DEAR SUN SPOTS: Happy 50^th anniversary to you, Sun Spots! I remember Barbara Clune. My husband and I both worked for the Sun Journal when it was two daily papers. The Costello family (Jim, Sr.) was our boss, and my family, including our daughter, grandson, and his grandfather all worked at the paper. My husband, Larry, retired after working for 35 years on the press.

The older Costellos were the best. They were so good to their employees and so generous. They felt the employees were a big part of the paper’s success.

The paper is my everyday reading at the start of my day. I once put in a request to find a copy of a certain cookbook for my mom for Christmas. She had hers for so long that it was very worn and stained. A reader had one and gave it to me at no charge. She was happy to do that for my mom, who was so thrilled. It was so special.

I also once asked about a fur jacket. My son played hockey and the arenas were cold. Other hockey moms said that fur coats were the best for keeping warm. I reached out to Sun Spots Land and a lady called me right away. When I saw the jacket she had to offer, it was perfect and I asked about the price. The woman said, “You wear it to your son’s hockey games and stay warm. It just sits in my closet and I’ll love the fact that it’s being worn again. There’s no charge.”

Back when those requests were made, there were no cellphones or places to seek such things.

I’m so grateful to Sun Spots. You do an amazing job with your research, answers, recipes, and all the things we are looking for. Thank you so much for all the information you provide and God bless. On to 50 more years — I’ll be gone, but others will benefit. Congratulations! — Carol, no town

ANSWER: This letter came to me in a lovely handwritten card. I’m grateful for all my readers, but this letter meant so much to me because of Carol’s long history with the Sun Journal. You may not know that there are many Sun Journal employees who have been with the paper for decades, and still are — just one of the many reasons that makes the SJ so special.

Times have changed and we all have many stories to tell, but with you all as our partners, we continue to work toward keeping  community journalism alive.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I knew Avis Stanford, brother of Donald Gatti. She lived in Wayne until her death, and Donald still lives in Wayne. Leslie (who wrote the request for information) can call me for Don’s phone number. — Pamela, Wayne

ANSWER: This is a perfect example of how Sun Spots works, my friends. Rather than publish Pamela’s number, I forwarded her email to Leslie. This is why it helps so very much when you include your contact information when you write in. It makes things flow so much more smoothly here in Sun Spots Land.

I was so happy to facilitate the gathering of this genealogy information for Leslie — thank you, readers, for the help!

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.