Dear Sun Spots: I want to thank you for all the good work you do for so many and to also ask for your help. The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society needs yarn. Any amount. Any color. This is used to make sleeping pads for the kittens and cats to sleep on in their cages. They really appreciate the comfort this provides. Please just drop it off at 3312 Hotel Road, Auburn. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all! – M.R., Minot.

Dear Sun Spots: Can you please find out how come it is so hard to find a place that sells Milkfuls candy? Wal-Mart doesn’t sell it and KMart and Shaws stopped selling it. I can only find them at CVS. – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: Sun Spots contacted the Rite Aid store staff, 987 Lisbon St., Lewiston, (207) 784-9588, who say they carry it. They are open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, try contacting Candy Direct at 745 Design Court, Suite 602, Chula Vista, CA 91911, or via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone (619) 374-2930. In addition, you might also like to check out the following Web site, which also lists this product, www.groovycandies.com

Dear Sun Spots: You are a great source of information. I hope you can help me.

Why do some churches display the American flag and others don’t? I do not see it as a separation of church and state, as the flag is the symbol of freedom and freedom of religion to worship where we wish. – H.D., No Town.

Answer: According to www.elca.org, the flag of the United States is a national symbol, not a religious one. It is as at home in a ballpark as in church. They note “worship space of the congregation is not the best place to display national flags, for such display honors neither the integrity of the flag nor the sovereignty of the lordship of Christ.” In reality, national interests and the commitment of the Christian to Christ can come into conflict.

Placing flags in the fellowship or community hall, the gymnasium, or other large meeting room used by civic groups, such as scouting organizations or for civic functions such as voting, allows the flag to carry out its symbolic function for the nation without competing with the central symbols of the Christian faith. Congregations that have war memorial chapels, plaques or books of remembrance and the like and which desire to display the American flag might want to consider placing the flag near those places in their building rather than in the worship space.

The site also notes the importance of following the rules of protocol that have been established by civic agencies governing that display. It is possible to give great unintended offense if these rules are not followed. A local veterans’ group or military post usually can supply these rules on request. These protocols apply wherever the flag is displayed, indoors or outdoors. Proper placement, lighting and care all need to be considered carefully. Sun Spots has also published the correct protocol in previous columns.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know if anyone out there knows the people who used to run Mr. Sea’s Lobster Pound and how I can get in touch with them. We have a certificate we need to cash in. Thanks again. – P.E.H., Litchfield.

Dear Sun Spots: I believe this may be the recipe that the Massachusetts man was looking for: Dynamites Ingredients: 1 pound hamburg made into meatballs; l quart V-8 juice; l hot pepperoni or sausage, sliced; 8 stalks celery, sliced; l onion, chopped fine; l can tomato paste; l pepper, chopped; l teaspoon oregano, celery salt, sugar, onion, salt and crushed red pepper; 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; l teaspoon garlic salt. Method: Put all ingredients into a crockpot and let simmer. Add tomato paste last and add Parmesan cheese during cooking. Add meatballs after cooking about l hour. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots would like to thank all those readers who sent in their recipes. Many were duplicate recipes and so were not published. However, the recipe from this reader was not and Sun Spots has included it for those readers seeking a change.

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. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to [email protected].