DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Aug. 10 your answer to a question said Maine ranks fourth in shoreline miles.

I was taught in the eighth grade that Maine had the longest coastline in the continental United States. This was before Alaska and Hawaii became states, which does not alter the fact that I believe Maine still has the longest coastline in the continental U.S.

Was I taught wrong or is your information wrong? — Robert Worthley, Roxbury

ANSWER: First, Sun Spots has to commend you on being able to remember something you were taught so long ago. She is not sure she could repeat that feat.

As for Maine’s coastline ranking, Maine is clearly not No. 1 because of Florida. Take a look at a map and you can see that it has much more coast.

Louisiana is bit more questionable. The numbers Sun Spots quoted were based on “tidally influenced” waters, so that may mean that Louisiana’s measurers are including some of the Mississippi River. If that is the case and coastline is limited to oceans only, Maine might move up a notch, but it still wouldn’t make it No. 1 in the continental U.S.

As she noted in the Aug. 10 column, measurements vary greatly, depending on the method used. Perhaps your teacher was including all water bodies, such as rivers and lakes as well as oceans?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the May 12 letter from a person with a picture of Cecil A. “Mush” Moore who was looking for his family. Yes, he still has family in the area. A lot, actually.

He was my great-grandfather on my mother’s side. Unfortunately, my grandfather, his only son, Bronson Moore, passed away 20 years ago.

He still has three grandchildren, Kelli Moore and David Moore of Lewiston and Trudi Budek, nee Moore, of Turner.

He also has three great-grandchildren, Thomas Moore of Lewiston, Katie Budek of Turner and myself (formerly of Turner). Twenty-three years ago I ran in a single dogsled race across Sabattus Lake as part of festivities in my great-grandfather’s honor.

If you still have the contact information from the people who wrote the letter back in May, it would be greatly appreciated as it would be nice to have another picture of Mush Moore’s journey to add to our collection. — Jason Pleau, Hyannis, Mass., [email protected]

ANSWER: The original letter was from Gerry of Canada, who found the photo. After another reader expressed interest, a third reader, Dick Moore, wrote in and said that Mush was his uncle, and that he now has the photo. You can email him at [email protected].

He was willing to share it, so perhaps copies can be made for all interested parties. You can read his June 13 letter, which offered additional information, at http://tinyurl.com/c5zjzja.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again, a request for your much-appreciated help: An old pottery bottle was found in the barn, clearly stamped “J. Sanders.” No online resource in my searches has any information on him or her.

Any details would be appreciated. Thanks for your excellent column.

Also, thank you for listing my search for a triangle paper punch (Aug. 2). Only one person called with a four-sided punch, but I saved the search on eBay, and, sure enough, after a few weeks, two triangular paper punches turned up, and I bought them. Thank you again! — Lew Alessio, 946-5049

ANSWER: Lew’s technical savvy being equal to Sun Spots,’ she’ll have to look to readers for an answer. Does anyone know about J. Sanders bottles? Sun Spots wonders if it’s perhaps homemade?

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 [email protected].