Batchelder (many spelling variations) Stetson was a solider in the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Bennington. He settled in Greene in 1788 and in 1791 built the home I am restoring. His descendants continued in the home in which he was born, among them the president of the Androscoggin Grange and the Maine State Grange, the superintendent of Auburn Public Schools, the superintendent of Maine Schools, the founder of Stetson College and others with noteworthy accomplishments. Descendants of the family continued in this home up until 1928 with Clement Stetson, postmaster of the post office in this home for “Alta, Maine” (no explanation where the name came from as there was no town of Alta).

Yes, I have or am researching all the government documents, material at the Androscoggin Historical Society, deeds, wills, etc. As there are many relatives in Central Maine, I am searching for family information such as photos of this Stetson homestead, family members who lived here or any letters or other information. Any materials will be handled carefully and returned. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Lew Alessio at LewAlessio@hotmail.com or (207) 946-5049. Thank you very much. — Lew, Greene.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We’re inviting all veterans organizations and the Vietnam Veterans of America to parade in vehicles and/or color guard at our Memorial Day celebration in Lewiston on Saturday May 28 at 9 a.m. We will also unveil the next memorial stone with a two-star general from New Hampshire, first woman commandant of the Air Force Academy Susan Desjardins, as well as the state of Maine Adjutant General Air Guard Commander. The next stone has the Air National Guard logo on it. We will have a flyover by the Civil Air Patrol regional and wing commander. This is the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force Auxiliary (CAP).

Also, volunteers are needed to post flags on veterans graves at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston on May 21 at 10 a.m. Please contact Jerry at (207) 576-0376 or by email at jdewitt@tcmhs.org  if you wish to join the parade or to volunteer. Remember those who have served. — Jerry, Lewiston. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Hartford Heritage Society is holding their annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 7, at the J & O Irish Museum on Main Street (Route 140) in Hartford. We are asking all the great gardeners out there for donations of extra perennials, shrubs and garden trees that they are willing to share. The proceeds from any of our fundraisers goes to the restoration of the museum. The plants can be delivered to the museum on Friday evening, May 5, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. or early morning on May 7, or call Rosie at (207) 597-2270 or Doreen at (207) 224-7147 for pick-up. Perennials sell for $3 each and shrubs for $5. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We love Sun Spots and all the great information that you share. Keep up the good work. — Doreen, Hartford.

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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