DEAR SUN SPOTS: Salt & Light Community Center is holding a yard sale from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 10 Wood St. in Auburn. There are items from housewares to holiday decor, to clothing in a range of sizes. There is something for everyone! Every dollar we raise gets us closer to our goal of purchasing a building to call home! —  Marianne, no town

ANSWER: I know this is short notice, but hopefully Sun Spots readers can make a trip over to Wood Street to support the center. Founded by Darlene Conant in 2020, it focuses on four pillars of health, spiritual, physical, emotional and financial, and works across generations to get at some of the root causes of neighborhood issues stemming from poverty. She said last year that she envisions Salt & Light as “a safe place for our youth, teens, young adults and parents to learn and thrive.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice in collaboration with the Center for Grieving Children is offering a training opportunity. Those interested in supporting children and their families who have experienced the death of someone important to them, are invited to join us for this training Sept. 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Topics will include child development and grief, reflective listening, using activities in grief work and spirituality. Staff from the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, who have been providing services to Maine families for the past 35 years, will lead the training. No experience of personal loss or professional training is necessary. Those interested may contact Amy Dulac at 795-9468 or amy.dulac@androscoggin.org. — Jenny, no town

ANSWER: Being involved with hospice is a rewarding experience. I hope some Sun Spots readers will step up and take advantage of this opportunity for personal growth and to support children who need a caring adult to listen to them and help them through a challenging time.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: At this time of year, I used to buy a lot of pumpkin spice lattes but I am saving for a new vehicle so I’ve put myself on a pretty strict budget. I know there must be a recipe for making them at home. Does anyone do this? Can I have the recipe? — Al, no town

ANSWER: I’m sure people make lattes of all sorts at home all the time with a little bit of planning and effort. When you think about it, you could save a couple thousand dollars a year doing this if you’re a daily fancy coffee drinker.

For the pumpkin spice latte, you’ll need to make a sauce with 1 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice seasoning. Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool then place the sauce in a blender or food processor and process until very smooth. This will keep in the refrigerator for about seven days.

When you’re ready to make your latte, you’ll need 1/4 cup of pumpkin sauce, 2 ounces espresso, 8 ounces milk, whipped cream, and cinnamon.

Prepare the espresso then add the pumpkin sauce and espresso to a 16-ounce cup. Stir well. Froth the milk then pour it into the pumpkin-espresso mixture, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with cinnamon. While you’re enjoying this, think about all the cash you’re saving!

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