DEAR MRS. SUN SPOTS: I remember reading a story quite some time again about the efforts being made to raise money for a new Lewiston-Auburn YMCA. I was wondering how the projecting is coming along, and when it will be open, if it’s not already.

Any information you can provide would be awesome! I did a quick Internet search and did not have any luck. Thank you in advance. I truly enjoy reading your column. — Sarah via email

ANSWER: In July reporter Dan Hartill wrote about the YMCA and the hiring of a new CEO, Steven Wallace, and his ideas about taking a different approach to the Y and its facilities. To follow up Sun Spots called Steve, who said he is actively working on several possibilities.

These include developing partnerships at multiple locations instead of building a single new facility, the cost of which would be a prohibitive $12 to $15 million. Possible partners for recreation activities might include a hospital or the cities of Lewiston or Auburn.

As for the 93 acres in Lewiston originally slotted for a new facility, Steve said they are looking at developing the wilderness aspects instead.

Camp Connor, the Y’s current camp in Poland is only 3 acres, so a new, larger wilderness area would provide a lot more opportunity for outdoor recreation, including possibly geocaching, a bike trail and facilities where youth triathlons could be held.

Steve said that he should have more pieces in place in the next couple of weeks. Sun Spots’ editors will undoubtedly be sending a reporter out to do a follow-up story, so keep your eyes on the Sun Journal for more details as plans develop.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read you every day. Thank you for all the information; you have helped me out a lot. I would like to know if you could please help with finding good places for kids to take horseback-riding, dance, gymnastic and karate lessons. The kids are 8 to 12 years old. Thank you for all your help. — No Name via email

ANSWER: That’s a lot of lessons! Sun Spots thinks you will be doing a lot of chauffeuring if they all come through.

This is not a topic that has come up before, so there are undoubtedly other resources Sun Spots doesn’t know about, but that readers will share.

Sun Spots, who has a horse, asked her trainer, Nikaline Iacono, about lessons. Nikaline said she doesn’t have an indoor arena so her lessons are on hold until it warms up. An online search turned up a list of options at www.equinenow.com/riding/lewiston-maine.htm, many with indoor arenas, but Sun Spots has no personal knowledge of any of the stables to recommend one in particular.

For karate, there is Steve’s Dojo in Auburn, 420-0139. Readers may know of others.

As for gymnastics, the YMCA (62 Turner St., Auburn, 795-4095) offers that, as well as dance.

Also offering dance is Alma-Leas Dance Studio, Lisbon/Lisbon Falls/Durham, 353-2274, almaleasdancestudio.com.

Readers, do you have suggestions?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Attention, Korean War veterans. The country of South Korea has published a wonderfully well done hardcover book in appreciation of what the United States did in South Korea.

Sadly, the communication of this nationwide program is very poor, at best. I became aware of it when visiting a friend in Sanford just before Christmas. He is very proud and pleased with his copy, which was presented to him along with a certificate at a luncheon put on by the American Legion in Sanford-Springvale.

When I got home, I started calling people and veterans posts. Only one post knew about this program. The phrase they used was “we stumbled across the information.” I have spent many hours chasing down the information and passing it on.

The best way for the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts, as well as individual Korean War veterans, to find information is to use the following contact information. Peter Ogden, the director of the Bureau of Veterans Services, gave me permission to provide his name and phone number, 207-430-6035.

I hope people use this information to get things going for them and their organizations. I feel we do not do nearly enough to honor our vets. — Fern Bosse, Norway

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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