DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franco Center is putting together a spooky guided walk through our creepy crypt. We’re looking for community volunteers who love Halloween and want to be part of this event.

We hope to have costumed actors to play various characters during this fun event. We’re also looking for Halloween props that people no longer have any use for and that can be dropped off at the Franco Center, at 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston.

There are several dates and times available: both day and evening slots on Oct. 25, 26 and 27. Please contact Jake at 346-0610 for more information. Thank you for your support! — Denise, Lewiston

ANSWER: There are so many Halloween fans out there. Surely, you’ll have lots of participation.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Rumford Hospital Auxiliary will hold a Attic Treasure Sale on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lower level of 209 Lincoln Ave. in Rumford.

The sale will feature items including small furniture, artwork, holiday decor, books, puzzles, project/craft supplies to fill your long winter hours and more. For more information, contact me at 364-3648. — Barbara, no town

ANSWER: I bet there will be some great gifts to put aside for the holidays at this special sale. Enjoy!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: As a retired high school band director, I read with interest the request from Jane in Andover for a band to perform at next August’s Olde Home Day parade (Sept. 22 Sun Spots).

I felt it important to remind readers that the high school bands they enjoyed in the spring will not exist next August, as the senior leaders of the group have graduated, and the incoming freshmen have yet to be trained to march. Moreover, competitive high school marching bands do not typically begin their fall “preseason” practices until the third or fourth weeks of August and, absent special and difficult summer rehearsal scheduling, will therefore be unavailable Aug. 5.

Consequently, I would suggest that Jane look not for high school bands, but rather for community bands to perform at this event. Maine has a long and historic tradition of such bands in communities across the state, including the Auburn Community Band and the Bangor Band; and Ellsworth, Boothbay, Castine and Hallowell all have community bands, not to mention the venerable RB Hall Band in Oakland which keeps alive the music of Maine’s greatest band composer, Robert Browne Hall.

Googling “Maine Community Bands” will generate an even longer list.  And one should not forget the Maine National Guard Band, which marches at events statewide. Note that many of the community bands do not march, but rather perform seated on a flatbed truck that drives along the parade route. All these groups enjoy performing for Maine people and I am sure that with such a long window for advanced planning, Jane will find many of these group members excited to take part in Andover’s event. — John, Greene

ANSWER: Thank you so much, John! You made a very good point and I’m so glad you took the time to help Jane out with this. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens with this. Jane, be sure to let us 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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