Dear Sun Spots: A few weeks ago, Sun Journal had an ad for returning wall thermostats to hardware stores for $5, because of mercury.

I called hardware stores in the Lewiston-Auburn area and no one knows anything about it. Would Sun Spots be able to find out where we can return them? Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: The story ran in the Jan. 19 edition of the Sun Journal, written by Portland Press Herald reporter John Richardson. The article referred to the Maine Hardware store located on St. John Street in Portland, which participates in the state-sponsored program. If you would like to return your thermostat to the state for a $5 “reward,” simply call the state’s thermostat recycling program at 1-800-238-8192 for a free shipping label.

Dear Sun Spots: My mother (Alice Miles – oatmeal cookie recipe) also made the special birthday cake that “Loves to Cook” in Lisbon was inquiring about Jan. 13. However, she inserted coins wrapped in wax paper instead of trinkets. She put them in the bottom layer only, near the edge, once the cake was baked and cooled. No one choked on them because everyone knew where to look for them as they ate the cake.

She used an assortment of coins and somehow, magically, the birthday child always got the silver or half dollar while everyone else got smaller coins (she’d mark the spot somehow). She also spaced the coins so that some pieces held three or four coins while others might have only one or two. The kids excitedly added up the coins after dinner to see who got the most money. Good memories! My younger grandchildren still request the special “money” cake for their birthdays.

Places “Loves to Cook” might look for trinkets would be craft stores, Reed Party Supply or even the party section at Wal-Mart or large grocery stores. Some of the party game prizes might be appropriate. Good luck! – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: Shaw’s has myriad Cream O’ Wheat flavors, but for the past few weeks, no sign of my favorite cereal, Cream O’ Rice. None was found at Wal-Mart either. What gives? Will my breakfast ever be rewarding again? – Hungry, Auburn.

Answer: Sun Spots located the product at Hannaford on Spring Street in Auburn. The clerk we spoke with said they just got some in and it is located in the cereal aisle with the other hot cereal. Kraft, the maker of Cream of Rice, also notes that although the product isn’t found in the Auburn Shaw’s, they show that it is sold at Shaw’s on East Avenue in Lewiston.

A customer service representative from the company also said that it can be ordered from a company called “My Brands,” which will deliver the product directly to your door. Contact them at 1-888-281-6400 or at www.mybrandsinc.com.

Dear Sun Spots: I hope that someone out there can help my family and I. In November, I lost my job. Although this sounds tragic, the real problem is that my family was on my insurance. The insurance that my husband has been offered at his employment is outrageously expensive at $1,500 a month. Most of the ads on TV do not offer coverage if you live in Maine. Does anyone know of any health insurance company that is somewhat reasonable? Thank you very much. – No Name, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I am interested in finding someone in the area that repairs hooked rugs. Thank you. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, we recommend checking with Connie Fletcher at Seven Gables Rug Hooking in Paris. Fletcher can help depending on what the foundation is and how damaged the rug is. Please contact the Sun Spots column directly for her phone number.

Dear Sun Spots: Thank you for all the good things you do for your readers. I have two requests. My son is looking for the words and music to a song from back in the late ’50s or early ’60s. The title of the song was “Who put the Devil in Evelyn’s Eyes?” Those are the only words of the song that either of us can recall. Also, who sang it?

My other request is for an instruction booklet for my Welbilt bread machine. Thank you for your assistance. – Betty, Strong.

Answer: Sun Spots was unable to locate the lyrics to this song, but it was actually titled “Who Put the Evil in Evelyn’s Eyes” and sung by the Mills Brothers, a jazz and pop vocal quartet. Perhaps another reader will remember this song.

Also, if no one has an instruction booklet to copy for you, visit www.theusermanualsite.com and search the site for “Welbilt.” From there, you can select the model name and number and in most cases, download the manual. A free membership is required to download.

Dear Sun Spots: I am in need of plexiglass for my porch, any size will do. Anybody have some to give away? I could pick it up, providing it’s in Lewiston or Auburn. My phone number is 782-1157. Thank you. – Mary Ann, Lewiston.

Dear Sun Spots: While waiting in line at the Colisee Saturday, Jan. 17, to buy a ticket for my grandson’s hockey game, I mentioned to my daughter that I forgot my gloves. A woman nearby graciously offered me hers with an explanation of why she really didn’t need them. When I hesitated, she insisted. After discussing how I’d find her to give them back after the game, we parted. Long story short, I couldn’t find her later.

These are handmade gloves, black and white and very warm, that I’m sure hold meaning for her. If you read this, kind lady, please call me at 345-3473 to make arrangements to get them back to you. Thank you so much! – Nina, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: I am in need of help in finding a volunteer service or someone, who for a minimal charge, could assist us in transporting my mom to her physical therapy sessions three times a week one way for 12 weeks. She recently had a triple bypass and it is mandatory for her to attend these sessions as part of her recovery. We have tried Community Concepts, Western Maine Transportation, United Wheelchair Service and several others and have had no luck as the cost they want is way more than she can afford. Because she has Medicare coverage as her primary insurance and Maine Care second, it will not cover any of her cost for these transportation services. Any assistance you could give us in locating something that would be very much appreciated. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots is hoping others who have found themselves in a similar situation can offer some advice.

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.