DEAR SUN SPOTS: I attended the Maine Sportsman Show in Augusta and ordered a pair of apricot poodle socks from Pat’s Fudge, which was listed under Pat Thompson in the vendor list. I wrote a check for $17.32, which was cashed March 31 at the KV Federal Credit Union.

I never received my socks and when I called the number listed for Pat’s Fudge – 786-0083, I was told the company no longer existed. Can you find out anything about Pat’s Fudge, which has an address as 550 Center St, Auburn? I would like a refund or my socks. Thanks. — Sandi Grondin, Livermore, sgrondin@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots is sorry to say that she had no luck. She called the sponsors of the show you attended to see if they could provide any additional information, but they were not able to help. The fact that her name is common makes it difficult to search online. Readers, do you know anything about this business or Pat?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Does anyone buy 33-rpm records anymore? I hate to just give them away. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Despite all the talk about the resurgent popularity of vinyl, Sun Spots suspects that in many cases you won’t even be able to give those records away. You will end up throwing most of them in the trash. (You can recycle the cardboard covers.)

She has a list of a few buyers, but they are extremely selective in what they buy:

* 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.

If the buyers aren’t interested, you could try selling them on eBay. Or you could give them away on freecyle.org or to a charity, if they will take them.

A few inventive crafters might have a new use for them. Or readers may have suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The West Auburn School Historical Society would like to thank everyone who has supported our yard sales for the past 22 years. We will not be having a yard sale and bake sale this year.

Dick Keene, a longtime president of the society, knew when he opened his Sun Journal and saw the letter in Sun Spots his phone would start ringing with people calling to reserve a table.

The first call would usually be from Denise Provencal from Turner. She attended nearly all of the sales and always had a nice corner spot in the shade.

Without help from Dick Keene, Dick Knight, Duncan Webster and the late Tom Gould, along with many others, this sale would not have been possible. Many thanks to all who made homemade goodies for the bake sale over the years.

Local schools have been encouraged to visit our one-room school and participate in the experience of what school was like in the 1850s. Under the capable leadership of Schoolmarm Donna Berry, this has been an exciting adventure for all who attended.

We would like to thank the Oxford Hills and Bowdoin schools for attending our one-room school. Classes will continue to be held in the fall and the spring. For more information, call Donna Berry at 346-3106.

Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank Ms. Sun Spots for publishing the announcements of our sale in her column each year. It was a big help in drawing people to the school. — Beverly Spofford and June Spear for the West Auburn School Historical Society

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a retired teacher with books and materials to give away. I have many third- through sixth-grade children’s literature text sets, some with extensive suggested literature projects.

I also have math textbooks, workbooks and supplemental math books for grades two through five. These materials would be great for a teacher just starting out or a home-school group. — Pam Burke, South Paris, kenneyp@mac.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.

Copy the Story Link