Dear Sun Spots: I have taken up cooking and baking and I have discovered if you can read, you can cook!

I have been told there is a tinfoil that fits around the top of the pie crust to prevent burning. Do you know where I could buy one? Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Ah, the joys of baking! What a great relaxer and some yummy goodies for your family and friends!

Sun Spots found some at The Vermont Country Store described as both 9-inch and 10-inch pie crust shields, more convenient to use than foil, durable and reusable. The pie rises in the middle, reducing spillage, resulting in beautiful golden pie crusts every time. Simply slide the shield over the pie before baking, and leave on for the entire cooking time. At the time of writing, they were out of 9-inch shields. The 10-inch cost $6.95. To place an order by phone call 1 (802) 362-8460 or by mail at The Vermont Country Store, P.O. Box 6999, Rutland, VT 05702-6999.

And until you receive your shield, Sun Spots located the following easy tip:

Pie crust edge won’t burn if you cut a hold in the center of a piece of aluminum foil, or a foil pie plate and turn it upside down and place it over the pie as it bakes. Remove during the last 5 minutes of baking.

In the meantime, perhaps you’ll enjoy baking with the following recipe a newsroom peer has shared – especially now that you are well on your way:

From business reporter Carol Coultas: pastry recipe: Chill a half a cup of water in the freezer. Cut 8 tablespoons of Crisco into 2 cups of flour until crumbly. Add the water a little at time and toss with a fork. Once moistened, gather into two balls. Flour a work surface, then roll out each ball into a circle. Ease into a pie tin. If you chill the dough before you roll it out, or after it’s placed in the tin, it enhances the gluten and you get a more tender crust.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for a book called Lewiston-Auburn (Images of America). This book is no longer in print. I was wondering if anyone had this book and no longer needs it. I would be happy to take it off their hands. You are my last resort. Thank you. – Georgette Couture, Nashua, N.H.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots would encourage you to contact the following stores that often have success in locating hard-to-find books:

Pepperell Books at (207) 344-6900; The Page Turner and Pages Already Turned, 247 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 753-1112, and Artios Books at 180 Turner St., Auburn, (207) 786-4007.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope you can please help me.

There will be a craft show on Oct. 29 and 30 at the Armory in Augusta. Whom can I get in touch with to reserve a space? I can’t find the phone number for the Armory in my phone book. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots would encourage you to contact Maine Armory Rentals via e-mail at [email protected], or via post at 33 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0033, phone (207) 430-2105. In the meantime, you may also want to contact Lois Taylor, P.O. Box 67, Greene, ME 04236, (207) 946-7079 from October to December, and (352) 465-2671 January to September. You can also reach her via e-mail at [email protected], [email protected].

For those interested in New Hampshire craft fairs, you might want to try contacting Susie Lowe-Stockwell, executive director, League of N.H. Craftsmen, 205 North Main St., Concord, NH 03301-5080, (603) 224-3375.

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].