DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston is an archive created to preserve and promote the rich culture and heritage of Maine’s Franco-American population of today and yesterday. The collection is at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston campus and online at https://usm.maine.edu/franco-american-collection/.

To add to this legacy, we are looking for people to participate in our oral history project. If you identify as Franco-American or French-Canadian, we are interested in talking with you about your life, work, and family history.

We are particularly interested in recording audio interviews with veterans of World War II and the Korean War for our Francos Who Served Project.

We are also interested in interviewing people who grew up in Holy Cross Parish and attended Holy Cross Church in Lewiston.

If you are interested in participating in, or would like to learn more about our oral history projects, which can be conducted in English, French or other languages, please contact Anna Faherty, archivist, at 753-6545 or email  [email protected]. – Anna, Lewiston

ANSWER: I hope Sun Spotters who fit the description of who Anna is looking for will contact her. Share your life stories so we can all know everything we can about Maine’s history.

As poet Muriel Rukeyser once wrote in her book, “The Speed of Darkness,” “The world is made of stories, not atoms.” Whoever you are, I encourage you to share yours. It’s vital to our understanding of our world to allow others to know you and your experiences.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m hoping someone in Sun Spots Land has some ideas for me. My house is less than five years old and has vinyl siding. On the north side, an unbelievable amount of green mold-looking stuff appears. Last year I had it professionally power washed, but this fall, the discoloration came back.

Since I have allergies to at least 18 different molds, this is a big concern.

Ideas from Sun Spotters would be greatly appreciated.  I want to get this taken care of in the spring. — No name, no town

ANSWER: This is a common problem for homeowners because the north side of a home often doesn’t get enough sunlight. If there are trees and tall shrubbery surrounding your property, the best solution would be to prune them back or take them down.

Have you spoken with your building contractor about this? Are any neighbors dealing with this same issue? They may all have helpful advice.

There’s a product called Wet and Forget, Moss, Mold and Stain Remover that works on all outdoor surfaces on and around your home including roofs and patios. Using your outdoor hose, you spray it on before it rains and that’s it — no scrubbing or rinsing. The product works organically with the wind and rain to remove all the “gunk,” is non-acidic and has no bleach.

The best time to apply Wet and Forget is on a cool, dry, windless day, with no rain in the forecast for four to five hours. Often the evening or early morning is the best time to apply, when evaporation is minimal.

At https://www.wetandforget.com/ , there’s more information and a specific guide. It sounds like a good product though.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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 [email protected].