DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the March/April 2010 issue of food ETC. there was an article about whoopie pies having Maine DNA and mentioning a 1920s cookbook from a women’s group in Turner.

We wrote to Amos Orcutt, president and CEO of the University of Maine Foundation, who was mentioned in the article, asking about this. He responded that he had been told by others that there was a similar recipe to the whoopie pie in a Rebekahs cookbook produced by the Turner chapter in the 1920s or 1930s.

It was apparently not called a whoopie pie. The Turner Museum & Historical Association is interested in finding a copy of the cookbook for our records.

We’re hoping you can help us. Thank you for your assistance. — Cynthia French, secretary, 225-3067

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Last summer there was a story about someone in the Turner area, I believe, who repaired leather. I need to make contact with that person. I have a nice leather purse whose sides are beginning to want to split open. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your great help. — Janet Bean, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not know of anyone in Turner who works on leather. Her list includes the following:

— Midcoast Shoe Repair, 14 Maine St., Brunswick 725-8557, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— Morin Shoe Store, 171 Main St., Berlin NH., 603-752-4810

— Paul’s Shoe Shop at 22 Cumberland St., Westbrook, ME 04092, e-mail [email protected], 854-4338, will provide service by mail. They are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

— Tom Finn Shoe Repair, 165 Water St., Augusta, 623-8491, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Finn says he repairs anything leather, as well as shoes.

— European Touch, 8 Rocky Ave., Topsham, 721-9160 (leather jacket linings)

— Alterations by Judy and Industrial Stitching & Leather Repair, 906 Sabattus St., Lewiston, 783-6201

If there is a leather service in Turner that wants to be added, write to Sun Spots to be added.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would love to have a teddy bear or puppy dog made from a lovely mink stole that I have for my granddaughter. I contacted Julie Daye, as I knew she did teddy bears, but she doesn’t anymore.

She did, however, see some note in your wonderful column about someone who does do this work. I would love to hear from you or this other person to arrange to have this done. I love your column and all the good you do. Thank you. — Mary Lou Berry, Newry, 824-2554

ANSWER: The fur teddy bear-maker is Angie Rogers, P.O. Box 185, Gray, ME 04039, 428-4415.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a sight-impaired senior citizen on Medicare. I need rides from the Lewiston-Auburn area to and from eye doctor appointments in Portland. As I am on a fixed income, I need someone would charge me reasonable rates. Thank you, readers. — Pat Rea, Auburn, 689-3976

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you tell us what happened to Kiley Bennett who was a news anchor at WGME? We have not seen her in a few weeks. Many thanks for enlightening us. — Carol Sevigny, [email protected]

ANSWER: According to Wikipedia, Kiley retired from broadcasting on Sept. 30 to be a stay-at-home mother.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Years ago McDonalds had small “Babe” the movie toys. I need the mice and dogs, please. Thank you. — Phyllis, 782-8091

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 [email protected].