ANSWER: It must be spring cleaning time when Sun Spots receives a request such as this. It sounds like you are in need of the services of a professional organizer or a general cleaner. There are many services around, but some of the cleaning companies focus on removing the dust and grime from your home more than organizing spaces. Here are a couple of local businesses Sun Spots found that might be able to help you de-clutter your home.

Karen Hinds, aka “The Savvy Organizer,” is based out of Augusta, but says she’ll take on clients in the greater Lewiston area. She can be reached by calling (207) 462-1008. Then, of course, there is ServiceMaster, with offices in Auburn and Falmouth, that was recently featured on A&E’s Hoarders as the show brought in professionals to help clean out a home in Lisbon. You can reach them by calling (207) 613-8054.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As most folks realize, March is the time to tap maple trees as Spring’s sunny days and cool nights promote a drawing of the sap from the trees’ roots. 

At the northwestern Maine/Canadian border near Saint-Zacharie, Quebec, there is an entry into Maine known as the “Boundary Cottage Road.” On the Maine side of the border spreads great, old maple groves. Some 65 years ago, I met a few families from the Quebec side who, for generations, had family members crossing (legally) into Maine to tap the trees and produce the syrup for sale to commercial enterprises in Vermont and upstate New York. Entire families temporarily lived in log cabins abutting sap-boiling building they built. This became an important part of their lives, supplementing their incomes each spring. Tapping trees, gathering sap and transporting it to the sap house was a laborious job. They hauled wooden barrels of sap to the boiling house using huge work-horses harnessed to wooden sleds called “pungs.”

The people took great pride in their top-quality, golden blonde syrup. On occasions, I took photographs of the operations and the people. As I came to know these folks, I received invitations to stay overnight for some entertaining conversations. I spoke English, but could understand some of the French language they spoke enough to relate. When I sent photos to the families, they would reward me with letters of appreciation. Somewhere in my files I must still have names and addresses. I believe I will use them to try to renew old ties. — David, Dixfield.

ANSWER: Thank you for sharing your memories with the readers. Good luck in your efforts to reconnect with your friends.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the inquiry regarding Etsy on March 18, I’m happy to share my knowledge. I am captain of the Etsy Maine Team, going strong with over 850 members scattered from Kittery to Fort Kent. I can be reached on Etsy at BearMtnCrochet, or BearMtnCrochet@gmail.com. Here are the direct links:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/5324/etsy-maineteam
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BearMtnCrochet. —  Lori, Livermore.

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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