DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franco-American Collection at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College is interested in collecting the stories of anyone with a connection to the two Catholic orphanages in Lewiston — the Healey Asylum or St Joseph’s Orphanage (better known as the Marcotte Home).

We’re particularly interested in hearing from people who would be willing to conduct a recorded interview to be deposited in the collection’s archives.

So far, we have interviewed almost a dozen people, but we’d love to get more stories. Our interviews have primarily come from those who were residents at the orphanages, but we’d also like to hear from anyone with a connection, perhaps folks who worked there or who lived nearby.

We would also welcome stories from Camp Don Bosco. If necessary, we can provide anonymity or confidentiality to interviewees.

Anyone with materials or photographs of either institution is also invited to contact the collection. We have two photograph albums from the Marcotte Home and some booklets from both homes. Anything your readers might be able to offer is welcome.

Please contact me for more details. — James Myall, collection coordinator, 207-753-6545, franco@usm.maine.edu

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ANSWER: Sun Spots noticed that James had spelled Healey with an “e,” which she thought was wrong, but when she went online to check she found it spelled both Healy and Healey, including both ways in a single paragraph, so perhaps the “e” was dropped over the years.

The orphanage was beautifully remodeled into senior housing run by Preservation Management, which spells it Healy on its website, so Sun Spots will go with that spelling for Healy Terrace (see next letter).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to thank everybody who responded to the request for puzzles for Healy Terrace. Thank you so much. It was so nice to see so many smiling faces and of course so many puzzles.

I am also so sorry for the ones I couldn’t get to with no transportation. I truly believe that there are a lot of people out there who care. Keep smiling and thank you. — Linda Twitchell, twitchelllinda@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots’ mother lived at Healy Terrace briefly (and extremely happily), so Sun Spots is familiar with the “puzzle ladies” and hopes all the residents are doing well.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are having our second reunion party of Tampax/Tambrands from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at the American Legion Hall at 426 Washington St. in Auburn. The cost is $5.

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Anyone working there between 1968 and 1997 is welcome to join us for this fun time. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kathy Grant, 783-9885, 576-5373 (cell), mrsrag1@aol.com; Rick Grant, 783-9885, 782-8300 (cell), ragman3759@aol.com; or me. — Thelma Gurschick, 740-5570, thel@roadrunner.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Rumford Historical Society has a collection of yearbooks from Stephen’s High School, Rumford High School and Mountain Valley High School. The society is looking for copies of the following yearbooks: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988.

Donations would be greatly appreciated. Donors may call at 207-364-8303. Thank you. — Jan Irish, janiceirish@ymail.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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