Dear Sun Spots: Donations are needed for the Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association’s first annual Apple Festival. It will take place Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Route 4, two and a half miles north of Farmington.

We need apple-related items for our white (red) elephant table. Anything such as trinkets, peelers, books, tablecloths, anything with an apple theme.

The festival will have cider-making demonstrations and cider for all. There will also be a pie contest. All money earned will be used for rebuilding the Fairbanks School that burned down in 1998. For more information, please call Patty at (207) 778-4272 or Cindy at (207) 778-3808. – Patty Jacobs, Farmington.

Dear Sun Spots: I was wondering if you could get me the address for Kasey Kahne of NASCAR and also for Motocross racer Travis Pastrana. Thank you. – B.C., Gardiner.

Answer: Unfortunately Sun Spots has not found an address for Pastrana and perhaps other fans out there might be willing to share with you.

In the meantime, you might be interested in noting that this weekend will mark Kahne’s second NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start at Dover International Speedway in Delaware. Kahne started 12th and finished 21st at Dover in June. He had commanded the race lead for 36 laps when, with just 20 laps between him and his first career victory, Kahne spun in unseen oil spread by another driver when an engine expired. Kahne’s Dodge suffered extensive damage, and did not return to the racetrack. Kahne earned his third consecutive Top 10 finish at Dover in the Busch Series in June.

In addition, you and other fans might be interested in joining his fan club. The 2004 membership is $27. Write to the Kasey Kahne Fan Club, P.O. Box 342, Enumclaw, WA 98022 for more information. The fan club membership includes: a wallet-size membership card, quarterly newsletter, monthly e-newsletters, Kasey Kahne Fan Club T-Shirt, a welcome letter signed by Kahne, items from Great Clips and Dodge, and a membership certificate.

Pastrana is known as one of the biggest names in action sports. He’s talented at about whatever activity he tries – freestyle, motocross, BASE jumping, rally car racing, etc. A supreme trick innovator, he’ll bring something new and huge to XG X. Still undefeated in XG Freestyle (4 for 4). With broad racing experience, he should be competitive in XG SuperMoto. Along with perennial champ Jeremy McGrath and heir apparent Ricky Carmichael, he is breathing new life into a sport that has lived on the fringes for decades.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m writing to try to find an instruction manual for a Breadman Ultimate bread machine. I’ve tried looking online, but no luck. I would be willing to pay to copy someone’s manual. Any help would be appreciated. I can be reached at (207) 345-9477. – Judy McM., Mechanic Falls.

Answer: Contact Salton, 1801 North Stadium Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202, (800) 947-3744 which will be happy to send you a copy. Please provide them with your model number, which Sun Spots believes is TR 2200C. In the meantime, perhaps you and your family will enjoy the following recipe:

Onion poppy seed baguettes by Miche Suboski. Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, ¼ cup minced onions, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2½ cups bread flour, 1½ teaspoons yeast, 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon water. Method: Place the first eight ingredients in a bread machine on dough cycle. When finished, split dough in half. Roll each half out onto a surface until about ¼-inch thick. (Lightly spraying the surface beforehand with oil to prevent sticking.) Roll into long baguettes (about 18 inches) and score the tops two or three times with a sharp knife about one-third the thickness of baguette. Mix last two ingredients and paint top of loaves. Proof for 20 minutes or so. Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Bake on greased cookie sheet or baking stone for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

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). 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 posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to mmaxwell@sunjournal.com.

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