Dear Sun Spots: Where can I find shoepeg corn for a recipe published in the Cook of the Week column?

Also, I’ve removed many ticks but believe the one my daughter-in-law picked off her kitty is a deer tick. I would like it verified. Is there somewhere in the state that can test this?

And lastly, who wrote the poem “Maine”? – H. D., Norway.

Answer: Sun Spots contacted the family of Dennis Hebert featured in the column and was advised they pick up their corn in the frozen food section at Shaw’s Supermarket. You may want to check your local branch.

Regarding your tick question, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Web site, those wishing to submit ticks for species identification may send them in a small crushproof vial in 70 percent alcohol to the Vector-borne Disease Laboratory, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, 75 John Roberts Road, Suite 9B, South Portland, ME 04106. There is no charge for this service. Instructions for submission and forms may be downloaded at: http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/submit.html. For more information call (207) 662-7142.

The poem “Maine” was located online at www.exiles.com/messages/message_24.html. Apparently it was written by Lester Melcher Hart and copyrighted. There was no more information on Hart.

Dear Sun Spots: A few months back, I read in your column that Lewiston High School was having a 20-year reunion at Martindale Oct. 29. I marked my calendar waiting for my invitation only I never received one. Another classmate I spoke with also did not receive an invitation. I would really appreciate any information you can please find on this. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: According to the June 10 column those seeking more information were to contact Kit (St.Clair) Masse at 782-7732 or Nancy (Janas) Roy at 786-9466. The reunion was held as scheduled and perhaps you and other classmates who missed this particular one will contact either Masse and Roy to ensure you’re on their list for the next one. Roy did not recognize your name and perhaps you provided the column with your married name. Sun Spots would encourage you to please contact either Roy or Masse.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to say thank you to all of the generous people of our area who helped with donations to our care packages for the troops. The donation box at Victor News was emptied many times. Over 300 pounds of magazines, books, candy and supplies were gathered and are now on their way to Iraq. Many kind folks left money for postage as well. Thank you to anyone that helped make some soldiers very happy! – Nancy St. Pierre, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: I’m looking for information on my grandfather who I never knew.

His name was Robert E. Pratt of Norway, parents were Herbert E. Pratt and Hannah E. Young. Robert E. Pratt was married three times. On Aug. 10, 1909 he married Etta M. Goodwin in Norway, Maine; on Nov. 6, 1913, he married Eva Bouchard Holden in Norway, Maine; and on May 12, 1923 he married Florence E. Kimball in Auburn, Maine.

If anyone has any information, we would love to hear from you or see pictures. I can be reached at 424 Poland Corner Road, Poland, ME 04274, (207) 998-3076. – Sandra Bonney, Poland.

Dear Sun Spots: I have located the contact address for Traditions and perhaps other readers may be interested in this. They can be reached at Hometown Center, Good Hopa, CA 92599-4000. I received my order in the regular mail, evidently the lady didn’t understand I was looking for faster delivery. Thanks again. – M. Moulton, 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].