DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Shop into Spring Craft and Vendor Fair will be held at the Auburn Mall on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A large variety of crafters and vendors will be on hand with a wide variety of items. It’s the perfect time to purchase gifts for springtime events like Mother’s Day, birthdays, weddings and graduations.

Admission is free and raffle tickets will be on sale. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society. We will also be collecting physical donations for the shelter that day. — Lauren, no town

ANSWER: GAHS has some great fundraisers coming up this spring. Check these out at https://gahumane.org/. For more information on this event, call 783-2311 or email [email protected].

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The United Methodist Church of Auburn at 439 Park Ave. will hold a bean supper on Saturday, April 12, at 5 p.m.

The menu includes baked beans, casseroles, hot dogs, cole slaw, breads, beverages and homemade pies. Entertainment will be provided by the Park Avenue Pickers and will begin at 4:30 p.m.

For additional information, please contact the church office at 782-3972. — Steve, Minot

ANSWER: This is a great time and the music makes it all more festive.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Optimist Club wants you to join them on Earth Day weekend, prior to Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, to spend at least one hour walking your neighborhood with family, friends and co-workers, with a trash bag to clear roadside trash while enjoying some fresh air and exercise.

If you are willing to commit to volunteer for this cleanup effort and want to register to win a meal at one of our local community restaurants, please contact any Optimist Club member. Please call 783-5269 or email [email protected] to register to win one of the many restaurant gift certificates to be given to community volunteers. — George, Auburn

ANSWER: I love that you continue to organize this event every year. It always inspires me to join in with my neighborhood efforts too. I hope you have lots of folks helping out.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The historical societies of Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland will be holding a joint presentation at the Poland Historical Society at 1231 Maine St. in Poland on Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. The topic of “Narrow Gauge Railroads in Maine” will be presented by Paul Lodge of West Minot, a longtime railroad enthusiast, as well as the first president and charter member of the Great Falls Railroad Club.

Narrow gauge railroads provided passenger and freight services to rural areas of western Maine from the 1880s through 1943. The two-foot width between tracks and the smaller locomotives were less expensive to build and operate than standard gauge railroads. At one time, there were five narrow gauge railroads hauling logs and lumber from our forests, slate from our quarries, and farm products to and from our cities and towns.

The public is invited to this free event. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Poland Historical Society at 998-5268. — David, Auburn

ANSWER: This sounds very interesting. I’ll be sure to give it another plug when the date gets closer. Readers, mark your calendars!

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