ourselves would be best in order not to disturb other guests. If you know of such a place please contact me. Thank you. — Charle Clark, charle19@hotmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a Boy Scout in Auburn’s Troop 111, working on my Eagle rank. For my Eagle project, I am constructing a sand play area in the East Auburn Learning Park.

Last summer, the East Auburn Community School built the new Learning Park, which replaced the playground. One feature, which was conceptualized but never built for this, was a sand play area. Sand is a good medium for learning about nature; students can gain an appreciation of physics and gravity from watching how sand falls, see and feel the interesting texture of sand, and learn valuable problem-solving skills trying to move sand.

We will construct a large sand area, with an approximately 20-foot-long play structure, built of naturally rot-resistant wood, in the center. This is an ambitious project, to hopefully be completed on Aug. 20 and 21, which will require many volunteer hours and approximately $6,000 in materials.

I have a list of lumber, hardware and other assorted miscellaneous items needed, as well as a plan of the structure I can provide to anyone interested in helping. We are seeking gifts in kind and cash donations from community members. I hope you can help me, the East Auburn School and the community at large with this project.

Please make checks payable to Troop 111, and send them to me at 8 Woodbury Hill Road, Auburn, ME 04210-8612. Please call or email me if you are interested in donating materials. Thank you. — Scott Potter, Life Scout, Troop 111, potter.scott@cheverus.org, 783-4459

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Holy Trinity Parish in Lisbon Falls on Frost Hill Avenue will be having its annual Christmas holiday craft fair on Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be available for purchase.

Table rentals are available. An eight-foot table is $25, and a six-foot table is $20. You can call me at 353-5035 or Katie Carville at 353-9056 for reservations or further information. — Pat Tardiff, Lisbon

 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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