DEAR SUN SPOTS: Less than five months after a lightning strike on Sept. 6 severely damaged the steeple and bell tower of the Minot Center Historical Church, located on Center Minot Hill Road, we will celebrate our annual evening service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 28, the Sunday after Christmas.

Everyone is invited to come for the fellowship and join in singing familiar Christmas carols. Marjorie Perkins will be the pianist, and special music will be provided by a local trio and by soloist Christie DesRochers Paul.

Please stay to enjoy hot chocolate and other refreshments after the service.

Thanks to the Minot Historical Society and generous gifts from friends of the church, all the repairs have been made, including the repair of the electrical system that was completely destroyed.

The original church, formerly known as the Minot Center Congregational Church, was built on the site in 1805. It was torn down and rebuilt as the present church in 1846. Services have been held at the church continuously since that time, but in recent years, services have been held only for one month each summer.

Services have been held on the Sunday evening after Christmas since 1979 and have been canceled only twice because of weather and twice because of COVID.

ANSWER: This sounds like a lovely celebration and I’m so glad you can continue this very special tradition. May the new year hold many blessings for all those involved in this effort.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On behalf of all 53 members of the Auburn Community Concert Band, our sincerest thank you to the 510 people who attended our December Holiday Concert and made donations totaling $2,250 for Auburn’s High Street Food Pantry. Both numbers are record highs for this annual event.

The band will now be resuming rehearsals in January in preparation for next summer’s 45th anniversary season of weekly outdoor concerts at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn. We look forward to entertaining our community again then.

Thank you, Madame Sun Spots. Wishing you a very happy holiday season! — Milt, band director, Auburn

ANSWER: I’m so pleased for you all! And I kind of like being called “Madame Sun Spots.” I may adopt that title permanently. It sounds more sophisticated than “Ms.” (Hehe)

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to thank the person who paid for my bread, cheese and yogurt at Market Basket on Sunday morning. You were an attractive lady wearing a red jacket with a little Christmas pin. I wish I had asked your name. How did you know my pay check didn’t come in on Friday? You blessed my day. — Stephanie, no town

ANSWER: Watch out for Christmas angels, elves and others. Give them opportunities to help. Thank you for sharing.

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