DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Key Club of Lewiston High School is asking for donations (disposable razors, socks, gloves, first aid kits, hats, blankets, etc.) for a project aiding the homeless for the winter. We’d love it if there was awareness brought to our projects and want it to be a community effort! These donated items can be brought to the Lewiston High School office.

Community members are also invited to donate their bottles and cans to help with this project. If you have questions and need more information, please email kchoate@lewistonpublicschools.org. — Sadri, no town

ANSWER: This sounds like a great project and I hope you get some good response. Let me know if there’s anything else Sun Spots can do to make it all a success.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Sumner Fire Department Auxiliary will hold its annual Lights of Love Christmas Tree Lighting at the fire station Dec. 10 from 4:30 to 6: 30 p.m. Santa will be there to visit with the children and we will have free cookies, hot chocolate and cider.

Soups, chowders and homemade candy will be on sale, and you can have a light in memory or in honor of a loved one for a donation of $5.

For more information, call Gail at 674-5522 or Polly at 388-2020. Thank you for all you do, Ms. Sun Spots! — Wilda, Sumner

ANSWER: The Sumner Fire Station is at 633 Main St. If you have never participated in a Lights of Love Christmas Tree Lighting, this is an opportunity for you to honor a loved one while being gathered with a supportive community. It really is a special experience.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How did saying “Hoyah” get started and what does it mean? All the kids say it at my school. — Emilia, no town

ANSWER: While the exact meaning of the term “hoya” is unclear, some claim it to be a modified version of the phrases “Hell, yeah” and “Hooyah” combined.

Yelling hoya was a popular trend in Britain at the turn of the millennium, which set the foundation for this fad.

“Can I get a hoya?” became a popular call and response phrase, popularized in 2011 by Instagram influencer Alissa Violet in her videos. Since that time, it has continued to be frequently used on Instagram, TikTok, Vines, YouTube videos, and GIFs.

Internet influencers use the phrase a lot to encourage the engagement of the scroller. It’s like saying, “Do you like this? Let me know!” so that scrollers will click the like (heart) icon.

It’s also a random phrase to use like, “Can I get a shout-out?” especially when there are lots of people around, like in an airport or plane, a movie theater, a concert, and apparently, at your school so just join in and have fun with it!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To follow up on the Sun Spots question (Nov. 22 Sun Spots) about favorite Christmas movies and books, Richard Paul Evan’s movie, “The Noel Diary” is on Netflix and his new book,  “A Christmas Memory” is out now. — No name, Lewiston

ANSWER: I can’t wait to partake in both. Perfect timing! Readers, be sure to send in your favorite holiday book and movie titles!

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.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Reader seeks renewed access to Parade magazine

Next »

Heathco’s in Auburn for sale; Sam’s in Lewiston reduces hours due to staffing