DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you find out why Mt. Hope Cemetery on Mt. Hope Avenue has the gate locked on Saturdays? I’ve been there four or five times to visit my husband’s grave and can’t get in. I called and was told it would be taken care of, but I went today and it was locked again. Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots spoke to Wendy at the Prince of Peace parish, which oversees the cemetery. She said that there have been some changes in management of the cemetery, but that it is now run from the parish. A volunteer was doing the unlocking but fell ill without the parish knowing. It is now seen to by an in-house employee, who is responsible for unlocking the gates at dawn and locking them at dusk. Wendy said you should find the gates unlocked now during all daylight hours, but that if you have any further difficulties just call her or Sue at 777-1200.

DEAR SUN SPOTS, Geiger Elementary School is seeking new or gently used books for students in kindergarten through grade two to be distributed as part of an initiative called Gator GEAR (Get Excited About Reading). This event is being coordinated by a Lewiston High School seniors along with participation by Geiger and LHS staff.

Books may be dropped off at the main office of Lewiston High School to the attention of Assistant Principal Paul Amnott. — JoAnne Dowd, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for someone to pick up scrap metal and transport it to a metal recycle location. A while back a man stopped at our moving sale and said he would haul metal to recycle and share compensation with the owner. I cannot find his contact information and hope to have him contact me. — Daniel A. D’Auteuil Sr., 946-5616, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering if anyone out there had a recipe for a nice Portuguese blade meat sandwich or a Portuguese marinade. Also, are there any Portuguese stores in the Lewiston-Auburn area or beyond? Thank you. — Julie, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know of any stores specializing in Portuguese food and guesses you’d have to head south to Boston or New York to find one. Perhaps readers will have suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The 21st-Century Community Learning Centers after-school program will be hosting a father-daughter dance on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Oak Hill Middle School from 6 to 8 p.m. Semi-formal attire acceptable. This dance is open to eighth-graders and under. The cost per couple is $15 with an additional cost of $5 for each additional daughter.

DJ will be provided compliments of Chris Jones, with his tuxedo compliments of Tuxedos on Broadway. Photographer is Nancy Merrill. Affordable packages will be available.

All preregistered couples will be entered into the Princess Package drawing, which includes a free limousine ride to and from the dance, compliments of Imperial Limousine Services, free up-do compliments of Cutloose Hair Salon and $50 cash donated by Lisa Laliberte of State Farm in Lewiston to help with the dress and accessories purchase, free tuxedo rental compliments of Formal Image and a $20 Marco’s Restaurant gift certificate.

Preregistration closes on Feb. 7. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact me. — Flo Poulin, 375-6605 or 212-1747, [email protected]

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 e-mailed to [email protected].