Dear Sun Spots: Did Orville Redenbacher stop making the Natural garlicky butter popcorn? I can no longer find it anywhere. – Kerrie, Turner.

Answer: Sun Spots located Orville Redenbacher’s Natural Buttery Garlic Popcorn at Shaw’s Supermarket, 600 Center St., Auburn. You’ll find it in the Wild Harvest section of the store. They have been out of stock for about two weeks, but they do still carry the product and hope to have it restocked soon.

Dear Sun Spots: Does anyone have a recipe for rum raisin cake with cream cheese frosting? My grandmother used to make it every Christmas and I went through every recipe book and card she owned but I can’t find that recipe. – S.V., Lewiston.


Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots pieced together the following recipe for you from various Web sites:

Applesauce Rum Raisin Cake

Ingredients:
½ cup golden raisins; ½ cup raisins; 1/3 cup dark rum; ½ cup butter, softened; 1 cup white sugar; 2 eggs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup whole wheat flour; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; ½ cup chopped walnuts; 1½ cups applesauce.

Method: Place all the raisins in a small bowl with the rum and let sit overnight, if possible. If you can’t soak them overnight, be sure to soak for at least a couple of hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour one 13×9 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar. Beat in the eggs, then the applesauce. In another bowl, stir together the flours, cornstarch, baking soda, spices, salt and cocoa. Beat into the creamed ingredients. Stir in the raisins, along with any rum that was not absorbed, and the walnuts. Turn batter into the prepared pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Let cool on a rack.

Cream cheese frosting

Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened but still cool; 2 cups confectioners’ sugar; 8 ounces Neufchatel cheese or cream cheese, softened, cut into 8 pieces; 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract.

Method: With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add cream cheese one piece at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla and mix until no lumps remain. This recipe make three cups of frosting.

Dear Sun Spots: Karate Kids in Lisbon Falls is still looking for a monitor heater for our parents’ lounge and office. We also would like to let people know we are giving out 30 grants to children and youths of the Lisbon School system for a couple of our programs, K.I.D.S. and the Leadership program. Visit www.karatekids-usa.com for more information. Thank you. – Sensei Cub, Lisbon Falls.

Dear Sun Spots: I have had surgery on both my knees, a total knee replacement, and all is well with my knees. When I requested an exercise bike I received one. Now of all things I have heel spurs on both my heels. Is someone trying to tell me something? Well, I refuse to give up. Please, if anyone has a quad cane I would really appreciate it. A quad cane has four prongs on the bottom so it can stand alone. I have a regular one but it wobbles too much when I try to get up from a chair. Thank you and happy holidays. Call Anne at 786-7058. – Anne, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for your column and all the great advice and help you have given to so many people. I have a poster size black and white picture of Marilyn Monroe. The autograph is in red ink. Where could I find someone to authenticate the signature and assess the value of it, if any? Thank you. – Wenda, Bowdoinham.

Answer:
Sun Spots could not locate someone locally to authenticate the autograph. We’re publishing your request in hopes that a reader will contact the column with 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.


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