Dear Sun Spots: We are looking for 2008 calendars for our residents here at Clover Health Care. Anyone wishing to donate calendars can drop them off at Clover, 440 Minot Ave., Auburn. Thank you. For more information please call 874-3573, ext. 134. – Clover Health Care, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I celebrated my 75th birthday in July. The response by nephews, nieces, great and great-great-grandchildren was overwhelming. The oldest, knowing I was a big Red Sox fan sent me a $10 scratch ticket. It was a $10 winner. I filled in the back, signed it and forwarded it to the Massachusetts lottery as per the instructions. Two months went by and no check. I wrote a letter to the commissioner and still no reply.

I’ve tried calling three times and my calls were never forwarded. It’s now into November and I wonder if other Mainers are being ripped off with this Red Sox scratch ticket and unfair practices at the Massachusetts Lottery? What else can I do? – Mac in Lewiston.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Lisa McDonald with Massachusetts State Lottery checked into several areas and says the lottery has no record at all of your claim. Records of claims received are kept but there is no record at all of a claim from any McDonalds, including yourself. If you have any more information to provide or a copy of your claim, you might consider contacting the customer service department to discuss this. You can reach them at 781-849-5555.

Dear Sun Spots: I was interested to read your article about Cincinnati chili. My sister-in-law who lives in Cincinnati sent me this recipe and I hope your readers enjoy it:

She calls it Dixie Chili. Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground chuck, 1 quart and 1 cup tomato juice, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 5 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon allspice, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 or 3 tablespoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 1 large whole onion. Method: Put meat in pot and add tomato juice. Put the onion in the center of the pot. DO NOT fry the meat. Stri well to break up the meat finely. Add other ingredients and cook for 2 hours over low heat. Remove onion and bay leaves. Skim grease off the top and stir from time to time to keep from sticking. Add 1 or 2 cans of kidney beans and heat up. (If you use dried beans, soak them in water the night before and cook for the two hours with everything else). This is 2-way chili. 3-way is served with chopped raw onions, 4-way is served with shredded cheddar cheese (I like the taco mix cheese), and 5-way is served over spaghetti.

They have fast food chains called Skyline Chili and you have to order your chili either 2, 3, 4 or 5 way.

Try it, it’s a great different flavor. – Frances C. Miller, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: How does one find a company with a good reputation that hires people to do data entry from home on the Internet? – Looking in Rumford.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots found several postings online at www.careerbuilder.com. You might also consider checking in with a local temping agency to see if these are the type of jobs they might also have some leads on. Sun Spots located the following link that had a variety of opportunities, www.business.com/directory/internet_and_online/employment/. Whether each of them are reputable or not, she is not aware. Prior to signing on or up with any of these you might consider contacting the local better business bureaus to see if they’ve received any complaints or concerns about the companies. Alternatively, run a search online to see if any comes up on customer complaints.

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].