DEAR SUN SPOTS: We had a perplexing situation yesterday, and I thought you might be able to help find an answer.

For years we have obtained a Maine State Park Pass and have always gotten more than our money’s worth from it. It is an encouragement to explore the state and seek out new parks.

Yesterday we drove to visit Scarborough state park. When we pulled up to the booth we were told the pass does not work there. How can this be? It is clearly called a state park and this is a state park pass. — No Name via email

ANSWER: For an answer to this question, Sun Spots emailed the Division of Parks and Public Lands, Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry, and received the following response from Ron Hunt, regional manager in the Southern Parks Region.

Ron said an explanatory memorandum is sent to purchasers with their Maine State Park Pass. The pass allows visitation to Maine State Park day use areas and historic sites for the entire year. However, Ron continued:

“It doesn’t allow free entrance to Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Penobscot River Corridor, Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Maine Wildlife Park, Peacock Beach or Scarborough Beach.

“Baxter State Park is not a park in the Maine State Park system despite its name. It was created as a separate park authority by Governor Percival Baxter in his deeds of trust and specifically excluded from the Maine Park system.

“Fees are collected at the AWW and PRC through a contract with North Maine Woods, a consortium of private landowners.

“The Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Peacock Beach and Scarborough Beach are managed by other entities through management agreements and are thus not covered by the pass.

“The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

“We try to bring these exceptions to the attention of our patrons who purchase a pass through the attached memo, but often people lose the memo after the receipt of their pass or forget the exclusions.

“Confusion also arises when a Maine Park Pass is presented but not honored at Acadia National Park. Obviously, the National Park Service would have no obligation to accept a state pass.

“I hope that this has cleared up any confusion for your readers.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the column about horn worms (July 10), I, too, have them, and they are disgusting. One thing I use is Dipel Dust. I found it at Home Depot.

Depending on the number of plants I have, I find if I sprinkle it on my tomato and pepper leaves one time a week, one container can last two years.

I find it works well, and you do not have to pick them off. — Pam Crawford, Pahrump, Nev. (used to live in Maine), doxiex2@att.net

ANSWER: Sun Spots is always a little leery about insecticides, but her research indicates that Dipel Dust is a bacteria and not too harmful to other plants and animals or people. Readers?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In June you had a letter from someone seeking to keep bananas from spoiling so quickly.

I thought maybe the enclosed advertisement for a storage bag might be just the thing to provide an answer for her, if you still have her address or phone number. Hope this might help. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not respond privately to queries. You have to read your answer in the column. Hopefully that questioner is a regular reader of the column and sees your suggestion.

The retailer of the banana keeper (stock number 12-35113-6) is Starcrest of California, 19465 Brennan Ave., Perris, CA 92599, 800-551-2843.

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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