Dear Sun Spots: Cote Brothers Sewing Machines will join WCSH 6 at its annual Coats for Kids kickoff Dec. 6. Our part of the program will be sewing Mittens for Kids.

We have been working all year, collecting fleece and sewing mittens to surpass last year’s efforts in sewing 500 pairs of mittens. We want to thank all that have helped so far in the donation of fleece and making mittens themselves. It’s been a great community event so far.

We will host a “Sew In” Thursday, Nov. 20. Anyone is welcome to attend or help, day or night. All you have to do is call and let us know when.

We have fleece and patterns in the store for anyone interested in sewing at home. All that we ask is that we have all of the mittens sewn at home back in our store by Dec. 4. On Dec 6. we will turn in the mittens to the Auburn Shaws’ site where the Salvation Army will pick up the Coats for Kids.

We invite you to come by the store, call or e-mail us at any time with questions or concerns. We would be more than happy to help in any way we can to make it easier for you. Please contact: Karly, at Cote Brothers Sewing Machines, 730 Center St., Auburn Plaza, Auburn, ME 04210, (207) 782-5922 or e-mail karly@cotebrothers.com. – Karly Eretzian, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for two items: A pumpkin screen for a Garden Way “Squeezo Strainer.” I am also looking for a small greenhouse for a 4-H project. I can be reached at (207) 539-4572. – Linda Hooker, Oxford.

Dear Sun Spots: The Ladies Guild of Our Lady of Ransom in Mechanic Falls will host a Christmas fair on Nov. 22. We want crafters who would like to reserve a table to call Helen at (207) 345-9154. Also, we have been informed that our supplier in South Paris will not be selling wreaths to us this year. Can anyone tell us the name of any other suppliers of these wreaths? And lastly, does anyone have the directions to make the crocheted nylon net scrubbers? Thanks. – Louise Roberts, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: My sister-in-law asked me if I could find the recipe for an old-fashioned molasses candy made with baking soda. It looks like a sponge and is soft on top, but a little hard on the bottom. She bought some in Wilton (probably at the Blueberry Festival) from a local person. – Lois Henry, Farmington.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, perhaps you and your family might enjoy the following recipe for old-fashioned sponge candy, which was published in 2002:

Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup dark corn syrup, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon baking soda (sifted).

Method: Heat sugar, corn syrup and vinegar to boiling in a two-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Boil mixture without stirring until candy thermometer registers 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove pan from heat and stir in baking soda quickly and thoroughly. Pour mixture into an ungreased 13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch pan. Do not spread mixture. Cool. Break candy into pieces. Serve as candy or crush and sprinkle over ice cream, pudding or fruit. This recipe makes one pound of candy (five cups crushed). Note: To obtain thicker candy, use an 8½-inch square pan with 2-inch sides.

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