Dear Sunspots: I would like to know where I can purchase Del Monte specialty canned vegetables. The kind I was looking for in particular are the dill green beans. I believe that I purchased them at either Shaw’s or Hannaford. I have been back several times and have not had any luck in locating them. Thank you for your time. – Heidi, Greene.

Answer: According to a spokesperson from Del Monte Foods, in the last 90 days their dill green beans have been purchased at Shaw’s Supermarket at both the Lewiston and Auburn locations. Sun Spots called both stores and found that they are on the shelves at the 27 East Ave. store in Lewiston. In fact, the Shaw’s employee we spoke with said you will find them in aisle 5, with the other canned vegetables. They were not available at the Center Street location in Auburn. If you don’t want to make a special trip, you might want to try out this recipe to make your own dill beans, which is a personal favorite of Sun Spots!

Ingredients: 2 pounds green beans, trimmed; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 5 cloves garlic; 5 heads dill sprigs; 2½ cups water; 2½ cups white vinegar.

Method: Pack beans, lengthwise into hot pint canning jars, leaving ¼ inch head-space. To each pint, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 clove garlic and 1 head dill. Combine water, vinegar and remaining garlic clove and dill and bring to boiling. Pour, boiling hot, over beans, leaving ¼ inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.

You can also substitute 1 teaspoon of dill seeds for every 2 sprigs of dill. This recipe from www.CDKitchen.com makes 4 pints.

Dear Sun Spots: The Rumford High School Class of 1983 is holding its 25th class reunion this year on July 12. We have been unable to locate the following classmates: Mark Beliveau, Wendy Davis Poole, Tom Gallant, Patty Gaudet, Lori McInnis, Mike Lee Merrill, Chris Maurice Moore, Wendy Shaw, Chesley White, Joe Zadakis. If anyone knows their address or contact information, please call or e-mail the following committee members. Carrie Duguay Arsenault, 364-3405, reds@gwi.net; Denise Dickson Garcia, 369-9610; Bev McKenna Thorne, 364-8710; Marcia Chaisson, 369-9432, macamlsjl18@verizon.com. Thank you. – Class Reunion Committee, Rumford.

Dear Sun Spots: On Saturday, March 29, someone had a Cryo Cuff cooler to give away. I am interested. I may be reached at 784-9610. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: The nice people who read Sun Spots have helped me before and hoping that they can help me again. I started a sweater and I only have a half of sleeve to do, and of course I’m running out of yarn. It’s some that I had upstairs and didn’t notice that it was 8 oz. skeins, so have had it quite sometime. Red Heart Super Saver – ART E300, Color 0531 LT Plum. Hope someone can help me. Thanks. – Joyce, Gorham, NH.



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