ANSWER: Sun Spots understands that you are seeking an answer about Top Value stamps,but this information from straightdope.com sheds information on Top Value and other stamps. They state: “Green Stamps, believe it or not, are still around. But like everything else in the world they’ve gone virtual and are available as ‘greenpoints’ rewards for online purchases. (http://www.greenpoints.com). Different colored stamps were created by different stamp companies. These included Orange, Yellow, K&S Red, Pinky, Blue Chip and Plaid, Top Value, Mor-Valu, Shur-Valu, Big Bonus and Double Thrift, Buckeye, Buccaneer, Two Guys, King Korn, Eagle and Regal.”
The GreenPoints website states: “Yes, Green Stamps are certainly worth something. … You can exchange them for merchandise, cash, or trade them in for greenpoints. If you are choosing items from our current catalog, keep in mind that we convert Green Stamps to greenpoints using a one to one ratio. So, if you have Green Stamps that say 1, 10, or 50, they will be converted to 1, 10, or 50 greenpoints. As of January 1, 2010, Top Value Certificates or Stamps are no longer accepted.”
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I enjoy reading your column particularly when the questions are related to local history. I have such a question. What were some of the early names for Lake Auburn? Thank you. — History Buff in Auburn.
ANSWER: Sun Spots enjoys queries regarding local history. An article by R. B. Skinner was published in the Lewiston Evening Journal on April 30, 1934, that answered this question. From this article: “In Colonial times a beautiful expanse of water in Auburn was known as Big Wilson Pond. Later it took the official name, Lake Auburn, but for many years neither was recognized by the large group of French people coming to these cities from Canada. They called it ‘Lac a Parent,’ meaning Lake of Parent or Parent’s Lake.
“French-Canadian citizens have always been great hunters and fishermen. They are lovers of the outdoors and no group ever availed more greatly of our lakes and streams and fields for opportunities of healthful recreation. This was particularly true of the day when there were fewer organized attractions than now.
“Unfamiliar at that time with English names for local points of interest, the newcomers ofttimes applied titles in their own vernacular. Sabattus pond was sometimes called ‘Lac St. Batiste’ for ease of pronunciation. No Name pond became ‘Lac a McGraw’ because Henry McGraw had a farm on its shores, and McGraw was widely known here.
“The name of Parent became connected with Lake Auburn thru the fact that the family of Peter Parent lived along its shores, when the newcomers became acquainted with it. Visitors always were welcome at the Parent home, the grounds were ideal for picnicking and besides, there were procurable at Parent’s place boats for fishing parties.
” ‘Let’s go up to Parents’ ‘ became a frequent remark. Thru their childhood many never knew the lake by any other name and in after years many failed to recollect just how it was that ‘Lac a Parent’ came into use.”
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