ANSWER: The 26th annual Open Farm Day will be Sunday, July 26, with over 85 Maine farms open to the public. Open Farm Day is an annual family adventure in which farms throughout all 16 counties open their gates to offer the public an opportunity to learn about the business of agriculture.

Many farms will have demonstrations, displays, farm-raised products for sale and animals and crops to experience. Activities include barn and field tours, milking, hay rides, petting zoos, nature trails, beautiful scenery, samples for tasting and refreshments.

Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has published this information and list of farms participating: Berry Fruit Farm, 375 Goding Rd., Livermore (GPS: 361 Crash Rd.); Boothby’s Orchard and Farm, 366 Boothby Rd., Livermore; Double Z Land & Livestock, 518 Upper St., Turner; Fresh Start Farms, 1 King Rd., Lisbon; From the Country Farm, 23 Austin Rd., Leeds; Harvest Hill Farm, Mechanic Falls; Nezinscot Farm, 284 Turner Center Rd., Turner; Acker’s Acres Angora, 359 Gloucester Hill Rd., New Gloucester; Bessie’s Farm Goods, 33 Litchfield Rd., Freeport; Carrageen Suri Alpaca Farm, 82 West Gray Rd., Gray; Foggs Hill Farm, 943 Intervale Rd., New Gloucester; Pineland Farms 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester; Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Rd., New Gloucester; Whitehill Farm, 357 McCrillis Corner Rd., East Wilton; Applewald Farm, 525 Huntington Hill Rd., Litchfield; Friends Folly Farm, 319 Norris Hill Rd., Monmouth; A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm, 106 Black Mountain Rd., Sumner; Roberts Farm Garden to School Program in Norway; and Woodward Cranberry Farm, 41 Dundee Rd., Oxford.

For more information, visit http://www.getrealmaine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.showpage/pageID/119/preview/true/.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I know a little bit of French because my family spoke it at home when I was younger. I would like to refresh what I know. Are there French lessons available in Androscoggin County? I don’t want to drive too far. Thank you. — No Name, No Town.

ANSWER: The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer Intermediate French from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. This continuing course is for those who already have some skills in French and are interested in acquiring additional fluency.

Instructor Ann Anctil earned an M.A. in French and is bilingual in both Canadian and standard French. Senior College is open to everyone age 50 and older and their spouses. There is no entrance requirement, grades or tests. An annual Senior College membership is required. The fee is $25. Course fees include the cost of most books and materials and are $25 each for the first two courses and then $10 for each additional course. All classes are held during the day at L-A College, 51 Westminster St. in Lewiston unless otherwise noted.

Also, the Franco Center at 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston hosts weeknight French Reacquisition classes for adults on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Hall. They are intended for those new to French or those who want to improve the French they already know. The total cost for 10 classes is $100. Call 207-783-1585 for more information.

Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.

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