Dear Sun Spots: My wife is the music teacher at Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls. She is looking for used musical instruments that people might have stored away in their attics or garages and are not using. She has a number of students who would like to learn to play an instrument, but their parents are unable to either buy one or lease one for them to use.

If you are one of those people and would like to see a young student fulfill their dream to learn an instrument, please call 890-0079 or e-mail at jriman@adelphia.net. Thank you for helping. – James Riman, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I have made the oatmeal cookies by Pauline “Polly” O’Connell in Lewiston featured in the Sept. 9 TV Preview. They had a good taste but weren’t stiff like the recipe said they would be. She must have written it incorrectly.

Also, I had written to TV Preview where I found the recipe in the What’s Cooking listing but haven’t heard from them yet, and that was three weeks ago. I’d love to make these cookies again. Would you please look into this for me. Thanks. – Joyce R., Gorham, N.H.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots wonders what kind of day it was when you baked your cookies. Sometimes humidity in the air will affect a recipe’s texture.

Might you also have steeped your raisins too long? And perhaps your oven temperature is slightly different? The recipe called for steeping them an hour.

Perhaps if you went over the time limit it makes the raisins soggier than called for, thus moistening the mixture even more. Sun Spots called Polly to see what kind of advice she could offer, and she notes that if your raisins are already plump, not dried out, it’s not necessary to soak them. She says the cookies are not very crumbly as cookies go, but she has noted in her cookbook margins that they’re some of the “best oatmeal cookies” she’s made. Sun Spots would encourage you to try this recipe again and see how you make out.

Dear Sun Spots: Unless I missed it, Poland Regional High School was not mentioned in your list of possible places to send golf balls and more. They have a very good team and are as close or closer to L/A than several of the other schools mentioned. – Will Ambrose, No Town.

Answer: No slight was intended here Will. Their contact information was not provided to the column. However, the school may be reached at 998-5400.

Dear Sun Spots: Could you please print the address for Tom Caron. I’m sure you know he’s a Lewiston native and writes for the sports section of your newspaper. Also, he is the studio host for the Red Sox telecasts televised by New England Sports Network. Thanks for all your helpful information. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Consider contacting him in the c/o New England Sports Network Ltd., 480 Arsenal St., Building No. 1, Watertown, MA 02472, 617-536-9233 or via e-mail, marking it to his attention in the subject line at sports@nesn.com.

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 sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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