DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Great Falls Model Railroad Club’s annual exTRAINaganza will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19, and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24, 25 and 26, at 144 Mill St. in Auburn. Model trains in various scales built by model train enthusiasts will be operating all day. Activities for kids, including running trains as a junior engineer, will be going on all day as well. Club members will be available to answer questions about layouts and to sell new and used model railroad items, books and other train-related memorabilia. — Bryn, no town

ANSWER: Although I never had a model train set of my own, friends of mine had brothers who were really involved in this world. The trains were fun but what I really loved was the scenery and towns that could be created.

I encourage you to check out this event. You’re sure to learn something!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What should you get mémère and pépère for Christmas? Think genealogy. What about a direct line back to your immigrant ancestors from France? Maine Franco Genealogical Society researchers using society resources will attempt to identify one individual line of ancestors with dates and places of marriage for up to 13 generations back to France in the 1600s for a flat fee. This ancestral line chart will be printed in color on ivory parchment suitable for framing.

The member price is $20 and the nonmember price is $40.

Deadline for requests is Oct. 27. Email info@mfgen.org for more information or to place a request. — Ann, no town

Advertisement

ANSWER: What a fabulous gift this would make. I hope lots of readers take advantage of this offer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the inquiry about the brothers who owned Wasson’s Grove Restaurant . I found the obituary for William (Bill) Mageles. He worked at the Puritan Restaurant in Portland, which was started by his father and later co-owned Wasson’s in Falmouth with his brother Ted from 1955-1975.  — Linda, no town

ANSWER: Thanks for digging up that info!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the past four weeks the beginner Sudoku printed on Sunday has been repeated in the Monday e-paper. Wasn’t there always a new beginner puzzle printed on Monday? — Cathy, Lewiston

ANSWER: When the move was made to have a digital ePaper only on Mondays, it was decided to print the Monday puzzle twice — once in print Sunday for those who didn’t want to do the puzzle electronically, have it in the ePaper on Monday. We did not run a fresh puzzle in the Monday paper when we made this move.

We only get seven Sudoku puzzles a week from the syndicate and we use them on dates assigned for their use, except the Monday puzzle, which we repeat for ease of use for people who prefer to do the puzzle in the paper on Sundays.

I’m not sure what you are noticing as different but please write back to me if this doesn’t answer your question!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

filed under: