DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn Campus is an archive that was created to preserve and promote the rich culture and heritage of Maine’s Franco-American population of today and yesterday. The Collection is located on site at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn Campus and online at https://usm.maine.edu/franco-american-collection/.
To add to this legacy, we are currently looking for people to participate in our oral history project. If you identify as Franco-American or French-Canadian, we are interested in talking with you about your life, work and family history.
We are particularly interested in recording audio interviews with veterans of World War II and the Korean War for our Francos Who Served Project.
We are also interested in interviewing people who grew up in Holy Cross Parish and attended Holy Cross Church here in Lewiston.
If you are interested in participating in, or would like to learn more about, our oral history projects, which can be conducted in English, French or other languages, please contact archivist Anna Faherty at 753-6545 or email [email protected]. — Anna, Lewiston
ANSWER: This sounds so interesting. I hope Sun Spotters who fit the description of who Anna is looking for will contact her and share their life stories so we can all know this important part of Maine’s history.
As poet Muriel Rukeyser once wrote in her book, “The Speed of Darkness,” “The world is made of stories, not atoms.” Whoever you are, I encourage you to share yours. It’s vital to our understanding of our world to allow others to know you and your experiences.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: AARP Tax Aide at Sacred Heart in Auburn is very close to running out of in-person tax preparation appointments. However, we are continuing to offer help over the phone for those folks who only file the Maine return to get the property/rent tax credit and the sales tax credits.
To get on the list for this service, please call 513-3170 and leave us a message. — No name, no town
ANSWER: These appointments are very popular and fill up fast. I want to thank all the volunteers who are part of this yearly effort.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Knights of Columbus Council 10019 will be sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive on Feb. 17 at the parish hall of Holy Family Church on Sabattus Street in Lewiston from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
To make an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767. — Raymond, no town
ANSWER: Please donate blood if you are able. I’ll send out another reminder as the day of the event gets closer.
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 [email protected].