DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Poland Historical Society will meet with the Minot Historical Society at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Center Minot Church at 493 Center Minot Road. From there, we will walk to the William Ladd Monument to learn about the “Apostle of Peace” and the American Peace Society. We will also explore the Center Hill Cemetery before visiting the Rev. Elijah Jones House. This is free and open to the public. Join us in learning more about the area’s history. Call 998-5268 for more information. Hope to see you there. — David, Auburn
ANSWER: What a wonderful outing! We were not familiar with The American Peace Society. According to encyclopedia.com, it was formed in 1828 out of the Massachusetts Peace Society (1815) and other local and state groups. Its principal organizers, William Ladd (1778–1841) and George Beckwith (1800–1870), recruited members, edited its journal — “The Advocate of Peace” — and publicized Ladd’s idea of a league of nations with an international court of arbitration. The society embraced peace advocates of every persuasion, although in the 1840s it found the attraction of absolute pacifism very strong. It opposed the Mexican War of 1846–48 but endorsed the Civil War.
In the last quarter of the century, the APS returned to an international campaign for arbitration treaties. A coalition with other peace societies was shattered by World War I (which the society endorsed), and by the postwar debate over the League of Nations (which the society rejected insofar as it was designed to enforce peace).
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wonder if you can help me with this problem as you have helped so many in the past. I have a very good infrared heater that needs to be repaired. Is there anybody in your Rolodex who repairs these heaters? Any help would be greatly appreciated. — Richard, Lewiston
ANSWER: We’re not sure whether these companies specifically repair infrared heaters, but we found several plumbing and heating businesses in Lewiston-Auburn, including: QuikServe Plumbing, Heating in Lewiston, 207-754-6685, website quikservpro.com; Adlers Plumbing and Heating, 82 Loring Ave., Auburn, 207-783-7114; Robert Masse Plumbing and Heating, 369 Grove St., Lewiston, 207-783-6489; and Peter J Lajoie Plumbing and Heating, 481 Pond Road, Lewiston, 207-784-2241.
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