DEAR SUN SPOTS: We’re asking readers to please volunteer at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival with the Franco Center either in our cookie booth or in our parking lot. The Franco Center will be at the hot air balloon festival on Aug. 15-17 selling delicious cookies to raise funds for our programs — and we need your help!

Volunteer for a few hours in our cookie booth at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, Lewiston (no experience needed, just a smile and good vibes). Sign up today to lend a hand, meet new people and be part of the fun.

To volunteer in the cookie booth: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C084EACAD2DAAF9CF8…

When you click on the sign-up button, if you are asked to enter a code, access code is 081725

We also need volunteers to help us sell parking spots in our parking lot during the festival. Sign up for parking lot duties here: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C084EACAD2DAAF9CF8…

You can also call 689-2000 or email [email protected] for more information.

ANSWER: What a fantastic opportunity to help this organization and be part of this summer tradition. Here’s to great weather and a great experience for all.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society is holding a garage sale fundraiser at 1313 Riverside Drive in Auburn on both Friday, Aug. 15, and Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (There will NOT be a bag sale as stated in the July 31 Sun Spots — that was an error.

Come browse our great eclectic collection of household items, gardening items, CD’s, books, puzzles, crafts, tools, etc. We’ll also have genealogical research aids, maps and collector plates. Please, no early birds.

All proceeds will benefit MFGS, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to assisting individuals in discovering their family’s Franco history. The MFGS Library, located on the second floor of The Fortin Group Funeral Home at 217 Turner St. in Auburn, contains online resources and over 3200 print volumes of research materials, many of which cannot be found online. Please visit www.mfgen.org for more information about MFGS.

Readers may email [email protected] for more garage sale information. Be sure to put MFGS Garage Sale in the subject line.

Thank you, Ms. Sun Spots, for providing us all with information about community events. — Connie, no town

ANSWER: This sounds like a fantastic fundraiser — the use of the word “eclectic” is so intriguing! And it’s so amazing to me that this organization has so many resources. Behind this effort are many volunteers who keep the fire of Franco history alive and well for our community.

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].