DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the person who wrote on Dec. 15 for a dumpling recipe, I’ve had wonderful results with our past generations’ family recipe for chicken and dumplings.

For the chicken, flour and salt and pepper as many chicken breasts as you want and fry until golden brown. Cut each breast into four pieces and remove to a saucepan. Add one sliced onion, carrots sliced lengthwise and thickly sliced potatoes (as many as you want to serve).

To this add chicken broth and water to cover. Cook until vegetables have 10 to 12 minutes left to cook. Add any favorite seasonings, such as salt and pepper, sage, etc.

Turn to simmer and add dumplings. Cover tightly and cook 10 to 12 minutes.

To make the dumplings: 1 cup flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, salt, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon melted lard or Crisco, and enough half milk-half water to make a soft dough.

Hope you’ll have the results you’re looking for. — Katherine Lawler, Mexico

ANSWER: This sounds absolutely delicious and not too fattening to fit with Mr. Sun Spots’ current diet. Sun Spots will try it very soon.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering if you could find Stephen King’s address for me. I want to tell him how much I like reading his book, “Bag of Bones.” Thank you. — R.H., Kingfield

ANSWER: Stephen King has a website, of course, www.stephenking.com, where you can leave a message. King has several homes, including the famous house in Bangor, but there is no way of knowing when he is staying there.

Your best bet might be to write to him care of his publisher, Simon and Schuster, which has to keep track of him to send all those hefty royalty checks. Simon and Schuster is at 1230 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10020.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know what places are serving free Christmas lunches and dinners in Lewiston-Auburn on Dec. 24 and 25? Thank you. — Melissa via email

ANSWER: This letter arrived too late to get it in the column, but readers seeking similar information should see the Check It Out calendar in the Sun Journal. Online, go to sunjournal.com/events.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Market Square Health Care Center is a premier nursing facility in South Paris seeking dedicated volunteers of all ages. Our residents would love the extra attention, and we would appreciate having volunteers with special skills (or not) to share with them. It’s a win-win situation!

Please call me at 743-7086, ext. 5305, to schedule an appointment. The orientation process is people-friendly, and you can volunteer an hour a week or more.

Sun Spots is a must read for me everyday. I know that our message will reach many, and I thank you for your public service. — Marianne Gallo, LCSW, director of social services, galloma@wmhcc.org

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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