DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would the lady who made the “head huggers” for cancer patients be willing to share her directions? I would like to make some.

Also, would anyone have a “snag-it” they no longer need, as I would like to find one.

Thanks for your wonderful Sun Spots. First thing I turn to in the paper every morning. — Chickie Gorey, Lisbon Falls, 353-8260

ANSWER: Sun Spots isn’t sure which exact story you are referring to. There was a story some time ago about Lily Gagnon, who makes those hats (www.sunjournal.com/city/story/981146). But others have also written to Sun Spots about their efforts to make things for cancer patients.

As for snag-it, the only one Sun Spots knows of is a computer program. Since your letter is handwritten, that seems unlikely. She hopes readers will understand.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the reader looking for a recipe for rice pie (Aug. 9), mine follows. This pie is called ryynikukko in Finland.

Crust

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 cup oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup ice water

1 teaspoon baking power

1/4 cup rye meal

Sift flour, salt and baking powder into bowl, add rye meal. In a smaller bowl whisk the oil and ice water until creamy. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well. Knead a few times. Roll on a floured board to fit 9-inch pie pan.

Filling

In a double boiler cook 3/4 cup rice, salt to taste and milk, about the double boiler full. Stir mixture quite often while cooking. Be sure rice is thoroughly cooked, about 45 minutes.

Spoon filling into crust and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes. After cooking I usually put a pat of butter on top and spread it around. — No Name, Paris

ANSWER: Sun Spots might try this recipe, as long as she doesn’t have to pronounce its name in Finnish!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am new to the Rumford area so I don’t know if this is what your column is used for, but I would like to give a good home to a chinchilla with a cage. I have a telephone for the hard of hearing. Thank you for any help. — Leanne, Eaton

ANSWER: Sun Spots often gets requests to give or get pets, but if she ran them, she would quickly be overrun. With this tough economy, the local humane societies are also overrun, filled with pets, including rodents (although Sun Spots doesn’t know about chinchillas) that could use a good home.

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society has an especially large selection of pets. You can visit the shelter at 55 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, 783-2311, www.gahumane.org, info@gahumane.org. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Perhaps readers will know of a group that focuses on rodents closer to your home and will write to the column.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to Louise’s July 15 question concerning the Bonanza restaurant, it was in the Bradlee’s Mall. Bradlee’s was an anchor store on the far end, a high-class department store, very nice and carefully arranged. I used to go down in the 1980s and 1990on days off and spend the whole day in all the stores, then have lunch at Bonanza.

I don’t know when they closed, but Bonanza stayed the longest. You could get a salad bar (before salad bars were popular), a large toasted bread, steak and dessert for one price.

The Sears mall had its own restaurant to sit down and order, Deering’s I believe. Good food and prices. Zayre’s, another discount store, and Friendly’s were on the opposite end. Great place to shop, tons of things and different. Ames went in there for a while.

I think Rich’s department store went in where Bradlee’s was. Rich’s was OK, cheaper, but didn’t last long.

Oh, for the good old days when we had choices to shop, and no one had the same things. It was about choices. I’d come back home with loads of new things. Great memories. — Dottie, Farmington

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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