Surprised by tax, golfing winemaker

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am very disappointed in the state of Maine.

I went to buy some groceries at Hannaford on Spring Street in Auburn, and bought vegetables, fruits, milk, hot dogs, beans in a can, frozen potatoes, gravy, fresh package chicken, hot sausage, hamburger, Velveeta cheese, polish deli meat ham and my usual summer slaw. Four packages of slaw, priced at $2.33, $2.74, $2.87 and $2.67, for a total of $10.61.

When I looked at my receipt, I noticed I was charged 59 cents tax on the $10.61.

I had nothing but food. Why did I get charged tax on summer slaw? I felt like the Hannaford had robbed me.

Since when is it taxable? All they do is empty the bag in a large bowl and add coleslaw mix.

Whoever voted for this tax should be fired from their job. They’re supposed to help us, not take our money.

I have been buying summer slaw for many years and I didn’t know I was paying tax!

— Connie Mercier, Auburn

ANSWER: Hannaford was not robbing you, we assure you. The state has taxed prepared foods at 7 percent since 2001.

Prepared foods — like coleslaw — are on the list. Prepared foods, by law, are considered “food and drinks that are prepared by the retailer and ready for consumption without further preparation.”

So, had you purchased a bag of raw slaw and the dressing separately, and taken those home to mix yourself, you would not have been taxed for the items. But, because Hannaford did the food preparation for you, the items were taxed.

Maine does not tax grocery “staples,” items such as potatoes, cheese, fruits and vegetables that you purchased.

If you really want to save money, buy the raw slaw and make the dressing yourself.

Mix together one cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard, 1/3 teaspoon celery seed and salt and pepper to taste.

It’s very quick to make, costs less than prepared dressing, and it’ll be tax free!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We haven’t seen Caroline Cornish on Channel 6 much lately. Is she still with WCSH?

She was on the 11 p.m. news and on at 7 p.m. on “207.” We liked her a lot.

And, the woman golfer, Cristie Kerr. Is her husband, I think Eric, the big winemaker out in Arizona?

— No name, no town

ANSWER: Caroline Cornish left WCSH in May to take a job in the communications department of Maine Medical Center. She had been with WCSH for 17 years before deciding to change careers.

Did you know she played the violin?

And, Cristie Kerr is married to Erik Stevens, who is a marketing agent and businessman. He is also Cristie’s manager, but he’s not a winemaker.

She is.

In 2013, Kerr launched Kerr Cellars with winemaker Helen Keplinger. The duo produce wines made from California vineyards.

Her interest in wine started earlier, though, when she launched Curvature Wines with Suzanne Pride Bryan; part of those proceeds are donated to charity.

Did you know Kerr donates $50 to breast cancer research every time she makes a birdie?

We’ll drink to that!

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