DEAR SUN SPOTS: As a child I used to go to swim at a place called Snake Pond. I am now 56 and can’t remember where it is. My mother told me it was either Androscoggin or Oxford county. At the time we were living in Sabattus, but neither of us remember if it was a long or short drive.

So things are kind of vague, but I am hoping that someone out there knows of it or the area it would be in. I’ve been searching without an answer, so I’m putting it out to Sun Spots hoping one of your readers will remember it. — Deb, debby5372@yahoo.com

ANSWER: According to Google maps, there is a Snake Pond in northeast Piscataquis County, which is northeast of Baxter State Park. That probably isn’t the pond you remember — considering the distance, you’d remember a very long drive. Maybe the pond of your childhood is too small to have an official name and was just called that by locals. Perhaps a reader will remember it as well and offer more details.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In answer to the lady with bean canning problems, I hope she uses canning salt and cooks the beans for 20 minutes in a pressure canner after the 10-pound pressure is reached. Good luck! — Dot, Hartford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the request from Paula Howe in Dixfield in your column of Aug. 13, I cane chairs and have done so for many years, teaching the craft in adult education both in Dixfield and Livermore some years ago. Unfortunately, the adult education in this area no longer offers this craft as a class.

If she will give me a call, we can discuss the cost of caning her chair. I can be reached at 562-7305. — Connie Beedy, rbeedy@gmail.com

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DEAR SUN SPOTS: Kathy Cyr, 632-4545, canes chairs. — John, Turner

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Georgia Tolman of New Sharon canes chairs. Her number is 578-0348. She has reasonable prices and is very good.

I would like to know if anyone out there has a recipe for dilly beans, All I know is that they have green beans, cauliflower and garlic. They have no vinegar in them. I have tried several sites on the Internet, but all the recipes have vinegar in them. Thank you. — Becky Tyler Temple, idontknow63@hotmail.com, 778-1089

ANSWER: Sun Spots hopes you saw Page B2 of yesterday’s paper, which featured a recipe for dilly beans. The recipe did include vinegar, however. Sun Spots has not heard of canning without it. Has a reader?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for an old recipe for homemade salt pickles. My uncle used to make them, and I know he did them in a crock. I believe that it was just salt and water, but I’m not sure of the amounts. If anyone has a recipe for them, I would love to have it. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me. I enjoy your column. It is very helpful at times. — Lainey Elaine Verrill, lainey55@securespeed.us

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Last summer my family and friends organized a benefit dance/Chinese auction/supper at Boofy Quimby Memorial Center in Turner and the American Legion in Rumford. I have cystic fibrosis. I was waiting for a double-lung transplant, and the proceeds were to cover expenses that would not be covered by my insurance.

On Dec. 5, 2009, I received the double-lung transplant at Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston. I am dong well and very thankful for this second chance at life. I would like to say thank-you to all the businesses, organizations and people who contributed to the benefits. I truly appreciate all the donations, prayers, words of support and encouragement. God bless each of you. — Mark Hume, Livermore Falls

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.


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