Dear Sun Spots: Great job, super sleuth! I’m now hoping you can assist me in my search. I’m looking for some 1950s pop culture props such as jukebox (cardboard or inflatable), soda fountain, car (cardboard cutout or other) for a double golden wedding anniversary in June. I’d prefer renting rather than buying outright. I may be reached at 485-1808. – Event planner, Lewiston.

Answer:
In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots usually directs readers seeking those unique or hard-to-find items to Dan Poulin at Orphan Annie’s at 96 Court St., Auburn, 782-0638.

In the meantime, you might also check out All About Entertainment Inc., at the Web site, www.aaeinc.makesparties.com. It offers several inexpensive props that might help you get your party rolling. You may reach it at 866-272-9897 or 516-861-6482 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Dear Sun Spots: I have a box of loose, worldwide stamps that I would like to give to the nun who was mentioned in your column recently. Unfortunately, I did not write down her name or address. Could you please help me with this information? Thank you for your interesting column. – Claire in Lewiston.

Answer:
Please remember to keep a border around your canceled stamps. Any collections of foreign and U.S. commemorative stamps or old stamp albums are welcome. Mail your stamps, again leaving a border around the canceled stamps, to Sr. Gilberte Boisvert, 209 Lawrence St., Ste. Claire, Methuen, MA 01844. She’ll be very happy to receive them.

Dear Sun Spots: I really enjoy Sun Spots!

Do you remember the chocolate Bundt cake with a macaroon filling? I would like to find the recipe. – Ruth L., No Town.


Answer: Unfortunately, Sun Spots has never heard of it. However, she located the following recipe online at www.busycooks.com:

Chocolate macaroon bundt cake ingredients: 1 egg white, reserving yolk, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup coconut, 2 cups flour, 1¾ cups sugar, ½ cup cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 3 eggs, 1 reserved egg yolk, ¾ cup water, ½ cup butter, softened, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 3-4 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan (nonstick too) and set aside. In small bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Gradually beat in ¼ cup sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in coconut, 1 tablespoon flour and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

In large bowl, place 2 cups flour, 1¾ cups sugar, cocoa, salt, baking soda, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 3 eggs, 1 egg yolk, water, butter and sour cream. With same beaters, mix batter on low until combined, then beat on medium high for 3 minutes.

Pour half of cake batter into prepared pan. Drop coconut filling by teaspoons in the center of the batter, keeping the filling away from the edges of the pan. Cover filling with remaining cake batter.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 to 60 minutes until cake edges start pulling away from pan and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then loosen edges and invert cake onto serving plate. Cool completely.

For chocolate glaze: In medium saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter. Add powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, milk and vanilla. Remove from heat, and beat with wire whisk until blended and creamy. Add more milk or powdered sugar as needed to reach desired spreading consistency. Frost cake. Store covered at room temperature. 12 servings.

Dear Sun Spots: Is there a local person looking for Christmas cards? – No Name, No Town.

Answer:
Sun Spots’ previous contact, Barbara Titcomb of Farmington, is no longer accepting cards. She has all she needs. If there is someone else willing to accept cards, please contact the column with your information so readers can respond to you.

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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