DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there a bakery in the Lewiston-Auburn area that makes old-fashioned fruitcake for the holidays? I would like to purchase one for Christmas. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Your letter is certainly a twist on the old jokes about unwanted fruitcakes. Sun Spots has a soft spot for them, because her mother made one every holiday.

Readers, who makes the best fruitcake in L-A?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I think it was last year that I saved a copy from the newspaper itself or Parade or Relish of a recipe for lemon chicken soup. It was delicious.

Now I cannot find the recipe. I’m hoping someone has it and will send in a copy. 

Thank you so much for whatever help you can give me. Your column is such a help to us all. Thank you. — G.B., Mechanic Falls

ANSWER: Sun Spots searched all three websites for lemon chicken soup. On the Relish site she found two possibilities, but one had orzo in it and the other rice, and since you didn’t mention those ingredients, she wasn’t sure if it was one of them. With luck, a reader will have just the recipe you are looking for.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the Nov. 2 query, I have a very easy recipe for slow-cooker pulled pork.

Take 3 to 4 pounds of pork loin (you can use butt, but it has more fat than I like). Cut off as much fat as possible.

Mix two normal-size bottles of barbecue sauce using any combination of sweet or spicy that you like. I mix a generic and Masterpiece. Add one small jar of grape jelly (optional). I use it to dull down the spiciness a bit, but if you like spicy, leave it out.

Roll loin in sauce mixture to cover. Put loin in cooker with cover and turn on low for at least eight hours. Do not remove cover during cooking.

After eight hours, remove loin and shred with fork. Return to sauce and mix well. Serve on rolls or rice. — Margaret White, maggiemae871@msn.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: It has come to my attention that you have been asked on a couple of occasions about my marital status. I looked up your answers, and I want to thank you for handling the situation with respect and tact.

Perhaps this will help to clarify for all those inquiring minds. Directly from my bio on wcsh6.com and wlbz2.com it says: “Sharon grew up in Vermont and earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Ithaca College in upstate New York. Formerly married to News Center reporter Chris Rose, the two have two daughters, Miranda and Duffy.

“Sharon is now married to songwriter and musician Rick Vaznis, who uses the musical pen name of Jericko Rose, and who hails from the Millinocket area. His children, Jak and Samantha, say Sharon is a pretty cool stepmom. Their household also includes one gerbil, three hermit crabs, a cat, and perhaps very soon, a dog. Stay tuned …” Sharon Rose Vaznis via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots is very glad you wrote to enlighten so many curious readers!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Canton Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary is looking for donations of decorated wreaths (any theme) for its 2013 Festival of Wreaths raffle. We need them by Nov 29.

Wreaths will be displayed to the public at the Canton Fire Department from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov 30, Dec. 1 and 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 through Dec. 6 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec 8.

Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Raffle winners will be contacted; they do not need to present to win.

Contact any Auxiliary or Fire Department member for details. Visit us on Facebook: CVFD Auxiliary, or call 207-597-2938 for details — Sherri Vaughan, vaughan@megalink.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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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