Dear Sun Spots: I am writing on behalf of St. Peter’s Sacred Heart School in Auburn. This fall, we are excited to have begun an instrumental program for our fourth- to eighth-graders. We are looking for 15 music stands that can be used at the school for lessons. Students currently carry their stands from home to classroom where they are set up for lessons. This is a cumbersome process that takes up lesson time. If you or any readers have a music stand to donate, or would like to make a financial donation towards the purchase of new stands, please contact Cecile Langlois at St. Peter’s Sacred Heart School, (207) 782-0721. Thank you for your help. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope the loyal and knowledgeable readers of Sun Spots might be able to help me find any information on Maine author and illustrator Marta Manchester Menard. I have a few short stories of hers dated 1981 and would like to learn more about her. Any information would be helpful. Please call or write to J.E.H., 114 Bowdoinham Road, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252 or call (207) 353-7101 after 5 p.m. – James E. Hewey, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Does anyone please have a recipe for apple brownies that was in the CMP light bill a few years ago?

If you do, please send me the recipe. I can be reached at Apt. 207, 264 Titcomb Hill Road, Farmington, ME 04938. – Beverly Burbank, Farmington.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Gail Rice of CMP who believes the recipe is at least 10 years old. She was unable to locate it at this writing.

In the meantime, perhaps you and your family will enjoy the following found online at www.cdkitchen.com:

Ingredients: 2/3 cup butter or margarine; 2 cups brown sugar; 8-ounce can applesauce; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 tablespoon grated orange rind; 2 teaspoons vanilla; 2 cups flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup chopped nuts, raisins or dates; confectioners’ sugar. Method: Melt butter and remove from heat. Add brown sugar. Mix well. Stir in applesauce, eggs, orange peel and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Stir into applesauce mixture. Add nuts, raisins or dates. Pour into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Cut into squares and, while still warm, roll in confectioners’ sugar.

Dear Sun Spots: As the holiday season draws near, it is time to think of those facing problems, who won’t be able to provide a warm holiday season for their families.

The Cottrell-Taylor Christmas Basket Committee is accepting donations for needy families in Monmouth. Donations may be in the form of: money, toys, hats, mittens, canned goods and vegetables. We are not accepting used clothing. We also urgently need items for teens. Among them: books, jewelry, perfume, toilet articles, games, puzzles, tapes, stationery and school supplies. Money donations may be mailed directly to Charlene Cunliffe, 292 Academy Road, Monmouth ME 04259 or Henry L. Cottrell School, 169 Academy Road, Monmouth, ME 04259.

If possible the committee would like donations on or before Dec. 1.

Your anticipated help is very much appreciated. You donation will surely make the holidays happier for a lot of people. – Cottrell-Taylor Christmas Basket Committee.

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