DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m appealing to the French population in our readership area.

My grandmother on my father’s side of the family (French) made a rice and brown sugar dessert that was great. The few relatives still with us remember it and have even made it, but the recipe was never written down.

Would anyone of French descent in Sun Spots Land have this dessert recipe based on rice and brown sugar? I have also written to the Franco Center looking for this information.

Thank you and keep up the excellent work. I read Sun Spots every day. — Fern, Norway

ANSWER: It’s so nice to hear from you, Fern, and thank you for being such a dedicated reader.

My grand-mere made a dessert that could be what you’re looking for: Memere’s Brown Sugar Rice —

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Sift 1 1/2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder into a small bowl.

Beat 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 egg in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients in two batches, alternating with 1 cup milk, stirring batter briefly after each addition just to combine. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in 2 cups brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Return to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Pour sauce over batter. Bake until the center is set, about 45 minutes.

Readers, if you have other recipes for Fern, please send them in!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We have a wall clock that needs repair. It runs on batteries and is about 15 years old. I’m just hoping someone out there can fix it! — Larry, no town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In the past you’ve had a list of people who repaired Grandfather clocks. Can you list them again, please?  Linda, Sabattus

ANSWER: In the Rolodex, I have Rohman Clockworks at 350 Minot Ave. in Auburn (207-784-1211), Harry Hepburn in Harrison (207-583-2821), and King Street Clock Repair in Oxford (207-739-9038).

Readers, please let us know if you have other clock repair resources to share.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: At the beginning of November, I saw two recommendations in Sun Spots for companies who clean gutters. I made an appointment with one of the companies and they confirmed the day and time, but never showed up and are not returning my calls.

I’d like to contact the other company that was listed but didn’t save the column. Could you please give us that information again. — Marjorie, Lewiston

ANSWER: Maine Gutter Works (https://mainegutterworks.com/) is the other company in my Rolodex. Contact them at 207-576-9479 or use their online form.

I’m sorry to hear about that hassle. I tried following up with the company that treated you so poorly and they’re not answering me either, so I’ve removed it from the Rolodex.

We take recommendations from our readers seriously in Sun Spots Land. Always let me know if a recommendation does not meet your expectations and I’ll follow up and remove it from the Rolodex if warranted.

Meantime, readers, if you have other contractors who deal with gutter clean out, repair, and installation — you know what to do!

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 [email protected].