Dear Sun Spots: My husband and I look forward to the Great Falls
Balloon Festival every summer and we commend the Festival Committee for
the wonderful job they do in planning and organizing this event.
Unfortunately, the weather in late August does not always seem
conducive to successful balloon launches. Has the committee ever
considered changing the date of the festival to coincide with better
weather? In our opinion late September would be an absolutely gorgeous
time to take flight in a hot air balloon! Thank you for any information
you can provide to us. — Amy and Mike Hinkley, No Town.

Answer:
Balloon Meister Mike Theriault said that although the September time frame would
actually work out very nicely for foliage balloon flights, the original
founders of the festival wanted to create a venue for local nonprofit
groups (many of which are high school related) and give them a resource to generate
funding. If the festival was moved from the current time frame, a large
number of volunteers that work the booths today would not be available.
Therefore, the groups wouldn’t have the staffing they need to man the
booths all weekend. The way it is now, it’s just before the end of
summer when most vacationing plans are over and just prior to the start of the school year. 

Dear Sun Spots: So many nice people responded to my ad on July 3! I
requested magazines for people who have little income and can’t get
out. I’m sorry I couldn’t get to collect everyone’s. Maybe a little
later you’ll still have some 2009s. Thank you all.

I have been looking for a small portable sewing machine with no
luck. Does anyone in the Lewiston or Auburn area have one they no
longer need? One lady would rather stitch than read! She loves to
decorate fabric and make bibs, etc. It would be greatly appreciated and
make her very happy. Call 784-2393 and leave a message. — J. Kay,
Lewiston. 

Dear Sun Spots: Just read in this morning’s Sun Spots, Aug. 24, that
there was a picture of Betty Cody in last Monday’s paper, Aug. 17. I
looked all through that paper but could not find it. Please let me know
where I can find it as I have been a fan of hers for years. Thank you.
— K. McKeen, No Town. 

Answer: The photo of  Betty
Cody, Lenny Breau’s mother, and Emily Breau Hughes, his daughter,
appeared on page B1 in the Aug. 17 edition. The photo ran on the
bottom, left side of the page. You can also see the photo, and
others from the tribute concert, on the Sun Journal Web site,
www.sunjournal.com. Type “Lenny Breau” in the search bar located at the
top of the screen. 

Dear Sun Spots: Someone asked about converting old 78 rpm records to
CDs. I can help out with that. Call me at 225-5222. Please leave a
clear message. Thanks. — Richard, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m writing this for the nice lady who just had surgery
on her arm and came to my garage sale on Saturday, Aug. 22, on
Blanchette Street. Her light jacket was left here while carrying out
her items. I have it here, please call me at 782-8314. Thank
you. — P.T., Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: For those who have inquired where they can buy
canvas coverings for outdoor furniture, cushions, boats or canopies, they
can contact Sam Cook, owner of Cathance Marine Canvas, at 9 Main St #B,
Bowdoinham. Phone number is 841-4708. She will be happy to help you. — J.
Lindholm, Lewiston.

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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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