DEAR SUN SPOTS: If anyone in Sun Spots Land found a pair of women’s eyeglasses at or near the balloon festival, I would greatly appreciate a call at 754-9008. The glasses have dark brown, squarish frames and progressive lenses. — Beverly, no town

ANSWER: I sure hope you find them—prescription eyeglasses are expensive! Did the festival have a lost and found booth? You can also contact the festival organizers at info@GreatFallsBalloonFestival.org or post on the Facebook page where there is a live chat. Let us know what happens!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I need to have my piano moved to my new condominium. Do you have a name of someone who can help me in your Rolodex? Professionals only, please. — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Red’s Moving (https://redsmoving.net/) in Lewiston specializes in piano moving and also offers complete moving services both local and long distance. The contact number is 784-8766 or email them at info@redsmovinginc@yahoo.com.

Blanchette Moving & Storage (http://www.blanchettemoving.com/), also in Lewiston, is another option. They can be reached at 782-7429 or info@blanchettemoving.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: While traveling this summer through the Midwest, we stopped at a little store for snacks and saw something really cool. In your column recently, you mentioned Little Free Libraries and I was inspired to write to tell you that what we saw was a Free Little Art Gallery!

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The little “house,” about 3 by 3 feet, was built like the Little Libraries, but instead of books, it had art supplies such as tempura paint, brushes, colored pencils and sharpies, and art paper. There were also small, framed paintings and drawings no bigger than 2 by 3 inches with a few different artists’ signatures on them. It was decorated with beautiful paper collage and murals inside and out. It really was a thing of beauty and I was entranced with the whole idea.

The little art gallery is inside the store near the cashier and she very proudly told us that her granddaughter, a college student, had put it up this summer for community members to share their tiny art. There’s also a small pad of paper that visitors can sign. It’s the sweetest thing!

Because it’s in the store she can keep an eye on it and she has witnessed lots of people contribute to it. I thought it was all a fabulous idea and am going to make one with my kids to place on the front of our garage. We can’t wait to do it and I hope it inspires others to do the same. — Maribelle, no town

ANSWER: Thank you for sharing this lovely idea! Your enthusiasm excited me enough that I did some research on the topic and read these Free Little Art Galleries have really caught on in urban areas and there are a few in Maine. There is one in Eastport and in Castine, and according to the Down East article written in 2021, another one was about to pop up in Cherryfield (https://downeast.com/maine-made/free-little-art-galleries-maine/).

Readers, have you seen any of these Free Little Art Galleries in your travels around the state? I’d love to know!

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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