DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you have any names of people who do housecleaning in your Rolodex?  I sure could use a little help with cleaning carpets and other general cleaning. —  No name, no town

ANSWER: I have PJM Cleaning (pjmcleaningme.com, 209-4458); Sue’s Residential Cleaning Services (sues-residential-cleaning-services. business. site, 212-0812); and Jackie’s Cleaning & Maintenance (jackiescleaning.com, 784-0632).

If you are a senior, another proactive way to find services for just about anything is to call SeniorPlus in Lewiston (795-4010) and ask for assistance with finding someone. It’s always best to get a good recommendation for service people who are coming into your home and to also to inquire if they are bonded and insured.

Readers, if you have someone to recommend, please write in.

This is also a good spot to remind all Sun Spots readers that when you need a service or an item that you include the town where you reside. This helps expedite matters and lets people interested in answering your inquiry know right away if it’s too far to travel.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for a gerontologist. Do you have recommendations? — Kathleen, no town

ANSWER: For those who don’t know, gerontology is the study of aging and its impacts on the population. The role of a gerontologist is most often as a social worker, someone who performs support functions in educating and understanding aging as an administrator or researcher, or someone who works directly for elders and their families in various capacities.

You can find doctors with a geriatric specialty in our area here:  https://doctor.webmd.com/find-a-doctor/specialty/family-practice-geriatric-medicine/maine/lewiston . One of these physicians, a social worker, or your primary care doctor should be able to recommend someone suitable for you to work with.

Readers, if you are working with a gerontologist and would like to recommend them, you know what to do.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you have a recipe for American chop suey? I lost mine when I moved. — No name, no town

ANSWER: This budget-stretching dish, known in other parts of the country as “goulash” (not to be confused with “Hungarian Goulash”) is standard New England fare. Most likely, every household in Maine has a recipe for it, tweaked to fit the family’s taste. This is my mom’s recipe for six hungry people. She always poured in a quart of home-grown tomatoes she had canned. I’d love to hear how readers have made the recipe for this weeknight supper and potluck favorite their own. Do you include peppers? Do you cook the macaroni separately or in the sauce? Do you add cheese and other spices? Tell us!

American chop suey: Measure 2 cups of macaroni and cook in a pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Brown 1½ pounds ground beef in a heavy skillet with a lid. Drain meat and add 1 cup chopped onion, ½ cup chopped celery, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened. Add a 16-ounce can of tomato sauce and 1 quart (32 ounces) undrained chopped tomatoes. Bring to a boil then simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir in cooked macaroni and simmer, covered, for 15 more minutes.

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.

« Previous

Looking for 2016, 2019 Farmer’s Almanacs

Next »

Furry bunny costume requested in medium children’s size