DEAR SUN SPOTS: I just read that there was a million-dollar winner on the instant scratch ticket here in Maine. I am wondering, do you have to make your name known if you win big, or can you claim it without giving specifics? — D. Richards, garciasgirl2002@aol.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots called the Maine Lottery spokesman, who said that under state law the name and municipality of all winners, big and small, are released. He did say that if you won a big jackpot such as Powerball, you could create a trust for the winnings and then only the name of the trust or trustee, which doesn’t have to be you, would be named.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to see if any readers might have a good recipe for salmon pie. Thank you. — No Name, Lisbon Falls

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for the information on how to be reimbursed for an Outback gift card. I sent the card certified mail to the address you gave. One week to the day, I received a check. Thank you! — Elaine, Otisfield

ANSWER: Glad it worked out. If anyone else wants to receive a refund from Outback, which no longer has a restaurant in Maine, send your gift card, along with a note, your name, address, daytime phone to Blooming Brands, Attn: Kati Scircle, 2202 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607. They recommended sending it certified mail. Allow four to six weeks for a refund. For more information, call 877-670-4329.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Could you tell me where the closest Red Lobster and Golden Corral restaurants would be? You see them advertised on TV, but I don’t know how close they would be to me. — No Name, Lisbon

ANSWER: For Red Lobster you will have to go to Connecticut (1324 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109, 860-0257-1115) or upstate New York (750 Upper Glen St., Queensbury, NY 12804, 518-761-0021).

You’ll have to travel even further for the Golden Corral. The closest Sun Spots found on the Internet locator at goldencorral.com were Ohio and Maryland.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The maple leaf cookies made with pure maple syrup that folks were searching for may be purchased for $2.99 for a 12-ounce box at Shaw’s Supermarkets in Lewiston and Auburn. The name on the box is Leclerc’s Celebration. — James, jhlggl@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: C.M.F. asked about maple leaf cookies. The Dollar Tree does have them from time to time, but they aren’t as good as they used to be.

Also, does anyone know where to get an eye exam and/or glasses if you are on state aid? I really can’t afford either at full price. Thanks again. — No Name, Turner

ANSWER: As Sun Spots noted in her March 15 column, online reports indicated the Dollar Tree cookies come from a non-Canadian company, Manning Foods in Iowa.

Speaking of maple syrup, here’s a fact that might interest readers. Sun Spots recently heard a report on National Public Radio about the high security needed for maple syrup storage tanks in Canada. In the story they noted that based on the price per gallon, maple syrup is more valuable than gasoline, and thus subject to theft.

As for eyeglasses and exams, Sun Spots addressed that issue on Feb. 15, when she found the only source for this help is from the Lions Club. However, you must live in the town where the Lions are based for them to help you. 

You can go to https://directory.lionsclubs.org to find out if there is a club in your town. Sun Spots did this for you but did not find a club in Turner. Perhaps readers will have suggestions.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Happy birthday to Barbara Jean Bouchard, born April 4, 1941, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Your sister is looking for you.

If anyone knows where she is, please call me at 207-743-0420. — Pearl Hemingway, Harrison

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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