DEAR SUN SPOTS: Earth Day volunteers are needed! The Lewiston–Auburn Optimist Club, Gray-New Gloucester Optimist Club, and Tri Town Optimist Club ask you to join them for one hour Earth Day, Friday, April 22, to pick up roadside trash in your neighborhood. Just commit to a minimum of one hour to pick up trash to possibly win a coupon for a meal from a local participating restaurant.

Get your family, friends, schoolmates and neighbors to help you then contact any Optimist Club member, email gwmathews91@gmail.com, or call 783-5269 to register for a free restaurant gift certificate. The rain date is Saturday April 23. — George, no town

ANSWER: I hope everyone who is able will get out into the fresh air and get some exercise by picking up trash. We do it in my neighborhood on a regular basis and it feels good. Every day is Earth Day as far as I’m concerned!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary is seeking items for its annual yard sale to be held Saturday, May 21. Furniture, household items, tools, books and puzzles are always in demand. It’s a great time to clean out storage spaces and help support our worthy cause. All proceeds are donated to the Rumford Hospital. 
Members of the auxiliary will be at 209 Lincoln Ave. in Rumford each Friday morning throughout May to accept donations from the public. We are unable to take large appliances or clothing. For more information or to arrange pickup please call 364-3648. — Barbara, Rumford

ANSWER: Awesome! I’m so glad to hear that nonprofits are back in business with their fundraisers. We all have missed them!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: 1103 Lisbon St. was originally Lum’s Restaurant in the 1960s and 1970’s. When it closed it became a Chinese restaurant called Cathay Hut. — Paul, no town

ANSWER: This is in answer to the question in the March 23 Sun Spots regarding the name of the Chinese restaurant at that address. Another reader named Bill also thinks it was the Cathay Hut. Does that sound familiar?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Many years ago I often went to a Chinese restaurant on Lisbon Street with my mother. I believe it was called Nanking (not sure of the spelling). I remember it being upstairs.

ANSWER: The Nanking restaurant, called the Nanking Hotel, was at 16-18 Park St. on the second floor and was a standard go-to spot for many years. It offered “authentic Cantonese Chinese cuisine at its best,” seven days a week, according to ads from the 1960s in the Lewiston newspapers. It offered American food as well.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I remember after they closed Sing’s, the Elks’ Club opened there. The food at Sing’s was so good and the owner was the host. He was such a nice person. That’s the only Chinese restaurant there that I can remember. I was there in 1978. I love your Sun Spots. — Irene, no town

ANSWER: I’m sure many Chinese restaurants have come and gone from the area over the past few decades. If you want to tell me your favorites, both past and present, I’d love to hear about them.

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 also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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