Dear Sun Spots: I have noticed that the 6 p.m. Channel 6 news always comes on two or three minutes before other local news broadcasts. When I’m watching a program from 5 to 6 p.m. on another channel, and then turn to Channel 6 news at 6 p.m., the news broadcast has already begun so I’ve missed most of the top story. This happens every day. I would really appreciate it if Sun Spots could find out why the 6 p.m. Channel 6 news always comes on earlier than other stations. – P.R., Lewiston.

Answer: According to WCSH 6 General Manager Steve Thaxton, “News Center at 6 p.m.” is scheduled to begin at 5:58 p.m., which is its long-standing start time. Since they are programming newscasts at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., occasionally this start time will drift a minute or so. But the theory is that people are anxious for the news to begin and starting a bit early will be rewarded with higher viewership. There must be some truth to this as WCSH 6 averaged 106,000 nightly viewers compared to WGME 13 with 65,000 and WMTW 8 with 22,000 in the recent November “sweeps” period.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a used Gateway computer and printer to give away to a nonprofit group. You can contact me at (207) 782-0260. – No Name, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I have been a reader of your column for ever so long and look forward to it each day. I am amazed at the wealth of information you are able to provide for so many problems when all other sources have been exhausted. Now for my problem. Some time ago there was a listing of service stations that offer full service. I clipped it out but have mislaid it. There are numerous elderly that need this help. Please publish it. Many thanks. – Bernadette Miller, Lewiston.

Answer: From the Jan. 29, 2004, Sun Spots column:

Sun Spots commiserates with you and your friends, especially when having to fill up in often frigid weather.

Co-workers kindly provided the following list of full-service stations and Sun Spots thanks them for their assistance:

Leighton’s Store on 968 Minot Ave., Auburn, located next to Blackie’s Vegetable Stand.

Grimmel’s on Lisbon Street in Lewiston.

Poisson’s on South Main Street, Auburn.

At 744 Minot Ave, right next to Georgio’s, is a full-service filling station, Maine Tyre & Supply Co., owned and operated by Glen Whittier.

Berube’s Exxon, East Avenue, Lewiston. There is also one on Sabattus Street at the intersection of East Avenue and Sabattus Street and, you may want to try Yvon’s Supersonic Car Wash, 7 Lincoln St., Lewiston.

And for readers living outside the Twin Cities area:

If you and your friends are willing to travel just over the line into Turner, across and slightly north of the Chick-a-Dee restaurant, there’s an Irving station on the right providing full service.

Another option is in Brunswick. There’s a Mobil station in Brunswick that will pump gas for elderly patrons on Tuesday and Thursday for a couple of hours each day.

CN Brown Service Station at the Intervale in Farmington.

Davidson’s Garage on Main Street (Route 4) in Rangeley.

Dead River Gas Station on the corner of Fair and Paris streets in Norway or just down Route 26 near the Mobil Mart in Paris. The Mobil Mart is across the street from the Pine Grove Cemetery, in the parking lot near the former Country Way Restaurant.

Dear Sun Spots: For readers looking for a turkey creton recipe:

Turkey creton

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground turkey

1 pound ground pork (can use turkey but the pork helps make a smoother spread)

1 can chicken broth

1 can water (measured from chicken broth can)

¼ teaspoon allspice or ¼ teaspoon of both cinnamon and ground cloves

1 large onion, chopped

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

Method:

Put all ingredients, except gelatin, in a large pan. Bring contents to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 2½ to 3 hours. Once cooked, mix well using an electric hand mixer. Add envelope of gelatin. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Chill. Spread on crackers or toast. – G.S., Auburn.

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 [email protected].