DEAR SUN SPOTS:  Our family is getting too large to hold our yearly holiday get-together celebration in our home. We are spread out from South Portland to Rumford. The Lewiston-Auburn area is the best location for us to hold this event on a weekend afternoon between the hours of 1 to 5 p.m. 

We are looking for a hall rental in the L-A area that does not require us to pay for any food or catering. We all bring our favorite family dish to share. We don’t belong to any clubs (VFW, etc. or any churches). 

We have our event planned in our home for this year, but we are looking to plan ahead for next year, December 2026. I always appreciate your column. — No name, no town

ANSWER: Grange halls, community halls in various towns, and American Legion halls often rent their space for gatherings like these. You can bring your own food, use the kitchen, even set up music, and there are varying degrees of assistance offered, such as setting up tables and chairs, etc. 

For example, I saw that the American Legion Hall in Sabattus does this very thing. Fill out the contact form on the website at  http://www.americanlegionpost135.sabattus.net/ or give them a call at 375-4058. 

If you want to search for other locations, go to https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Find-a-Post. 

For community and Grange halls, simply contact the town where you’d like to have the gathering and ask! About eight years ago, we had a celebration at the community hall in my town and it was a lovely spot for us. It was convenient for all and there was outside space for the children to play games and run around. We decorated ourselves, brought in our home cooking, and had a fabulous time. Not to mention, it was an incredible bargain. Sun Spotters, please put forth your ideas!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Have Marissa Bodnar and Christen Bridges left CBS? If so, where have they gone? — Rudy, no town

ANSWER: Marissa was at CBS for nearly 13 years, so of course you miss her. I found a post on social media that she left the station in September and  is staying in Maine and looking forward to new adventures. She has not stated what they are yet but promises to keep her fans informed.

Meteorologist Christian Bridges has a new position at News Center Maine — WCSH, taking over for his friend Aaron Myler on the weekend morning shift, and on Monday through Wednesday mornings. 

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