DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the second year in a row my Thanksgiving rolls didn’t rise much. Everyone said they were fine, but you know what “fine” means. I used fresh yeast. What am I doing wrong? — No name, Poland

ANSWER: Remember, yeast is a living thing. It’s somewhat delicate and there isn’t a wide margin for error. You say you used fresh yeast. This is a highly perishable ingredient so be sure it stays in the refrigerator or freezer and is not kept past its expiration date.

The yeast should be brought to room temperature and crumbled before adding anything. All other ingredients should be at room temperature as well.

Any type of yeast loves sugar so just a teaspoon or so added to fresh yeast goes a long way. Just mash the sugar into the yeast cake with a fork then add a little warm water (110 degrees) and mash it with a fork. Give it 5 to 10 minutes to activate. Continue on with the recipe.

Yeast relies on sugar to do its job because it metabolizes sugar, releasing carbon dioxide into the bread, which is what ultimately causes it to rise. Even if you’re working with a bread recipe with no added sugar, add it anyway. The yeast will work much better, and you can’t taste that small amount of sugar in the final product.

Don’t add salt directly to the yeast. It will kill the rising process. Salt can be added later in the process with the flour.

Cover the bowl with a tea towel and place the dough in a warm, draft-free place to rise. Inside an oven with just the oven light on, near a warm oven or a heat source (but not too close) or even on top of the refrigerator works.

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DEAR SUN SPOTS: Your column (Nov. 15. Sun Spots) about battery disposal was informative. However, it was published on a Monday and lots of folks do not have a computer so were not able to read this information. Would it be possible to print it again? — Wanda, Lewiston

ANSWER: Here you go: According to https://www.maine.gov/dep/waste/recycle/battery.html, nonrechargeable or single-use batteries (including alkaline and “classic” general purpose or heavy duty) can be recycled, but currently there isn’t a free recycling program available in Maine so small quantities of these batteries may be safely and legally disposed of in normal household trash.

Never throw batteries in fire because they could explode. If you have a lot of nonrechargeable batteries, contact your local waste disposal service or check into a mail-in program that will accept batteries for recycling.

Button cell batteries (mercuric oxide, silver oxide, etc.) should not go in the trash. Instead, they should be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste collection site.

To recycle your single-use batteries as well as rechargeable batteries and even cellphones, you can purchase a special kit from Call2Recycle (https://www.call2recycle.org/store/). This is a good plan if you have several batteries to dispose of. After the box is filled you can mail it in.

All Staples stores, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and the Lewiston Solid Waste Facility accept rechargeable batteries and cellphones.

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.