Dear Sun Spots: I am writing Sun Spots once again for help. I would like to know if anyone has heard of any winners in the Maine Potato Sweepstakes. The entry forms are on bags of Maine Potatoes, and you can also send a SASE for a list of winners. I have done so and have yet to receive my request back. If anyone knows what is going on with this sweepstakes, I would appreciate a response. Thank you. – A loyal reader in Lewiston.

Answer: According to the Maine Potato Board’s Web site at www.mainepotatoes.com, the Sweepstakes ended in March. The following were the winners:

March 2005 Winner

Mary Page of Palmyra, ME – Bud’s Shop ‘N Save, Newport, ME

February 2005 Winner

Bruce Ferrelli of Framingham, MA – MarketBasket, Ashland, MA

January 2005 Winner

Dawn Ressler of Talmage, PA – WalMart, Ephrata, PA

December 2004 Winner

Margaret Martineau of Rochester, NH – Hannaford, Rochester, NH

November 2004 Winner

Maria Schindler of Methuen, MA – MarketBasket, Salem, NH

October 2004 Winner

Susan Stratton of Corinna, Maine – Bud’s Shop ‘N Save, Newport

The Web site was so much fun to browse through, Sun Spots also thought you and your family might enjoy the following recipe for Potato Bread posted online:

Ingredients: 1 small Maine potato, shredded, ½ cup orange juice concentrate, ¼ cup water, 1/3 cup orange marmalade, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 egg, beaten, 3 cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt. Method: Cook the shredded potato in just enough water to cover it, for 10 minutes. Cool & drain. Combine cooled & drained potato with orange juice concentrate, water, marmalade, oil and egg. In a large bowl, soft together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the liquid ingredients and stir just until combined. Spoon batter into three greased mini loaf pans and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool. Nutrient analysis per serving: Calories 152. Carbohydrate 34g. Fat 1g. Protein 3g. Cholesterol 14mg. Sodium 86mg.

Dear Sun Spots: A lady wrote a letter to the editor noting that flowers had been pulled up in the gardens of the residence where she lives. I have had that happen and it was four-legged skunks, not the two-legged variety. Skunks especially like bone meal, and if this is used under plants as fertilizer, they will dig them up so carefully that you will think they were pulled. They may like other types of fertilizer as well. I have learned to stay away from smelly fertilizers if there is any possibility skunks may be in the area. – Marilyn Burgess, Leeds.

Dear Sun Spots: I have 22, 15-point Betty Crocker coupons. Please call me at (207) 743-2292, if you are interested. – No Name, No Town

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking to replace my exercise machine, which was has been discontinued. I was using a Body By Jake, Ab & Back Plus. I’ve searched almost everywhere without success. Then I thought of Sun Spots, which is the second thing I read every day. The first is obituaries. – No Name, Livermore Falls.

Answer: Try logging onto www.cricket.com which lists several Web sites selling this item. You should also note Sun Spots was able to locate some listed on eBay but because of access restrictions was unable to check them out more thoroughly. Sun Spots would recommend you check out eBay as well as the site above.

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].