Dear Sun Spots: Ever since we started seeing members of our local guardsmen leaving or coming from Iraq, I’ve had something that’s been bothering me concerning the flag patch on their right arm. I’ve always known that when you’re facing the flag the blue field, stars, should be uppermost and to the left of the observer. The guards members wear the flag patch with the stars in the right hand corner. What does it signify? – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Maj. Peter Rogers, director of public affairs with the Maine Army National Guard, who says it is not just guardsmen wearing this. All army personnel wear it this way and this change was made in the last year or so.

“We are an army and at war,” he says. The significance, Rogers says, is “we’re always moving forward; that the being the case, the flag will be billowing behind us.”

Dear Sun Spots: I cut out the recipe for Lois’ Luscious Pumpkin Whoopie pies but do not have the directions for the filling. Is there some way you could help me get all the directions? When I made the filling it was very runny. Filling ingredients are cream cheese, egg whites, powdered sugar and vanilla. Your column is very helpful and interesting. Thank You. – Rita Girardin, Dixfield.

Answer: Please let us know how you make out with this recipe:

Lois Howard combined two separate Amish recipes to get the version she shares with us here. Use either canned or your own prepared-from-scratch pumpkin. Cake ingredients: 2 cups brown sugar; 1 cup vegetable oil; 1½ cups cooked, mashed pumpkin; 2 eggs; 3 cups white, all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 tablespoon cinnamon; ½ tablespoon ginger; ½ tablespoon ground cloves. Method: Cream sugar and oil. Add pumpkin, eggs and remaining dry ingredients and mix well. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Filling ingredients: 12 ounces cream cheese, slightly softened; whites of 2 eggs; ¼ teaspoon vanilla; 2¾ cups powdered sugar, divided. Method: Beat cream cheese, egg whites and vanilla with half of the powdered sugar until blended. Gradually add remaining powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth. Refrigerate at least half an hour before assembling the whoopie pies, using 2 tablespoons of filling per pie. Makes three dozen.

Dear Sun Spots: The Lewiston High School Class of 1970 reunion will be held July 23, 2005, at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston. The Invitations have been sent out. We have lost contact with some classmates. If you know the location of any of the people listed below please contact Guy Langelier at (207) 782-4425 or e-mail to [email protected] this list is also posted on the class Web site WWW.LHS1970.com and also WWW.classmates.com.

We are looking for:

Roger Arsenault, Rachel Bean Delea, Doris Berube Blevins, Raymond Bilodeau, Dianne Bissonnette Boutin, Joanne Bissonnette Reed, Michael L. Blais, Diane A. Brochu Trundy, Susan Bubier Graham, Paul Caron, Nancy Champagne Fournier, Mona Chasse Gagne, George Corriveau, Robert Cote, Roger Courtemanche, Sherrie Creamer Higgins, Joel Deschaines, Maureen Driscoll Turcotte, Thomas Driscoll, Mike Dumond, Rita Girardin, Joline Gosselin Simonis, Raymond Grenier, Patricia Johnson, Linda Jonas, Linda Jones, Richard Lacasse, Claire Laliberte Farrington, Irene Lavigne Good, Laura Levasseur Deraps, Daniel Levesque, Laurier Levesque, Linda Mc Keone Gailor, Roland Martineau, Irene G. Morin Weinstein, Louise Nadeau Cote, Patrick O’Connell, Richard Parent, Denise Patry Leidy, Charles Pelletier, Laurier Pelletier, Stephen Pelletier, Catherine Phillips, Raymond Platt, Brenda Pomerleau Bergeron, Ronald Poulin, Merlyne Ploulx Sawyer, Janis Puntrri Batron, Donald Raymond, John Rousseau, Susan Turcotte Whitesox, Rene Violette. – No Name, No Town.

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].