DEAR SUN SPOTS: What’s the weight difference between Marden’s previous $1 whoopie pies and the new $1.50 whoopie pies? Where on the package is the “best by date”? — Gene, Lewiston

ANSWER: Those popular whoopie pies are made by Labadie’s Bakery in Lewiston and delivered to Marden’s Lewiston store every Monday and Friday. The $1 whoopie pies were three ounces. The $1.50 whoopie pies are heftier than those, according to Dawn at Labadie’s. She added that the price of all ingredients has gone up considerably, by as much as 65%. Yet this beloved Lewiston institution keeps churning out those whoopie pies and other treats.

As far as the “best by date” goes, Dawn explained that these goodies are sold wholesale and have a shelf life of seven to 10 days. So if you pick up your whoopie pies on Monday or Friday, know that your product is “best” for 10 days.

Now I don’t know about the rest of the folks in Sun Spots Land, but there is no way on God’s green earth that a Labadie’s (or any other Maine whoopie pie) would last at my house one whole day; never mind seven to 10 days. It’s just not going to happen.

If you want to stockpile your whoopie pies, stick them in the freezer then thaw and enjoy whenever you have a craving.

If you have more questions, Dawn encourages you to call Labadie’s at 784-7042. She’s one in a million and you’ll enjoy talking with her! The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you have a list of past editors for the Lewiston Sun? I’m looking for an editor with the surname Whitman. His wife was Ethel. I’m trying to make this link cited:

From a family tree compilation by Elsie Colford: Patrick O’Leary had a brother John, and a sister Abigail married a man whose last name was Cunion sounded as “kunyun.” Abigail had a daughter, or possibly a granddaughter, named Ethel who married a man of the surname Whitman and was the editor of the Lewiston Sun. – Steve, no town

ANSWER: Staff writer Steve Collins of the Sun Journal provided the list below, but Mr. Whitman isn’t on it. This doesn’t mean that he wasn’t employed by the paper. He may have had a different title/job description. Send more information, including a timeframe if you can, and I’ll continue to help with the search. Readers, if you have any clues, please chime in.

In the meantime, peruse this list of editors and note their commitment to Maine journalism!

Editors of the Lewiston Falls Journal were Francis Lane, 1847; Dr. William Garcelon, 1847-1850; William H. Waldron, 1850-1857; and Nelson Dingley, 1857-1861.

Editors of the Lewiston Evening Journal were Nelson Dingley, 1981-1862; Frank Dingley, 1862-1918; and Arthur G. Staples, 1919-1940.

Editors of the Lewiston Daily Sun were Henry Wing, 1893-1898  and George Wood, 1898-1945 

Editors of the Lewiston Sun & Journal, later Sun Journal were Louis Costello (general manager) 1940-1946; Russell Costello (general manager) 1946-1959; Quentin Whittier (general manager) 1959-1977; A. Kent Foster, 1977-1986; Thomas Kelsch, 1986 -1997; and Rex Rhoades, 1997-2016. Judy Meyer has been the executive editor since 2016.

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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