DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your column is great. I want to thank the workers at the Lisbon Senior Center, and you know who you are, for all the work that goes into preparing meals, trips and making sure our cribbage games are enjoyable. What would your faithful followers do without you? — Sign me as Grateful.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the Thursday, Nov. 12, Looking Back column in the Sun Journal, Auburn painter D. D. Coombs was mentioned. What can you tell us about him and are any of his works on display in Lewiston/Auburn?
Also, I remember when Auburn Hall was being renovated, there was an article about some artwork being discovered painted directly on the walls. Was that artwork saved and is it on display?
Thank you for any information you can gather. — David via online submission form.
ANSWER: Sun Spots found some background information about artist D. D. Coombs on the White Mountain Art & Artists website: “Delbert Dana Coombs was born in Lisbon Falls, Maine, on July 26, 1850. Primarily self-taught, Coombs did take painting lessons from Scott Leighton, an animal painter, and he studied landscapes with Harrison Bird Brown.
Coombs painted actively for more than 50 years. His subjects included portraits, landscapes and cattle. Coombs painted in the White Mountains on many occasions where he appears to have liked the Jackson area most. Coombs’ White Mountain subjects date from 1890 to 1925.
“He had a studio in Boston for several winters, but his major work was pursued in Maine. He gave painting lessons in Lisbon for 25 years.
“Coombs’s work has been preserved in Maine at the Capitol, the Poland Spring Art Gallery, at Bates College and at Yale University.”
As for your second question regarding Auburn Hall and the uncovered murals, Sun Spots has contacted several people at Auburn City Hall and their answers will be published as soon as possible. It’s an interesting question.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read about the St. Dom’s Holiday Festival and want to know how to contact “Hip Nana” who makes the Katniss Cowls mentioned in the article. I would like to order one for a granddaughter. Perhaps others would like to order, too? Thank you. — Martina in Jay at 207-897-3171.
ANSWER: From the Sun Journal article you refer to in your query was a photo with this caption: “Debbie Berry crochets in her Auburn home with her constant companions, Jake and Jazzy. She was preparing for the Saint Dominic Academy Holiday Festival, where she set up her booth called Hip Nana Crochet, a name her grandson, Joey Gendron, came up with.” Sun Spots does not have public contact information to share so perhaps Debbie will contact you directly since you provided your phone number. Good luck!
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