ANSWER: In 2007, the Dominican Block was part of a restoration project led by developer David Clem, although his ideas for the project began much earlier, according to the local Historic Preservation Review Board. Also in 2007, the Sun Journal wrote this about the Dominican Block: The building opened in January 1883 as a Catholic parish school. The second and third floors housed the classrooms, and a large community room occupied the fourth floor. Retail stores were located on the first floor.
The Queen Anne-style building was designed by Lewiston architect George M. Coombs. It is listed on the national Register of Historic Places.
Today, the building has a fourth-floor ballroom, second- and third-floor office space and street-front retail space available for rent. You can see photos of the interior at www.dominicanblock.com/.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: A while back in your column you said it’s cheaper to buy a new TV instead of getting your flat screen fixed. Well, we have a flat screen that is broken. When we turn it on, it will shut off by itself. Sometimes it will take us 15 times to turn it on. I turned it on by using the power button on the TV itself and it still turns off by itself. So, we bought a new one. Where can we dispose of our old TV? Thanks. — No Name in Lewiston, 207-784-3934.
ANSWER: In addition to responses from readers, Casella Resource Solutions offers recycling of electronic waste such as old TVs and computers. There is a Transfer site at 424 River Road in Lewiston for that city’s residents. Call 207-464-0241 if you have any questions.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: What are some non-poisonous and natural methods for getting rid of ants? We have a lot of ants in and around the house, but we also have children and pets. Thanks for any information you can share. — No Name, No Town.
ANSWER: Different sources will offer varying methods for ant control. Plant peppermint around the house as the scent is offensive to ants. Some sources say to sprinkle diatomaceous earth (not the stuff made for pools which IS poisonous) around your garden and cover fire ant mounds with it — however, D.E. is not good for bumblebees, is harmful to earthworms, and once applied stays in the earth forever, so consider that. You can try baking soda mixed with powdered sugar. The sugar attracts and the baking soda kills. Others have used cornmeal with good results. Some people sprinkle cinnamon around the ant hills, house and garden and their ants have disappeared.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: St. Dom’s class of 1965 will celebrate their 50th anniversary reunion Saturday, Aug. 29, at St. Dominic Academy, 121 Gracelawn Road in Auburn. Committee members are looking for information on the following classmates: Daniel Caron, Theresa Nadeau Cote, Robert Doucette, Helene St. Jean Frost, Jo-Ann Girardin Gillespie, Therese Poulin Mathieu, Claudette Nadeau, Dennis Paquin, Constance Pleau and Viviane Cliche Tucci. Contact Richard and Claire Dubreuil Metivier at 207-784-0704, Roger Perreault at 207-783-8114 or Richard Robert at 207-784-6594. Thank you.
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