DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m formerly from Lewiston and have a question. Was the area around Lisbon and Main streets once referred to as Union Square? Email me the answer. — Louis Jean, Mountain Home, Ark., ldjean@suddenlink.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not answer questions via email. Hopefully Louis will think to read Sun Spots at sunjournal.com.

As for the answer, once again she would be lost without the assistance of Bates professor Doug Hodgkin. He and his colleagues at the Androscoggin Historical Society often come through with answers. Here is Doug’s response to this question:

“During the 19th century this wide area of Main Street was called Haymarket Square because farmers brought in their hay there to sell to the city folk for their horses. Sometime around 1900 or so, the hay market was moved and the square was named Union Square.

“In 1928 it was renamed Hulett Square in honor of Capt. Frank W. Hulett, the first Lewiston man killed in World War I. However, Hulett Square was referred to in news stories sometimes as Union Square and sometimes as Hulett Square for several years after 1928.

“At that time other intersections were also named in honor of veterans. For example, right outside the Sun Journal building, the intersection of Park and Pine streets was named Andrew Roberson Square for a Civil War veteran who died in 1863.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can anyone advise me on how to remove pine pitch from my automobile paint? — John, Turner

ANSWER: Sun Spots cruised several sites on the Internet and saw the same responses come up time and time again.

Although there are commercial products that advertise that they remove pine sap, the most common recommendation Sun Spots found was for denatured alcohol, followed by mineral spirits, kerosene, Coleman stove fuel and WD-40.

Perhaps readers will have additional ideas, but whatever you try, it might be a good idea to do a small spot first to make sure the cure won’t exacerbate the damage to your car’s paint. Several sites said the pine sap may leave permanent damage.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A couple of weeks ago, you had a request for a laptop from a genealogical group. I lost the contact information but would like to offer them one.

I also have a printer compatible with Windows 95 that I will give to anyone who might have a use for it. — Wanda Sprague, wandarer@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: That May 12 request was from the Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society. You can reach them at 786-3327.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The organizers of Bands on the Run Half Marathon & 5K,  benefiting Museum L-A, are looking for volunteers to take photographs and/or  video of Sunday morning’s (June 24) event.

There will be nine bands playing along race courses in and around downtown Lewiston and Auburn and post-race activities and a children’s obstacle course at Simard-Payne/Railroad Park.

The first race begins at 8:30 a.m. If you are interested, please contact me. — Susan Beane, 333-3881, sbeane@museumla.org

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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