Dear Sun Spots: A few years back I bought a package of “Pie Crust Edge Protectors” or “savers.” They were made of crimped, rounded, tinfoil and placed on a pie so the edges would not burn while baking. Mine are falling apart. I have looked everywhere and have been unable to replace them. These were the invention of a local lady whose name I cannot remember. Please, can anyone tell me where they may be obtained?

I didn’t have them for Thanksgiving and would like to have some for my Christmas meat pies. Thanks. – L.S., Lewiston.

Answer: You are correct about the Lewiston connection L.S. The pie saver is manufactured right here in Lewiston. There are three foil shields in a package that fit 9-inch to 10-inch pies and are disposable or reusable. They are sold at many Wal-Mart stores and Hannaford Brothers, as well as www.betabake.com. They have been featured in Good Housekeeping and on “Made in Maine.”

You might also be interested in noting the history of this published in a 2005 Sun Spots column:

The first prototype was made in Nancy Beaule’s basement in July 1996. The savers are cut from sheets of lightweight aluminum foil on a machine called a die clicker (which should be familiar to many L-A shoe workers).

It is generally a seasonal item, with a lot of shipments going out in September and October. However, the Lewiston and Auburn Hannaford stores carry the product year-round.

The answer came one day as Beaule was baking cupcakes in aluminum muffin cups. She squashed one flat and cut the middle to create a tiny tin doughnut to protect the edges of a very small pies. After much research via stores, catalogs and Web sites, Beaule eventually began to make them herself. Her son drew up plans for a mold, and a moldmaker made one out of plaster. The first was a disaster but Beaule persevered. In 1997, she sold about 3,000 packages in one eight-minute presentation on QVC.

You can locate these at BetaBake Products, P. O. Box 915, Lewiston, ME 04243-0915, 888-783-2253 or contact them via e-mail at [email protected].

Happy baking L.S.

Dear Sun Spots: Winter is coming and I’m worried about getting stuck in the snow with no one around to help me.

I overheard a conversation between two ladies talking, one of whom was talking about how great traction aids were. I didn’t want to interrupt them but now I wish I had. Can you please help me find her? Thanks. – Jean P., No Town.

Answer: By strange coincidence, Sun Spots was recently speaking with someone who gave her some information on traction aids. They look like a piece of a fire grate, a heavy thick metal that is placed under the front tires for front-wheel drive vehicles or rear for rear-wheel-drive. The grips are wedged between the tire and the ground. Please call Connie Mercier, 25 Fourth St., Auburn, ME 04210, 784-1481 or via e-mail at [email protected]. for more information about these.

Dear Sun Spots: We are making wool mittens with fleece lining. Part of the money is going toward charity. Does anyone have any old ripped sweaters or material or skirts made of wool or fleece for lining? If so, please call 897-3696. Thanks. – Wendy Mitchell, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Some time ago I was in the Auburn Wal-Mart purchasing many things for Nelson-Conley Post 66, Lisbon Falls, as part of the items the post is sending to three platoons in Iraq. I had piled everything on the checkout counter while others in line kidded me about all the Christmas stockings that I had to fill. I commented that everything was going to Iraq and unexpectedly, the lady in line ahead of me turned and presented me, a total stranger, with a $20 bill!

Nearly at a loss for words, I did manage a thank you but did not ask her name or address, although I’m sure she didn’t do the good deed for publicity and I am also sure that she would not have accepted a refusal.

Perhaps that lady will read this and contact me at 353-4388 so that I can send a formal thank you from the Post and assure her that it was properly recorded (now as anonymous) and has been put to good use. – Bill Barr, Adjutant, Post 66, Lisbon Falls.



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