DEAR SUN SPOTS: Enclosed is a copy of a Prides Corner Fire Department badge. It has been on my possession for many years. I think it belonged to an uncle. However, as I have many uncles who have passed, I have no way of finding out any information on it. The family surname is Blanchard.

I have called Westbrook City Hall, emailed the Fire Museum in Portland and called the Westbrook Fire Department. Either no one has responded to me or, if they have, they have no information as to a history of the badge.

I know if anyone can unravel this mystery, it is Sun Spots. I eagerly await your answer. — Mary, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots always dreads disappointing a reader, but she has no answer for this question.

Sun Spots talked to someone at the Westbrook Fire Department (the old Prides Corner station is closed). She said that they have changed computer software and sometimes have trouble finding old fire reports. She said that it would be a difficult and time-consuming task — if it could even be done — to track down an old badge and that the firefighters are too busy to do so.

The only suggestion Sun Spots can think of is to seek out retired Prides Corner firefighters, but even they probably aren’t old enough to remember your uncles, or what badge number they had.

Readers, do you have any suggestions?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can anyone help me out?

Years ago I used to go to the cowboy shows with my parents. I am looking for a particular photo that was sold back in the 1940s or ’50s. It was of Ken McKenzie and group. On his show he had a young girl called the yodeling cowgirl. She played guitar and sang and yodeled. She was pictured with them at times wearing a white cowgirl dress, hat and boots plus guitar.

If anyone still has these photos of the Ken McKenzie group with my friend, could you please contact me? I sang with her for years, and now that she has passed on, I would love to obtain this country music photo of her as a keepsake.

A copy can be easily made at Walmart for 22 cents for a 4- by 6-inch print. Thank you. — Carole Povelite, Andover, 392-2000

ANSWER: An online search for Ken McKenzie was stymied by the fact that there was a famous baseball player by that name. But by putting “yodeler” in front of the name, Sun Spots hit paydirt.

If Carole visits the photo gallery at www.mackenziewsd.com/Mainecountry/, she may find the photo she seeks. Perhaps she can purchase a copy from the website.

If she’s without a computer, which Sun Spots suspects from her letter, her librarian should be able to help her find the page.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Edward Little High School Class of 1955 will hold its 60th reunion on Aug. 16 at Lost Valley in Auburn. More information will be available at a later date.

We are still trying to locate the following classmates:

Sylvia Belanger Butler, Carlene Brown Pare, Beverly Callahan Caron, Richard W. Field, Arlene Goldberg Silverstein, Roland R. Gould, Nancy Gouger Beaucage, Joan H. Gregoire, Constance M. Labbe Reynolds, Marilyn L. Lovely Jenkins, Bernard C. Levin, Arlene M. Sanborn Vosborgh, Walter D. Moulton, Jacqueline E. Peabody Debonis, Rosalie Maddocks, Judith Wike Steinez, Ruth Wilner Schloss, Rachel G Bernier Dolezal, Dana M. Brown, Connie Doucette Delano, Maxine L. Dunn Downie, Constance l. Lambert Turcotte, Janice M. Hinckley Mace, Catherine E. Hunt Carroll, Renne E Shapiro Rubin, Gordon Kilgore, Donald Pelletier, Gloria McCarthy May, Elizabeth Nimmo Morin and Suzanne Webster Lafrance.

Any information on any of the above contact Reggie Thurlow at reggiethurlow@hotmail.com or Mary Spofford King at mstoryking@gmail.com. — Mary J. King, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots always encourages writers seeking contact to include a phone number. She is pretty sure that at least one of those being sought doesn’t have a computer — and likes it that way!

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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