DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to find out if Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends is still looking for donations. I had the address and have misplaced it. — No name, Rangeley

ANSWER: Tommy’s very much needs donations. The no-kill, nonprofit shelter provides hundreds of feral cats born in the wild, as well as abandoned and abused cats, with medical care, safe shelters and food.

Tommy’s, named after the first cat saved, provides medical and personal care for feral felines that includes cancer care, wound care, annual checkups, special homemade diet foods, daily medications, spaying and neutering, dental care, emergency care, hospice care and special needs care.

The organization depends on donations for all services, including medical care, materials for outdoor shelters, food and transportation. For updates on the organization’s activities and status of these cats, visit the organization’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tommysferalfelinefriends/). There is also a donation button on the site and on its website (https://tommysferalfelinefriends.com/).

For four decades, Rose Murphy and Norm Blais, along with volunteers, have been tending to and saving the lives of feral cats. There is a video explaining how the organization works. Originally shown on FOX 23’s “Your Home Town” with Amie Marzen, it’s well worth taking the five minutes to watch: https://tommysferalfelinefriends.com/videos/. Other videos can also be found at this link.

Norm Blais, who passed away on Dec. 22, 2021, devoted thousands of hours to caring for these cats. About a week before his passing, he wrote to Sun Spots explaining that the organization couldn’t carry on with their annual fundraising efforts because of COVID and requested that Sun Spot readers donate if they could.

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Norm’s partner, Rose, continues to carry on with the help of volunteers and those who wish to donate to this effort.

If you aren’t able to use the online method of donating, checks can be sent to Tommy’s Feral Feline Friends, P.O. Box 274, Greene, ME 04236.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Here’s a delicious raisin pie recipe. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 2 cups raisins with 2 cups water in a saucepan and boil for five minutes.

In a small bowl, blend together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon salt together then add to the pan with the water and raisins.

Cook and stir until syrup is clear. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Cool slightly.

Pour raisin filling into a pastry-lined pan and cover with top crust. Seal edges and cut vents in top crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes. This can also be made into squares using a baking pan.

ANSWER: About two years ago, a reader wrote asking where she could buy a raisin pie and since then some really good recipes have found their way into the Sun Spots inbox.

More recently, a devoted Sun Spotter asked if I had ever considered writing a Sun Spots Cookbook. Well, yes I have. I would need the help of all you readers though. What do you think?

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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