DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there anyone in the Central Maine area that sells Shepardy potatoes (don’t know if that is spelled correctly)? Thank you for your great service and to all your readers. — Diane Freve, [email protected]

ANSWER: According to several online sources, a Shepody (you were close on the spelling) is a long, white, high-starch potato developed for making french fries and seldom sold in grocery stores.

They are (or have been) grown in Northern Maine, so you might be able to find them during the harvest season. Sun Spots found a 2010 Bangor Daily News story that had a picture of the owner of Roope Farm in Presque Isle checking his Shepody potatoes.

You could try contacting him and see if he still grows them (173 Reach Road, Presque Isle, ME 04769, 207-764-4332). Or if not, some of his neighbors may.

Perhaps readers will have additional suggestions?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Mary’s Candy Shop recipe for Scotch Kiss candy (Nov. 22 inquiry) was acquired by Wilbur’s of Maine and they offer it for sale at their store in Freeport ($16.95 per pound), 174 Lower Main St.— R. Lagueux, Lewiston

ANSWER: Someone at Wilbur’s also wrote to Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: This past Sunday I had a Lewiston couple visit Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections in Freeport and mentioned that someone had written in regarding Scotch Kisses.

Wilbur’s of Maine, which has been in business for 34 years, previously purchased the Scotch Kisses from Mary’s Candies on Main Street in Lewiston. When Mary’s closed their business, Roger told Tom Wilbur that the product was made by dipping a marshmallow in caramel. They are then hand-wrapped.

We carry Scotch Kisses in all three of our Maine locations: 13 Bow St. and 174 Lower Main St. in Freeport and 143 Maine St. in Brunswick.

We also can be found on the Web at www.wilburs.com. Please let your reader know, as I do not have the paper to respond to them. — Darci Wheeler, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: One of your readers asked about making blueberry jam with less sugar (Nov. 22). Ball makes a bulk container product that can be used with low sugar, sugar substitute or honey. It comes in a 4.7 oz container, and I bought it at Wal-Mart.

It is a bit different procedure; the website FreshPreserving.com offers more information. I have used it with Splenda (granulated sucrose) sugar substitute and been quite satisfied.

They also make a no-sugar freezer jam which I have not tried. One of the beauties is that you can make only a couple of jars at a time if you wish. — Marilyn Burgess, [email protected]

ANSWER: Thanks for the tips.

Sun Spots has been informed that a local producer of sugar-free jam dropped off a jar at the Sun Journal for her to try. As soon as she picks it up and has a taste, she will report. 

Meanwhile, here’s another suggestion for making your own.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Concerning questions about low-sugar jams: With Pomona’s universal pectin, you can use no sugar, low sugar or stevia concentrate. It is available at Axis Natural Foods in Auburn. See pomonapectin.com for more information. — No Name via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am writing to you from the smallest state in the union, Rhode Island, where I am a seventh-grade student. For my geography class we are working on a semester-long project in which we are responsible for creating an oral, written and poster project for a particular state — in my case, Maine.

If your readers could send me some information, pictures or tourist information, it would help me so much with my project. Thank you for your help. — Chris B., Mr. Cimore’s Period 6 Class, Goff Junior High School, 974 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02861

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].