ANSWER: It can be excessively difficult to track down an article without the date of the newspaper or the exact headline, even when searching online. “Recent” is a relative term, bu if the article were published within the past six months, you are welcome to stop in to the Sun Journal main office at 104 Park St. in Lewiston. Customer service can assist you. There is a book of newspapers that you can flip through until you find the article that you are looking for. If there is a newspaper available from that day, then you may purchase it.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I look forward to reading your most interesting column daily. I’m asking for help: On Nov. 5, I attended a classical concert at Bates College in the Olin Arts Center. I went with a friend who picked me up with her car. I decided to bring my car key as it also has my house keys and a small CVS card on the key ring. When I came home, my keys were missing from my small purse. I returned the next day to look for the keys at Bates College, to no avail. I double-checked every step I took that night again; nothing was found.

I wonder if someone might have found them and forgotten to return them to the security department at Bates or if anyone picked them off the street someplace. I would be most thankful if that happened. I can be reached at 207-783-1393 or 207-576-5185. — Joan, no town.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you find out for me what the date was for Thanksgiving in 1894? Thanks for all you do. — No name, Waterford.

ANSWER: Thanksgiving is now observed on the fourth Thursday in November, but prior to 1939 it was celebrated on the last Thursday of November. The change was made in an effort to extend the holiday shopping season because the last Thursday would occasionally fall quite late in the month and cut into holiday sales. In 1894, Thanksgiving Day was Nov. 29.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I had a garage sale a few years ago and a woman brought a hand-held device to scan books I had for sale. She ended up purchasing many of them. I have more books and college textbooks to get rid of and wonder how I can get in touch with someone like this that may buy them.— No name, no town.

ANSWER: These scanners are used by booksellers. Contact a local bookstore to see if they are interested in purchasing any of your books. If no one is interested but you find that these books have value, consider selling them online using a website like amazon.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday, Nov. 23, from 7 a.m to noon at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, and at Mechanics Savings Bank in Lewiston on Friday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donating blood makes a big difference in the lives of others. Thanks.

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 [email protected], 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.