DEAR SUN SPOTS: I didn’t happen to read the Looking Back column on June 3, but am pretty sure Idyl Wilde was at the end of Church Street in East Auburn. The little settlement there was known to the community as “The Cottages.” My husband’s family home was there.
In the 1950s and ’60s, two nice ladies known as “The Idyl Wilde Girls” to their neighbors, lived there. Their cottage was right on the shore of Lake Auburn. Our boys fished from the little ledge next to them when they were little.
All but one of the cottages are torn down now. The road is dirt, trees have replaced lawns and there’s no view of the lake. — Roberta, East Auburn
ANSWER: This reader is responding to the June 28 Sun Spots asking about the location of Idyl Wilde Cottage. Thank you for your help, Roberta! If anyone else has more information on Idyl Wilde, feel free to share. We all like to hear about “the good old days.”
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m an elementary school teacher in Idaho and I am in need of help from Maine residents. I want to do a project for the upcoming school year with my class. I need a retired license plate from The Pine Tree State. If you have one you could donate to me I would greatly appreciate your help. My school address is: Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center, 2801 Hunters Loop, Blackfoot, ID, 83221. E-mail: parkben2@isu.edu, Phone: 208-680-5604 —Benjamin, Blackfoot, ID
ANSWER: What a fun project to be involved in! It may be a good idea to contact this teacher first before sending your retired license plate along so he doesn’t get inundated with multiple packages from our helpful Maine readers.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the July 18 Sun Spots about maple trees: I’m not an arborist but I’ve noticed the same issues with my maples, some more than others. I believe the problem can be traced back to the warm spell we had in late March-early April when maples and lilacs budded out then the cold weather returned. My maples leafed out, then the leaves dried up and fell off. Fortunately, they have returned to nearly normal but not until I was sure I was losing them. Give them time. I believe Mother Nature played a cruel trick on us and we’re seeing the results of it. — Cal, Litchfield
ANSWER: This does sound like a reasonable explanation. Mother Nature is indeed a trickster, especially here in Maine. It will be interesting to see to keep an eye on the maples and see if they bounce back as this reader suggests.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for large 32-ounce bottles of Spic and Span. I have seen the 16-ounce spray bottles but not the larger bottles. Thank you very much. — Merton, Hartford
ANSWER: This cleaning product has been a household staple for generations. Has anyone seen it at their local stores? Please let us know.
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