ANSWER: The world needs more amazing people like Francis. And, Betty, Sun Spots is overjoyed at the news you found your precious wedding rings and to know that they are back on your finger where they belong.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Recently in the AARP paper, I saw an advertisement for free help with tax preparation for low- and middle-income people with their Tax-Aide program. Can you please find out if there will be anything from them in the Rumford/Mexico area for tax time? I read your column every day, so I’ll look for your answer. Thank you so much. — No Name, Rumford.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site is not available specifically in the towns of Rumford or Mexico. The closest site to Rumford is in Norway (about 33 miles away) at the Norway Memorial Library at 258 Main St. At that location, appointments are required and tax prep is offered on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 207-333-6448 for more information.

A little closer to Rumford, about a 25-mile drive, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer appointments for tax preparation assistance at the University of Maine at Farmington, 270 Main St., Roberts Learning Center, Room 301. Appointment times are available between now and March 26 by calling 207-778-7954.

There are several options available for pay tax preparation services right in the towns of Rumford or Mexico, including H&R Block on Oxford Avenue, Rumford, 207-364-2949; Murphy’s Accounting at 711 Crescent Ave., Rumford, 207-364-4100; Liberty Tax Service at 132 Congress St., Rumford, 207-558-3453; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service at 258 River Road, Mexico, 855-308-1040; and MBL Accounting at 43 Carlton Ave., Mexico, 207-364-4082.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the individual looking for his grandmother’s molasses pie recipe, this recipe is one from the Madawaska Historical Society’s “Reunion Families’ Favorite Recipes.” Copies of the cookbook may be ordered directly from the Historical Society, Madawaska, Maine 04756. This recipe is a Plourde Family Reunion recipe which comes from R.P. Plourde. 

Ingredients
1/2 cup cubed salt pork
3 tablespoon flour
1 unbaked pie shell and dough for lattice
1 cup molasses
1 cup boiling water

Preparation

In a skillet, fry the salt pork cubes until they are golden brown. Remove the pork, leaving the fat in the skillet. Add the molasses and flour to the fat. Bring to boiling point. Add boiling water and allow to cook until mixture becomes quite thick. Place mixture in the unbaked pie shell and make a lattice work top crust. Bake at 400 degrees until crust is golden brown, approximately 20 minutes. — Ryan, Madawaska.

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