DEAR SUN SPOTS: When I was a young child, 65 years ago, I recall my parents mentioning the poor house in Auburn. I believe it was where the Dingley estate was. I may be wrong. The very poor resided there. I recall that the garbage collected by the city went there to feed the pigs. Would anyone have information on this place? Thank you. — Roberta Proctor, grandameroberta72@yahoo.com

ANSWER: The only thing Sun Spots turned up online was a book on New England’s poorhouses on Google books. It’s called “The Poorhouse: America’s Forgotten Institution” by David Wagner and mentions local poorhouses. There are copies in both the Lewiston and Auburn libraries.

Perhaps Professor Emeritus Doug Hodgkin at Bates College and the Androscoggin Historical Society will offer some information.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am hoping that some of your readers will be able to help me with a question. My husband is a picker and came home the other day with an old Dr. True’s Elixir bottle. I did not know that Dr. True’s was made in Auburn.

I remember being dosed with that when I was a kid in New Hampshire.

I thought it was wonderful. My question is this: What was Dr. True’s purportedly for? Why would my mother have given it to me? I was a picky eater. Was it for that? Was I wormy? Someone must know.

Thanks for your help. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Back in the day when visits to doctors were relatively rare events, smart merchants peddled elixirs and other “cure-alls.” Some acted as laxatives, others did little or nothing, while some were actually harmful. This was before the days of the Food and Drug Administration, so there was no one regulating the contents.

It seems unlikely that you were actually “wormy,” as in infested with tapeworms or other parasites, and no Elixir would cure a picky eater, or parents all over the country would be buying it by the case.

Chances are your mother just thought it was good for you, like vitamins or cod liver oil (which actually are good for you in appropriate amounts).

This is another question that history experts may want to comment on. Readers will undoubtedly have their own recollections.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the past several years, the West Auburn School Historical Society has held a midsummer yard sale, and you have kindly supported us by printing the announcement of the upcoming sale. We are hoping you will repeat the favor this year.

The sale will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tables may be rented for $10 by calling Dick Keene at 966-2202. Call early as space is limited.

In addition to the opportunity to buy various treasures, there will be delicious goodies available on our food table. A hot dog lunch will be offered as well at a nominal charge. Various items will be raffled off.

The West Auburn School Historical Society is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The society was founded in 1992 when the city of Auburn announced plans to demolish the school, which was in sad repair and had been used as a storage space for unwanted items belonging to the school department.

Neighbors and friends banded together to save one of the last remaining one-room schoolhouses in the area, and we were able to renovate it and make it usable once again. Many area children have visited the school to experience what school was like back in the 19th century.

Donna Berry has served as schoolmarm over the years. Anyone wishing to make a reservation to visit the school during the fall of 2012 or the spring of 2013 may do so by calling Donna at 346-3106.

Any questions? Feel free to call President Steve Marsden at 689-3335. Come on down on Aug. 11 and visit with old friends, make some new friends and find treasures beyond belief! — June Spear, junesp@roadrunner.com

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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