DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you tell us where or what towns “Market Basket” stores are in Maine?
Their ads come in our newspaper and no one knows where there is one.
— No name, no town
ANSWER: There’s one Market Basket in Maine — in Biddeford. It’s on Mariner Way, and very visible from the Maine Turnpike.
The store opened about four years ago and folks thought the company would open other stores in Maine, but no expansion plans have been announced.
Market Basket is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and operates 76 stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire — plus the one in Maine.
Several years ago, the company made headlines when its board of directors fired President and CEO Arthur T. Demoulas, who was beloved by the employees. Hundreds of employees walked out of dozens of stores, holding protests that included live music and plenty of food.
Customers joined in and, eventually, the board agreed to sell the remaining shares to Demoulas, who returned to work. The price? $1.5 billion — with a “B.”
That’s a lotta bananas.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: The following is another story about World War II parachutes.
For decades, my grandmother Mayvelle (Roys) Eaton of Lyndonville, Vermont, offered her garage to her church so they could hold their annual rummage sale. Back in the early 1950s, Grammie’s daughter-in-law, my Aunt Doris (Gammon) Eaton, bought a parachute for 25 cents.
In addition to being a school teacher, Aunt Dot was also an accomplished seamstress. She fashioned the parachute into a beautiful gown for my cousin Carole’s senior ball at St. Johnsbury Academy. Ever resourceful, the sash was created by using a wide ribbon from one of the floral arrangements at the funeral service of Carole’s classmate, Sylvia.
Carole and her friends felt as though Sylvia was there at the ball with them that night.
— Becky Pelletier, Fayette
ANSWER: What a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a dear friend I worked with at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, Lorraine Fadden.
She lived on Hill Street in South Paris and moved, and they can’t tell me where she moved to.
If there is anyone out there who might know her whereabouts, I would appreciate it if they let me know. Thank you.
— Frances Carlton, Dixfield
DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are still accepting vendor applications for crafters and artisans to join our craft fair at the 39th annual Founder’s Day & Classic Car Exhibit on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, in Paris.
Applicants who reserve a space prior to June 15 will pay $40 for a 20- by 20-foot space. Reservations made between June 15 and July 15 will cost $50 per space.
If you wish to be a vendor or have questions about the event, contact the Hamlin Memorial Library by email at hamlinstaff@hamlin.lib.me.us or by phone at 207-743-2980.
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