Dear Sun Spots: A group of friends are putting together thank-you care packages to send to a Sabattus army captain and his unit serving in Iraq. His platoon consists of two dozen men. Their No. 1 request is to have new or recently used magazines. Their interests include hunting, sports, automotive, science and news magazines. Paperbacks or unused puzzle books would also be welcomed. Other items these soldiers would like are candy, chocolates, beef jerky and gum.

A donation box is set up at Victor News on Park Street in Lewiston. Our goal is to send these care packages for Thanksgiving. Deadline for donations is Nov. 1.

Thank you for supporting a local soldier and a part of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. – Nancy St.Pierre, Lewiston

Dear Sun Spots: The Auburn super Wal-Mart used to carry Genoa, small link breakfast sausage. We have not been able to buy it for a couple of months. After tasting this brand, no other link sausage comes close to taste. Please tell me it isn’t discontinued permanently. – Rachel in Lewiston.

Answer: Unfortunately, Wal-Mart in Auburn no longer carries it. However, according to www.kayem.com, the following distribute their products and you might consider contacting any of them to see if they can locate this sausage for you. Sun Spots did contact Micucci Grocers, at 961 Riverside, Portland, (207) 797-7573 which carry several Genoa products, including breakfast link sausages, however not the Genoa brand. The other distributors include:

AG of Maine, 1000 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, (207) 582-6500; Carl Smith Foods, 7 Mecaw Street, Hampden, (207) 854-3565; Dennis Beverage Co., 1017 School St., Bangor, (207) 947-0321; Peter Fortin & Sons, P.O. Box 523, Waterville, (207) 892-5255; North Center Foodservice, Dalton Road, Augusta, (207) 623-8451; Pine State Trading Co., 8 Ellis Ave., Augusta, (800) 452-4633; Poultry Products, Augusta Road, Winslow, (207) 872-2706; Reids Confectionery, 74 Dowd St., Bangor, (207) 947-8684; Shields Meats, US Route 1 South, Kennebunk, (207) 985-3141; Supervalu-Portland, 55 Milliken St., Portland, (207) 797-5490; Sysco Food Service, 55 Thomas Drive, Westbrook, (207) 871-0341; Town & Country Meats, Old Lewiston Road, Greene, (207) 946-5489; and Riverside Distributor, 801 Eastern Ave., Augusta, (207) 622-5570.

In addition, perhaps you and your family will enjoy the following recipe located online at www.kayem.com:

Sicilian escarole and sausage soup. Ingredients: 1 pound Genoa sweet or hot Italian sausages; one medium onion, diced; one quart chicken broth; ½ bunch fresh parsley; 2 leaves chopped basil; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large clove of garlic, minced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 head escarole; ½ teaspoon rosemary; and ¼ teaspoon oregano. Method: Heat the oil, brown the garlic and cook the sausages in a pot. Add the carrots and the onions. Sauté until the onions are translucent. Add the broth, escarole, parsley, rosemary, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil and let simmer for about an hour. Serve with Italian bread and Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Dear Sun Spots: The Androscoggin Grange No. 8 will hold its Christmas craft fair at the hall, 99 Main St., Greene, on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to rent a table can please call Janice at (207) 946-5006 or Dell at (207) 946-5050. – Dell, No Town.

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