Dear Sun Spots: Oprah had a show recently that was about people that lived in the lifestyle of the 1600s for four months.

It was filmed in Maine. Could you please tell me where? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The producers wanted a setting that would make the colony rather isolated, without too many visits from a neighboring colony or a passing ship. This meant they had to establish a settlement prior to 1629. In that year, the “Great Migration” to Massachusetts Bay began, quickly bringing thousands of settlers to the region and greatly reducing the isolation of all settlements. At the same time, as late a date as possible was ideal; the later the year, the more historical sources survive that could be used to develop a colony. So, 1628 was settled on as the date for the “Colonial House” show.

The series was filmed in Machias, Maine, mainly because that’s where the producers found a coastal area that was remote enough to isolate a group from the modern world for a long period of time. Historically, there were no European settlements known of on the actual land chosen, but it is the type of location the colonists were looking for up and down the coast – an area with a protected bay, access to deep water for ships, and a richness and variety of natural resources. Typically this far north, the region would have been inhabited by small fishing settlements.

You and other readers might be interested in checking out the PBS Web site where you can learn much, much more on this fascinating project. Log onto www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse.

• To Shingles Sufferer in No Town (Sun Spots column Tuesday): Contact pharmacist Chuck Primozich at Primozich Pharmacy in Mechanic Falls who says he can cure you. He can be reached at 345-9188. Primozich says the key is in changing your diet and determining whether or not the lesions are oozing or not. He’ll be happy to help you out.

Dear Sun Spots: A few days ago I saw somebody write into Sun Spots asking about the wire that goes across the Androscoggin River on Riverside Drive in Auburn. I grew up very near that line and it was used for monitoring the river. There was a motorized trolley attached to the line and usually two men rode the trolley out about halfway and you could see them taking samples. I don’t think they use it any more but all the kids in the neighborhood used to like to watch them go out. – Norm Turgeon, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: We are looking for any information concerning the family of John Darling of Jay, Maine, and his descendants, including the location of graves to complete our family genealogy.

We are descended from this family and would like to contact anyone with helpful information. Since Memorial Day will soon be here and people make their way to the area cemeteries, it is a perfect time to note any Darling graves and pass along the information so that we may find the graves and photograph them for our files.

We are of course willing to share any of our files with any interested family members. Contact 674-5256 or [email protected]. – Everett Ayer, Sumner.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for a male bichon frisé puppy. I’ve tried the local pet store but to no avail. I’m hoping one of your readers might know of someone whose dog might recently have had a litter. I can be reached at (207) 784-0780. – Christine Burns, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: The Stephens High School Class of ’44 will hold a reunion Aug. 21 at the Madison Motel, Rumford. For information, classmates should contact: Delia at (207) 364-2561; Gladys at (207) 364-2745; or Tom at (207) 364-3867. Any help would be greatly appreciated. – Tom Gallant, Rumford.

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.