DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Minot United Methodist Church will hold its annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our little country church on Route 121 at the corner of Minot Avenue and Empire Road will have a good supply of home-baked goods, candy and crafts. Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese and so much more will be available, including a takeout luncheon. We’re looking forward to seeing our old friends and meeting new ones! — No name, no town

ANSWER: I don’t know about all the Sun Spotters out there, but my calendar is filling up with notations about all these fairs and I want to go to all of them! Hope to see you there!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read your column every day. I keep a clean apartment, make sure everything is in order, and don’t leave food or dirty dishes out. I sweep my floors every day and take out the trash, but I have tiny flies. I’d like to know how to get rid of them. — No name, no town

ANSWER: These could be fruit flies or drain flies, or if you have any houseplants, they could be fungus gnats. I suggest that every day you set a small dish on the counter containing apple cider vinegar and a sprinkle of sugar, with a bit of dish soup stirred in. The solution will attract the flies and they will get stuck in the soap.

Wipe your counters and table with white vinegar every day. Clean all the drains in your home once a week by pouring in 1/2 cup each baking soda and salt followed by 1 cup white vinegar. Leave it overnight then pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. These flies don’t like basil, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, and clove so mix a few drops of one of these in with the white vinegar you use to wipe down the counters.

If you have houseplants, take them outside and spray them with a solution of two tablespoons Dawn dish soap and one gallon of water. Change the soil and wash the plant pots, too.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: It’s pie season! This Skillet Pie recipe is easy and delicious. Just use your favorite pie filling. Melt 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter in a deep iron skillet. Combine 1 cup flour, 7/8 cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons baking powder with 1 cup milk and blend well. Pour into butter in skillet. Do not stir.

Pour one can of any kind of pie filling into the  center of the flour mixture. Do not spread or stir. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Serve warm. — Ida, no town

ANSWER: This is in response to my general call for recipes from Sun Spotters. A Lewiston Sun Spotter who I’m very fond of (you know who you are!) once wrote that she thought it would be fun to have a Sun Spots Cookbook. If you have a favorite recipe to share, especially an old family recipe, send it in.

And yes! It is “pie season.” I’m going to try this recipe. How about you?

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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