DEAR SUN SPOTS: This is a “thank you” letter to both your terrific column and to all of the amazing readers who answered my letter published in Sun Spots on April 10. I needed help to get my Memere’s broken Catholic rosary bracelet fixed and boy did I ever get the help I needed!
Over a dozen wonderful people called me and Memere’s bracelet looks better than ever, thanks to Roberta. She fixed it out of the goodness of her heart. What a doll she is!
I would also like to thank Beatrice for sending me an “already-made” rosary bracelet for free. She’s such a sweet lady.
My family can’t wait to see Memere’s smile when she opens her gifts on Mother’s Day and I can’t wait to tell her about all of the kind-hearted folks who answered my letter. Thanks again to all of the caring people who offered to help. — S. J. in Lewiston.
RESPONSE: Sun Spots waited until after Mother’s Day to print S. J.’s letter so Memere wouldn’t know about the surprise her family had for her.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I enjoy guided walks through historic downtowns and cemeteries. Do you know of any that are coming up in central Maine? Thank you. — History buff, no town.
ANSWER: You can check with the historical society of any town to find out if they are offering guided walking tours. The Androscoggin Historical Society at 2 Turner St., in Auburn, can be reached at 207-784-0586; http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~meandrhs/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Androscoggin-Historical-Society/108962565819250.
The Farmington Historical Society at 118 Academy St. can be reached at 207-778-2835; http://www.farmingtonhistory.org/ or http://farmingtonhs.mainememory.net/page/2992/display.html.
The Norway Historical Society at 471 Main St. can be reached at 207-743-7377 or http://www.norwayhistoricalsociety.org/.
Other organizations that provide guided walking tours include chambers of commerce and city/town offices sometimes even led by the city’s mayor.
The Spring 2015 meeting of the Maine Old Cemeteries Association will be held at the First Congregational-Christian Church, 19 Gloucester Hill Rd., New Gloucester, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16. The day’s events will go until 2:30 p.m. and will include exhibits, displays, a talk about Maine’s most prominent gravestone carver and a guided walk through one of Maine’s oldest cemeteries — New Gloucester’s Lower Cemetery.
New Gloucester is a historic town and its Lower Village is on the National Register of Historic Places. Registration can be made at www.moca-me.org or at the door on May 16. There is no cost to pre-register but $3 per person registration fee will be asked at the door on the day of the event. Lunch reservations are required ($7) and may be made when you register online or by calling 207-877-7675.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the reader who was interested in guided nature walks or hikes, the Androscoggin Land Trust will be leading a free, guided walk of the 22-acre Jones Bonney Park on the Nezinscot River by Route 4 from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16. The public is welcome. Park in the Hannaford parking lot. For more information, email mauger@androscogginlandtrust.org or call 207-782-2302 or visit www.androscogginlandtrust.org.
Use the QR code to go to Sun Spots online for additional information and links. 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 be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com, tweeted @SJ_SunSpots or posted on the Sun Spots facebook page at facebook.com/SunJournalSunSpots. This column can also be read online at sunjournal.com/sunspots. We’ve joined Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/sj_sunspots.
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