DEAR SUN SPOTS: Our 11-year-old grandson is overweight and very distressed about it. I have heard “friends” tell him he’s fat, and he often tells us and his parents that he hates himself. His doctor simply advised participating in sports, which he does, but it’s not nearly enough exercise or activity to help the weight […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just found an old book given to me years ago. It is titled “Maine and Its Gems,” published in 1897 by Geo W. Morris publishers. Would Sun Spots know if this has any value? — Jackie, [email protected] ANSWER: It is easy to get a rough idea of a book’s value by […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are writing to ask for help from our wonderful community. We are seeking yarn for our volunteer knitters. We are in need of four-ply yarn of all colors, in good condition, to support our volunteers who are busy knitting hats, mittens, baby items, and afghans, which in turn are given to […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In early April we turned in 10 empty computer ink cartridges for the recycling program at the Staples store in Lewiston. We were told to expect a Staples Reward coupon for $20 in about two weeks. That did not happen, so I checked with a store associate and was told I probably […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS:I am writing about the job of emptying out a house’s contents before the owners sell it (May 27 column). I would be very interested in bidding on the job. Usually I charge $15 per hour to remove contents. Do they want it cleaned up? Painted? If you would give the people my […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franklin County 4-H 100th Celebration Committee is looking for help. We are asking for any 4-H pictures, awards or memorabilia that you may have, the older the better. Our intent is to compile any items received into a display for the end of the year. The committee is willing to reproduce […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have been keeping track of all the monuments at the Veterans Memorial Park since 2003. I have also made a database in Microsoft Excel with all the veterans on all of the monuments, from one to 25, the latest one as of May 25, 2013. The database is interactive and as […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the old phone number on the hanger from a Rumford dry cleaner (May 22), these phone numbers were in use before the area’s phones had dials. In 1959 and the early 1960s I worked in a Rumford office that had 227-J as its phone number. Every time you picked up the […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We read your column every day. Keep up the good work. We have another question. When was the ice palace in the park? We want the year. Thank you. — Ida, Lewiston ANSWER: Sun Spots’ colleague Ernie turned up a website, www.mainememory.net/artifact/6556/, with a photo of the ice palace and information provided by […]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your May 15 answer to the 83-year-old woman who lives in fear of her neighbors prompted me to ask something I’ve been wondering for some time. Some time ago I came across a car accident and called 911. I started to tell him about it and he interrupted me to demand my […]