DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your readers have been most helpful in providing me with information over the past few weeks. I have just one more request (for now).

The Franco-American Collection at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College would be interested in hearing from anyone who can talk to us about the prohibition era in Maine (i.e., before 1933) and, specifically, practices of smuggling (“rum-running”) or producing alcohol at home (“moonshine”).

We want to learn more about these practices in the Franco-American community. Ideally, we’d like someone with firsthand experience, but that might be difficult, given how long ago this was. We’d also be interested in stories passed through the family.

It’s particularly important that anyone who has information would be willing to participate in a recorded interview about the subject with a student as part of a class project. Anyone interested can contact me at 207-753-6545 or franco@usm.maine.edu. Thanks! — James Myall, coordinator, Franco-American Collection

DEAR SUN SPOTS: At 11:15 p.m. on June 30 approximately 20 jets were flying high, west to east, over Dixfield. Please investigate what they were doing. Thank you. — Steve, stevenswan99@gmail.com

ANSWER: Reporter Terry Karkos told Sun Spots that the jets were most likely flying out of the Air National Guard base in Burlington, Vt. Sun Spots tracked down phone numbers for both the Air National Guard press office and the Burlington base, but was unable to get anyone to comment.

This is not surprising. If it is a military operation — or even just a training mission — those in charge do not want the details published in the news.

Secrecy seems to have become a way of life for some officials. A couple of years ago a reader asked what model of plane Air Force One was when President Barack Obama came to Maine (any plane the president flies on is automatically called Air Force One).

The guy at the White House acted like it was top secret, told her to check with her “military sources” (like Sun Spots has any). He finally revealed this deep, dark secret, as long as she agreed not to say who told her. Pretty ridiculous when anyone who was watching and knew planes could have said what kind it was.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The letter that mentioned “Boobytown” (July 14) reminded me of a story with that title in a book I have in my library. The book is “Mysterious New England,” a 1971 collection of strange and spooky stories that appeared in Yankee Magazine several decades ago.

The story’s author, L.F. Willard, investigates the legendary town and its inhabitants and tries to sort fact from fiction.

I would be happy to make a photocopy of this interesting article for anyone who can’t find the book in the library. I also see that it is readily available for purchase online from Amazon if you want your own copy. I recommend that because the entire book is full of exciting, well-written stories.

Here is a link to Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/qzehov8. Best. — Alan Seamans, Lisbon, seamans1@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Among the libraries where the book is available are the Auburn Public Library and other libraries through the Minerva system (minerva.maine.edu). A pamphlet of just the story can be read at the Maine Historical Society (489 Congress St., Portland, 207-774-1822).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In your June 27 column, Chris in Lewiston wanted to know about the factory in town that is rotting and falling down. That was Webster Rubber. They made rubber in the 1940s and ’50s.

The other building, going toward Martin’s Point on the right, was Village Grain and Meal for cows and pigs and operated at the same time as the factory.

I am 73 years old and remember those places as if yesterday. If Chris cares to call and ask me about the village, I know quite a lot of history. Hope this will help. — Anita, 207-782-3791

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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