Dear Sun Spots: Our local theater group is in need of costumes for a western comedy show that will be performed in September in Bethel. We are looking for cowboy hats, boots, spurs, saddlebags, lassos, vests, chaps and women’s costumes and other western props. The stage will be set first as a saloon and then a courtroom. Are there any readers who have costumes and or props they are no longer using? Please call me if you have things you are willing to part with. Thank you. Call 836-2266. – Karen, Bethel.

Dear Sun Spots: Does anyone have the diet in which we could lose 10 lbs. in one week? I had this diet and it worked, but I lost my copy. Enjoy you column every day. Thank you. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer:
Sun Spots believes you are referring to the “Sacred Heart Medical Diet,” created by doctors to help heart patients lose a significant amount of weight prior to surgery. We found no evidence of it’s origins, though, so we can’t be sure it’s truly a medical diet. It’s a seven-day restricted eating plan with a “fat-burning soup” as the basis, which can be eaten any time.

Ingredients for the soup: 2 cans of stewed tomatoes, 3 large green onions, 1 large can of chicken or beef broth, 1 package of fat-free soup mix (such as Lipton Onion Mushroom), 1 bunch celery, 2 cans of green beans, 2-3 green bell peppers, 2 lbs. carrots. Optional additions are fresh mushrooms, zucchini, squash, yellow onions, chopped garlic, chili flakes or cabbage.

Method: Chop veggies into small pieces and place in pot, add water to cover and season with salt, pepper as desired. Add canned vegetables and bring to rapid boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veggies are tender.

Over the seven days, in addition to as much soup as you want, there is a different diet for each day. Day One: soup and fruit (no bananas). Day Two: soup and vegetables (no dry beans, peas or corn), and then a baked potato with butter at dinnertime. Day Three: soup, fruit and vegetables (no potato). Day Four: soup, bananas (at least three) and skim milk. Day Five: soup, 10-20 ounces of beef and tomatoes (one can or six fresh). You can eat skinless broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Day Six: soup and as much beef and veggies you want. Day Seven: soup, brown rice, vegetables, unsweetened fruit juice.

You may drink water, black coffee, tea, cranberry juice or unsweetened fruit juice.

Dear Sun Spots: I would like to make a public plea to have the city of Auburn do some mowing in the median on Washington Street. As you enter Auburn from the turnpike one of the first sights that you see is the overgrown grass and 4-foot high weeds growing in the median. With the upcoming balloon festival many people will be visiting the area. Could Sun Spots contact the proper department in Auburn to get this area cleaned up? Thank you. – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: Bob Belz, Auburn’s Public Works director, told us that Washington Street is a state highway and the area you are referring to is the responsibility of the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT). The portion from Philomar Street toward downtown is maintained by the city of Auburn. It typically calls the Maine DOT and requests that the area be mowed and, on occasion, has mowed the area if the DOT is not able to take care of it within a reasonable amount of time.

We contacted the Maine DOT with the request; their representative said that area will be mowed within the next two weeks.

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