Dear Sun Spots: Denise L. at Montello Manor inquired Thursday, March 31, about books about the Kennebec by Mary R. Calvert:

“Dawn over the Kennebec” is available, but unfortunately the second and third in the Kennebec Trilogy are out of print (“The Kennebec Wilderness Awakens” and “Black Robe on the Kennebec”). We hope to do a reprint of those two sometime, but meanwhile perhaps someone has used copies for sale.

If “Dawn over the Kennebec” is not available in the local bookstore, a copy may be ordered directly by sending a check for $27.60 ($22.95 plus $1.15 tax plus $3.50 shipping) to The Monmouth Press, 383 Norris Hill Road, Monmouth, ME 04259, phone and fax (207) 933-4922. If more than one copy is desired, please add $1 handling for each additional copy. We will be happy to mail our catalog to anyone who wishes it, also.

Mary Calvert’s own story may be of interest. Born and brought up in Madison on the Kennebec River, Mary learned photography in order to provide illustrations for her husband’s electrical-equipment company catalog. Mary then began her career as an author with books of scenic color photographs, “Maine Captured in Color” and “Nature Trails.”

After photographing the Arnold Expedition to Quebec re-enactment in 1975 and the last Kennebec River log drive in 1976, she started writing the history of the river valley. The manuscript she produced was so large it was divided into two volumes, “Dawn over the Kennebec”(1983), which tells the story up to the American Revolution, and “The Kennebec Wilderness Awakens” (1986), which continues the story into modern times. In 1990 she published “Black Robe on the Kennebec,” a biography of the Reb. Sebastian Rale, a French Jesuit missionary who lived with the Norridgewock Indians from 1695 to 1722.

Mary also told the history of “The First Maine Cavalry” in the Civil War, and compiled a volume of color pictures of “Children” from her world travels. (All except the two out of print books are available from The Monmouth Press). Thank you, Sun Spots, for your great service. I enjoy reading your column every day. – Linda Johnston, The Monmouth Press, Monmouth.

Dear Sun Spots: I need a picture of Capt. Daniel Holland who lived in the “Holland House” from 1872 until his death in 1891. Might one of your readers have one they would be willing to share? I can be reached at (207) 782-3221. – Russ Hudon, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I am considering the TracFone prepaid wireless system sold at Wal-Mart. Before I purchase it, however, I would like to know what the service has been like in our area. The brochure claims that TracFone has the largest digital coverage in the United States, but I wonder how it is in Maine. Can you find out what experience others have had? – Carol Cantin, Mexico.

Answer: According to http://wireless-phone-reviews.com/wireless-phone-reviews/tracfone.php?currentpage=10, Bryan in Maine says he’s been using the Nokia 5180i with TracFone service for a few years now. The only problem he states with calls is that he didn’t pay attention to the battery power. He has since gotten a battery that has longer life and now uses the old battery for a backup. He has even used it in Canada. He says he might be paying a bit more in some cases, but he gets to talk on a reliable phone with reliable service.

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