DEAR SUN SPOTS: Having just been reminded that my ASL signing, never much to begin with even though I took some courses at LAC several years ago, was so rusty as to be useless in communicating with the deaf members of my family, I am committed to relearning it.

Are there others reading this who once knew ASL and, like me, have “lost” it? Anybody out there who would like to form a group to use the Internet-available material to practice together?

There’s a smartphone iPad app called “Marlee’s Signs” on which the deaf actress Marlee Matlin demonstrates signs, and I know I’d be more faithful in practicing if there were a group of us working at it.

Please email me if you’d like to be part of such a group. Thank you, Sun Spots, for providing your invaluable community forum. — Silver Moore-Leamon, Auburn silverml34@aol.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: It’s sad to see that the Sun Journal’s road trip section by H. Joie Crockett has ended. I always found it interesting to read of places that Maine has to offer for a “travel bug” — some places well known, others hidden treasures.

Thanks, Joie, for being our guide, and best wishes on your new adventures. — Carol Hanscombe, Lewiston

ANSWER: Joie’s last column was Sunday, April 6, in which she highlighted her favorite places.

DEAR MADAM: Would you please email me the recipe for Best Meatloaf Recipe? I cut the recipe from Sun Spots that you had last week in the newspaper but I misplaced it unfortunately. Thank you so much! Kindest regards. — Anne, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t correspond privately with readers, but she’s always glad to repeat requested information. Unfortunately, she did not have a recipe by that title in the column, and there are too many to repeat them all.

Here are the links to the previous columns with meatloaf recipes in them from the last month or so: March 21 (http://tinyurl.com/pvxwmum), March 29 was all stuffed peppers and cabbage (http://tinyurl.com/phwv5aa), March 31 (http://tinyurl.com/ny4we2m), April 7 (http://tinyurl.com/lzgoew5) and (April 9) http://tinyurl.com/l2dtk2b. 

Following are a few more recipes. Interestingly, nearly all the recipes came via snail mail, with many taking the time to write the recipes out by hand, sometimes multiple pages. Thank you!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Here is my recipe for pork-stuffed peppers for four.

Brown 1 pound ground pork and one onion (Sun Spots assumes you should dice it first). Drain fat. Add 1 cup whole-kernel corn, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.

Fill peppers that have been scalded. Top with bread crumbs and place in a pan with a little water in it. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. 

We are very fond of this recipe. Sometimes I just make the filling. Enjoy! — Becky Pelletier, Fayette

ANSWER: One reader suggested using stuff pepper/cabbage filling as a meatloaf.

HI MRS. SUN SPOTS: Here’s a true-blue Slovakian recipe for cabbage rolls that is truly not too hard.

1 medium cabbage, core removed and steamed until pliable

Mix 1½ pounds hamburger, 2 medium onions (again, Sun Spots assume you’d dice these), 3 cloves garlic, crushed, 1 egg, ½ cup cold water and ½ cup raw rice.

Lay cabbage leaf flat and place a ball of hamburg mixture in it, then roll.

Spread leftover cabbage leafs on the bottom of big kettle. Place cabbage rolls on top, the cover with water even to the top of rolls. (Optional: Use 2 cans crushed tomatoes on top of rolls.)

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour. Mmmm, good.

This recipe is from my beloved Aunt Tillie. Have a great recipe for kapusta, too. — J.E.P., Lewiston

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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