Dear Sun Spots: You have helped many people, and now I hope you can help me. I am trying to find a jar or two of green tomato mincemeat for pies and cookies. Hopefully there is someone in the Bethel area that still puts it up. I will pay a fair price for it. If you have any or know someone who does, please contact me at (207)824-0115. – G.M. Loring, Bethel.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots welcomes submissions for “tried and true” green tomato mincemeat family recipes. For those of you who would like to find a use for bumper tomatoes next season, you might enjoy the following recipe found on the Web:

Old fashioned green tomato mincemeat

Ingredients: 3 quarts chopped green tomatoes; 1½ quarts peeled, chopped tart apples; 2 cups raisins; 1 cup currants; ½ cup diced candied citron, lemon or orange peel; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 1½ to 2 teaspoons salt; 3 cups brown sugar, firmly packed; ¾ cup vinegar; ¼ cup lemon juice.

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a large heavy pan. (Omit cloves if you plan to freeze mincemeat.) Cook mixture slowly until it is tender and thick, about 1 hour or more. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. To can: pour boiling mixture into hot, sterile jars, leaving ½-inch top space; seal promptly. Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes. Store in a cool dry place. To freeze: pack cold mincemeat into freezer jars or containers, leaving about an inch top space for expansion. Seal and freeze promptly. Makes about 5 or 6 quarts of green tomato mincemeat.

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for all your help. Again I am coming to you. I have a nice sofa sleeper, of mauve colors, that I would be willing to trade for a double bed in good condition. I am unable to deliver the sofa so I would need the interested person to help me out. I can be reached at (207) 998-2230. – Beverly Coy, Poland.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for yarn to keep my 95-year-old mom going. She makes lap blankets, mittens, socks, etc., for needy folks and uses up yarn faster than I can find it. If anyone has leftover yarn, any color, any quantity, and would like to donate or sell inexpensively, please call me at (207)782-0328. I can pick up. Also, does anyone know of discount yarn stores in the Lewiston-Auburn area? Thank you. – Terry, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Lutheran Social Services provides residential support for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. As a nonprofit organization, we often rely on donations from generous people with giving hearts (typical characteristics of your average Sun Spots reader!). One of our homes is currently in need of a lift chair and we would like to ask anyone who may be able to help us with this request to call our central Auburn office at (207) 783-3446. Your kindness and consideration are, as always, immensely appreciated. – Lorraine, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I had an older model Farberware skillet given to me, model B3000. The cord to it was mislaid. Does anyone have one or know where I can get one? I called the parts department, but they say they cannot get this anywhere. I can be reached at (207) 645-2375. – Beverly West, Wilton.

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].