DEAR SUN SPOTS: USM’s Franco-American Collection is trying to track down members of the Bates Manufacturing Hockey Team, which went to Europe in 1951 to represent the U.S. in the Amateur Hockey World Championships.

I know many members of the team are no longer with us, but I’d like to hear from anyone who was on the team or any of their family members. The collection is interested in conducting interviews with team members about their experience in that competition and in winning the 1950 national title. We’d also be happy to receive donations of any local hockey memorabilia your readers might have.

The roster I have for the 1951 team includes Amede Beland, Larry Berube, Hank Brodeur, Laurier Charest, Robert Dubois, Jim Fife, Leon Lafrance, Raymond Marcotte, Hank Martineau, Albert Moreau, George Morin, Gaston Lauze, Norm Parent, Chuck Poirier and Pete Theriault.

Anyone willing to help should contact me at 207-753-6545 or franco@usm.maine.edu. — James Myall, collection coordinator

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is for C.G. of Lewiston who is searching for a certain yearbook (June 13). I had a similar experience looking for a 1948 yearbook that somehow got lost when I moved out of my home three years ago.

A little more than a month ago I was at Sam’s on upper Main St., Lewiston, where I sat next to a young lady while we were waiting for our orders. Through our conversation I learned that she works in the Office of Adult Education at Edward Little High School.

I told her about the loss of my yearbook and asked if it would be possible for her to find out who to contact to see if I could get another copy. She said she’d ask, but since it had been 66 years since I graduated, I wasn’t optimistic. But lo and behold, thanks to her efforts and those of her office crew I was able to get my copy.

I was able to obtain another copy due to the fact that the family of one of my classmates decided to donate her copy back to the school in case someone like me would be looking for one.

I think that’s a terrific idea, and I hope after people read this they will do the same so it can help someone else in the future.

Maybe C.G. should go to her former school to see if she will be as lucky as I was. If there is one available, all it takes is the principal’s OK to receive it. In my case, there was no charge, just a bunch of thank-yous for all those involved.

Thanks again for the wonderful job you do for people who depend on you for answers they desperately need. — L.B.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots was unable to donate her mother’s yearbooks back to her school because it no longer exists, an obstacle others might face in executing this excellent idea.

Some enterprising people also sell them on eBay or Craigslist or offer them for free on their class Facebook pages.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for the wonderful service you provide our community. The Lewiston High School Class of 1949 is planning its 65th reunion for Aug. 16 at the Sedgley Place off Route 202 in Greene. Invitations have recently been sent out, and responses are due by Aug. 3.

At this time we are trying to locate the following classmates: Lillian Amnot Wing, Irene Amnot Giguere, Beatrice Harkins Bernard, Barbara Tibbets Martin, Gretchen Sherry Gosselin, Kathryn Polisky Surette, Gilbert C. Chin, June Helms White, Lois Fehlau (spelling unclear) Kemp and Germaine Provencher Bail.

Anyone with information on these people are asked to contact me. — Pauline Morin Fournier, 207-782-5540, pmfnier@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would please put in a reminder to the LFHS Class of 1949 of our upcoming reunion on July 19 at LaFleur’s Restaurant? I would appreciate hearing from those who have not yet responded by calling me at 897-2204 or Meredith Dalessandro at 897-3373 by the first of July. Thank you. — Winnie Shink, Jay

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Gardiner High School Class of 1959 is planning a 55th reunion on Aug. 23 at the Augusta Elks Club.

We are unable to locate the following classmates: Arlene Griffin Engles, Brian L. Sawyer, Dorothy McLaughlin Michaud and Gail Ann Larrabee.

If anyone knows how we may contact these people, please let me know. Thank you for your help. — Sherry Turcotte, 207-242-8821, sherrymaillady@gmail.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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