DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am interested in finding online the music and lyrics of some of the wonderful songs that were written back in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.

If anyone has a favorite website where these are available I would appreciate it if they would write to Sun Spots. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: If you know which specific song you’d like to hear, you may be able to find it on YouTube. 

Another terrific source of old music is satellite radio (www.siriusxm.com). Sun Spots’ uncle is an avid listener. In addition to old-fashioned music, old radio programs (“only the Shadow knows …”) can be heard. 

In a website search Sun Spots found www.goodoldsongs.com. Lyrics to old songs can be found on most of the lyric websites, such as azlyrics.com, www.sing365.com, www.lyricsmania.com, www.metrolyrics.com, www.lyricsmode.com and others.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have more than 200 45 rpm records, some in sleeves, dating back to the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. I would like to know if they have any value. If anyone is interested, please call me. — Rollie, Auburn

ANSWER: Most old records have little value, but there are always a few, and it’s difficult to know which they are. Locally, there are a handful of collectors you could ask:

* Bill Cartmel, Lewiston, www.Billstuff.com, 795-1386, bill@billstuff.com

* Melanie Ward, Lewiston, Melcat’s Vinyl and Collectibles, 783-7447, melcatsvinyl@myfairpoint.net

* Enterprise Records, 613A Congress St., Portland, 773-7672. The owner, Bob, does the buying, so you need to talk to him.’

* The Record Connection, 254 Main St., Waterville, 873-1798. They are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

* Bill O’Neill’s House of Rock ‘n’ Roll, 840 U.S. Route 1, Saco, 283-1966. He is very selective and only buys a few.

You can also check the value of your records online, at sites such as eBay. But you cannot sell them through the column, which is why Sun Spots did not include your phone number.

You can place a classified ad at 783-2281 or 800-482-0935. Collectibles are not eligible for free ads, however. For those who want to place a free ad, there is a $5 charge for placing a free classified over the phone. You can mail them in or place them online (http://tinyurl.com/33dvwlc) for free. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As a child, my father spent a lot of time at the Lewiston-Auburn Children’s Home on Madison Street in Auburn. This would be in the 1930s. He remembers the matron in charge, Effie Scherer.

I investigated at the Androscoggin Historical Society, and they have no information. If anyone has personal stories or information to share, I would appreciate your contributions. — Peggy Shepard, Greene

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Leavitt Institute Class of 1963, Turner, will be having its 50th class reunion in the summer of 2013.

If you were in our class anytime during the years of 1959-1963, we would like to hear from you and hope you can attend. We need current email, telephone and mailing address of all classmates.

Class members we don’t have addresses of are David Newton, John Harkins, Linda Sampson, Doug Mason, Shirley Brown, Lily Mae Fisher cormier, Joyce Eaton, Herb Bachelder, Tom Burdin and Heb Lowell.

Anyone reading this who knows of these people, please contact one of the following: Lola Richardsonb Buduk, 225-3396, atb@megalink.net; Linwood Gilbert, 225-3925, molingil@megalink.net; Rose Anne Rucker Newton, 225-5470 or me. Please contact us as soon as possible. — Marion Bubier, 946-5579 

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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