DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know why people steal flowers from cemetery plots. I made a very pretty arrangement for a very dear friend who was buried in a cemetery in Poland. A few days after his funeral, his wife went to visit his grave and the flowers were gone. They were in a very pretty pottery vase. The flowers were made of silk. The arrangement was made special for my friend’s grave for the winter. I truly hope that the person who stole it, will return it to where it belongs. — An old friend of the deceased.

RESPONSE: Sun Spots has heard of this happening before at other cemeteries. Sometimes the problem is so bad that hidden cameras are set up to catch the thieves, as reported in some news accounts. Some cemeteries have guidelines such as no silk flowers or the opposite, only silk flowers.

Are you sure silk flowers were allowed at that cemetery? It’s possible that the cemetery caretaker saw the arrangement and removed it because of the guidelines for what can be left at graves. In that case, the caretaker might hold onto the arrangement for a period of time.

Have you contacted the cemetery caretaker or groundskeeper? It’s important that whoever maintains the grounds at the cemetery is informed of the theft. Also, if there is a cemetery association for that particular cemetery, you should consider notifying them. That is the best response from all the suggestions that Sun Spots has read on how to deal with this disrespectful act.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I stopped at Chick-a-dee Restaurant in Lewiston on Sunday, Nov. 1, for lunch at noon. When I got ready to leave I offered my credit card and the waitress told me that my bill had already been paid. I tried to find out who paid for my lunch. I knew no one there. The waitress would not or could not tell me. I am an elderly man and I have been alone since I lost my wife four years ago. I hope whoever paid for my lunch sees this as I would like to thank him or her and say that I really appreciate their kindness. — Wallace Bragdon.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Here is a history question. How many high schools have been built in Lewiston? Thanks for your research. — Curious high school student in Lewiston.

ANSWER: Sun Spots found a Sun Journal newspaper article from 2004 that reported the following information:

Although there have been five high schools in Lewiston since 1850, there are no photos of the first school. The second school was built at 315 Main St. and remained Lewiston High School from 1859 to 1901. The third school was named Jordan High School and was built on Nichols Street in 1901. It remained the city high school until 1931.

The fourth school was built on Central Avenue in 1932. It was named Lewiston High School and it remained the city’s secondary school until 1973, when the current high school was built on East Avenue.

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