DEAR SUN SPOTS: Greetings, oh wise one! Tis the holiday season and once again begins the yearly search for a balsam fir scented candle to spread Yule fragrance all through the house.

We’ve tried many, and, yes, searched online for “Why is my scented candle fragrance-free?” yet still come up empty-handed and aroma-free. We’ve spent a little and a lot, but not one’s scent lasted or spread.

So the question, have any of your readers bought and been satisfied with a balsam fir scented candle, locally available, with a strong fragrance? Yes, there are many out there, but is there one that gives more than light?

Not wax warmer appliances, not “Walk in the Woods” or “Forest Fantasy,” etc., just balsam fir, thank you. Holiday cheer to us all, and thank you for being there. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Not-so-wise Sun Spots has nothing to offer beyond the website search you’ve already done. A search for “balsam fir candle” turns up a lengthy list of those candles for sale online, but Sun Spots has no way of knowing how effective their scent is. Perhaps other candle fans can offer some help.

You said you didn’t want any substitutes, but Sun Spots’ mother used to get excellent results with one of those gizmos that has potpourri in water above a votive candle. Very smelly. You could try putting fir needles in the water.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I received the following response from the man in Holland who was looking for information about the family of PFC Stanley V. Clark, who died in World War II and whose grave he has “adopted.”

Your readers might be interested in his letter and also the information from the attached newspaper clipping. — Marilyn Burgess, stocker7@fairpoint.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots agrees that readers will be interested. According to the information Marilyn so kindly supplied, it turns out that Stanley was one of six sons of George A. and Flore Clark of 40 Union St. in Lewiston who enlisted.

The brothers were Harold, Ralph, Hazen, Gerald, John and Stan, who was the last to enlist. It is not clear from the clipping what years they entered the war, as the reporter used “last year” and “this year” and there is no date on the clipping, but the first son joined Feb. 11, 1941 (before Pear Harbor).  He also had two sisters, Ernstaine and Evelyn.

Here is the follow-up letter from Nowy van Hedel, who adopted Stan’s grave:

In 2008 I adopted the grave of PFC Stanley V. Clark. He was in the U.S. Army during WWII. Since the day I received the adoption papers, I started with research about this hero. It wasn’t an easy job. I contacted the U.S. Army and received some information. There was only one goal for me. I wanted to know if there was family still alive and I wanted to let them know that I take care of his grave.

A couple of weeks ago I contacted the Sun Journal. They placed an article in the newspaper (Oct. 4 Sun Spots). I got in contact with some of you. I want to thank all of you for the time you spend on helping me. Every email got information that got me a step closer.

Since two weeks I am in contact with the family. And the best part is that one of Stanley’s sisters is still alive. This means a lot to me.

Therefore I want to thank all of you for the effort you took and the nice words I received from all of you. Without you this wouldn’t happened.

Thank you and God bless you all. Kind regards from the Netherlands.

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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