DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you so much for your help in spreading the word about our Fairy Godmother Prom Gown Give-Away each year. This year’s event will be held Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Foss Mansion at 19 Elm St., Auburn.
Last year, with help from so many Sun Spots readers, the Woman’s Literary Union of Androscoggin County was able to collect over 500 dresses and send young women in the area home with free gowns for their proms. The remaining gowns were divided among several high schools and three nonprofit groups, each holding their own gown giveaway. We started our collection for the new year at the Tiara Tea held during Auburn’s Winterfest. Sixty-one gowns were donated during this event.
We are now accepting new or gently-worn and cleaned prom gowns during February and March at the following locations: The Beauty Bar at 36 Millet Drive; Central Maine Community College on Turner Street in Auburn (drop-off box sponsored by the Education Club); Day’s Jewelers at 600 Center St., Auburn; University of Maine L-A Campus at 51 Westminster St. in Lewiston (Student Services Office); and Turner Publishing at 5 Fern St. in Turner.
As in the past, Bates College continues its support of the Fairy Godmother Prom Gown Give-Away/drop-off location for gowns TBD by staff.
On Sunday, Feb. 18, you may bring your gowns to the Prom Palooza from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Dolard and Priscilla Gendron Franco Center at 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston.
Thank you to OMG event planner Michelle Gosselin for providing both a convenient drop-off location and a fun opportunity for WLU members to gratefully accept your donations.
— Carol, WLU events chairwoman, Auburn
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any Sun Spots readers who have personal information and/or a photograph of Noel Coumont? He was the architect who designed the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and supervised much of the construction of the lower church in the early 1900s. Since the Basilica series ended, I’ve been doing some of my own research on him from here in Northern California. Thanks for any help you can provide regarding Noel Coumont. My contact information is alivebarnes@gmail.com
— Alice, San Bruno, CA
ANSWER: It would be super to help out this out-of-state reader. If you don’t use email, please send the letter to Sun Spots and I will make sure Alice gets it!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you have any idea where I can get rid of a big tube TV? It still works.
— No name, no town
ANSWER: You could see if a local church or other organization would like it. A few years ago, I simply advertised my monster TV on an online yard sale site for free and a sweet family came by and took it off my hands. The kids were very excited!
Staples in Lewiston at 855 Lisbon St. has a recycling program and will take that TV but you will have to haul it there. The phone number is 207-753-0779. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Call your municipality’s transfer station, too. There may be a minimal fee involved but that relic would be out of your house!
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