DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you find out why the Elks Lodge in Lewiston on Lisbon Street no longer has bingo on Wednesday at noon? I went yesterday with a group of friends and the building was closed.

Are there are any other daytime bingo places in the Lewiston-Auburn area?

Thank you!

— No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: I spoke with Michele at the Lewiston Elks Lodge. She explained that attendance for Wednesday afternoon bingo had been dwindling, partially because the building is up for sale and bingo patrons and others are getting the impression that the Elks are closing their doors. That is not the case at all!

The good news is that the Elks, currently at 1675 Lisbon St., are moving to another building that’s more appropriate for the size of their membership and activities and where bingo will indeed continue on Wednesdays. Meanwhile, the Elks are serving their members and the community by holding several upcoming dances, dinners and hosting Friday Karaoke Nights from 7 to 11 p.m.

By the way, the Elks invite new members to join the “herd,” especially those of the younger generations. For more information, call 784-4801.

As far as more places to play bingo goes, the Cavalier Club at 855 Lisbon St. has lots of options. Doors open Sundays at 9 a.m. for 1 p.m. games; on Mondays and Fridays, doors open at 3 p.m. for games at 6:30; and on Wednesdays the doors open at 10 a.m. for noon playing. Their number is 784-0244. Pleasant Street Bingo is another place to get your fix. Located at 475 Pleasant St., the number is 777-1394.

The Lewiston Recreation Department hosts Wednesday noon bingo (513-3005) and the city of Auburn has bingo at Pettingill Park on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. (333-6601). I’m sure there are other locations for our local seniors to play their favorite game.

If anyone has other favorite bingo haunts in the area, please chime in!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You’ve always helped me, so here I am again. I have a few country-western questions.

Merle Haggard was married to Bonnie Owens and Lenora Williams. Which one came first?

Is Earl Thomas Conley still alive? I haven’t heard much about him. Did Daryle Singletary pass away?

Thank God for Sun Spots.

— Jon, Peru

ANSWER: Country singer and songwriter Merle Haggard, who passed away in 2016, was married five times. Singer Bonnie Owens was his second wife. When he married his third wife, Lenora Williams, Bonnie was the maid of honor at their wedding. She and Merle continued to be very close friends and she was his backup vocalist right up until her death in 2006, according to information I found on Wikipedia.

Country singer and songwriter Earl Thomas Conley is still alive and kicking at age 76. Again, according to Wikipedia, Earl is credited with breaking down perceived country music barriers. For example, in 2013, Conley performed a duet with Anita Pointer of the pop-rock group, the Pointer Sisters.

Sadly, country music singer Daryle Singletary passed away very recently — in February. He was 46 and leaves behind his wife, Holly, and four children. The cause of death has not been identified at this time.

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