DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you remind area gardeners who have an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables to please share with their local food pantries, which are struggling to feed the hungry? Many needy folks cannot afford to purchase fruits and vegetables, and, with help from gardeners, food pantries can do that for them.

Gardeners can access the list of pantries in their area by going online to www.maine.gov/agriculture/co/tefap/countysearch.html, www.ampleharvest.org or by calling their local United Way. In Sabattus, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry is at 61 Lisbon Road, Sabattus, ME 04280 or call Sister Lucille at 375-8399 or check their website at www.sabattusdominicans.org. Thank you. — Claudette Therriault, ctherriault@myfairpoint.net

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you repeat the solution to clean gravestones? I lost it and need to do some work on two stones.

Love Sun Spots. I would not get the paper if I could not read you every morning. Thanks a lot. — C.M.F., No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots found instructions for removing lichen from a gravestone at ehow.com (http://tinyurl.com/3hlvmcw). These instructions say not to use bleach, but rather nonionic soap (such as Orvus, commonly used in association with horse and sheep husbandry and available at agricultural supply stores).

eHow says to mix one tablespoon of the soap with one gallon of water. For tombstones carved from marble or limestone, add one tablespoon of ammonia to the water. For tombstones made of bronze or other metal, don’t use the ammonia.

It says to use plenty of water and to not let the stone dry out while using scrapers and brushes to remove the lichen.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to George Glidden’s Aug. 20 letter concerning excessive moisture. There is a product called DampRid, which I purchased at Walmart last year. Calcium chloride is listed as the ingredient. There were several options on the way you could buy it, and the price ranged from $3 to $5. It worked well for me. — Mary, Rumford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the Aug. 16 Sun Spots, Marion Saucier requested a recipe for a lobster roll. Here is my “secret” recipe. I make the best lobster roll in Portland … maybe even in Maine.

Purchase some cooked lobster meat; a jar of low-fat mayonnaise; a head of iceberg lettuce; a stick of butter; a lemon; a bottle of paprika and a package of “skimpy” hot dog rolls. By “skimpy” I mean the thinnest ones you can buy. (Check the calorie count and buy the lowest calorie ones.)

In a bowl, cut up the lobster meat into nice chunks and mix with the mayonnaise (not too much).

Tear off inner leaves from the lettuce and then tear them into quite small pieces. Sprinkle with a little salt (optional). Put some butter in a ramekin and melt it in the microwave. Heat a skillet to low heat. Brush the outside of a roll on both sides with melted butter. Toast both sides of the roll on the skillet. Quickly poke in some lettuce. Add the lobster meat. Sprinkle with a small amount of lemon juice (optional) and then paprika. Serve. — Joseph McKenna, jrmckenna@gwi.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots admires your modesty. She hopes readers will let her know if the recipe lives up to your promises.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Sabattus American Legion Auxiliary of Post 135 will be hosting its first craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the post home on Island Road, Sabattus. To rent a table or for more information, please contact Judy Cyr at 375-4424 or Joan Caron at 375-4639. — Denise Michaud, denisem1203@fairpoint.net

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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