DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a daily reader and subscriber. I have trying to locate the cracker Crown Profile. It was very popular years ago.

Also, are there any Mary Kay dealers in the Bath or Brunswick area? Thank you. — M.L., Brunswick

ANSWER: Sun Spots cannot find the cracker as you spell it in your letter, but she wonders if perhaps you mean Crown Pilot crackers?

According to Wikipedia: “The Crown Pilot cracker is Nabisco’s oldest recipe, which was acquired with their purchase of a bakery in Newburyport, Mass. … The recipe was created by John Pearson of Newburyport in 1792 for producing sea-going biscuits.

“The cracker was discontinued once before in 1996 by Nabisco. This sparked the publicized protests of Donna Damon on Chebeague Island and Maine humorist Tim Sample, which eventually led to an episode of CBS News Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood covering the events. Shortly after this, the company resumed production in 1997 after complaints.

Production of Crown Pilot crackers was ended again by Kraft in 2008, reportedly due to declines in sales of the product since the 1990s. According to Kraft spokeswoman Laurie Guzzinati, demand for the crackers was half of what it was 12 years ago, with about 241,000 pounds sold in 1996.

As for Mary Kay, Sun Spots expects to be inundated with sellers of their products eager for a new customer.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for an Avon service representative from the Auburn-Lewiston region. I recently lost my Avon person, and I don’t seem to be having much luck finding another. Please call me at 783-0566. Thank you for your help. — Pauline, Sabattus

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you know any stores that are selling kerchiefs to be used long or short over the head or around the neck? I couldn’t find any in the stores and was surprised. I would like to find a store in Lewiston or Auburn. Many thanks. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots is not surprised by your shopping difficulty. Kerchiefs are not as popular as they once were, and many low-volume items are now available only in large cities or online. In this case, even online “kerchief” did not turn up many hits.

The Vermont Country Store, which sells a lot of old-fashioned items, does have chiffon scarves in either 28- or 35-inch squares in red, white, ivory, black, light blue or light pink. You can call them for a catalog or to buy directly at 1-802-776-5731. Perhaps readers will have some ideas for a local purchase.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do any of your Sun Spots’ readers know where one can purchase a child’s touch lamp? My granddaughter is fascinated with mine and calls it a magic lamp. I would like to find her one for Christmas. Thanks for any information. — B.W., Greenwood

ANSWER: Sun Spots is sorry she didn’t get your letter in sooner. Hopefully your granddaughter’s birthday will come along soon after Christmas.

There are many touch lamps available online, including an angel touch lamp at Amazon.com, 1-800-201-7575, for $24.99. A larger variety of touch lamps for children is available at www.magictouchlamp.com, with sports and animal themes, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Train and many others. You can call them at 1-801-232-6252.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have gotten so much information from your column. It’s great. I am looking for a certain countertop toaster oven. Lowe’s used to carry them but no more. It’s a Euro-Pro convection rotisserie oven, 1500 watts. I hope someone in the area has them. Thank you. — B.G., Lewiston

ANSWER: Once again, Amazon.com (1-800-201-7575) has the toaster oven you seek. Sun Spots can hear her computer-avoiding readers groaning every time she refers them to a website, but she is afraid that it is going to be more and more common. Cost is one big factor. Because of reduced overhead, almost everything is cheaper online than in stores. Also, online vendors can offer items that have limited markets.

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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