DEAR SUN SPOTS: Rural Community Action Ministry is accepting donations for its third “Somewhat Annual” yard sale scheduled on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24 and 25. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RCAM office, 81 Churchill Road in Leeds. Call 207-524-5095 for more information. — No name, no town
ANSWER: Rural Community Action Ministry is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eradicating rural homelessness and hunger. It has provided services to vulnerable rural families since 1970, working with people to meet their needs for safe, adequate shelter, clothing, food and basic well-being in a manner that maintains or improves their self-worth and dignity. The organization serves Buckfield, Canton, Greene, Hartford, Leeds, Litchfield, Livermore, Monmouth, Sabattus, Sumner, Turner, Wales and Wayne.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: How can I find the Lewiston Daily Sun and the Lewiston Evening Journal news articles from the 1930s through the 1960s? — Mike, Auburn
ANSWER: There is an archive for the Lewiston Evening Journal and another for the Lewiston Daily Sun pre-1988 (they merged in 1988). The full internet address for the Daily Sun is https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=IT5EXw6i2GUC&hl=en. The web address for the Evening Journal is https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=oQQVFBP0nzwC&hl=en.
Searching archives is definitely an exercise in patience and it’s much easier if you know specific dates of what you’re looking for. If you don’t have dates, start your search by looking for your subject in general terms. Good luck!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m interested in a new dental technique called pinhole surgery that is used to treat receding gums. Are any dentists in central Maine trained in this procedure yet? — Teddy, Wales
ANSWER: The Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique is a fairly new, minimally invasive procedure that requires no incisions and no suturing. As an alternative to gum grafts, it’s billed as a quick, effective treatment for gum recession that is virtually pain-free and requires only a very short recovery time. The Center for Advanced Dentistry at 26 Cross St. in Auburn has more information and will assess whether a person is a good candidate for this procedure. You can call them at 207-784-7355. There is also more information at auburndental.com.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I bought an embroidered belt the other day on sale at Marden’s with the name Smathers & Branson on the inside. When my son-in-law saw it, he said two Bowdoin College graduates started this company. What’s the story behind that? — No name, no town
ANSWER: In 2004, the two Bowdoin College roommates, Peter Smathers Carter and Austin Branson, decided to start a company that offered needlepoint belts after both received handmade ones from their girlfriends. According to their website, smathersandbranson.com, their highly successful and growing company in Bethesda, Maryland, employs thousands of Vietnamese stitchers/artisans.
Smathers & Branson now offers needlepoint products, including wallets, hats, dog collars and flasks for many universities and colleges, fraternities and sororities, and national sports teams. They also take orders for themed custom products with unique patterns and/or monograms for schools, clubs and organizations, and one-of-a-kind “Life Belts” for weddings and other special occasions.
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.
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