Dear Sun Spots: I’m looking for an old-fashioned meat pie recipe, not one from a cookbook but from someone who could give me the correct amount of spices for flavor. I’ve made several meat pies over the years, but I feel that I still don’t have the trick for that good taste. I appreciate your help, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I’m sure other cooks would appreciate your help. Thank you. – No Name, Auburn.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots thanks Sun Journal co-worker Leo Baillargeon, who supplied us with two different family recipes. The first recipe is made entirely with ground pork and comes from Leo’s wife Gail, who learned the recipe from her grandmother, Imelda Dumont. You can prepare your own crusts, but to make it easier, Gail suggests using packaged pie crusts.

Ingredients: 1 to 1½ pounds of ground pork; 1 large onion, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon of sage; 2 cups mashed potatoes; 1 cup water; 1 package pie crusts.

Method: Place pork, spices, water and onion in large pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, at medium high heat until meat is all browned. While pork is cooking, boil potatoes and mash. Once pork is cooked, add mashed potatoes and mix thoroughly. If there is still liquid, add more potatoes to absorb all liquid. Prepare pie crust per package instructions. Place one crust in 9-inch pie plate. Spoon meat and potato mixture into crust and then cover with the top crust. Pinch the edges of upper and lower crusts together and using a sharp knife, cut several steam vents in top crust. Place in preheated 450-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

The second recipe uses both ground pork and beef and comes from Leo’s mother, Emma.

Ingredients: ¾ pound ground beef; ¾ pound pork; 1 large onion, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon allspice; 2 cups mashed potatoes; 1 cup water; 1 package pie crusts.

Method: Place beef, pork, spices, onion and water in large pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, at medium high heat until meat is all browned. Add mashed potatoes and mix thoroughly. Lower heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Mixture should be nice and thick, so you may have to drain some grease or water from it.

While the mixture simmers, prepare pie crust per package instructions. Place one crust in 9-in pie plate. Spoon meat and potato mixture into crust and then cover with the top crust. Pinch the edges of upper and lower crusts together and, using a sharp knife, cut several steam vents in top crust. Place in preheated 450-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

To serve, remove from oven and let stand on a rack for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into wedges and enjoy.

Dear Sun Spots: On Sept. 27, my mother celebrated her 90th birthday with numerous friends and family members at Davinci’s Restaurant. We would like to extend a note of thanks to a few people. Jules and Holly, the ideas and suggestions were greatly appreciated and utilized. Great party and food. Kathy, Carole, Trish and Phil, I think we pulled it off pretty well, without much rehearsal. Wonderful choice of music and the value of your friendship goes without saying. You’re awesome! Carroll’s Music Center, the piano sounded wonderful. Thanks for the delivery and pickup. To the patrons of the restaurant, it may have been a bit loud at times. Thanks for your understanding and patience with the celebration – it occurs only “once in a lifetime.” – Dee Dumais and family, Auburn.

Dear Sun Spots: I am planning on applying to nursing school and need to be CPR certified first. Do you know when and where a CPR course will be offered? – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Contact the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, which serves Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, Somerset and York counties. Visit www.maineredcross.org to register or call 874-1192 (choose option one) weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for course schedules.

The Upper Androscoggin Collaborative Adult and Continuing Education program serves the towns of Greene, Leeds, Turner, Livermore and Livermore Falls (SADs 52 and 36). They also offer CPR classes. For course listings visit www.msad52.org/adult-education/ or call 897-6384. Some classes require preregistration, so call for more information.

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.